Have you ever been working on one of your stories and suddenly felt unsure with warning to attach to what rating. Well here is a little guide to help you along your way. Please remember that fics can and will be rejected if warnings and ratings don't match.


Please remember the following explanations of ratings and warnings, from the ToS:

Mild Language: (12+, 15+, Mature)
The warning "Mild Language" can apply to all stories posted on our archive. As a guideline, Mild Language could be considered anything that is playable on a basic FM radio station. The warning "Mild Language" does not apply to the amount of language in your story. Severe/strong obscenities must always be given the warning Strong Language, even in instances of only one.

Strong Language: (15+, Mature)
The warning "Strong Language" can only apply to stories rated 15+ and Mature. The strong language warning applies to all stories containing stories with language more severe in nature. The warning "Strong Language" can also apply to stories with excessive "less severe" obscenities.

Mild Violence: (12+, 15+, Mature)
Stories with the warning "Mild Violence" may contain accidental or deliberate violence that is not so strong as to scare children. The intensity permitted varies relative to the rating applied to your story.

Strong Violence: (15+, Mature)
Stories with the warning "Strong Violence" will contain stronger or more descriptive violent scenes. Stories containing depictions of abuse, rape, suicide and self-harm must always contain the warning "Strong Violence."

Scenes of a Mild Sexual Nature: (12+, 15+, Mature)
While all stories can contain the warning, scenes of a mild sexual nature, stories rated 12+ may contain no more than non-descript kissing scenes or the non-descript reference to more explicit sexual activity. Stories rated 15+ may be slightly more descriptive but not so much as to be considered graphic.

Scenes of a Strong Sexual Nature: (15+, Mature)
Stories with the warning "Scenes of a Sexual Nature" may be more explicit but are still bound by the rating rules in the Terms of Service. They may not be considered 'too graphic" as to branch into the realm of Disallowed.

Contains Slash (Same-Sex Pairing): (12+, 15+, Mature)
While all stories may contain same sex themes, this warning has been designed to alert people who may find the material offensive before the venture into a story. This warning does not imply that there will be scenes of a sexual nature in a given story.

Substance Use or Abuse: (15+, Mature)
Stories that contain mentions of substance abuse/use, whether intentional or accidental, require this warning. It does not necessarily mean that a character will be conked out of their mind on something, the consumption of a mind-altering potion or magical berry can also result in the need for this warning.

Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme: (12+, 15+, Mature)
This warning is one of the most commonly misunderstood. While many sites have "Kleenex" or "Tearjerker" warnings to signify depressing or "mushy" stories, our archive does not use one. Instead, Sensitive Topic/Issue/Theme refers to material that is delicate in nature. This could include a characters violent death, suicide, self-harm, rape, child abuse, etc... If your story contains any of those themes, please include this warning.

No Warnings: (12+)
No warnings means that a story requires no warnings - there is no language, etc... This is not a warning that you select when you are feeling too lazy to select the warnings that really apply.

Contains Spoilers: (12+, 15+, Mature)
Contains Spoilers refers to the content of the story and means that it contains details that might ruin the plot of a newly released book if you have yet to read it.