Novelizing Community Guidelines

About Novelizing and Immersive Ink

Novelizing is a community built by authors, for authors, by readers, for readers—a place to share, discover, and celebrate new fiction under author-friendly terms.

Novelizing was born from Immersive Ink—a community built by authors, for authors; by readers, for readers. What started as a tight-knit hub for supporting fellow writers has grown into a full platform dedicated to sharing, discovering, and celebrating fiction under author-friendly terms.

This site is an extension of that mission, designed to give authors the tools, visibility, and support they need to thrive—without the usual headaches.

If you want to connect with other writers, trade insights, or just hang out with like-minded creatives, [join us on Discord at Immersive Ink](https://discord.com/invite/eYKUctqs8y).

The Novelizing Way

We are dedicated to:

Building a Supportive Community – A space where readers and writers can engage, connect, and grow together.
Empowering Authors to Earn Fairly – Providing clear, effective, and sustainable monetization opportunities for writers.
Opening Every Publishing Path – Whether traditional, self-published, or hybrid, we offer education and resources to help authors succeed on their chosen path.
Maintaining Integrity & Transparency – No shady deals, no predatory practices. As authors ourselves, we constantly ask: Are we building the platform we wish we had?
Fostering Connection & Celebration – A place where great storytelling is honored, careers are built, and a rising tide lifts all boats.

The above is the foundation of everything we do. Every business decision will be measured against these principles.

For more about our story, to hang out, ask questions, squash a rumor, or hunt down a troll lurking in the hills, join our Discord community—Immersive Ink.

Our owners and mods are pretty much always online (it's a problem).

Novelizing General Rules & Community Standards

Novelizing is a space built for writers, readers, and creators who actually want to be here. That means no drama, no nonsense, and no bad faith interactions. These rules exist to keep the platform focused on storytelling—not personal agendas, petty fights, or disruptive behavior.

Our Content Guidelines cover what’s allowed in stories, and our Terms of Service lay out how to interact on the site.

Our Goal Was to Build a Platform That Delivers:

1. A Fellowship We don’t hand down commandments from a tower—we sit around the fire, trading battle-worn wisdom like a band of adventurers. No single path exists to success in writing, and no one here claims to have the answer. We share experiences, offer guidance, and trust each writer to find their own way.

2. Practical, No-Nonsense Support We focus on what works —real strategies, shared insights, and lessons learned in the trenches of writing and publishing. We don’t do fluff, and we don’t do gatekeeping. If advice resonates, take it; if not, leave it. No ego, no preaching, just shared experience.

3. Respect, Civility, and Zero Drama This is specifically relevant for those engaging in the Forums and leaving reviews. We’re here to build, not tear down. Respect is non-negotiable—whether for fellow authors, publishers, or platforms. No smack talk, no divisive debates, and no pointless negativity. This is a space for writing —not for politics, not for personal crusades, and certainly not for Poopyheads. Poopyheads get the Ban Hammer.

Poopyhead (noun): A person who isn’t here to support authors or their work in any meaningful way. Instead of engaging with the community, they’re too busy criticizing, grinding axes, or stirring up trouble for writers and readers alike. In short, they’re not here for the books—they’re here for the drama. We are not here for them. We are here for you.

We’re not here to argue. We’re here to write. If something doesn’t align with fostering a productive, welcoming space, it doesn’t belong. No public debates, no unsolicited DMs, no unnecessary stress. Just storytelling and camaraderie.

4. Writing First, Distractions Last We keep our focus razor-sharp on storytelling, craft, and the business of writing. Anything that supports those goals is welcome. Anything that derails them? Not so much. If a discussion doesn’t push authors forward or maintain a stress-free creative space, it doesn’t belong here.

5. Support Without Elitism There’s no single right way to write, publish, or succeed. No “authorities” declaring absolutes. We celebrate different paths—trad, indie, web serials, hybrids—and we respect each writer’s approach. Share knowledge, don’t dictate it.

6. A Place for Writers and Readers This is more than a writing community—it’s a space for readers to connect with authors. We keep it fun, engaging, and welcoming for both, ensuring that fans feel as much a part of the world as the creators.

7. Celebrate Successes Every success is a collective win. We celebrate milestones, share knowledge, and lift each other up. Whether it’s feedback, promotions, or simply keeping each other motivated, we push forward together.

8. A Community At the end of the day, we’re here to have fun, support each other, and make great stories. If it fosters creativity, it’s welcome. If it breeds negativity, it’s not. Simple as that.

Novelizing Content Guidelines

At Novelizing , we value creative freedom, respect, and a space where writers can thrive without unnecessary noise or negativity. These guidelines ensure our community stays welcoming, professional, and focused on storytelling. By sharing content here, you confirm that you have the necessary rights and that your work follows these rules. Violations may lead to content removal or account restrictions.

At Novelizing , we prioritize honest representation, reader trust, and responsible storytelling. Whether your book is free to read or monetized, it should deliver what it promises —no misleading descriptions, no clickbait tactics, and no low-effort content designed to trick or disappoint readers.

We do not allow content that:

Misrepresents the book’s actual content through deceptive summaries, misleading covers, or false advertising.
Glorifies, incites, or promotes hatred, violence, or intolerance based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
Romanticizes or promotes harmful actions like self-harm, suicide, or abuse.
Depicts child exploitation, abuse, or sexualization in any form. Immediate ban. No exceptions.
Is purely AI-generated without disclosure. If a book is primarily AI-written , it must be clearly labelled and cannot be monetized or promoted.

Core Rules for Every User

Rule #1: Don’t Be a D*ck.

This has always been the first rule, and it always will be.

No prescriptivism. There’s no one right way to write. Don’t act like there is.
No bullying, harsh attacks, or gatekeeping. Critique the work, not the author.
No personal attacks. Someone’s life, choices, or experiences are not up for debate.
No review-bashing. Reviews exist to help readers. Don’t harass authors or attack ratings you don’t like.

Respect the craft, respect each other, and keep the focus on telling great stories. After Rule #1 we have:

No Politics, No Religion, No Debates That Belong Elsewhere – This is a place for stories, not soapboxes. If your goal is to argue, go find a subreddit. Politics in stories are 100% fine, just keep them out of the forums.
No Hate Speech, Harassment, or Personal Attacks – If your words are meant to tear someone down—whether for their race, religion, gender, orientation, nationality, or just because you feel like being a jerk—don’t post them.
No Ranking Manipulation – Cheating the system by using alt accounts, vote brigades, or review swaps is a one-way ticket to account restrictions.
No Spam, No Endless Self-Promo – Linking to your work in relevant spaces is fine. Flooding discussions, forums, or comments with off-topic promo is not.
Respect the Platform and the People Running It – If your whole purpose is to whine, disrupt, or game the system, this probably isn’t the place for you. If something isn’t working, give constructive feedback—not complaints for the sake of complaining.
No Impersonation – Want to run a fan account? Cool—just make it clear. Pretending to be someone you’re not (especially staff) will get you booted.
No Ban Evasion – If you broke the rules and got a restriction, own it. Creating an alt to get around a suspension will turn a temporary problem into a permanent one.
No Organized Bad-Faith Behavior – Trying to rally a group to harass, manipulate, or sabotage people or the platform itself is an instant no-go.
Authors Set the Rules in Their Spaces – While Novelizing’s main rules apply everywhere, authors can set their own guidelines for their story comments. If an author asks for a certain type of discussion in their section, respect their choice.
No Underage Sexualization. Ever. – Any content, discussion, or depiction of child exploitation is an instant, permanent ban. No discussion, no appeals.

Platform Integrity & Enforcement

Novelizing reserves the right to:

Reclassify stories to ensure they are accurately represented and meet reader expectations.
Remove content that violates our guidelines or undermines the integrity of the platform.
Suspend or ban users who repeatedly disregard these policies or disrupt the community.
Demonetize content or apply other penalties as necessary to maintain a safe, high-quality experience for readers and authors alike.

At the end of the day, we’re here to tell great stories—not create controversy, spread negativity, or mislead readers. Keep it honest, keep it engaging, and keep it within the bounds of responsible storytelling.

Originality and Content Ownership

Only the original author (or someone with explicit permission) may share content.
Translations require clear permission from the original author and copyright holder.
Works inspired by existing properties (public domain works, mythology, history, common tropes) are fine, but anything directly based on copyrighted material must be labeled as fanfiction and cannot be monetized through any means or use promotional features inside Novelizing.

Mature Content Guidelines

We respect storytelling that explores difficult themes, but some things need to be handled responsibly. If your work includes mature elements, content warnings are required. These include:

Sexual Content – Descriptive or explicit sexual scenes.
Profanity – Frequent or severe offensive language.
Disturbing Themes – Depictions of torture, slavery, addiction, mental illness, self-harm, or abuse.
Graphic Violence – Detailed depictions of injury, bloodshed, or mutilation.

Hard No’s:

Glorifying or romanticizing harmful actions. If a topic needs to be handled carefully, handle it carefully.
Anything that sexualizes minors or involves incest, necrophilia, or bestiality. Immediate ban.
Excessive sexual content where erotica is the primary focus. There are other places for that.

We understand that fiction explores difficult themes, but responsibility matters. If your work contains mature or sensitive subjects, it should be handled with care— not glorified, trivialized, or used purely for shock value.

AI and Content Creation

AI is part of the landscape now, but we set clear expectations:

AI-Assisted Writing – Authors are free to use grammar and AI tools for editing, outlining, brainstorming, restructuring, revising, assessing, proofreading, summarization, polishing, idea expansion, formatting assistance, and refining. No disclosure is required for AI-assisted writing, as long as the core creative effort remains human-driven.
AI-Generated Stories – If a story is primarily or entirely AI-written , it must be clearly labelled as AI-generated. Low-effort AI spam will not be tolerated. AI-generated works cannot be monetized or use promotional features on this platform.
AI in Community Interactions – Reviews, comments, and forum posts must be entirely human-driven. No AI-generated engagement in discussions, critiques, or community interactions.
AI-Assisted Translations – AI translations must be reviewed by a human editor to ensure accuracy and readability. If no human review is conducted, the work must be clearly labelled as AI-generated. Additionally, all translations require explicit permission from the original work’s owner unless the content is legally in the public domain.

Artwork and Visual Content

We encourage custom artwork for profile pictures, banners, and covers, as long as:

You have the right to use it (no stolen art).
It follows the same content rules as written works (no explicit or prohibited content). The use of AI in creating covers is totally fine though we highly encourage those who can to use a skilled illustrator.
Covers should be relevant to the story. A giant robot cover for a medieval fantasy? Maybe rethink that. Unless there are robots in your medieval story… oooh, now that’s an idea. *Quickly adds note to endless idea pile.*

Real-World Content & Avoiding Drama

This is a fiction-focused space. Real-world events, people, and themes can inspire stories, but we draw the line at:

Targeting real people, companies, or governments. Satire is one thing—grudges are another.
We’re here to tell stories, not host debates. That means political and divisive discussions belong in fiction—not in forums, reviews, or community interactions.
In Stories: Politics, satire, and social commentary are part of storytelling, and we support creative freedom. Fiction can explore any theme—as long as it’s a story, not a soapbox.
In Forums & Reviews: The discussion spaces on Novelizing are not for political arguments, ideological battles, or real-world debates. Keep interactions focused on storytelling, writing, and creativity.
No Non-Fiction: This platform is built for fiction . Essays, manifestos, opinion pieces, and other non-fiction content aren’t a fit for Novelizing. If your work is primarily real-world commentary rather than a fictional narrative, this isn’t the place for it. If your stories happen to have a lot of politics in them, we have no issues with that.
Glorification of harmful acts. If your story includes self-harm, sexual violence, domestic abuse, or similar themes, it must be handled with sensitivity—not as something desirable.

Language and Writing Standards

We welcome all languages, but English is the primary language on Novelizing. Where possible, users will only see content in their preferred language to ensure a seamless reading experience.
If your work is in another language, include the language in the title (e.g., Epic Quest [Spanish] ) and select the appropriate language option in your Story Settings.
Reviews can be in English or the language of the story.
Overuse of slang, gibberish, or intentionally unreadable text may be flagged unless it serves a clear creative purpose.

Respect, Privacy, and Community Conduct

We built Novelizing to be a fun, productive, and drama-free space. To keep it that way:

Treat everyone with respect. No harassment, personal attacks, or discrimination.
No public arguments —especially on politics, religion, or other divisive topics.
Don’t send unsolicited DMs unless someone has the Open to DMs role.
No ranting about Amazon, Royal Road, or any other platform. We’re here to help each other win, not waste time complaining. Every platform has its quirks—some we love, some we tolerate—but our goal is to navigate them smartly, not tear them down.
Novelizing isn’t about picking fights—it’s about helping authors thrive. Every platform has its quirks, and instead of dwelling on the flaws, we focus on working around them, making the most of what’s useful, and pushing for smarter solutions. Complaints without action don’t move us forward—strategy does.
We hold ourselves to the same standard. If you see room for improvement, let us know. Help us refine what we’re building and support the incredible people pouring their time into making this site the best it can be.

Notes on Monetization and Rights

Age Requirements

Users must be 14 years or older to create an account.
Users under 18 must have parental or guardian consent to engage in monetization.

Monetization Eligibility

To monetize content , users must meet the platform’s requirements, which may include age, content standards, and account standing.
Payments can only be made to individuals legally eligible to receive them under their local laws.

Ownership & Rights

Users retain full ownership of their content , but by posting on the platform, they grant Novelizing a license to display it.
AI-generated works must be disclosed and cannot be monetized.

User Responsibility

Users are responsible for any legal consequences of their content. If you post plagiarized, illegal, or otherwise problematic material, it’s on you.

Enforcement & Account Actions

Novelizing reserves the right to enforce these rules , which may include warnings, suspensions, demonetization, or permanent bans, and potential clawbacks in the case of fraud and abuse.

How Reviews & Ratings Work on Novelizing

At Novelizing, reviews serve two important purposes: helping readers decide if a story is worth their time and giving authors valuable feedback on their work.

Unfortunately, surveys show that people are far more likely to leave a review when they dislike something than when they enjoy it. So, if you love a story, let the writer know. A positive review can mean just as much—if not more—than any financial reward. Encouragement and engagement make the writing journey far more rewarding, and sometimes, that’s what keeps an author going.

We recognize that authors come from all levels of experience. Some are just starting out, while others are veterans. Our goal is to encourage improvement, provide useful feedback, and keep the platform fair for everyone.

Star Rating Guide

Review on different sites mean different things. Here, at Nozelizing, this is what they mean:

⭐ 1 Star –
Hated it. Yuck! Would never recommend it. Burn it with fire! 👎👎

⭐⭐ 2 Stars –
Bleh. Not my cup of tea. Wouldn't recommend it but it's not the worst. 👎

⭐⭐⭐ 3 Stars –
Meh. It was okay. Someone else might enjoy it but I wouldn’t read again. 👍👎

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Stars –
Enjoyed it. Not perfect, but solid. Might even read again or recommend. 👍

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars –
Now that’s the stuff! Loved it! Would read it again and recommend it. 👍👍

Review Guideline

Before posting a review, Riddle Me This :

Does the Review Match the Rating? All ratings require a review to justify the rating given. Whether you loved or hated the story, your review should explain why.
Is the Review Staying on Topic ?

Reviews should focus on the story itself—not the author. No personal attacks, off-topic rants, or unrelated commentary. Disagreeing with a story’s political, religious, or philosophical themes is fine, but rating it poorly just because of those elements—or because of the author’s personal beliefs—is not allowed. Critique the writing, not the writer.

Likewise, reviews that start with " I hate this genre " are a clear sign that you're not the target audience for the story. If a book isn’t your style, that’s fine—but reviewing it just to say you dislike the genre doesn’t provide useful feedback for the author or potential readers.
Is the Goal Really to Tear Down the Author?

Feedback is fine, but discouraging an author from writing altogether is not. If your feedback is meant to help, great. If it’s just to be cruel, don’t post it.

“Their characters are stupid and this writer should just stop writing!” is a worthless review that adds nothing to the community. It doesn't help readers, and it certainly doesn't help the author.

“ This story had me really engaged until Chapter Seven, where I lost track of the character’s motivation.” is a constructive review. It gives specific feedback, helps the author improve, and provides useful insight for potential readers.
Is it Review Bombing or Rating Manipulation ?

Creating alt accounts, trading high ratings, or trying to artificially boost or lower a story’s score is strictly prohibited. Insta-Ban-Hammer.
Should it Really be a Report Not a Review?

If you believe a story is plagiarized or breaks some other rules, report it properly. Accusations should be handled through the report system, not reviews.
Is there Profanity or Graphic Content in the Review ?

Keep reviews readable and professional. No excessive swearing, explicit content, or detailed descriptions of gore.
Is it really Harassment or Discrimination pretending to be a review ?

Insulting authors, targeting groups, or attacking readers is not tolerated.
Are there Spoilers Without Tags ?

If your review contains spoilers, use the spoiler tag.

Review Swaps, Friends, Family, and Colleagues – Transparency & Ethical Guidelines

Looking to swap reviews, get writing advice, or connect with fellow authors? Join us on Immersive Ink, our Discord community, where writers, illustrators, editors, and creatives come together to collaborate and support one another. There are tons of ways to find the right people to work with—and build genuine connections in the process.

Want to exchange reviews with another author? Get a relative to read and review your story? That’s fine, but do it the right way.

If you participate in a review swap, you must:

Read at least 5,000 words before reviewing. The more the better.
Give an honest rating and review—not an automatic 5-star.
Mark it as a "Friend Review" by selecting the Friendly Reviewer tag.

What is the Friendly Reviewer Tag? The Friendly Reviewer tag is a transparency tool. If you personally know the author, are doing a review swap, or have a business relationship, simply click the tag when leaving a review.

Marking a review as Friendly does not penalize it—it just ensures transparency for readers.

Any attempts to hide a Friendly Review, swap fake ratings, or manipulate rankings will be considered review abuse.

Reporting Reviews & Stories

If you see a review that violates these rules, report it using the [Report] button under the review. Clearly state the reason for the report, and our team will investigate.
If a story violates site rules, do not leave a review stating so. Instead, report the story via the report button on its main page.
Attempting to manipulate the ratings or review system will result in disciplinary action. This includes:
- Using multiple accounts to boost or lower scores.
- Coordinated review bombing or vote manipulation.
- Abusing the system to push false or misleading reviews.

Final Thought

If you’re ever unsure whether something fits here, ask yourself:

"Does this help authors and create a stress-free space for writing and reading?"

If the answer is no, rethink it. Otherwise, grab your pen (or keyboard), keep your mind curious, and write something awesome.