I have a few questions/complaints revolving around the EQD site and its policies around fanfiction. Since I can't find a FAQ page anywhere, I'm forced to ask my questions/post my complaints here.

#1: Why is there a rule against humanized or anthro stories?

I understand that the majority of humanized/anthro content is sexualized, and therefore goes against the sites rules. However, having a policy which rejects submissions based on it being humanized or anthro alone is completely unjustified. It shows a level of bias, bigotry, and discrimination that is simply unacceptable among a group of people who are held to such a high standard within the fandom. I understand that they are volunteers but that is not an acceptable excuse.

#2:
Fanfiction Submission Guidelines Number 3 Subcategory Alpha:
3) We will not accept the following:
— X-rated content, including sexually transgressive or gory stories

This is more complaining then a question, but I find this rule both unnecessary and transparently corrupt. My problem with this rule isn't its mere existence. I understand not wanting to feature pornographic or explicitly gory content due to the fact that children my wonder across the sight. However this problem is easily circumnavigated, all you have to do is implement a filter similar to that which is used on Fimfiction. There is also the fact that the second half of this rule (gore) is completely unenforced while anything even hinting at sex seems to have a ban-hammer smashed down on it. You can try to claim differently but I'm going to find your argument hard to believe when EQD's fanfiction archive has a grimdark tag. The entire purpose of there being a grimdark tag being to highlight fics with excessive amounts of violence/gore in them. Although this might be connected to Anglo-American society's odd standard that sex is icky while violence is wholesome family entertainment, but I digress.

#3: The (ridiculously) high expectation for fanfiction.

I understand that EQD only wants to publish high quality content, but there is a line. I have read the Editor's Omnibus (not recently mind you), and while I wholeheartedly embrace high expectations from writers I feel as though the finer details that are required are rather picky and unnecessary. There is also the tendency that if you do submit a story and they reject it, the pre-readers will give almost not helpful insight or pointer towards what is wrong with it. And as I stated previously I am aware that the pre-readers are volunteers but you should at least point us in the general direction of the problems with our fics so we can fix them. Otherwise you're just making us beat our heads against a brick wall until we either get in or suffer enough brain trauma that we lose the ability to write altogether.

#4: The user interface.

I'm sure they've already been flooded with emails picking this apart I feel it is necessary to mention because they still have not fixed it. To go into detail, I find the UI (user interface) to be even less intuitive than Fanfiction.net. Now I've only looked at the fanfiction part of EQD so you'll have to forgive me with my ignorance on how it works with the other parts of EQD (but given the nature of the internet you probably won't). The way the site is set up I find it nearly impossible to narrow down a "search" to the point where I can be firmly in the ballpark of what I am interested in reading. The UI is painful to use for finding fanfiction. I get that EQD is not a specific fanfiction site, but the user interface is so unfriendly and unintuitive that I simply lose interest and jump right back to Fimfiction only after a few minutes.

That concludes my questions/complaints.

(P.S. I am a white middle class sixteen year old male living in a first world country, whose biggest problem is that I can't get featured on a sight that is dedicated to a cartoon of pastel ponies. So if you are personally offended/hurt by my opinion/argument then you are free and welcome to leave this thread and forget about it.)

#1 The short answer is that Seth owns the blog and doesn't want it there. The longer answer is that the show doesn't contain anthro or humanized (Equestria Girls being an exception), and Seth didn't want to expand to those different adaptations of the characters, and it's rare to come across such a story that couldn't be made pony without changing anything important.

#2 Grimdark does not require violence. It's more a sense of hopelessness and doom. While it does frequently involve violence, there are examples that don't. Even when it does, we apply the same standards as sexual content: implied is much more likely to be accepted than directly shown, and you can only get away with a little of the latter before crossing the line.

#3 We can only feature a certain amount of fanfiction, so as the amount we receive goes up, we can afford to be more picky, and frankly, have to be more picky. We no longer give feedback at all, except at the pre-reader's discretion, which we will typically exercise for a story that's close to being postable. For all the rest, we refer authors to reviewing groups who are very capable of providing extensive feedback. Doing so is their express purpose for existing, so why not go to the specialists?

#4 I can't actually speak to this, since the pre-readers have nothing to do with the site design.

This is only a partial response, but I feel like it's always worth saying. Specifically, this is with respect to the third point you mention.

Inasmuch as it deals with fanfiction, EQD should be viewed as a fanfiction publisher, the same way fanzines and semiprozines function in the science fiction and fantasy community. Fundamentally, its role is one of service to readers, not writers. There are lots of avenues available to writers looking to improve their stories, and it is (and should necessarily be) incumbent on writers themselves to do so.

EQD has tried giving more detailed feedback to help authors in the past, which was a substantial amount of extra work for the EQD pre-readers and caused long delays in responses to stories. More recently, the model has shifted toward providing limited feedback for most stories, but occasionally more detailed feedback at pre-reader discretion. But again, help for most issues is available from other sources—and my opinion has always been that what authors looking for EQD publication should strive for is to produce stories of sufficient quality that EQD has no choice but to take them (i.e. the target level for story quality should be substantially above EQD standards).

I know that's probably not super helpful, as responses go[1], but I think a lot of writers get the mistaken impression that EQD provides an author service rather than a reader service, and I always think that's bad ground for everyone to be working from—authors and EQD alike.

[1] And I should probably mention that I'm actually an EQD pre-reader, but a notoriously delinquent one at this point, so while I do know the system fairly well, let me stress that nothing I say should be taken as me speaking for EQD. I said all this stuff many times before I became a pre-reader, and I suspect even before they published my first story. I suspect I'll keep saying it as long as I'm around, because I think this issue is important, and because I think having publication on EQD as a writing goal is always going to be a fundamentally dodgy way to go, when what writers should really concern themselves with is telling the stories they most want to tell, and telling them with the best quality they can achieve.

3833640
Hi! Glad you asked these questions. Let's see if I can't clear some of them up for you.

#1: Why is there a rule against humanized or anthro stories?

The primary reason is "we're a pony site". Humanized and anthro stories are a major step away from ponies, and quite often there's no narrative reason for the characters in fanfics to be anything but ponies. This rule is relaxed slightly when it comes to stories based in the Equestria Girls universe, as that comes from the show creators. We have in the past let stories through this rule for being exceptional, though that is a case-by-case sort of thing and implies higher than normal standards.

I understand not wanting to feature pornographic or explicitly gory content due to the fact that children my wonder across the sight.

Then you understand why the rule is in place. As for gore vs. sex, I can understand your frustration, but we must abide by the rules of our society if we want to keep our site online.

#3: The (ridiculously) high expectation for fanfiction.

We've relaxed our standards somewhat over the past year, but I don't know that we'll ever live down the reputation we've built for being picky and hard to please.

There is also the tendency that if you do submit a story and they reject it, the pre-readers will give almost not helpful insight or pointer towards what is wrong with it.

The pre-readers are not here to provide feedback; there are many other places right here on Fimfiction where you can go for that, and you'll find links to the various groups in the Editors' Omnibus. That said, sometimes a polite response to the rejection email will get you some advice. I do stress sometimes and polite.

#4: The user interface.

This isn't something pre-readers really deal with, so all I can tell you is that EQD is part of Blogger, and that limits functionality quite a lot. There is the Fic Archive, at least; I'm not sure if that's what you're using or not, but it could provide some of the functionality you're looking for. (You'll find it as the top link under the "Fics" drop-down.)

I hope these answers help. :) Thanks for using Equestria Daily!

3833755

3833792
#1: So you're generally going to stone wall people's submissions just because one guy doesn't like that specific style or interpretation of the characters?

#2: True, but my point still stands.

#3: I've basically tried to whore myself to every editor group on Fimfiction trying to get one.

#4: Well then who does?

3833812 You're probably right and I'm just being entitled.

3833868
I was kind of trying to avoid using that word.

But no, seriously, you're far from the first person to feel like this, and you certainly won't be the last. I think, if possible, it's good to adjust expectations on what sort of feedback you can get where, though. There are a lot of good resources on the site, and TBH the whole magic of friendship thing works wonders if you can just spend time getting to know other authors and get some good folks together for a reading/editing circle. That's what I did. The groups are good, but getting to know people can really help, and a lot of people are friendly and happy to discuss things.[1]

[1] I'm a jerk, though. I don't do anyone any good. So just, like, learn to hate me early.

3833865
#1 He owns the blog. I don't know what you think I can do.

#2 It's a question of scope. We can't possibly feature the amount of fiction that FiMFiction does. We basically can feature only a couple of stories per day amid all the music, art, and whatnot that gets posted.

#3 The Omnibus links to several. The only ones I'm familiar with personally are Authors Helping Authors and WRITE. No reviewer is perfect, but on the whole, WRITE does a good job.

#4 I'll have to defer to someone who's familiar with the blog side of things. I don't interact much with that side of the house.

3833828

The primary reason is "we're a pony site". Humanized and anthro stories are a major step away from ponies, and quite often there's no narrative reason for the characters in fanfics to be anything but ponies. This rule is relaxed slightly when it comes to stories based in the Equestria Girls universe, as that comes from the show creators. We have in the past let stories through this rule for being exceptional, though that is a case-by-case sort of thing and implies higher than normal standards.

My own reason is that at the time I was writing a war fic and I simply couldn't envision a way for a four legged hooved pony to effectively wield a sword and shield. And as long as it is written well and takes place in the universe of Equestria I don't see a reason why there should be a problem. I mean, look at Fallout: Equestria. I'm fairly certain that it goes well beyond what the show's creators invision for the world of Equestria but it was/is still featured on EQD.

Then you understand why the rule is in place.

And you if read further into the point you see some ideas on how to handle such situations. However I must concede defeat to this since at the time I thought EQD was its own website. But since it's not my suggestions on this are proven to be pointless.

We've relaxed our standards somewhat over the past year, but I don't know that we'll ever live down the reputation we've built for being picky and hard to please.

Not as long as the internet still works and their are bronies.

so all I can tell you is that EQD is part of Blogger

And I was using the fanfiction archive.

3833894 I really feel as though EQD should be its own website. That would solve a lot of problems.

3833878 Really? You seem like a nice guy?

3833918 It quite possibly would.

3833924

3833922
Nope. Totally not. I'm, like, universally reviled or something. I swear to apples.

If anybody says otherwise, you totally shouldn't believe them.

Was I like this once?

(I do agree there could be a FAQ on such stuff, though. If only to save you guys time.)

3834365

We have FAQs. No one reads them.

3833914

My own reason is that at the time I was writing a war fic and I simply couldn't envision a way for a four legged hooved pony to effectively wield a sword and shield.

All you can really do is figure a way for it to work. You invoked Fallout: Equestria, and it's not the first story to feature pony using weapons ill-suited for them. Clunky solutions sometimes work the best. (I should note that Fallout: Equestria is also a poor example for anything related to Equestria Daily. It would not have been posted if submitted today.)

And as long as it is written well and takes place in the universe of Equestria I don't see a reason why there should be a problem.

But once you've turned the ponies into humans (EQG notwithstanding) or gotten them standing on two hooves, you're outside "the universe of Equestria".

As for the fic archive, well, all I can say is that I haven't used it in ages myself, but I remember being extremely pleased when it came out, because the alternative at the time was considerably worse. I use Fimfiction's search and group functions to find stories I'd be interested in reading, though of course that doesn't come with EQD's quality standards. I'm sorry I don't have a better solution for you. :(

3834643 If you've got a FAQ, you've hidden it somewhere. It's not linked to on the home page, not under "Fics", not under "submit", and not on any page in between the home page and the submission page.

And by FAQ, I mean a document that (a) says FAQ, and (b) answers questions like the ones raised in this thread, such as "Why no anthro?"

3834643 Then you have hidden them.

3834806 I've already come to terms with the fact that my story will never be featured on EQD. What I want my fic to be and EQD's rules do not mix. So if I truly wanted to be featured on EQD I would have to dramatically change my story into something I don't want to write, which I refuse to do.

3835551

Er... no. That's by no means the case. You just aren't looking hard enough for it. What's your damage anyway? Why the hostile attitude from the outset?

Equestria Daily only posts the finest of fanfiction, such as the 9001-star masterpiece "Spiderses".

3835971 Well I spent a solid ten minutes looking for it. If you could give me a link that would be helpful.

3833640
#1 : Pony site wants pony stories, not human stories. Not exactly surprising. Besides, none of the HiE crap would have cleared the quality standards anyway.

#2 : EqD is a PG site. Period, end of story. That means no explicit sex, no gory violence. This was more relaxed in the past, but as the fandom has trended younger and younger, it is being enforced more because that's the site they want to be. Don't like it? Make your own. Equestria After Dark did.

#3 : Honestly, get an editor, and work on your writing skills if they turn you down. I have two fics on EqD, and I am not remotely as good an author as many of the people posting in this thread. It's all about literary competence. If you're looking for a forum for any old slapdash words on a page, FiMfic is it. The best thing you can do as an author is learn to accept criticism. At 16, unless your fiction is amazing, it likely has mechanical writing issues that more experience will clear up. Revise, revise, revise.

#4 : It's a blogger site, and wasn't ever expected to be as big as it is. The interface sucks, but it works for what it is. Unless you're going to pay someone to create, host, update, and maintain a new site...

3834806

It shouldn't have been posted when it -was- submitted. Like 'Cupcakes', it got in on sheer peer pressure, because people weren't going to shut up about it until it got posted. :\

3835991

Do not disrespect the Spiderses. They are bigger and 8.

3836529

#2 : EqD is a PG site. Period, end of story. That means no explicit sex, no gory violence.

Except FoE...

Oh, and Cupcakes.

And Rainbow Factory.

But they're grandfathered in.

3835971 Apologies, it wasn't my intent to appear hostile.

3836529

Ah-em, sorry about that. Anyway,

#1: I said nothing about HiE's, and they're allowed in anyway so I'm not sure why you mentioned them.

#2: What 3836558 said.

#3: I have whored myself to every editor group on this site and I have PM'd people and I still do not have an editor. If there is some sort of super secret technique on getting an editor then please, enlighten me to its existence.

#4: ... Lord Knightley did it.

3837052

#3: I have whored myself to every editor group on this sight

site.

3837098 Motherfucker! (addressing myself, not you)

3836558
Cupcakes was taken down, actually. Not that that explains the other two.

(Well, if FoE was removed, there would be a riot.)

3837815

It's a riot that's far overdue. Popularity is no reason to break the rules, no matter how often it works on EqD and FimFic.

3837914
You'll have to take it up with Seth.

3837914

Not for lack of effort on trying to get Seth to take it down... but he's worried about the backlash from the near-psychotic fanbase that particular work has garnered.

3839203

Yeah, with good reason, unfortunately.