Old Mares' Tales Rules, Submission Information, General Chat

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

Welcome to Old Mares’ Tales, Ponygoons very own fanfiction forum. Here, stories that meet our thorough approval standards are posted for viewing and comments. I am the moderator in charge of this whole show, the Head Librarian.

So a few guidelines.

1. This forum can be hidden from your view by adding yourself to the “no fanfiction group” in the user control panel, if you so desire.

2. The fanfiction approval process is started by Giving me a private message containing a link to the fanfiction and preferably a description following this format:

Title: The story’s title.
Type: The genre of the story.
Synopsis: A brief hook giving a description of the premise of the story.
Link: The location of the story, through Googledocs, Fanfiction.net, Deviantart, etc.
Author: The person or people who wrote the story.
Submitted by: Generally this will be whoever sends me the PM.

After which at least two prereaders will read the story to make sure it fits our standards. The prereaders are the usergroup the Faithful Librarians. Applications to the group are open and appreciated, applicants just need to be willing to read a lot of fanfic and to be observant of anything that could break the rules. Just contact me over IRC or PM.

3. The standards for approval: Remember the Creepy Rule! Fanfics are under heavier scrutiny than fanart and such. There are bans on anything “shipping” or “grimdark.” The main forum rules define shipping as any noncanon romance between a nonzero number of characters, and we operate under a policy of zero tolerance: even an offhand reference or joke alone might be grounds for rejection. Grimdark means a story has a very dark tone with large amounts of violence and death or other such negative elements not in the show. The grimdark ban can be appealed if the story has very high quality writing and the dark elements are not an ends themselves but a means to tell a story, but such is incredibly uncommon.

"Human in Equestria" fanfics (which are exactly what it says on the tin) are all terrible and you probably haven't found the magical good one. If you somehow have found the magical good one, be absolutely sure it IS the magical good one or I'll feel bad for wasting people's time.

Quality can be an issue, if a story is bad enough it can be rejected despite everything else.

Overall, approval is a very subjective process, which is why two prereaders are mandatory.

Unfinished stories are allowed but only if there is enough there to actually judge. If a fanfic later updates to become awful and smutty then inform me or one of your other helpful moderators and we'll obliterate it. I'm counting on alert civilian operatives such as yourself to tell me if something becomes bad. Be sure to quote relevant passages when reporting.

A submitter won't be punished for having their submission rejected. After all the whole process is, like I said, subjective. A large number of rejections might disqualify a person from submitting anything further, but that's it. Submitting anything that egregiously breaks rules, such as something sexually explicit or excessively violent and gory, may be met with a suspension or ban depending on severity.

4. If you have any complaints about how this is run, send them to me! If you think we’re being too strict, or not strict enough, tell me!

[Dong Strongly]

I dunno about the other prereaders but I go into a story hating it and make the story earn my appreciation. Also, I knock points off from the start just because the author isn't Dong Strongly.

Oh, and I read between the lines even when there isn't lines to read between. So don't inadvertently imply anything anywhere. I will infer it, whether or not there's anything to infer. Mark my words.

So keep all that in mind before assaulting us with your words.

[Contra Calculus]

New rule: anything that is not by the author "Dong Strongly" gets auto-rejected.

OFSheep edit: Shut up Contra. Actual new rule: Prereaders aren't allowed to use ctrl+f to search for words commonly used in shipping or whatever without reading the fic because then they miss context and OFSheep gets nagged at.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

The Faithful Librarians have an irc channel, #faithlib @synirc.net! Come in and tell us how bad we are at our jobs!

[Bucket Love]

I'd like to write something for the forums and I have a question on writing format. I do most of my writing as a script then more novel format. Is that okay?

[Redeye]

I'd like to write something for the forums and I have a question on writing format. I do most of my writing as a script then more novel format. Is that okay?

Pretty sure that shouldn't be an issue, so long as it's legible and doesn't break any rules. You should probably specify that in the submission form, however, since it would count as abnormal.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

Pretty sure that shouldn't be an issue, so long as it's legible and doesn't break any rules. You should probably specify that in the submission form, however, since it would count as abnormal.

I was about to say I had no idea since I haven't seen one of these elusive script-style fanfics.

[Opposing FarceDon't you smile at my faceSpit on my backDo you kiss your mother with a mouth like that?]

I was about to say I had no idea since I haven't seen one of these elusive script-style fanfics.

I actually submitted one once (although it was a comic script instead of a screenplay) and WMoD told me the style made it hard to parse and that he'd like me to rewrite it as prose before posting it.
That was way back when we very first started allowing any sort of fanfiction at all, though, and I did end up writing it in prose, so

[Redeye]

I was about to say I had no idea since I haven't seen one of these elusive script-style fanfics.

They're rightfully rare because that style is A. hard to pull off well, and B. usually more of a pain in the ass than prose. If it's what the dude is comfortable with and good at, though, then by all means let's see it.

But, yeah, since they're rare it would be good to make note of that in the submission form. And if people gripe about it then pass it on to me and I'll act as a prereader.

[PinkemonIts SO limited edition! :'D]

I actually am wondering about something. There's a series I'd like to submit(Basically, its from an RPing group that turns its sessions into fanfic chapters.) eventually once the earlier parts are ironed out and after its ready for submission in general, but its not just a regular fanfic with a defined ending, but rather multiple episodes of a series, kinda like FiM itself.

So, is that eligible for submission as well, or would it only be allowed if there will be no further episodes anymore? I don't think they will actually vary in quality in the way its mentioned in the OP, since the entire thing is meant to be in the same atmosphere as FiM, so obviously no grimdark or shipping will every occur. (For more information, check here: http://whinnypeg.wikispaces.com/Welcome)

Just wondering.

[numsOic]

Not a fanfic buff or anything but my understanding is that only finished series are allowed. If it's an ongoing thing, you can probably release batches of chapters as different works and have them approved as such.

[PinkemonIts SO limited edition! :'D]

Not a fanfic buff or anything but my understanding is that only finished series are allowed. If it's an ongoing thing, you can probably release batches of chapters as different works and have them approved as such.

Ah, I see.

I was just wondering if this would be a different case since it's not a normal kind of fic, but that's fine too.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

Before you submit an RP log turned into fanfic, ask yourselves these questions:

1) Are any of the characters ponysonas, or OCs based on their creators (I.E. me as a pony characters)?

2) Is the subject matter decent? I don't think a fic about a group of ponies murdering goblins and raiding dungeons would be ponygoons-acceptable.

3) Is it actually a good fanfic? Are the events actually entertaining to those not involved? Did the rewrite into prose go well?

Basically I don't want to be able to tell the fic was once an RP log unless I was told so.

[Concerned ReaderI didn't inhale]

Before you submit an RP log turned into fanfic, ask yourselves these questions:

1) Are any of the characters ponysonas, or OCs based on their creators (I.E. me as a pony characters)?

2) Is the subject matter decent? I don't think a fic about a group of ponies murdering goblins and raiding dungeons would be ponygoons-acceptable.

3) Is it actually a good fanfic? Are the events actually entertaining to those not involved? Did the rewrite into prose go well?

Basically I don't want to be able to tell the fic was once an RP log unless I was told so.

Looking at the linked wiki pages, I don't think violence is going to be a problem. It's more a free-form character rpg modeled after the show. Looking through the setting and rules though, It doesn't seem like it would make that great a stand alone fanfic.

[PinkemonIts SO limited edition! :'D]

Before you submit an RP log turned into fanfic, ask yourselves these questions:

1) Are any of the characters ponysonas, or OCs based on their creators (I.E. me as a pony characters)?

2) Is the subject matter decent? I don't think a fic about a group of ponies murdering goblins and raiding dungeons would be ponygoons-acceptable.

3) Is it actually a good fanfic? Are the events actually entertaining to those not involved? Did the rewrite into prose go well?

Basically I don't want to be able to tell the fic was once an RP log unless I was told so.

I don't think the content itself will be a problem. Like it is mentioned in the wiki, the source material is supposed to be as close to the atmospherem and general feel of the original show as possible with it only being looser in that we don't have to conform to certain things by Hasbro. Just to be sure, I asked someone and none of the main characters are ponysonas and the side characters aren't either. (In fact, I'm pretty sure that if someone were to apply a pony and it was a ponysona, he/she'd be rejected by us.)

We also got some more editors recently, so we'll be trying to make the fic chapters as good as possible.

Looking through the setting and rules though, It doesn't seem like it would make that great a stand alone fanfic.

Oh. That's too bad. Well, I suppose an episodic style isn't for everyone.
I wanted to submit this eventually because I find it an example of a story with OC characters in the FiM world done right, but I'm not gonna cry about it.

[Concerned ReaderI didn't inhale]

Oh. That's too bad. Well, I suppose an episodic style isn't for everyone.
I wanted to submit this eventually because I find it an example of a story with OC characters in the FiM world done right, but I'm not gonna cry about it.

Well, I'm just one opinion on the internet. Don't let me stop you from trying. Who knows, it may be the best thing ever. I don't have the time to actually read through one of the logs right now, but I might check one out later.

[PinkemonIts SO limited edition! :'D]

Well, I'm just one opinion on the internet. Don't let me stop you from trying. Who knows, it may be the best thing ever. I don't have the time to actually read through one of the logs right now, but I might check one out later.

Oh. Okay.

If you do so, though, I gotta warn you that, as I mentioned before, the earlier episodes aren't exactly that polished compared to the newer ones. That's why I wanted to wait with the actual submission attempt until we're at episode 10 and have improved the older ones too.

[numsOic]

You could very well rewrite them as a group prior to final editing.

[numsOic]

Wait, weren't prereaders not allowed to approve stories they themselves had submitted?

[Redeye]

Wait, weren't prereaders not allowed to approve stories they themselves had submitted?

Theoretically, yes.

Mr. OFS, I believe you have an explanation for me?

[Geomancing]

I brought that up myself; OFSheep explained it as that a prereader submitting a fanfic is acting as one of the prereaders, since they wouldn't be submitting it if they didn't already approve of it. (At least I hope.)

However if that person is the author, it has to go through two different prereaders first.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

I brought that up myself; OFSheep explained it as that a prereader submitting a fanfic is acting as one of the prereaders, since they wouldn't be submitting it if they didn't already approve of it. (At least I hope.)

Basically if a prereader is submitting it, clearly he/she has read it and thinks it's okay. I don't know why suddenly we'd need a third person to look at it when reading the piece and thinking it is okay is what prereaders do.

[Redeye]

Basically if a prereader is submitting it, clearly he/she has read it and thinks it's okay. I don't know why suddenly we'd need a third person to look at it when reading the piece and thinking it is okay is what prereaders do.

Oh, right, I'm misremembering myself. Pieces WRITTEN by prereaders need two extra readers, not those found by 'em.

[Huitzil]

Oh, right, I'm misremembering myself. Pieces WRITTEN by prereaders need two extra readers, not those found by 'em.

If you have so little trust in the author that you'd need tow other peopel to verify that what they wrote is acceptable, why would you trust them to be a prereader at all?

[VoidChicken]

Because authors are so familiar with their own work that they might not catch something questionable that would be obvious to someone else.

[Concerned ReaderI didn't inhale]

Because authors are so familiar with their own work that they might not catch something questionable that would be obvious to someone else.

Pretty much this. The Author has a much closer connection to the work. They have an attachment to the characters and setting on a completely different level, so it's easy to gloss over something that others might object to.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

In accordance with Redeye's announcement about the episode leak, if anyone sends me a fanfic that references any part of the new episode before the moratorium is up, I will ban you and replace your signature with a picture of a sad butt.

The second part may be a bit hard to pull off but the first is dead serious.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

Reminder, the change on OC/OC shipping doesn't mean any old thing gets in now.

If shit sucks, shit sucks. Get that shit out of my sight.

This OC/OC thing better be really fuckin' good if you want it on here.

Also, fanfics originally written in a language other than English are okay if a translation is provided with the submission. The translation better be accurate, though I really don't have many ways of checking that.

[numsOic]

Protip: If the translation is readable, well written, flows well and is generally enjoyable, chances are it's gonna be pretty accurate.

[Bucket Love]

Question: I already have a fic that I submitted awhile ago still being reviewed, but I have another story that I'd like to get started on. Should I wait until the review is complete?

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

Question: I already have a fic that I submitted awhile ago still being reviewed, but I have another story that I'd like to get started on. Should I wait until the review is complete?

The editing thread? I think real life has caught Yuls. Either way, you're free to submit it whenever you want. Getting it edited is a good idea but by no means mandatory. I think VoidChicken is trying to find you a new editor though.

[Bucket Love]

Thanks for the information and thanks to VoidChicken for finding me a new editor. Guess I'll start on the new fic while waiting on the old one. Cheers!

[Bucket Love]

Just to add. How soon would I be getting a new editor?

[VoidChicken]

Hm, I pointed him your way a few days ago, though he said he was busy and you might end up with someone else. I can prod him again? I guess?

[Bucket Love]

Whatever helps. Mostly because I want to get the edit done and submitted.

[Bucket Love]

Has anyone had a chance to take a look at my submission yet? I don't mean to bug anyone, but it's been awhile.

[Wayoshi]

Arrgh, there's an excellent fic just out but there's casual PinkieDash and it's somewhat dark (no violence though).

I think this fic definitely can be a grimdark exception, but is there really a complete ban on all shipping? It's really just a small part of the story.

[Concerned ReaderI didn't inhale]

Arrgh, there's an excellent fic just out but there's casual PinkieDash and it's somewhat dark (no violence though).

I think this fic definitely can be a grimdark exception, but is there really a complete ban on all shipping? It's really just a small part of the story.

Yeah, if it's two canon characters portrayed in a romantic relationship that is not canonical to the show, then it's basically an instant rejection.

[Wayoshi]

Shoot... well, I guess people can PM me if they don't mind and want it. This story absolutely would have passed with flying colors, IMO.

[Orange Fluffy Sheep]

Yeah, if it's two canon characters portrayed in a romantic relationship that is not canonical to the show, then it's basically an instant rejection.

And even if it's just one canon character! Instant rejection so fast it creates a small fire.

This is what caught Growing Up and I feel the same way about it Wayoshi.