#using ao3

[paganinpurple]

AO3 Etiquette -UPDATED

Based on both decent and not so decent replies, I have made some changes to my original post below.

It would seem a whole new kind of AO3 reader/writer is emerging and it is becoming clear not everyone quite understands how the website community works. Here is some basic guidance on how most people expect you to go about using AO3 to keep this a fun community archive that funtions correctly:

As well as likes, kudos is for when the story was interesting enough to make you finish reading. If it sucked or was badly written, you probably left. If you finished it, you liked it - so kudos.

If you really liked it, you should try to comment. It can be long and detailed or a literal keysmash. Writers don't care, we just love comments.

No critisism unless the author has specifically asked or agreed to hear it (so use your notes to say if you want some constructive feedback). Even constructive critisism is a no-no unless an author note tells you it's okay. No, posting it online is not an open invitation for that. Many people write as a fun hobby or a way to cope with, among other things, insecurity and just want to share. Don't ruin that for them. I've seen so many authors just stop writing coz they can't handle the negative emotions the critism brings, and it's only meant to be a fun thing shared for free (pointing out tagging errors is not included in this).

Do not comment to ask the author to write/update something else. It's tacky and off-putting and will probably have the opposite effect than the one you want.

There is no algorithm, it's an archive. Use the search and filter function to add/remove the pairings/characters/tropes etc. you want to read about and it will find you the fics that fit the bill.

For this to work, writers must tag and rate stories. This avoids readers finding the wrong things and missing the stuff they want. I don't care how cringy that trope is in your eyes - it gets tagged.

The tag exception is if you don't want to tag a million things or spoil your story, you can rate it as "chose not to use warnings," and maybe tag the bare minimum.

Don't censor tags. How can someone exclude a tag if the word isn't typed out correctly? There are no content bans for terms so don't censor them.

If the tags are mostly content/trigger warnings, especially if they are things considered very fucked up or graphic, you might want to use "dead dove - do not eat" to ensure people know that you're not messing around with tags and what they get is exactly what you've warned them about.

Character A/Character B means a ROMANTIC or SEXUAL relationship of some kind. Character A&Character B is PLATONIC, like friendship or family.

Nothing is banned. This is an rule because banning one thing is a slipperly slope to banning another and another, until nothing is allowed anymore. Do not expect anyone to censor for you. Because of the tags system, you are responsible for your own reading experience.

People can create new chapters and sequels/fic series any time after they "complete" a story. So it's considered perfectly normal to subscribe, even to a finished story. You can even subscribe to the author instead just to cover your bases.

Do not repost stories or change the publishing date without an extremely good reason (like a complete top to bottom rewrite or an exchange youve written for going public). It's an archive, not social media. No one cares what's the most recent, only what fits their tag needs.

Instead of deleting a story you wrote if you hate it - consider making it anonymous or orphaning it so others can still enjoy it, without it being connected to your name anymore. If you still want to delete it, fair enough.

It's come to my attention that metaworks ARE allowed on AO3, which is something I wasn't aware of. So if you do post an essay or theory, please tag it as such so others can choose to search for it or exclude it. Art is also allowed.

The only reason this archive works is because NON ONE PROFITS. Do not link to your ko-fi or patreon or mention monetary gain in any way or you violate the terms and risk having your account removed. If anyone does link, it leaves the archive open to people claiming it's for profit and having the whole thing removed.

I KNOW there's plenty more I missed but I'm trying to cover most of the basics that people seem to be struggling with.

I invite anyone to add to this, but please explain, don't berate.

#ao3 #using ao3 #archive of our own #fanfiction #fanworks

[realmermaid333]

A Guide to Using the "Inspired By" Function on AO3

The "inspired by" function allows writers to display fanfics that inspired their own fanfic neatly in the "notes" section via a link. It is used to credit inspiration, for archival purposes, and also for translations, remixes, and podfics.

It is a very fun function because it encourages community, and even gives your readers something else to read while they wait for your own fic to update. It can help people who really like a certain trope or writing idea easily find another fic just like it. And, if you use the function, the writer you are inspired by can choose to link it back to their own fic. So, at the end of their fic it will say, "works inspired by this one," and list yours.

"How can I tell if I should use the "inspired by" function or not?"

You should use the inspired by function if you are directly inspired by another fic. I have done this twice, and it is splendid. One of my besties and I have fics that are attached by this function. It's like they're holding hands via "inspired by" links :' )

If you read a fic, and at the end you're like, "Wow, this was totally radical, and now my gears are turning with an idea just like this one, but I'm gonna add my own spin to it." That would be a moment that calls for the "inspired by" function.

A situation that doesn't call for the inspired by function is two fics that are similar in trope, but the second one was not inspired by the first. For example; let's say person A writes a coffee shop AU fic, which is a very common trope, and person B also writes one, but without having ever read person A's fic, or without directly getting the idea directly from person A. Person B was not inspired by person A.

Let's say person B did read the fic, then also eventually decided to write a coffee shop AU that was completely different, and had very little in common with A's fic. That would not be a moment where the "inspired by" function would be necessary. B could use their own judgement to gauge how inspired they were by A's fic.

But, let's say person B really, really loved person A's fic, and wanted to show everyone another coffee shop AU. Person B very well could still use the "inspired by" function just to have the link. Or, they could just link the fic in their "Notes" section, but i personally think the inspired by function is a little easier than creating a "notes" link on ao3 LOL.

However, I have seen some people just list a fic they are inspired by in the notes section without any issues, but I encourage people to use the inspired by function. If you're unsure, maybe ask the author that you're inspired by if they care. If you ever don't use the "inspired by" function, and step on another writer's toes, just simply talk it out and credit.

"But, Mermaid, if I use the "inspired by" function, won't it look like my fic belongs to the original person?"

No?? I am including this because I've seen a surprising amount of people say this and it bugs me. If you use the "inspired by" function, it links the fic you were inspired by in the "notes" section in first chapter. That's it. It doesn't say, "this fic belongs to this other writer," lol. It says, "Inspired by (insert fic) by (insert author)," one single time. After that, it will not be listed in future chapters. Your name will always be on it, and it will only be listed on your account like usual.

To conclude, you should use the "inspired by" function if you are directly inspired by another person's fic. if you're not, then don't use it. Easy peasy. I encourage its use because it's very fun, it is part of fandom etiquette to use it when needed, it allows people to recommend fics similar to theirs, credit another person's idea they used, etc.

#inspired by #inspired by function #ao3 #using ao3 #ao3 writer #ao3 stuff #ao3 etiquette #archive of our own #fanfiction #fanfic #fanfic writer #fanfiction writer

[weirdocat83]

It’s kinda strange how if I go to the MDZS or TGCF fandoms on AO3 and click “major character death” there is about a 10% chance I actually get major character death in the heart wrenching awful way that tag is usually interpreted in any other fandom. 90% of the time it’s just “he died but he came back as a ghost or he came back from the dead.” And I’m here like “I get he died but he’s a ghost. Is that really even death?? He’s still on the mortal plane and interacting the same way he would as though he were alive??”

#tgcf #heaven official's blessing #mdzs #tian guan ci fu #mo dao zu shi #using ao3 #ao3 #major character death #archive of our own #archiveofourown #weirdocat83 ramblings

[zombie-eats-world]

Experienced something like this often so I curious to see how others feel about this.

#ao3 #ao3 author #tumblr polls #my polls #curious ask #ao3feed #using ao3 #ao3 stuff #ao3 writer

[starlit--graves]

AO3 IS DOWN, I REPEAT AO3 IS DOWN

#ao3 #archive of our own #fanfiction #ao3 update #using ao3 #ITS DOWN

[insomniawon]

Ao3 isn’t an app but you can always just add it to your homepage

#ao3 #ao3 stuff #ao3 etiquette #ao3 my beloved #ao3 tips #ao3feed #how to ao3 #using ao3 #archive of our own #archiveofourown #archive of my own #homepage #how to add ao3 on home page

[fan-dweeb]

Me after one week of being fanfic free:

It has been a solid week since I’ve last binged fanfics (granted, I was using CyTus as a placeholder addiction but it’s the effort that counts,,) so here’s a little post to celebrate !!

#ao3fic #using ao3 #anime #fanfic #addiction #mental health check in #day 7 #of quitting that thing i was quitting #reading #books and reading #cytus ii

[otaku6337]

Alternative Fic-Finding Routes (AO3, primarily)

Ways I find fics on AO3 that isn’t just searching some words with maybe some included and excluded tags...

Writer Fics.  If I enjoy a fic a lot, the immediate thing I do is go to the author’s account and read everything else that appeals to me! It’s a double win if they have fics for other fandom/tropes I love, you know?

Writer Bookmarks.  If I’m reading a fic that I really love, I’ll go to their bookmarks too! Most of us will read at least some similar things to what we write, so there’s a good chance of something interesting being there :D

Reader Bookmarks.  If someone reads quite a few of my fics and bookmarks/comments on them and I want something of a similar type, or a similar taste, then I will go into that readers bookmarks and see what’s there! Quite often people will have loads of other similar things if they’ve been reading my things for a while.

Other Readers.  Quite often I’ll notice that, when looking at comments/bookmarks for other people’s fics, there will be several people who crop up a lot within a trope or corner of a fandom, so it’s worth giving their bookmarks a go too~

Friends, and Media.  I know everyone treats the social side of fandom differently, but quite a few of us have mutuals on Tumblr or servers on Discord, and those are good places to either ask for some recs, or just scroll through what people are sharing there; there’s a good chance if you’re friends/mutuals then you’ll have some overlap in tastes   :D

AO3 Collections.  I know it’s not the og/intended use of AO3 collections, but I think we all know that they’ve begun to be used as the name implies, and a lot of readers and writers use them just as a bookmark-tag equivalent ; if someone requests my works for a collection then there’s a very good chance that said collection includes similar things that I might also like!

I don’t personally tend to go for rec lists unless I know the poster, because there’s a good chance of us having different standards/preferences for fics, but they can be useful for looking outside of your potential sphere as well!

And, of course, there’s also the “standard” AO3 routes of looking through specific tags, or searching some specific words and then filtering and-or sorting from there, and honestly they’re good for when you’re first diving into something new, but if you know what you like, or just want some things similar to things you’ve already read, it’s well worth giving some of these a go~

#ao3 #ao3 fics #fanfiction #fic reading #fic recs #fanfiction recommendation #using ao3 #ao3 mechanics #not quite but kind of anyway ^^; #find a fic #tropes #genres #honestly other readers and an author's account are just such good ways to find more good fics

[ao3-shenanigans]

WE MADE IT FOLKS!!!

#Had to draw up a badge rq :) #ao3 #ao3 attack #ao3 shutdown 2023 #archive of our own #feel free to use the image with credit :) #my art #digital art #Ginger’s art #GUYS YOU CAN BUY THE STICKER NOW!! #(I’m really proud of myself for figuring out how to make/sell them) #ao3 shenanigans

[mywitchcultblr]

This is what happened when a fanfic site is profit driven. Wattpad sucks 😞

The email/DM from Wattpad is so condescending. Imagine pressuring writers to update and work while they are doing it for free and fun. Also, the discovery? Algorithm? Of Wattpad looks like a stressful popularity contest 😑

#wattpad #ao3 #fanfic #fandom #writing #writer #archive of our own #twitter #the capitalization of fandom is a sin #capitalism strikes again #capitalism #late stage capitalism #when your hobby is used for the profit of a corporation

[monikokii]

Whoops. No more reading at work (⁠•⁠ ⁠▽⁠ ⁠•⁠;⁠)

#ao3 #archive of our own #Soooo #hope im not fired ╮⁠(⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)⁠╭ #ITS EVEN BLOCKED IF IM USING THE PHONE APP!? #can't use my hotspot bc I work in the basement 🤦 #only reading sfw stuff I SWEAR

[iamanartichoke]

I don't know who needs to hear this, but as a creator -

I am fine with "the audience" -

downloading my fics

printing my fics

copy/pasting or screenshotting my fics

sharing your saved copy of my fics with anyone else who might want them in the unlikely but never impossible case that my fics are no longer available on ao3

making a book of my fic(s) and running your fingers across the pages while lovingly whispering my precioussss

doing these things with anything I create for fandom, such as meta, headcanons, au nonsense like 'texts from the brodinsons,' etc

I am not fine with "the audience"

doing any of the above with the purpose/intent of plagiarizing my work or passing it off as their own in any capacity

feeding my work into ai for any reason whatsoever

Save the fandom things. Preserve the fandom things. Respect the fandom things.

Enjoy the fandom things.

#fanfic #ao3 #archive of our own #fandom things #tumblr things #i may have said this at some point #i'm sure i have #but whatever - just in case #i don't say this with the presumption that i'm so amazing and people are clamoring to save my fics #but just if anyone is so inclined that's all #ftr i don't intend on ever removing my fics from ao3 or deleting fandom things from this blog #i've always shared my fandom things with the intent of keeping them shared bc that's the whole point of posting #but the fandom atmosphere and ao3 constantly being under attack who knows what can happen #not that this applies to anyone but should all else fail you can also reach out to me and i will personally give you a copy #at least of fics bc i save everything #not so much the tumblr things but this is a good reminder to myself that i should do that for the things i care about #that i've made or done and only posted here #anyway sorry i have now used up my quota of the putting words into sentences doing for today #i have plans to stare into the void now

[shentheauthor]

I swear if I see one more smut fic on ao3 tagged as G I will start committing violence

#ao3 #using ao3 #tagging on ao3 #seriously TAG YOUR SHIT RIGHT #there are M and E ratings for a REASON #I’m an adult but you can’t be putting that shit where kids can’t filter it out #you have a responsibility as an author #fandom #fanfic #fanfiction

[drawmanations]

Day 12 whumpcember is here

whumocember 10-11 is posted too but I'm lazy.

Rating: Teens and up

Category: Gen

Relationships: None

Words: 1,140

Summary: Aliza getting annoyed at Rick's cheerful attitude again...

Author's notes:

this is an au of my oc Aliza.

for the touchstarved prompt

#rick and morty #rick and morty fandom #rick sanchez #rick and morty oc #aliza sanchez #whumpcember #whump angst #whump stuff #whump #angst #light angst #Sad #sad ending #I think #using ao3 #ao3 writer #ao3 link #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #archive of our own

[rachelsfav-queer]

Somebody needs to do research into the technology of second kudos on ao3 cause I swear to the gods, I’m about to freak tf out

#archive of our own #ao3 #ao3 fanfic #fanfic #ao3fic #using ao3

[shortmexicangirl]

ao3 is down. what am i supposed to do?? continue writing my own fic??? HA you almost got me!! absolutely not. u can't fool me ao3. i'm not falling for that trick.

#ao3 #trust i will do ANYTHING to procrastinate #ok edit tho: they are under a ddos attack which is caused by hackers overwhelming servers so– #–please refrain from using/refreshing the site until they say it’s back up and running!