A question of story content and rules.....

I posted the first couple of chapters of my story here a few months back but upon submitting the third chapter, it was rejected due to content. Basically, my protagonist falls foul of two very unscrupulous characters and has her drink spiked. They take advantage of her and so begins the tale of how she gets her revenge.

I was told by the person who read my story that it wasn't acceptable because she was drunk and drugged and couldn't give consent. A website's rules are it's rules. I get it. You decide what you want on here. But I have to admit, I've pretty confused because you allow Mind Control content here.

A mind controlled person can't give consent. That is also , yet that is allowed? How is that any different? I mean you guys allow stories here. This seems a really strange line to draw. Can I have some clarification here? I'd love to post the rest of my story here but I want to be sure what the rules are.

With that in mind, where is the "content rules" link? The only one I can find is from 2011 as is completely dead. Am I being stupid and blind? Is there a super obvious rules page regarding story content that I am completely missing? It wouldn't be the first time.

Thanks.

You raise some good questions. Someone else will have to explain the distinction between drugs and hypnosis. Something about being totally unwilling and unable to consent vs. having a secret desire that is brought to the forefront, I imagine. Hopefully you don’t get hit with the “it should be common sense” argument. 🙄

And no, there isn’t one obvious place to find the dos and don’ts for story content. Here are some site pages with scattered information…

https://www.lushstories.com/legal/acceptable-use-policy

Anything illegal and contrary to the laws of England, Wales and Ireland, including (but not limited to!) the promotion, suggestion or allusion to , or any non consensual acts, hard drugs or any other kind of illegal activity.

https://www.lushstories.com/writing-tips/unacceptable-content

We do not accept stories which feature underage people / minors… (16 years old)... We also do not accept stories including content pertaining to , abusive situations, graphic violence, totally unwilling participants, drugging, dangerous sexual acts, knife play, mutilation, suicide or death… sex with animals ( ) and scat.

And here is a forum post from 2014, which is supposed to be gospel, but it’s located lower on the forums home page than “Story and Poetry Awards”, which perhaps doesn’t help indicate how important it is meant to be… 

https://www.lushstories.com/forum/writing-resources/simplified-acceptable-content-guide

Do not post stories that feature minors (under sixteen years old). This includes flashbacks or memories pertaining to the sexualization of anyone underage… Do not submit stories that include: r a pe, grooming, racism, homophobia, racist or homophobic slurs, graphic violence, totally unwilling participants, drugging, dangerous sexual acts, snuff, scat, ending your own life, or sex with animals… Do not use a cover photo that contains visible genitalia, penetration, ejaculation, or graphic or violent scenes… Please use your common sense. If you think your submission may cause gross offence, it's probably not a good fit for this site!

Never written for the Mind Control category myself but my understanding has been that consent must be given prior to the control, so someone agreeing to be hypnotized or whatever aware of what will happen. Using mind control to force consent is what is not allowed.

And, frankly, taking advantage of someone who is drugged or drunk is so clearly non-consent that I don't know why discussion is needed. Pick up the story with her seeking revenge and just allude to the incident in backstory rather than having it as an explicit scene.

What Seeker4 said.

The rule of thumb is you can hypnotize someone or use suggestion/mind control as long as they don't do anything totally out of character that they wouldn't do if they were not under the spell.

Establish consent and boundaries beforehand or ensure all characters are "in on it" at some point during the chapter. This is especially true for multi-part stories. Consent and willingness must be established and wrapped up withiin the chapter. E.g. No non-consent situations or unwilling participants in chapter 1 that "dangle" and are then revealed that it was all pre-planned in chapter 2 or 3 or some time later.

Quote by Seeker4
And, frankly, taking advantage of someone who is drugged or drunk is so clearly non-consent that I don't know why discussion is needed

Because Mind Control is also "so clearly non-consent" and yet is allowed. You don't see that contradictory point as needing discussion?

Quote by Seeker4

Never written for the Mind Control category myself but my understanding has been that consent must be given prior to the control, so someone agreeing to be hypnotized or whatever aware of what will happen. Using mind control to force consent is what is not allowed.

And yet there are several stories in that category that don't adhere to this where no consent is given, they just do it.

As I said in my original post, if a website doesn't want certain content, that is it's choice. But the interpretation of this rule just seems absurd.

"Consent is paramount.....except in Mind control. Then, it's fine. And is out because it's icky. But is fine."

Like, come on guys. How is that consistent?

Also, thanks to Chet_Morton for linking those. Was helpful.

My question is on the use of drugs, specifically "hard drugs," as stated in the AUP. Quoted: "Anything illegal and contrary to the laws of England, Wales and Ireland, including (but not limited to!) the promotion, suggestion or allusion to , or any non consensual acts, hard drugs or any other kind of illegal activity." I take "hard drugs" to be morphine, heroin, cocaine, and crack. It appears pot is ok. Roofies would be banned because they obviate consent. What about ecstasy or other mood-altering substances? Would I have to submit a question to a mod with the specific substance to ascertain whether or not it would be allowed?

As long as consent is maintained and it's not gratuitous drug (ab)usage you should be fine.