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L&C Fanfic Listserv FAQ
Last updated September 2000 |
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Home | By Author | By Title | By Filename | What's New | Help |
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L&C Fanfic Listserv FAQ
Last updated September 2000 |
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Home | By Author | By Title | By Filename | What's New | Help |
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FAQs: Archive | Fanfic Listserv | Critiquing | Grammar | Story Ratings | Archive History
Why is the Listserv FAQ here?
The Fanfic Listserv is not affiliated with the Fanfic Archive -- it just needed a place for its FAQ to call home. And as the Archive Chief Editor happens to also be the Listserv's List Mom, housing the FAQ here seemed the best solution. Please keep in mind that stories posted on the Listserv are not automatically submitted to the Archive. Purpose of List
How do I join?
What is the 'List-Mom'?
Guidelines for Posting Messages
What to avoid
Off-topic posts
Flames
Spam and chain emails
Posting Fanfiction
How do I post my story to the list?
Are there any kinds of stories I shouldn't post?
What is the limit on file size per post?
What if I want a particular type of feedback?
Commenting on Fanfic: the Critiquing Guidelines
Using the Listserv Commands
How do I send mail to the list?
What is the Listserv address and what is it used for?
How do I leave the list?
What is NOMAIL and how do I go NOMAIL?
What is DIGEST and how do I set my options to digest?
How can I adjust my preferences?
What if I want to receive a copy of my own posts to the list?
What if I would rather not get copies of my posts, but I still want to know that they've been sent?
What if I don't want to receive anything when I post to the list?
What if I change my email address?
The Web-based Archive for this list (or Where can I find old posts?)
Other Fanfic Links and Sources
Welcome to the Loiscla-General-L email list!
This listserv, or mailing list, is for the dissemination and discussion of fanfiction related to "Lois & Clark: the New Adventures of Superman," and discussion of related topics, such as writing in general.
Off-topic posts are discouraged.
You can discuss stories with fellow readers and writers and have new stories delivered right to your e-mail box if you subscribe to the L&C Fanfic Listserv. To subscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.indiana.edu with the text
Subscribe LOISCLA-GENERAL-L your-name-here
in the body of the message.
Actually, it's who! The "List-Mom" is the list's moderator, whose task it is to keep order. The List-Mom also has the power to remove and ban subscribers from the list if they are persistently in breach of the rules or if they flame other subscribers.
Our current List-Mom is Kathy Brown, and her email address, if you have any queries, is kathyb@lcfanfic.com.
Guidelines for Posting Messages
Our aim is to keep this a friendly list, as part of what is a very friendly and co-operative community, and for that reason we've suggested a few guidelines which members might like to bear in mind.
1. Email has advantages over other forms of communication because of its immediacy. But sometimes that can be a disadvantage, and you may sometimes want to pause and reflect before sending a message to be sure that you really want to send that particular post to this list. Once it's sent, you can't get it back!
2. Be careful to distinguish between what you intend to be public (i.e., sent to the list as a whole) and what you would prefer to remain in private email. This list defaults to REPLY-TO-LIST, which means that if you click 'reply' your message will go to the entire list. If you only intend your message to go to the person to whom you're replying, you'll need to put their address only in the 'To' box (and ensure that the list is not listed in the 'CC' box!). Do check the Reply and CC fields before sending your email.
3. Don't copy the entire message in your response; it takes up bandwidth and tends to be especially irritating for list-members who are on DIGEST. If you're commenting on a particular part of the message, copy that only and delete the rest.
4. Make sure your subject header is correct for your topic; this might even persuade people to read your email! It's okay to change the subject header, as well, if you feel that the debate has gone beyond the original topic: for example, 'Lois's temper - WAS Clark's mild-mannered behaviour.'
5. No 'me too' posts, please! If everyone did that, subscribers' mailboxes would fill up pretty quickly. Many people have to pay to download their email, so they wouldn’t thank you for it. If you want to add something to the debate, then by all means do so. But simply posting to say 'I agree' won't win you too many friends.
6. Keep your .sig file short -- and, if possible, uncontroversial! Do try to remember that one person's deeply held conviction could be another person's bugbear.
7. Very important: Never send attachments to this list! Not all subscribers' mail software can handle attachments, to start with, so they end up getting a screen full of junk. Second, attachments take longer to download, which will irritate members; third, subscribers who are on DIGEST don't receive any attachments. Finally, viruses are most commonly transmitted through attachments, and so subscribers are likely to be very reluctant to open any attachments from someone they do not know well.
8. Use "Spoiler Space" where necessary. If you will be giving away a major plot device when commenting on someone's story, please use "spoiler space" so as not to ruin the story for those who haven't read it yet. Several blank lines before the spoiler will suffice:
s
p
o
i
l
e
r
s
p
a
c
eAlternatively (or in addition), you can put the warning SPOILERS in your subject line, along with the title of the story you are commenting on. This header is an easy way to alert your fellow subscribers to the content of your post.
1. Off-topic posts
2. Flames
3. Spam
1. Off-topic posts
An off-topic post is one which does not relate to the subject matter of this list, and should normally be avoided. Occasionally, and with the permission of the List-Mom, it may be permissible to post a brief off-topic email, provided it is clearly labelled as being Off-Topic or OT. Off-topic posts which are particularly frowned upon include "chain letters" and "virus warnings" (see Spam, below), and discussions which stray into the regions of religion, politics or other such controversial subjects. (Note that there is a difference between discussing what the religious or political views of the characters might be, and arguing your own views.) Any threads relating to such subjects will be instantly terminated by the List-Mom.
2. Flames
A flame is an unnecessarily rude or combative post, especially one aimed at an individual personally as opposed to their posts. 'Flame wars' develop when other subscribers join in and respond with equally combative or rude posts. Flaming is not allowed on this list. The List-Mom will remove and ban from the list any person who flames and does not stop when asked. When the List-Mom declares a topic 'dead' - which will certainly happen in the event of flaming - subscribers are expected to abide by this ruling and stop from further interventions.
3. Spam
Chain emails, for whatever apparent good cause, are banned: DO NOT SEND THESE to this list. Virus warnings, which are almost always hoaxes, are also not allowed. Mass cross-posting is discouraged. The posting of sales pitches is also prohibited. Any subscriber found to be in breach of these rules will be warned, and may be banned from the list.
However... just because there are a few rules here, that doesn’t mean that being a member of this list can't be fun. The rules are there so that every subscriber to the list can participate and have fun.
How do I post my story to the list? Easy: just post! If it's longer than about seven or eight pages, you should split it into sections. It's a good idea if you can use the following sample format for your subject header: 'NEW STORY: My Story Title - Part 01 of 12.' This will help people distinguish between your story post and other emails to the list. Second, by putting the part numbers in the subject header, it helps readers to ensure that they have all parts to a story. In addition, giving an indication of how long the story is helps those readers who don't wish to start reading until they know that the story is complete.
(Using two digits -- '01' -- for the first nine parts is very much appreciated by your fellow subscribers. Many people save all the parts of a story to their hard drive, and using double digits keeps the parts in order. Otherwise, parts 11, 12, etc., get inserted between parts 1 and 2.)
It would also be appreciated if you could include at the start of each story post something like this:
Title: My title
Author: My Name
Rated: PG (or other as appropriate)
Part: 01 of 12
Feedback: very welcome, privately or on this list. (Some people add here that they would prefer to receive spelling/grammar comments privately, or simply say 'No editing.')
Summary: a short description of your story.
Are there any kinds of stories I shouldn't post? Well, first of all, this is a list dedicated to fanfiction about the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Therefore it wouldn't be appropriate to post X-Files fanfic here. However, crossover fics, for example between Lois & Clark and the X-Files are welcome.
Nothing rated higher than PG-13 may be posted to this list. If you are in doubt as to ratings classifications and would like clarification, see our Ratings definitions. In general, our ratings are closer to television ratings than the movies -- if it can't be shown on prime-time network television, it probably won't be acceptable to this list.
If your story contains a major WHAM, such as the death or serious injury of a major character, subscribers will appreciate your including a warning to that effect in the story's introduction. In addition, since graphic violence is not very common in L&C fic, many readers appreciate a violence warning on stories that are rated PG-13 for that reason.
What is the limit on file size per post? Individual posts should be no longer than 20K; any longer, and some ISPs -- AOL, for example -- will convert the post into an attachment. Having this happen to your story posts isn't likely to endear you or your story to AOL subscribers!
What if I want a particular type of feedback? Simple: ask for it! You’re much more likely to get the kind of feedback you really want if you tell readers what you're looking for. If you want general comments (such as "I like this -- more please!"), you probably don't need to say anything. If, however, you want readers to let you know whether your A-plot works, or whether a character's behaviour is convincing and in character, then state this clearly in your author's introduction. If you're looking for extremely detailed editing comments, then it's perhaps better to advertise on the list for an editor before you post the story; you're unlikely to get such detailed editing on-list.
First of all, the majority of writers not only tolerate comments on their stories -- they crave it! We don't pay fanfic writers for the stories they give us, but we can show our appreciation by sending them feedback. Feedback motivates authors to write more stories.
So if you read a story on the listserv -- or one on the Fanfic Archive that you want to discuss on the listserv -- by all means, post your comments! Discussion of fanfic is what this listserv is all about.
But what do you do if you didn't like a story? Or liked it, but had some questions? Or disagreed with the plot choice an author made? Easy! These comments are all fair game on the Fanfic Listserv (or if you prefer, in a private email to the author).
There are some things to keep in mind, however. Remember, no-one's story is perfect. We all get things wrong sometimes, be it spelling, grammar, characterisation, plot or any other aspect you care to mention. Most writers, however, want to learn from their mistakes.
That is not to say, though, that they will always want to see every single mistake highlighted on the list. Some authors do enjoy a degree of constructive criticism of their work, and will both enjoy the discussion and learn from the experience. Others may find open critiquing of their work humiliating and distressing.
How will you know what degree and type of feedback an author wants? Authors, you can help here by letting it be known whether you prefer to accept feedback publicly or privately, and whether any particular type of feedback is unwelcome. And if an author hasn't indicated any preference? Keep posting, readers -- just use your discretion. And if you aren't sure, ask first.
For a more detailed opinion on what guidelines to use when critiquing a story, visit our Guide to Critiquing. This FAQ was devised for this fanfic listserv in 1999, in response to a debate on what was and was not acceptable when commenting on stories.
When you joined this list, you were sent an email containing information about how to do various things, such as set the list to DIGEST, go NOMAIL or leave the list. These instructions are also repeated here.
How do I send mail to the list? To send a message to all the people currently subscribed to the list, just send mail to
LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
This is called "sending mail to the list," because you send mail to a single address and LISTSERV makes copies for all the people who have subscribed. You must never try to send any command to that address, as it would be distributed to all the people who have subscribed. Only people who have subscribed to the list are allowed to send messages -- no outside posts are accepted.
What is the 'Listserv' address and what is it used for? All commands (e.g., joining, leaving, going NOMAIL) must be sent to the LISTSERV address, which is
LISTSERV@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
Commands should be typed in the body of the email message sent to the LISTSERV address.
It is very important to understand the difference between the list and LISTSERV addresses, but fortunately it is not complicated. The LISTSERV address is like a FAX number that connects you to a machine, whereas the list address is like a normal voice line connecting you to a person. It works pretty much the same way with mailing lists, with the difference that you are calling hundreds or thousands of people at the same time, and consequently you can expect a lot of people to get upset if you consistently send commands to the list address. Commands are not case-sensitive.How do I leave the list? You may leave the list at any time by sending a SIGNOFF LOISCLA-GENERAL-L command to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU.
What is NOMAIL, and how do I go NOMAIL? "Going NOMAIL" means that you remain subscribed to the list, but you will not receive any mail. You might want to go NOMAIL if, for example, you're going away and don't want to come back to an overflowing mailbox. To go NOMAIL simply send an email to the LISTSERV address with the simple message Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L NOMAIL. When you want to start receiving mail again, simply send the command Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L MAIL.
What is DIGEST and how do I set my options to receive a digest? It is possible to receive all messages sent to this list in one single daily email, known as a "DIGEST." If you would prefer to receive the list in digest format, then send the command Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L DIGEST to the LISTSERV address. To return to receiving posts individually as they're sent, send the command Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L MAIL.
How can I adjust my preferences? What if I want to receive a copy of my own posts to the list? Send a Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L REPRO command and LISTSERV will send you a copy of your own messages.
What if I would rather not get copies of my posts, but I still want to know that they've been sent? If you send a Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L ACK NOREPRO command, LISTSERV will mail you a short acknowledgement instead, which will look different in your mailbox directory. With most mail programs you will know immediately that this is an acknowledgement you can read later.
What if I don't want to receive anything when I post to the list? You can turn off acknowledgements completely with Set LOISCLA-GENERAL-L NOACK NOREPRO
All these commands must be sent to the LISTSERV address.
What if I change my email address? When you change your email address, you must unsubscribe from your old address, and resubscribe from your new one. This can be done by sending the appropriate commands to the LISTSERV address. Remember that you may need to have access to both accounts to do this properly -- the listserv will send confirmations (that you must respond to) to the account that is being changed. Don't subscribe your new address until you have access to it.
Alternatively, all settings -- including joining and leaving -- can be changed via the Web site for this listserv. Go to:
http://listserv.indiana.edu/archives/loiscla-general-l.html
Follow the links to "joining or leaving this list," and follow the instructions. This is often the easiest way to subscribe and unsubscribe.
All posts to the fanfic email list are archived at:
http://listserv.indiana.edu/archives/loiscla-general-l.html
so you can catch up on what you've missed while NOMAIL or otherwise unable to receive emails. This is also the place to go if you find you've missed a story or installment.
Alternatively, instead of receiving individual emails or digests, it is possible to read and post to the list via this Archive site. Simply set your account to NOMAIL, then read on the Web site, like you would a newsgroup or message board. You can also post to the list from the Web site, but you must first be subscribed to the listserv itself.
The posts are organized by week, and within each week, by thread (subject line). There is also a search function on the Web site, where you can search by keywords, dates and/or by sender.
In addition, you can easily subscribe and/or leave the list via the Web site, or change your settings.
Web Pages
The first, and arguably most significant, source for L&C fanfic is the Lois and Clark Fanfiction Archive. Here you will find the vast majority of fics written within this fandom. The Archive currently houses over 1,300 stories (as of summer 2000), grouped by author, title and date; new stories are specially highlighted. There is also a section where you can search for stories by theme.
Zoomway's message boards have a very active section for fanfic; new stories are posted and discussed there. A great resource to help you search for stories on these boards is The Gfic Index. The Gfic Index is a complete listing of all stories posted to Zoom's site, with a direct link to each separate part.
Stories are also posted and discussed at the Lois & Clark Fantasy Land message boards.
Anne Ciotola's site houses stories by some of FoLCdom's favourite authors. At her archive you'll find separate links to her PG and nfic areas.
Be sure to visit Debby Stark's FTP Archive for all of the Dawning series and Debby's other stories (not all of Debby's stories are posted on the L&C Fanfic Archive).
Pam Jernigan hosts fanfic recommendations, along with stories by herself, the Round Robin group, and Chris Mulder, at the FOLC Obsession Page.
Pam also hosts the official S5 and S6 Web sites. (The text versions of those episodes are also housed on this Archive.)
Genevieve Clemens hosts a comprehensive listing of all Kerth Award nominees.
Some of the old AOL Reading Room stories are archived at the AOL FoLCs Fanfic Archive.
If you host a Lois & Clark fanfic site and would like it to be listed here, please write us at: webmaster@lcfanfic.com.
Other
The newsgroup alt.tv.lois-n-clark.fanfic was created for the purpose of distributing and discussing fanfic.
IRC: Sometimes L&C fanfic writers get together on IRC channels for live chats or to write live Round Robin stories. If this sounds interesting to you, check the Fanfic listserv or Zoomway's fanfic message boards to see if anything is planned. (See What is IRC? for more information about how to get online).
Interested in fanfic devoted to other TV shows? X-Files, Babylon 5, Star Trek (in its many variations) and countless other shows have creative fan followings. The excellent Fan Fiction on the Net points you to fanfic archives around the Web -- both for television and non-television fandoms.
Another large site, FanFiction.Net, includes fanfic from many different shows and genres. There is even a small Lois & Clark section.
** The Archive is not responsible for the content or the existence of any of these sources. We have simply included the information so that you can find out about all the other great Lois & Clark online resources available.
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