Rules

We would like to keep Hushed Voices a friendly and comfortable place, and as such, there are a few general rules we would like all readers, writers and artists to abide by when frequenting the site.

Please follow the ratings along with the regular dose of common sense when posting or submitting Fan Fiction - Which means, all Fan Fiction *MUST* include a standard disclaimer:

"The aforementioned Characters and Places are the sole property of the Copyright owner (ie, Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, David Fury, Marti Noxon, Kazui and Kazui, Sand Dollar Productions, Mutant Enemy, UPN, WB Television and 20th Century Fox). No profit is gained from their use in this story."

It also must include a rating, as outlined below. Along with the standard Fan Fiction notes: Title/Chapter/Author/Feedback/Spoilers/Ship (If any)/Author Notes.

Please keep all criticism friendly and constructive. No flames please.

Please keep drama to a minimum, or you will be drawn and quartered for public viewing.

Please place a warning on your Fan Fiction/Fan Art if you feel there is a need for it. People don't always share your views or feelings in regards to a particular type of fic, please allow them the choice to read your fic or not by placing the appropriate warnings for all to see.

This site does not tolerate the following types of 'Squick-Fic': Scat, Incest, Snuff, Beastial and 'Lolita'.

The age of consent in most countries is 18, so please, unless you are of consenting age, I'm trusting you to avoid pieces of work marked FRAO. As such, We are not your mother/father/guardian, and therefore, remove all responsibility from the Site Mistress and Moderators, should you be caught looking at things that are deemed unsuitable.

Ratings

Like many sites we are utilize the FR - Fan Rated System. Below is a detailed introduction on how and when to use the FR System in regards to Fan Fiction.

What are the new ratings?

FRC - Fan Rated Suitable For Children

FRT - Fan Rated Suitable For Teenagers

FRM - Fan Rated Suitable For Mature Persons

FRAO - Fan Rated Suitable For Adults Only

What do the new ratings mean?

FRC - (formerly G/PG) Suitable for anyone. No swearing, only the mildest and most general sexual references and violence. Yes, Bambi's mother may die and someone can make a poopie joke, but nobody has genetalia and all limbs will remain connected to the people they start out on.

FRT - (formerly PG-13) Suitable for anyone mature enough to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This covers anything that might be seen in an average episode of the show. Very mild swearing is fine, as is some nudity and moderate violence. Fade to black sexuality and frank discussion of sexual concepts are fine here.

FRM - (formerly R) Suitable for older teens and adults. Your characters may swear like sailors, have actual - albeit slightly fuzzy - sex, and get really graphic with their violence. Sensitive subjects such as sexual violence, torture, child abuse, etc. may be discussed frankly.

FRAO - (formerly NC17) Suitable ONLY for mature adults. This is where the extremely graphic sex and Romper Stomper level violence live. As always, though, you will need to apply the specific content warnings to your stories.

If you are having trouble with the new Ratings System, do not hesitate to contact me for help.

[This Version of the Ratings Reform was compiled from information made available by GilesWench over at the GilesRulesBaby! Yahoo! Group.]