Want to post your Star Wars fanfiction? Here are some guidelines for how and where to post it, and general posting etiquitte.

1. Include a Header
At the top of your story, you should include some basic information about it. You many want to include some or all of the following:

Title:
Author:
Rating:
Genre:
Timeframe:
Characters:
Pairing:
Warnings:
Spoilers:
Summary:
Notes:

2. Markup Codes
Depending on where you're posting your story, you'll probably have to add the proper markup codes to indicate special effects such as italic and bold print. These vary on different boards and lists, so be sure to check before you post so your story will be readable.

3. Chapter Length
Generally, a good length for post/chapters is 1000 words or so. Shorter or more lighthearted stories tend to be able to "get away" with shorter posts, however, and posts to forums can usually be shorter than posts to websites.

4. Update Frequency
Most fanfiction writers post their stories before they are finished, as they write them. But if you choose to start posting your story as you write it, be sure that you will be able to update with new chapters on at least a semi-regular basis. Of course, you can leave our readers hanging for many weeks or months, but you'll probably lose quite a few of them. Conversely, on most sites its usually not a good idea to post your story all at once or update super-frequently either. If you do this, you may entirely miss potential readers who go for awhile without checking a site. However, if you are submitting your story to an archive, it is usually best to submit it completed.

5. Replies to Reviewers
If you are posting your story on a board, mailing list, or similar format, readers will be able to post reviews for your story. As an author, it is nice to reply your reviewers briefly, sometimes individually. However, it is not considered good etiquitte to post a "chapter" solely for replies to reviews, or to carry on long and involved discussions on your story thread/post/etc.

6. Where to Post Your Story
Now that you've got the specifics down, where do you post your story? Here are some places you might want to consider. Before posting or submitting your story to any of these places, remember to read their rules and terms to make sure that your story is acceptable.

Force Haven's Forum and Archive ~ At this site's own Forum, you can post your slash and gen fiction with Obi-Wan and/or Anakin as the main character(s). You may also submit it to the archive.

Fanfiction.net ~ I'm sure you've heard of this place, but if not, its the biggest fanfic site on the 'net, for all types of stories.

TheForce.Net ~ You can post your story in the appropriate section of their boards, or submit it to the archive. All stories posted to the boards must be PG/non-slash. Though the archive accepts up to PG-13 rating, it is also selective and requires your story be read over by others.

Star Wars Chicks/Sith Chicks ~ You can submit your story directly to the archive, or through one of the mailing lists. Please note that Star Wars Chicks is for general fiction, while Sith chicks is for adult fiction (slash included).

Yahoo! Groups Mailing Lists ~ there are MANY Star Wars fanfiction groups on Yahoo that you can join and post your story to, and of course read other people's. There are too many to list here, but just try a search and you'll probably find something. For Obi-Wan/Anakin fans, for example, there is the Obi-Ani group (contains slash).

For more archive sites, you may want to check out my links page.

7. Consider Your Own Website
One of the best ways to get exposure as a fanfiction author is to get your own website. Its not hard, really! For free hosting, you can check out Geocities (has ads) and Grafitti.net. Your website doesn't have to be fancy; basic HTML will do. For added exposure, submit your site to search engines (if appropriate) and put links in your signature on forums, etc.

8. Just Post It!
Showing people your first story -- or any story -- can be scary. So just close your eyes and hit the "submit" button. What's the worst that can happen? Your story might get only a lukewarm response, or none at all. But how will you know if you don't try? If you've gone over everything on the Writer's Checklist, your story is at least decent by default, and is probably better. So just post it! [/pep talk]

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