Reading Time:
4 Minutes
What is Rough Trade?
This site was born out of a site dedicated to writing during National Novel Writing Month (NANOWRIMO). In our first year, we all worked together to create works of both fan and original fiction. Twenty-one writers participated in November of 2011. In November of 2012, we had another challenge and twenty-four authors were involved in the challenge. It was so much fun that in April of 2013, all got a bit crazy and twenty-one of us tried again! In July of 2013 we had our first Original Fic Only Challenge and twelve authors participated.
There is something amazing and inspiring about being part of a writing environment where you can feel safe to explore ideas and concepts in front of people. That’s what Rough Trade is really about. It’s about providing a community where authors can come together and create without being shamed, abused, or discouraged by the reading public.
We encourage readers to join the site and participate with feedback but please be aware that if you misbehave you will be removed from the site and not be allowed to return. There will be no appeal process, no opportunity for discussion. This is not a democracy — it’s an empire and as the badass Empress of this whole thing, I’ve tasked myself with creating a safe place for other writers and I’m totally capable of protecting them from trolls and assholes.
How does Rough Trade Work?
We run three month-long challenges a year (April, July, & November). Sign-ups take place in the month before the challenge. We write during the month of the challenge (no pre-writing is allowed) and post as we go. There is usually a fifteen day grace period after the challenge ends to finish up stories if the author is inclined to do so. Authors are not obligated to complete RT projects nor are they required to post them elsewhere after the challenge.
Why do you have to be a member to post and comment?
It is one of the ways we prevent authors from being abused/mistreated by readers.
What is the Word Count Requirement?
It depends on the month and the established challenge.
What fandoms are accepted?
All fandoms and genres are accepted. You can also, if you choose, write original fiction. We will have challenges throughout the year that may be fandom or genre specific.
Are there any rules about content?
Yes, we insist that you WARN for incest, rape, non-con, dubious consent, child abuse, violence, character death, bestially, and murder. A bigger list of warnings is available to authors on the dashboard and should be reviewed thoroughly during the creation of their project file and story posts. Failure to warn appropriately will equal you removal from the challenge permanently. Accidents happen but failing to warn for some topics can’t possibly be considered an accident. We do not tolerate not warning for the sake of your “plot”. If you have to hide things like major character death and rape to preserve your so-called plot then you aren’t welcome here.
Forbidden Content
- Absolutely no RPF (Real Person Fiction) is allowed.
- On-screen necrophilia is not permitted, and your main characters cannot engage in this activity. But if your story is about prosecuting someone guilty of this crime, it can be mentioned, but you should warn for it. It cannot be presented as an acceptable erotic act. (Ask us via the contact form about vampires and zombies if it applies to your fandom and you’re uncertain about the line)
- Snuff is not permitted. That means a character being killed as part of a sex act or for sexual gratification. Unless it’s not graphic and it’s being presented as a crime. If it’s being presented to titillate the reader, it’s a no-no. Be careful about how you write vampirism that it doesn’t come off like snuff.
- Racism, sexism, discrimination, or hate crimes cannot be presented in a positive light by the main characters. Having a villain be a racist isn’t an issue, but you should warn for racist speech and/or actions.
- Sex with characters under 16 is not permitted. Can one of your characters mention they lost their virginity at 15? Yes, but no flashbacks and no graphic description of it. If you need clarification of this policy, please use the contact form.
- While child molestation may exist as part of your story — it must not be depicted on screen and the discussion thereof should be warned for explicitly.
Will there be rules regarding comments?
Please see the feedback rules.
How do I sign Up?
Join the site as a subscriber and when we announce our next challenge a form will be provided for interested parties to sign up. Our main events are in April, July and November.
I read a story here once but it’s gone. What happened to it?
Rough Trade is not an archive. It’s a writing challenge site. Therefore, stories will come and go from the site on a regular basis as we have challenges throughout the year. Any information I have regarding a past work on the site is located here.
Why can’t I copy, save, or print from the site?
I’ve installed code on the site that will prevent copy/paste of text and images. It will also prevent the wholesale saving of entire pages. This was entirely my decision and no other author on Rough Trade was consulted. I’m not going to change my mind so don’t bother whining about it. I told authors from the start that Rough Trade was about them and that I would create a safe place for them explore their craft. I consider protecting their work from unauthorized distribution part of that covenant. You don’t have to agree but your disagreement isn’t going to change anything.
Got more questions?
Contact Keira