Back on February 9th, 2005 the first tutorial appeared under the penname “Staff.” In the coming weeks, we penned short chapters designed to help authors understand where our benchmark is for ‘how graphic’ sex, love, non-consensual sex and self-mutilation can be on our archive.

Over time, as those rules have changed, we have edited these tutorials to reflect the current rules as they stand at the time and I’m happy to announce that, after some hard work from several of our staff members, we’ve managed to compose several more tutorials for your ease.

Mature Child/Spousal Abuse Reference Tutorial [Mature Teen]
A one-shot, this tutorial is designed to show you what the TOS means by “We do not allow descriptions or depictions of [child or spousal abuse]. Allusions (i.e., to refer to in a historical context) to [child and spousal abuse] are permitted so long as the references are not graphic or glorifying in nature. Child and Spousal abuse are defined as physical abuse or excessive emotional abuse. Stories containing such themes must be rated M an carry the warnings Strong Violence and Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme.”

Student Crush on a Teacher Tutorial [12+]
One of the lesser known, fuzzy guidelines of HPFF deals with innocent crushes students may have their teachers. While actual relationships are strictly prohibited, it is common, in life and in fanfiction, for a student to have a crush on a teacher. This tutorial should provide an example of how far it is appropriate for one of these crushes to proceed.

Self-Mutilation Reference Tutorial [Mature Teen]
Another one-shot, this tutorial deals with self-mutilation as it is permitted on our site. The Site Rules refers to self-mutilation in this context: “Depictions of…self-mutilation are very closely monitored and final decisions on suitability will be made by HPFF staff. Depictions may not be considered graphic or at all glorifying of the act and any story containing any descriptions or conversation of said acts must be rated M with attached warnings of Strong Violence and Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme.”

Including Diary Entries and Letters [12+]
Under the Submission Guidelines, rule number 6, stories that take place exclusively in the form of diary entries or letter exchanges are, as a blanket rule, not considered a valid story format that will be accepted here at HPFF. With that having been said, we do understand the positive elements that diaries and letters have to present to a story and thus the following 1/3 Diary/Letter to 2/3 Narrative ratio was devised. Only of a 600 word chapter, only 200 words may be comprised of diary entries or letters.

Mature Rape Reference Tutorial [Mature Teen]
One-Shot. This tutorial deals with sexual assaults and attempted sexual assaults as they may be used and referenced on the site. “We do not allow descriptions or depictions of sexual or intimate violence. Allusions (i.e., to refer to in a historical context) are permitted so long as the references are not graphic or glorifying in nature.” Stories involving themes of Sexual Assault must be rated M and carry the warnings Strong Violence, Scenes of a Strong Sexual Nature and Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme.

“Love” Scene Tutorials
These tutorials deal with love/sex scenes under all three ratings. While reviewing these, please take note of the acts included as well as the terminology used. It is also appropriate to note that these scenes do not appear to be gratuitious in any manner and are shown to have some relevance to the story rather than being “thrown in” to “increase the smut value.”

If you have questions regarding what is appropriate in a story given your specific rating, I suggest you contact a staff member via e-mail or trouble tickets. Please do not use the forums to ask questions about these ratings as the forums are a public area rated 12+ and odds are that both your question and the answer will violate our 12+ rule.

12+ Love Scene [12+]
This tutorial displays how graphic it is appropriate to be and what acts may be discussed inside the bounds of a 12+ rating.

15+ Sex Scene Tutorial [15+]
This tutorial shares a scene with the Mature Sex Scene Tutorial (linked below) and is designed to display the nuances between the two ratings. In this tutorial, the scene depicted is the most graphic that a scene rated 15+ may become and includes the warning Scenes of a Strong Sexual Nature.

Mature Sex Scene Tutorial [Mature Teen]
This tutorial shares a scene with the 15+ Sex Scene Tutorial (linked above) and is designed to display the nuances between the two ratings. In this tutorial, the scene depicted is the most graphic that a scene rated Mature may become and includes the warning Scenes of a Strong Sexual Nature.

Profanity Tutorials:
These tutorials are not stories in any regard but, rather, lists of the terms and contexts they may be used in under various ratings and warnings. Please note that even though it says one may use, for example, the term “sod off” in a 12+ story with a Mild Language warning, excessive use may warrant an increased warning or rating of your story and excessive use of the terms in the Mature Teen tutorial, may result in your story being considered “NC-17” and not accepted to (or removed from) the site.

Again, while we encourage you to inquire if you have questions, please do not do so through the forums as, again it presents a violation of our 12+ rule. Instead, use the trouble tickets or contact the staff directly through e-mail.

12+ Profanity Tutorial [12+]
15+ Profanity Tutorial [15+]
Mature Profanity Tutorial [Mature Teen]

As usual, we really would like to encourage you to review these tutorials, even if you have posted stories, but are not currently writing, or feel you have an adequate understanding of the TOS. It only takes moments to read them and it can save you lots of headaches later!

If you would like to request a staff tutorial, please feel free to contact us via the forums, the trouble tickets or to contact one of us individually via e-mail. Please Note: These tutorials are written to encourage better understanding of the Site Rules and Terms of Service, they are not designed to be examples of fine writing. Please do not request tutorials on “great OC’s,” etc…. For questions like that, please check our Writer’s Resources section on the HPFF Forums.