AwesomeDude

Story Submissions

Updated 28 September 2024

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>> SUBMIT STORIES HERE <<

FAQs

In what form should I submit my story or chapter?

We prefer that you submit your story in .doc, .docx or .odt files. Please submit multi-chapter stories as separate files. The correct address is submissions@awesomedude.org.

Please do not send stories in the body of an email if at all possible. The word 'submission' is not required in the email. Include the story title, chapter number/s, and author name in the email subject line.

Comments and questions should be limited to the body of the email and should be clear and to the point. Exceptions are allowed, of course, for personal correspondence. So long as the subject header is clear and accurate, there's no problem. Remember that AwesomeDude deals with a large number of emails every week, and try to assist us by using these little timesavers.

Leave multiple spaces at top and bottom of story files, and reasonable margins. Please be neat, use spellcheck, and choose a readable font.

All stories should have been proofread and have minimum typos. All stories submitted to AwesomeDude will be vetted before they are accepted. If it’s felt that any changes need to be made for a story to meet the site’s standards, the story will be returned so the writer can address the problems. If there is disagreement about fixes the site feels necessary, the story may be rejected.

What do you need in the body of the email?

If you're submitting chapters in an ongoing serial, nothing need be added within the email or attached along with the file, as long as the email subject header contains the correct information. An exception is if you are sending from an alternative email address; in that case you must identify yourself in the body of the email

What if I am new to AwesomeDude?

If you are new to AD and have not yet been added as an AwesomeDude Author, please include author information in all email queries. Tell us if and where the submitted story has already been posted or published. If an AD author, administrator, editor or forum member has recommended you, tell us that, too. Tell us something about yourself, why you write, and why you are submitting to AwesomeDude.

Patiently await our response accepting or rejecting your submission. Please do not submit AD email addresses to Russian or Chinese spambots, Homeland Security or Fred Phelps, and avoid the use of voodoo to achieve your purposes. We employ multiple and confusing software securities, as well as white magic, to protect our authors and ourselves.

What kind of stories do you usually accept?

We focus on gay fiction, with emphasis on gay romance, but accept other stories on a case-by-case basis. Proven authors are free to submit on nearly any subject that does not violate our story content restrictions, and even some that do. Quality, originality and style have the potential to trump other considerations. We love a great story, however unusual or weird.

AwesomeDude has long enjoyed a reputation for posting well-written stories. We expect that all stories submitted will maintain that standard. To that end, the story submissions guidelines on this page should be followed.

With rare exceptions, content restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following:

Hot sex is great but only if integrated into a storyline that is believable, consistent and of good narrative quality.

None of the restrictions apply to personal reminiscences submitted for our Drawn From Life section. Those are open to whatever is, or was, true for the author. However, these submissions will also be vetted.

Work must be original. Please note that we do not accept or read: fanfic, boy-band stories or any other kind of story that is not wholly and entirely original to the author submitting. Don't send us stories about Harry Potter, the Elves of Middle Earth or Captain James T. Kirk. Those characters belong to their authors, living or dead.

If your submitted story is based on, or is companion to, the works of another author, with their permission, make that clear in your first email. Do not use characters, scenes or descriptions, or lift whole paragraphs from another author's work—be advised that we will check. If yours is a parody of another author's work, that should be clearly stated in your email. Such submissions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, quality and permissions being paramount.

AwesomeDude absolutely does not accept stories where the author promotes bullying or suicide. Also unacceptable is religion-bashing, homophobia, racism, or other bigotry, although stories may contain characters that express such feelings if necessary for the plot. AwesomeDude exists to promote self-acceptance and happy lives among our readers, authors, and members, gay or not, and therefore we will not assist in the promotion of hate in any form. This does not mean all stories have a 'happy ending', it means all stories have a happy purpose, which is to further the aims of AwesomeDude. We consider such stories righteous, rightful, and needful amidst the negativity of today's society.

Quality expectations include, but are not limited to, the following:

It is also helpful if your emails are cogent, courteous, coherent and consistent. New applicants in particular, please take note: if English is not your first language and you fear this might make communication rockier, please state that up front in your first email and we will work with you. We are not unreasonable, just busy, mostly on your behalf.

AwesomeDude accepts multi-chapter stories, which we will serialize and post on our regular schedule. However, we must have the entire story vetted and approved before we will begin posting. This is to ensure that the story won’t stop part of the way through, as sometimes happens on story sites.

Visit Writer and Editor Forums for tips, lists and details on what constitutes good writing, and the elements of style.

Do you accept stories with sex? If yes, what are the limitations, if any?

See above. AwesomeDude accepts many stories with sex, gay or otherwise, but does not and will not accept 'wank' stories, fanfic, or stories which otherwise violate our content standards. We are a sex-positive website and our feeling is that gay people, in particular, are elevated and empowered by exposure to a variety of characters and storylines involving fictional gay people engaged in sexual, romantic or other ordinary human relationships.

May I include illustrations with my story?

The short answer is yes; however, there are limitations. We will only use images that:

We will not accept images which we cannot be sure we have permission to use—for example, images found online with no attribution or licence. If such an image is submitted with a story, we will treat it as an example of the kind of image the author wishes to use and, time permitting, we will endeavor to locate a comparable image that can be licensed.

Why was I told that my story with subject matter Y was unacceptable when AD Author X wrote on that very topic? Do you just hate me and not Author X?

No, we do not allow personal feelings to color decisions about editing or accepting stories. If we accepted one story and not yours, which you believe to be similar in some respect, then the similarity is either superficial or nonexistent, or another problem—for example, poor quality writing—is apparent.

We adhere to our guidelines and accept stories that we consider of a quality and caliber to represent AwesomeDude, a site dedicated to generally upbeat, realistic, and helpful stories for gay people, especially young or questioning persons. We are also dedicated to helping gay writers achieve their potential, which is why we are often willing to work personally with authors.

How can I find an editor? Are they sold on eBay?

We offer Forums where fantastic and experienced (or brand new!) editors routinely offer their services, for no charge, and we offer a Bull Pen Forum where you can practice writing skills. Other options exist; you have only to ask nicely.

When your story is vetted, editing will be carried out if needed. We prefer that you have already taken that step, but if our vetting team feels the story needs additional editing, we will make editing suggestions and then return the story for the author’s approval. If editing suggestions that we feel are necessary are refused, the story will be rejected for not meeting AwesomeDude's quality standards.

How can I best use the services of an editor?

Follow his or her directives, ask questions, make corrections in a timely fashion and respect their advice, even that which you do not take. Always thank them profusely for their time and efforts. Like our authors, and unlike workers in the sex industry, our editors perform for love, not money. You simply cannot thank them enough. Some authors occasionally (or regularly) edit for one another; again, just ask. Make sure you communicate up front what you expect of your editor and ask him/her what he/she expects of you. Not all authors and editors are meant for each other.

If my story is not accepted, may I resubmit it?

Not usually.

An exception is if we return your story with edits or specific rewrite suggestions and ask you to resubmit it. Otherwise, confer with your editor or household gods and only resubmit if major changes are made and a reasonable amount of time has elapsed.

Please be polite, be patient, and be nice. We love nice people.

If my story is not accepted, may I submit a different story?

Yes, unless asked not to.

If my story is accepted, do I retain rights to it?

Yes, without exception or reservation.

If I later publish my story or novel offline, will AwesomeDude remove the web version from online?

Yes, unlike most online fiction sites, and we do not charge for this, or set up conditions. We will also help promote your published work. We'd love to see you published!

What do I get for being an AD Author? Is there a decoder ring or club tee shirt?

No tees or toys, sorry, but all AD Authors are eligible for the following at no charge:

What does AwesomeDude consider an unacceptable story?

Multiple. See above. Bad prose, trite storylines, fanfic, unreadable grammar or narrative style, etc, are not accepted, nor are violations of our content and quality guidelines as listed above.

What does AwesomeDude consider a 'good' story or a 'great' story?

A story that contains gay characters who feel good about themselves and experience some event in their life or lives, then manage to resolve it in a relatively believable fashion. Sad or funny, mystery, adventure, fantasy… we host stories that run the gamut. We especially love to accept stories with beautiful prose, unusual plots or situations, and exceptionally likable or believable characters.

We do not require the content, author or characters to be gay. We are looking for quality work from exceptional authors. AD is a boutique site showcasing what we consider the best online, mostly gay, fiction, We are smaller, but we make up for that in quality, talent, and endurance. Size isn't everything.