well this is very interesting news,
even though i don't do it, right well i shals't take it into effect.
MJ, the problem would be that if people submitting to the queue see a lot of other fics in multiple cats they are going to think it's allowed at the submission stage. As you can see, there is already enough confusion with the deficiencies in the software, so allowing it post-submission would just cause even more confusion. You know as well as we do that with some things on the site, simple is better. ;-)
And no one should worry that if their story is in multiple cats it is going to just disappear; we will give authors plenty of time to edit. We can also spot genuine mistakes where something straddles a main cat and then a sub cat. I've done that one myself.
I have a question...What if I want to start a story out in one category, and then move it at a later time (ex: I have a story half way through posting in a romance section and I want to start posting the sequel so I post it in Post-Hogwarts just to get it up…and then when the first story is complete, can I change the category of the sequel to romance too so that the readers are able to find it easier?) Is that “legal”? If I change the submission category am I going to have to start over? (Noting that the Post-Hogwarts category would be removed….)
You may switch categories once your story is validated and complete if you have a legitimate reason for doing so. If you feel, once complete, it is better suited to a different category then you can move it. We know that stories sometimes go in different directions than you intended and we are flexible when it comes to situations like that.
I recently tried to submit my first story, and am still very new. They screen let me select two categories. I wasn't trying to, but assumed that if I did something wrong the screen would notice the mistake.
Is there a way to update the programming. I was really frustrated last night to get the rejection when it was mis-understanding how to submit. The instructions on the rejection only told me to look at the rules - but what I really need are directions to submit (step by step).
It was enough so I debated if I wanted to try again as it meant entering all the data.
I recently tried to submit my first story, and am still very new. They screen let me select two categories. I wasn't trying to, but assumed that if I did something wrong the screen would notice the mistake.
Is there a way to update the programming. I was really frustrated last night to get the rejection when it was mis-understanding how to submit. The instructions on the rejection only told me to look at the rules - but what I really need are directions to submit (step by step).
It was enough so I debated if I wanted to try again as it meant entering all the data.
If you have a story in your favorites and it changes categories, does it disapear from you favorites?
Timestep: We are working on potentially updating the software and hopefully this will stop problemas like this. However, it does state in red on the first page of submissions entry that you cannot submit to more than one category. I know I'd be listening to big red writing and disregarding anything else. ;-) I think our submissions process is fairly painless compared to some and it should only take a matter of minutes to submit a new story if you have your text ready to copy.
Changing anything about a story will not cause it to disappear from your Favourites.
Actually, it says in one section of the submission form that only one category is allowed, yet in another section it says multiple categories are allowed.
this is copied from the submission form:
[Categories]- A fic may be submitted to ONLY one category. Most fics could fit into more than one category, but as the author, you have to choose the most appropriate primary category for your fic.
but, notice this.
Note: You may select multiple categories. Please be aware that when you select a category in the drop-down menu below, the options in the list will change to display that category's sub-categories. Press the 'Select >' button to add it to your choices. You may clear your selections at any time using the 'Clear' button.
According to all of the rules pages, especially the initial page, it does say you may only submit to one category. The program MNFF uses in order to create the site on which you store your stories comes standard with that phrase on the actual submission page. It's a default, and since it's not in the rules, ignore it. (If the mods could change that phrase, I'm sure they would. It looks like it's a bit difficult, though). You may choose a subcategory, but that is it. It's an easy rule to follow, and while I'm sure every reader on the site wants as many readers as possible, clogging the site with listing your stories in every category possible isn't the best way to go about it. Imagine if every single author put their story in every category they could. The organization of the site would be completely lost to the point where we might as well have 5 general categories. Just pick what your story is, at the core, and go with it. You will get readers by good writing, not by spamming the site with a particular story.
You guys - I think it would help us all if we were to read all previous comments before asking a question. Novalearae, that was already discussed, and as Magical Maeve just said, READ THE BIG RED WRITING! Trust that, and no other. The software is goofed, and MNFF is trying to fix it. Give it time.
I think that unless you are to ask a new question, this commenting should stop. We are going in circles.
Abby
Why don't you just put up a 'Multiple Categories' section that all the mods could work on with their spare time? The queue for it would be longer, but it would solve problems with, say, post-howarts slash, draco/ginny poetry, etc., even if you had to post warnings against using it except as an absolute last resort and occassionally having to re-sort fics into the original cats.
Is it so difficult to replace the listbox for category selection by a radio button set which only permit selecting ONE option from a list?
I mean everything can't be stopped by just "banning" them or "enforcing rules" (remember Umbridge). And being corporal by deleting posts is just going to increase strife.
Let's not waste manpower for keeping check on an issue so mundane. I know we are all literary people here, but a bit of programming never hurt anyone!
Why don't you just put up a 'Multiple Categories' section that all the mods could work on with their spare time?
After I finished laughing hysterically at the thought that we have any spare time... ;-) We don't. What you've suggested there would be a mess. We already have a category for fictions that the author can't decide upon... t'is called General.
SevenAndMoreToGo - we ARE going around in circles now. I've already said we are looking to update as soon as we feasibly can. I just love the idea of trying to run this site without rules or enforcing them. You should try it one day. ;-) This news post should leave ALL users in no doubt about the category rules. End of discussion really.
I know I've chosen my category. Me? Sucking up to the mods? Never!
But really show some appreciation! The mods do everything and all they are asking us to do is follow instructions. I mean imagine if the mods just got sick of us and stopped... Modding. Then everyone would be like "no come back! We're sorry!"
Let's hope it never comes to that.
The Mods are aware of the current software deficiencies and are not asking much of us to follow the rules set in place. As far as software updates go, I image even a seemingly simple update would require extensive beta testing prior to implementation. It would be terrible if in trying to rush an update to address the multiple-category problem, stories are lost. So let's all show some patience, follow the rules and be grateful for our Mods.
Actually, this argument is kind of silly. We are aware there is a problem with people submitting to multiple categories. That's a mistake. We reject those fics, tell the author why, and move on. The purpose of this post is that some authors are moving their story into multiple categories AFTER it has been validated. Meaning, they have read and know the rules, but are completely disregarding them. That is not acceptable.
Fine then. One Question- If a poem were submitted to the poetry cat, and accepted, could it then be moved to another cat such as romance?
*giggles* Julie, I know you didn't know, but MJ used to be a site admin. :-) With what you said, though MJ, I agree to a point, but you are right about the chaptered fics, which seems to be where the issue is in the first place, for the most part. Maybe it will get discussed for completed fics (I make no promises) but for now, authors are strongly encouraged to follow the one category only policy. The risk if you don't has already been described.
I think part of the issue arising on the submission page is that it isn't entirely clear, but what the submission to multiple categories really means to me is the sub-categories. Yes, you submit to romance, but then you submit to the sub-cat of Harry/Ginny. In the initial drop-down menu, Harry/Ginny is not an option. For those who choose to interpret it any other way upon submission, that is the way the software is set up, to allow the user to submit to multiple cats, but I promise you that if you do it, you'll get rejected.