WELCOME TO THE FANFIC MAILING LIST FAQ!
==========================
LAST UPDATED: April 9, 1998
New Section: - How can I find a fanfic that I'm looking for?
Updated Sections: - Don't beat a dead horse
- What can I post to the ML?
- What is Spam?
* FAQ Co-Creators:
Andy Skuse (Panda) Sapphire, The Blue Tigress
<askuse@execulink.com> <sapphire@mbmasters.com>
* Current Maintainers:
Sapphire, The Blue Tigress Gary Kleppe
<sapphire@mbmasters.com> <kleppe@execpc.com>
If you have any questions or comments regarding this FAQ, or would
like the latest updated version, please E-mail either of the two
addresses above.
A text version of this FAQ can be found at:
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/faq.txt
Yoo C. Chung has put together an HTML version of the FFML FAQ at:
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/faq.html
***VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTES***
1) DO NOT POST TEST MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!
If you think you've been unsubscribed or if you think the list is
down, see the section "* 'I think I've been unsubscribed.' OR 'Is the
list down?'"
2) DO NOT POST CHAIN MESSAGES TO THE LIST!!!
Be forewarned that anyone posting a chain message to the FFML will be
immediately banned. Chain messages include any E-mail that instructs
the recipient to forward it to as many people as possible, especially
computer virus warnings.
3) Gary and Sapphire have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the actual
list management itself. If you have a problem with the list, email
the list moderators. See section "* Who are the moderators of the
list?" OTOH, the FAQ maintainers can answer questions or requests for
information, so please feel free to E-mail us.
***IMPORTANT FAQ NOTE: For the following information about email
messages and requests, any word in square brackets should NOT include
the brackets with the word. The square brackets are used only to
clarify the word(s) they contain.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
=================
* What is the fanfic mailing list?
* How do I subscribe to/unsubscribe from the ML?
* How do I post to the ML?
* What can I post to the ML?
* What's this about "subject tags"?
* What about story format?
* Who are the moderators of the list?
* 'I think I've been unsubscribed.' OR 'Is the list down?'
* How large a file can I send to the ML?
* What is SPAM?
* How can I find a fanfic that I'm looking for?
* Don't beat a dead horse.
* What is C&C?
* What is an MST?
* What is a 'LEMON' fanfic?
For information about fanfic related websites, newsgroups and irc,
see the "FFML Resources" guide. If you missed it when it was posted,
send a request to either of the FAQ Co-Maintainers listed at the top
of this FAQ. Or you can get it from the following websites:
http://erau.db.erau.edu/~sachss/Anime/FFML.Resource.Guide.html
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/resource-guide.html
====================
* WHAT IS THE FANFIC MAILING LIST?
The fanfic mailing list (ML) is a forum for authors and fans to
discuss fanfics (fanfiction stories) with an anime/manga theme that
are posted to the ML. Generally, this means stories involving
settings, characters, props, attacks or any combination of the
above from anime/manga.
And just in case you don't know what anime or manga is, anime refers
to Japanese animation (cartoons) and manga refers to Japanese graphic
novels (comic books).
====================
* HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE TO/UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THE ML?
To SUBSCRIBE to the mailing list, send an email message with the
words [subscribe ffml] in the body of the message to
[fanfic-request@fanfic.com]. The subject does not matter. You will
receive an automatic reply from the server; follow the directions in
the reply, and you will be subscribed.
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the mailing list, simply send a message with the
words [unsubscribe ffml] in the body of the message to
[fanfic-request@fanfic.com].
====================
* HOW DO I POST TO THE ML?
Send mail to [ffml@fanfic.com]. Anyone can post to the ML, even
those not subscribed to it. Before you send anything, please,
please, PLEASE read the rest of the FAQ, especially the following
sections "What can I post to the ML?"; "What is SPAM?"; "Don't beat a
dead horse"; and the first section of "What is C&C?" If you're new
to the net or just need to brush up on your netiquette, check out the
following website:
http://www.fau.edu/rinaldi/net/index.htm
====================
* WHAT CAN I POST TO THE ML?
You can post stories, of course, story ideas, and C&C. Also, where
to find background and character information and questions and
answers about the same. Email people directly when answering a simple
question and don't forget to remind people to email you directly when
answering your question. Posting requests for fics to the list is
strongly discouraged; see "How can I find a fanfic that I'm looking
for?" below.
This mailing list is mostly for stories not yet on
rec.arts.anime.creative, although there are exceptions such as if
it's not available via ftp anywhere or if the general consensus on
the list is to post it. Also, if you're posting the next part of a
series that has never been seen on the list before, post the previous
parts unless they're really big.
====================
* WHAT'S THIS ABOUT "SUBJECT TAGS"?
To help members of the list sort the mail they receive from the FFML
more efficiently please use the following tags in the subject header
of your posts to the FFML.
[Fanfic], [Fic] = Marks a message as containing a story\chapter.
[C&C] = Message containing Comments & Criticisms on a fanfic.
[Spam], [Spamfic] = Self-explanatory. Sig characters go here. :)
[Info], [Announce] = Side notes, not quite spam, but not 'fics
either.
[FAQ] = Frequently Asked Questions update or Resource Guide.
[Admin] = Moderators' (WW & Tybalt) use only. If a post comes over
the list with this tag, you should read it.
[Lemon] = See the section below on 'LEMON' fanfics.
Tags are also used to identify which series a fanfic is based on,
e.g. [Ranma], [BGC], [Inu-Yasha]. This will help direct your story
toward those who would like to read it. Other tags may indicate the
general tone of a fic, such as [Dark] or [WAFF] (the latter is an
acronym for Warm and Fuzzy Feeling).
====================
* WHAT ABOUT STORY FORMAT?
This is just to tell you to use US-ASCII characters and to wrap your
lines to about 74 characters a line or about 10 to 12 words a line.
Basically, whatever word processing program you use, save the story
in ASCII text format (the one with the extension .TXT). Don't use
fancy quotes and characters either; not all of these characters
translate very nicely to ASCII format.
Also, don't send it as an attachment; cut and paste the story in the
body of the message itself. Everyone has different mail readers and
these little formatting tricks makes it easier for more people to
read your story.
You also might want to note where to find previous parts or chapters
of the story. New list members are more likely to read that new
chapter if they can get their hands on the previous chapters.
You do want your story read, don't you?
====================
* WHO ARE THE MODERATORS OF THE LIST?
There are now two moderators as such of the FFML.
If you have any problems related to the list these are the folks to
talk to:
Tybalt at:
[tybalt@fanfic.com]
or
White Wolf at:
[wwolf@fanfic.com]
or
[fanfic-owner@fanfic.com]
====================
* 'I THINK I'VE BEEN UNSUBSCRIBED.' OR 'IS THE LIST DOWN?'
First, here's what NOT to do:
PLEASE DO NOT SEND TEST MESSAGES TO THE ML!!!
If you think the list is down, DON'T email the list!!! Ask one of
the moderators privately. Alternatively, E-mail another subscriber,
or one of the auxiliary lists (see the Resource Guide), and ask
whether they have been receiving list mail. Yet another way to check
is to visit http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/ .
Remember, if the list is down and you send a test message, you're
just making matters worse. And if the list isn't down (or when it
goes back up), you'll draw the wrath of the moderators down on your
head.
====================
* HOW LARGE A FILE CAN I SEND TO THE ML?
The current size limit for a single FFML post is 200 kilobytes. It's
certainly okay to write fanfics that exceed this size, but you should
break them down into 200 kb chunks for posting purposes. Just
remember to label the pieces so that readers will know which order
they go in and how many total parts there are. For example, if you
have 3 parts, label them Part 1/3, Part 2/3, Part 3/3. Also, try to
put part numbers at the beginning of the subject line, especially if
you have a long subject since the end may be lopped off.
A few subscribers may not be able to handle pieces of email as large
as 200 kb. You may want to post in 100 kb or even smaller chunks to
accomodate them -- but that's up to you.
====================
* WHAT IS SPAM?
SPAM is junk mail/ off-topic conversation. DON'T SPAM a lot. We're
a pretty easy-going bunch about this, but if you don't stop when
asked, you may be banned from the list.
Tybalt <tybalt@fanfic.com>, who acts as FFML moderator to keep list
traffic at a manageable level, has the following policy on SPAM:
** Posts that are not allowed and can result in permanent banning:
Extremely offensive flames
Chain letters, especially virus warnings
Commercial solicitations
** Not allowed, may result in immediate temporary banning:
Test messages
Spam polls: off-topic surveys that ask for on-list responses
Continuation of a thread that has been banned by the moderators
Portrayals of the murdering of another author without permission
(yes, somebody actually did this).
** Not allowed, tempbanning may result for repeated offenses:
Controversial off-topic arguments
Fic requests (see the next section below)
** Discouraged, tempbanning may result for excessive amounts:
"Me too"s -- posts that agree without adding anything
Character debates (e.g. "So-and-so is Ranma's Best Babe!")
Off-topic discussions
It is always a good idea to check through an entire thread before
posting in it. The question you are answering may have already been
answered, or the moderators may have already called a halt to the
thread.
SPAM includes threads where a few people are replying to each other
more than twice a day so the list seems more like a conversation
between two or three people, and anything that would be better off
emailed privately. Don't forget that complaints about the amount of
SPAM on the list are SPAM themselves and tend to generate even more
SPAM.
====================
* HOW CAN I FIND A FANFIC THAT I'M LOOKING FOR?
Fanfic requests are a SPAM that almost never needs to be on the list.
If you are looking for a certain story, there are lots of ways of
getting it without sending out your request to all 800+ FFML
subscribers.
The first thing you should try is to E-mail the author of the story,
or check the author's web site. Web sites for many authors are listed
in the FFML Resource Guide. Didn't get the Guide? Email one of the
FFML FAQ Co-Maintainers and ask for a copy, or see the web addresses
above.
If you don't know who the author of a fic is, try emailing someone
else on the list who seems to have read the story; or check the
weekly synopses lists at
http://members.xoom.com/sec
There are also author databases on the web, listing fics that have
been posted to FFML with their authors. These are located at
http://illusion.snu.ac.kr/~wacko/ffml/author-db/
and
http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/8222/ffmllist.html
The important point here is that posting a fic request to the list
should be a LAST resort.
====================
* DON'T BEAT A DEAD HORSE
Threads that usually degenerate into SPAM, or are SPAM to start with,
are better not started on the list in the first place. If you really
have to ask about such topics on the list, make sure you remind
everyone to send responses PRIVATELY and not to the list. If you want
to, you can post the results of the PRIVATE discussions on the list
afterwards.
- Romanji spelling. Especially, the 'u' argument. "Is Ryoga
spelled 'Ryoga' or 'Ryouga'?" Just remember that there's more
than one 'official' system being used in the world today.
- Physics discussions. Anything from black holes to time travel.
Questions on these subjects may be E-mailed directly to Gary
<kleppe@execpc.com> for answering.
- Technical discussions. Mech designs, weapon comparisons, and
things that go boom.
- Character debates, such as those over who would make the best
spouse for character X or who would win in a fight between
characters Y and Z. (Characterization issues that are related
to a specific posted fic *are* fair game for the list,
provided that they are kept focused and that the discussion
stops when the moderators ask that it do so.)
- Discussions of controversial topics like religion, politics,
etc. when not directly related to a particular posted fic.
- Complaints about certain types or genres of fanfiction, e.g.
'Why do so many fics feature Ranma' (or Sailor Moon, etc.)
Everyone has different tastes, and if you don't like a
particular type of story, the best thing to do is simply to
look for something else to read.
====================
* WHAT IS C&C?
Comments and criticisms. Every author wants feedback on their
stories to help improve them. After all, this is what the list is
really for.
When sending comments or criticisms to an author, there are a few
things to consider before posting your observations:
1) Lurk for a while before posting to the list. Spend some time
getting to know the FanFic ML. There is no better way to find out
about etiquette and 'unspoken' rules.
2) Some authors want comments on creative content (plot,
characterization, etc.) while others like a more detailed analysis of
their stories that includes technical aspects such as grammar and
spelling. Some authors greatly appreciate honest negative criticism,
while others would prefer those without anything nice to say to say
nothing at all. Often authors will indicate what kind of feedback
they are looking for in their authors' notes. If not, consider asking
the author via private email which type of response they would prefer.
3) Posting your C & C to the mailing list is fine unless the author
states otherwise. If an author specifically asks for private comments
then you should abide by their wishes.
4) In your C&C, quote however much (if any) of the story is necessary
or helpful for readers to understand what you are referring to.
Sections that you have no comment on should be snipped.
====================
* WHAT IS AN MST?
MST stands for Mystery Science Theater 3000, a cable TV show
featuring a man and two wisecracking robots. They are forced to watch
bad movies, and they make clever commentary on them as they go.
Fanfiction MSTs are based on the format of that show. In a fanfiction
MST, several characters (one of whom is usually the actual author of
the MST) read a fic and make running commentary.
It's important to note that an MSTing doesn't necessarily indicate a
bad fic. While it's true that some authors do MSTs to make fun of
stories that they didn't like, others do them for stories that they
did like in order to give them more exposure.
====================
* WHAT IS A 'LEMON' FANFIC?
'Lemons' are stories with explicit sexual content and should be
labeled as such in the [Subject:] field when posted. Not everyone on
the ML is over 21.
Example:
Subject: [LEMON] Story name
END OF FFML FAQ ------------------------
Gary Kleppe
kleppe@execpc.com, http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe