How It Works: Choices in Reading
ForbiddenFiction.com Offers Choices in Reading
Content Labels instead of Content Limits
Instead of "protecting" readers from content that might upset or offend them, we at ForbiddenFiction will provide content labels. Not only will each story have Genre Categories (such as Romance, Horror, Science Fiction, Historical, etc.), each story will also have Content Labels which will include story elements that readers may use to seek out or avoid according to their personal preferences.
Content Labels are more like the ingredients labels you see on food. They’re there to let you know what you’re getting into. Just because one person is allergic to an ingredient, such as cayenne, doesn't mean others might not really want a hot spicy food with cayenne powder in it.
We are applying the same logic to erotic fiction. For example, while one reader would seek out fiction involving violence, another might prefer to avoid those stories. A reader might decide to seek out stories involving BDSM, or even specifics, like Spanking. We will also use Content Labels to help distinguish between pairings such as m/m (male & male), m/f (male & female), f/f (female & female) or other combinations that are included in stories.
Content Labels will allow for flexibility in both what ForbiddenFiction publishes and what readers want to read. Just like food warnings, you can choose to read or not read the labels. It gives writers freedom to write and readers freedom to make their own choices.
Choices in Formats
All of the fiction published by ForbiddenFiction will be available in several different formats. You want to read on your browser, your phone, your ebook reader, or an actual print book? Sure. You will have choices of how you wish to read our stories.
Serialized Free Fiction – Most of the fiction we publish will first be posted on the site available free to read for those who fit the guidelines (18 and over, and willing to abide by the terms of use). We intend to reach a point where there is new content every day, possibly lots of new content every day. After a story is finished, whether it's a short story or a novel, it will most likely remain free on the site for a week. Then the story will be moved to the ForbiddenFiction Library.
Online Searchable Library – Fiction published with ForbiddenFiction will remain in our online searchable Library for several years, available to be read by Subscribing Members at their leisure. In addition, there will be bonus material in the Subscribing Members sections that will add to the experience. The cost of membership per month will likely be less than the price of one ticket to the movies.
Ebooks – All fiction posted to the site, will also be available for download in electronic forms. These downloads will vary in price based on size of fiction. For example, if you want to read that new short story we just posted on your reader instead of online, you could download the story as an epub, pdf or other format for less than a dollar. Or the new novel being posted one chapter a week is so good, you just can't wait to read it all. Not a problem. Just buy the ebook and read it now. Or you missed the story when it was being serialized but want to read it. The ebook will still be available. You'll be able to buy a novel for less than you'd usually spend for a coffee and pastry.
Print Books – Oh, you just love the feel of the book in your hand, turning the pages and setting in your book case to be there when you want it. Simple solution. Print on demand books will also be an option. Novels will be easily available in paperback format. Popular short stories and novellas will be gathered into anthologies to enjoy later.
Interactive, Social Reading Environment
Come for the stories, stay for the party.
ForbiddenFiction is designed to be a social reading environment. You'll have fun even if just reading the latest post each day is all you are after. Yet, you will have the chance for so much more. One of the things we, as readers ourselves, have always enjoyed is a chance to talk with others who share our interests in literature. Some have been lucky enough to find that in both face to face and in fandom cultures online. We wanted to bring that to the experience of original erotic fiction. Both authors and readers will have a chance to be part of on-going discussions of both specific works and individual authors as well as general topics such as BDSM in fiction or ethical issues in writing. The list of potential topics is endless.
Story Discussions – Each story, whether it’s a short story or novel, will have a threaded comments feature following each post. This will allow readers not only a chance to comment, encourage or ask questions, but gives authors and readers an opportunity to interact with each other. Are you that person always talking in the theater and trying to guess what comes next? Do you want to comment on a favorite line or talk about an issue brought up in the last chapter? Members of ForbiddenFiction will have a chance to do that on the site. Even readers who have bought the entire book instead of waiting will be able to head over to the forum for that particular book and talk about it with both the author and other readers.
Author Forums – Authors published on ForbiddenFiction will be encouraged to not only have their profile with information about themselves, but host a forum on the site where readers can talk with them and each other about their work.
Topic Forums – We have already planned quite a few topic forums and will be open to suggestions for more. This is where everyone on the site will have the chance to help guide what types of social environments we'd like to participate in. There will also be site suggestion and assistance pages so that members will have a chance to interact with our developers.
Choices in Types of Membership
ForbiddenFiction will have a variety of options for reading – from the casual reader who just looks for something to read when in the mood, to the Free Members who can read new material and/or the forums, to theSubscribing Members who have access to all the stories as well as forums and bonus material.
Non-Members – Anyone who is 18 or over and agrees to the terms of the site can read the free stories as posted, order ebooks or print books from FF. (Or even order those books on other sites where sold byForbiddenFiction.) To prevent spammers and trolls, only members will be able to post comments to stories or participate in forums.
Free Members – Free members will have the ability to participate in story discussions and forums. Anyone who fits ForbiddenFiction site rules, is willing to read and agree to the Terms of Service, fill out a basic membership profile and provides a verifiable email address can join as a Free Member.
Subscribing Members* – Subscribing Members have access to the ForbiddenFiction Library of stories and additional forums. They also will have discounts on downloads and other purchases made at the site. The cost of membership will be less than that of a movie ticket and discounts will be offered to early adopters (i.e. Free Members who signed up before the site officially launches the first fiction).
*At this time, only Free Memberships are available. Subscribing Memberships will be offered some time after the official launch.
