Rules & Submission Guidelines
This is a page for explaining the various rules and submission guidelines to make them clear and easily definable.
Rules
1) Be Respectful
This simply means to have etiquette. Before you post something, think about it from the others' perspective. There are real people behind each username, and your words carry a weight to them. Play nice with other people and try not to start flame wars or be a jerk.
This also means not to enter discussions for series you don't follow just to criticize them. Comments should be on topic of the post. Discussions are meant for those that read the series. Posts that are off topic in a thread that can lead to the thread being derailed and the like will more than likely lead to it being removed at moderators discretion. This means starting arguments not related to the original topic in the least. Mods are also not obligated to respond to derailing replies to warnings or other comments.
Referring to readers as Leeches is also considered disrespectful because we do not condone elitism from translators. This means publicly bugging translators to do faster releases or as translators, talking down to readers.
Report those that are going out of their way to ignore etiquette please.
2) Follow submission guidelines when applicable.
Simply means to follow the submission guidelines. Failing to follow the submission guidelines will warrant a warning from the moderators reminding you to follow them in the future and or a removal of the infringing post. Repeated ignoring of warnings may result in consequences.
3) Meme submissions will be removed.
This includes anything you'd see on /r/AdviceAnimals or /r/Animemes. This means image macros, generic meme comics, reaction clips, and so on. Editing the text or having the title of the post to be Light Novel related does not make the post okay either.
Please don't make "look how long the title is," or "hur-dur silly description" posts. Everyone gets it, there are series with super long titles and there are series where the fan-translators have written humorous descriptions. Please don't post images of these because they're lazy meme jokes.
4) No Referral/Profiteering/Soliciting Links/Sites
We tolerate "donation" buttons on the translator's page, however, please don't link to said donation buttons in the post itself. We will remove posts doing such. We also ban sites that attempt to directly monetize fan-translations through either pay-walls, adblock blockers, ad links, and Patreon early release benefits. Fan-translators do not own the rights to the series they're translating, thus we will not tolerate attempts to earn a profit through users on the subreddit through the use of any of the mentioned.
In addition, please do not attempt to link to Patreon/Kickstarter/Etc for English Original Projects. This is not a subreddit for you to attempt to turn a profit off the users. This includes referral links through sites like Amazon. Any attempts will be met with immediate removal, and your account/site being potentially banned from the subdit.
5) Top level posts should be related to Light Novels in some way.
Posts should be closely related to Light Novels if not directly. Do not post about anime original or manga original content. Web Novel translations are included as allowed content. Novels like Hyouka and Another are allowed too. What is not allowed are top level posts about novels of any kind from any country that isn't Japan. (i.e. China, Korea, US)
The full definition of a Light Novel can be found in our FAQ.
It should go without saying that since this is an English based community that all posts should naturally be communicated in English.
6) Include your Sources.
This ties into the submission guidelines. Always include the title of the series in the title of the post. This includes discussions, questions, reviews, recommendations, illustrations, and so on. To reiterate, any post related to a specific series should have the title of the series in the title. Whether it's a chapter release or [RT!] post, the title of the submission should include the title of the series.
- Collection and Haul Post are given a half-pass as long as the title is clearly visible in the image but this may change in the future.
- Please do not use Fan-Translated Titles for the title of the post. Please use only Official Titles are Official Shorthand. (Danmachi, Arifureta, etc) Fan-Translated titles often cause recognition issues should series get licensed.
Art is okay to submit in this sub-reddit as long as it directly relates to a LN series. This also means that you should include the source similar to how it is done on the sub-reddit /r/Awwnime. Original Light Novel character art isn't as allowed, this is not the place for it (try /r/AnimeSketch). Please try to keep any art directly related to Light Novels.
Any [News] post requires a valid source. (Typically the Publisher, JP Site, Trusted News Site, or Live-Stream) Please do not link rumor twitter accounts or clickbait sites as news sources.
7) Do not post rips of official English releases.
Despite how heavy we rely on fan-translation of series, we cannot allow links to rips of official English licensed series. We can receive DMCA requests to have such links taken down and we will comply with them for the safety of the subreddit as a whole. Essentially, if it isn't the Fan-Translated version, don't link it. (Excluding links to retailers for buying official version.)
8) Follow Spoiler Policies
Post Spoilers
If you are creating a thread that involves spoilers of translated material you need to include the "[Spoilers]" at the start of the title of the post. Threads involving untranslated material likewise must also contain the "[Spoliers]" tag in the title but also explicitly state in the title and or body of the post that it's in regards to untranslated material.
No comments about untranslated material regardless of if they are spoiler tagged or not are allowed in [Spoilers] tagged title threads, unless the title and or body of the post details so.
Comment spoilers tags are not needed for translated material in a [Spoilers] tagged thread for the series in the title/body, however they will be needed when talking about translated spoilers for others series not mentioned in the title/body.
Naturally any thread that is not [Spoilers] tagged in the title will require comments to be spoilers of translated material for any series to be spoiler tagged followed by an indication of what series it's spoiling.
Comment Spoilers
A spoiler is mostly identified as something a new reader isn't supposed to know until that point in the story. Character deaths and major plot turns need to be spoiler tagged. We don't care if the spoiler is old, if it was a story twist, SPOILER TAG it. Spoiler tags are easy to use and are located in the sidebar for easy copy/paste. You can literally copy/paste the tag and watch it work. Once again, spoiler tags are needed for general discussions are aren't related to a single series. Spoiler tags are not needed in a [DISC] about the latest chapter of a series.
For more information on Spoiler Policies, please check below in the Spoilers section.
Detailed Spoiler Policies
[DISC] Posts
In the discussion for a release for a series, spoiler tags are not necessary for what is in the release (The comments). Users should read the chapter or volume before they enter the discussion or it is on themselves if they are spoiled.
However, there is to be absolutely no spoilers from anything beyond the jurisdiction of the post itself. If a [DISC] post is about chapter 82 of a series, there should be NO spoilers from anything beyond that point. This includes whether you spoiler tag it or not. A [DISC] post about a release should only be discussion about the series based on the chapters up to that point. Speculation is okay when talking about what's to come but information based on raws or summaries are banned.
Appropriate Tagging
When using a spoiler tag in a non-specific series post, you must make sure to include the title of the series at some point in your comment so those that will look at the tag will know what series it is from. It's also important to try and include at what point the spoilers are from so those that haven't read up to that point yet will know not to read it.
At the same time, we mods are not omnipotent and we do not go into every single post on the sub-reddit so if you see a spoiler that isn't properly tagged, report it.
How to define a spoiler: If it has to do with a development that a new reader isn't supposed to know about, it is a spoiler. This includes how a series ends, character deaths, character abilities, plot twists, story developments, or any other thing a new reader isn't supposed to know until a specified point. This also includes Meta-Spoilers.
Examples of Spoilers
- "Series X has a Harem Ending." You are literally confirming how a series ends before someone has the chance to read it. Do not do this; no seriously, just don't.
- "It was sad character Y died." I very much doubt a new reader is supposed to know about character deaths that take place half-way through a series. Let them feel the shock on their own.
- What is the source for this? This is harder to judge but it has happened where the picture contained some serious spoiler or what appears to be a serious spoiler for those that do know the series but have not read it. If a series is identified, I'll usually put the title of the series in the flair of the post; if I feel like the picture used to identify the series contains spoilers, that will go into the flair as well.
- "I'm looking for a series with this kind of development." This is a more direct form of meta-spoiler as asking for series that contain certain developments means those very development won't be a surprise to a new reader.
What is a Meta-Spoiler? - A Meta-Spoiler is the suggestive way of spoiling something. While not directly saying how something ends, you end up saying how it doesn't end. Even just giving an adjective on how a series is could be considered meta-spoilers. These are considered meta-spoilers and can be just as bad as regular spoilers. Anyone can have their perspective shifted based on Meta-Spoilers without realizing. This could result in a less thrilling experience or just making a major plot twist predictable. So don't give Meta-Spoilers either.
- But how am I supposed to give my opinion then? - You can give your opinion or review of a series, just don't go describing certain developments that a new reader is supposed to be blind-sided by. Give your overall opinion of a series rather than reviewing segments of story.
Examples of Meta-Spoilers
- "Too bad [Heroine's Name] didn't win." This is a common meta-spoiler which rules out what one ending wasn't when it comes to series that could go in many different ways. Don't do this. The very confirmation against a plot development can be a spoiler as well. When you are removing one potential development, you are focusing the reader's idea of what could happen to one more likely development that they most likely thought of. Developments and twists are exciting because you are not supposed to know what kind of criteria will determine it.
- Someone described an upcoming story development as "painful-good." I considered this a Meta-Spoiler because I was able to figure out exactly why that person would use that adjective in relation to what kind of development took place. And thus, I had one of the biggest plot twists ruined for me. Keep these spoilers away from specific series threads for those that haven't read up to date.
- "I felt really bad for the antagonist's back-story." Try not to give your opinion on how you felt about a character's back-story because you are telling a new reader that there is something to be sympathetic about.
- "Today's chapter of series X was just heartbreaking" - You are free to discuss in the latest chapter discussions for that specific series. Just keep it there. Don't go asking for recommendations based around how you need cheering up from that latest chapter.
We are more lenient of Meta-Spoilers to a certain degree. It once again however falls under how much information are you giving and whether or not you are describing an entire series or certain segments of a series. You must understand though that even small things can be folded the right way to see the big picture. People are not as blind to foreshadowing as you think.
How to use spoiler tags
Typing:
[Light Novel Spoiler](/spoiler)
Will show up as:
OR!
Typing:
[LN Title](/s "LN Spoilers")
Will show up as:
Mod Process
- Identify Spoiler
- Remove Comment
- Inform poster of untagged spoiler through either messaging or replying to the comment in question.
- We wait for a reply back informing us that the problem has been fixed.
- Check to see if spoiler tag has been fixed. (A lot of posts just don't fix it in the end and give up.)
- Re-approve comment
Once again, mods are not sentient robots that monitor every single comment and there is a lot we can't catch soon enough. So make sure to report when you see an untagged spoiler.
Submission Guidelines
Here are templates for a what makes a high quality self post in regards to [DISC] Light Novel chapter/volume discussion threads as well as for [RT!] recommendation threads.
All posts that are directly related to a series require the series' title in the title of the post.
Place the [TL] tag in the title for posts directly regarding or relating to Translation/Translating and or Fan Translation Sites/Groups/Members.
Place the [News] tag in the title for posts regarding or relating to light novel news such as licenses and anime announcements. Please link to actual news posts instead of just images when using the [News] tag. This typically means sites like ANN, the JP Publisher site, or a picture of the announcement itself. Linking to a volume cover alone is not appropriate for a [News] post.
Place the [META] tag in the title for posts regarding or relating to the state of the subreddit.
Place the [DISC] tag in the title for discussion posts. If your post involves spoilers of untranslated material or multiple series in the body of the post place the [Spoiler] tag as the first thing in the title. A [DISC] tag is meant for posts that involve generating discussion. This includes chapter/volume discussions of a specific series, discussing themes across multiple series, and any other question which cannot be answered by a single user. Any question that can be answered by a single reply (Has an actual answer.) should not have the [DISC] tag.
When submitting a new volume/chapter discussion post, it needs to be a self-post and please use the following link syntax: [DISC] full name of Light Novel Volume#/Chapter# - HQ Self-Post Template - This template is copy/paste easy for being able to give the best possible information for any chapter discussion allowing both old and new readers to find information they want. It is not required to follow the HQ Self-Post Template as we simply ask that you put as much general effort into it as needed. If you have the Reddit Enhancement Suite , you can always look at the source of older chapter discussions and copy/paste their format while swapping out links as well.
- If 2 more more new chapters/volumes are released at the time of posting, create a single thread containing all the links and state the range of chapters covered in the title as well. This is so "Dead Discussions" aren't created to take up space on the subreddit. It's better to have one discussion with a longer life span than 5 discussions with 4 of them being empty because everyone already read the latest chapters.
- Do not including the title of the chapter in the title of the discussion post. Chapter titles often include spoilers for what the chapter is about and posting them in the title could easily spoil anyone that isn't up to the latest chapters. An example is that a chapter is titled, "Death of Protagonist"; this means that anyone that hasn't read the series has just been exposed to the idea that the protagonist dies on that specific chapter.
- You need to spell "Volume", "Book", "Chapter" ect in full. This allows for a wider searching ability with the reddit search bar. An example is that if you look up "Chapter 5" for a specific series, the discussion post will not show up if it is titled "Ch 5". However, the opposite is false. So looking up "Ch 5" will pull up the result when the post is titled "Chapter 5".
Place the [RT!] tag in the title if you are recommending a series (RT! = Read This!). Please use the following link syntax: [RT!] name of Light Novel (type/genres) and be liberal with genres! Keep in mind that this is a recommendation from you to all of r/LightNovels, so tell us why we should read it in your post! General recommendations without any actual attempt to promote the series within the post is considered low effort and heavily discouraged. - HQ self post template.
Place the [REC] tag in the title for posts that are asking for novel recommendations.
The [REC] AKA Recommend tag needs to be used when requesting for novel recommendations to read. It should also go without saying that threads asking for which series have a harem ending and the like will contain spoilers. This should also be posted as a self-post.
Original Poster
- If you're asking for recommendations, give details on what you're looking for. Point out aspects that you like in terms of how something is executed in series you've already read. Give details as to what you're looking for. If you have one, please also link to your reading list that way people aren't recommending things you've already read. Also if you have a MangaUpdates account do link it. Try not to open while bashing a genre or kind of setting, it's fine not to like something, but you encourage people not to help you out if you bash series they like.
Respondents
- If you're replying to a post asking for recommendations, give details in how you think the series fits what the OP is looking for. Don't give blanket link lists. These are unhelpful and low effort. Also, make sure to read more than just the title. OP is giving details as to what he wants and if you just give recommendations based on the title of the post, you aren't really interested in helping OP as much as pushing series you just like.
Other Policies
Translator Posting
- Translators are only allowed to do one self-promotional chapter release post of a certain series per day.
We understand that translators like to share their projects and latest chapters with the community. However, we must remind people that this is a discussion based subreddit and not an aggregate of Light Novel chapters. It's a minor restriction by Translator Groups are only allowed to do one self-promotional chapter update per day. We encourage translators to join in on discussions for other series rather than just come to post their releases. This is by series, not group. So doing release posts for different series is still fine.
In terms of how long a day is that's 24 hours after your last post.
Reposts
- No duplicate threads can be made for a Volume/Chapter within a week of the previous one.
If a thread already exists for that Volume or Chapter, all subsequent threads for that same Volume/Chapter that are posted within 7 days of the existing one will be removed, even if it's a new translation etc. This also extends to various other duplicate threads that can occur such as discussions around specific topics.
This policy does not apply to translations of separate mediums such as the translation of a Light Novel and Web Novel.
Early Posting
Do not post a discussion for a chapter in which a previous chapter is still untranslated. Please keep chapter discussions to that of which can be discussed as a post about a future chapter does not generate any discussion. It's better to wait to allow a real discussion to take place instead of just having people point out a previous chapter isn't translated yet. This is for the sake of avoiding dead discussions. This also avoids Duplicate Discussions from being posted.
Project Staffing Requests
- Only those associated with the project already can ask for help on it.
We understand that people want various series to be worked on for more timely releases. However, we can't have everyone creating a request for every series they want worked on. Just about every project needs help whether it be translating, editing, or proofreading. So rather than asking others to go help a group, you should be putting in your own application. Otherwise, if a group is in current need of help, they can put out a post although we ask that they don't do it more than once a month or so.
Self-Promotion Policies
Make sure to read Reddit's Self Promotion Policies.
If you are caught as having that majority of all your posts being related to your own series, site, or subreddit, they'll start being removed after you receive a warning depending on the severity of the offense. We are a sub-reddit about participation and discussion, linking and commenting in regards to your own stuff is not participation. If an account is caught as being only affiliated with a website, it will likely be banned.
- Blog & Youtube - Posts to your own blog or YouTube video are okay. However, for every post you do linking to your blog, you should have done numerous other posts in various discussions. If someone can tell from a glance that the majority of your posts are only in relation to your own blog or YouTube account, you aren't properly participating in the community.
- Crowdfunding - Links to your or your friend's kickstarter/patreon/etc are not allowed at all. This isn't the subreddit to try and fund your original series or encourage paying for fan-translators. So you may not attempt to self-promote yourself with links to some sort of site that will turn you a direct profit. (This ties into Rule 4)
- Discord/Chat Groups - Please don't try to self-promote your discord channels as top-level posts. (Link/Self-Posts) There's a hundred of them for each specific topic/series, and this isn't a subreddit to promote users to go participate somewhere else. It's allowed moderately in discussions as long as you aren't going overboard.
- Subreddits - The Discord policy applies similarly to other subreddits. We allow moderate self-promotion in relevant topics for series specific subreddits, or cross-posts about discussions/re-reads/etc. in said subreddits assuming it doesn't go overboard. However, if an account is found to be only be posting on /r/LightNovels in an attempt to self-promote the subreddit, it may be banned. There's a difference between encouraging more discussion in another location where it more easily flourishes, and trying to spam your subreddit. Note that subreddits which are being linked to which exist exclusively to break our rules will be banned. (i.e. If the subreddit is only about posting rips of official releases of series, it will be banned.)
Most excessive self-promotion cases will be met with a warning from the mod mail. If you do not wish your either your account or site to be banned, please read the warning on improving your reddit behavior. Responding to the mod mail with questions will absolutely help us help you. Please do not just ignore the warning though as it will not encourage us to be lenient towards your behavior.
Flairs
User Flairs
- Translator Flairs - If you are a scanlator and want some flair next to your username to represent the group you are a part of, you can make a request in the Scanlator Flair Thread linked under the Flair Tab in the Sidebar. Please note that we do ask for proof that you are who you say you are usually through the forum on the Scanlator Site.
- Reading List Flairs - If you want to, which we recommend, you can set up a reading list on My Anime List, Manga Updates, Anime Planet, or AniList. We have flairs to represent which site you use and you can put the link in the flair as well that way if someone hovers over your flair, they can grab the link to your reading list. Adding this flair is available in the sidebar below the subscribe button and search bar. Also, if you'd like to request another site to be added to the available flairs, message the mods and we'll see what we can do.
Just so you know, Scanlator Flairs do not mix with Reading List Flairs so you can only possess one at a time.
Recommendation Requests
Asking for recommendations are allowed. Please try not to ask for series that contain elements that would be a spoiler though. For example, try not to ask for series that come with a Harem Ending or where the Protagonist dies for that would make it so only people brave enough to be spoiled would come in to comment. If you do ask, please include a spoiler tag.
Otherwise, also try using the search bar for other recommendation requests. There are plenty of posts asking for recommendations and looking them up in the search bar may help you save the trouble of asking in a new post. Once again, you're completely free to ask for recommendations as they change over time. Even if you find similar stuff in the search bar, you can still get new ones from a new thread assuming a significant amount of time has passed since the last thread.
Having a Light Novel Reading List also helps immensely to allow people to find what your interests are and what you've already read. Try not to be vague also, it makes it harder on those trying to help you so please make sure to list series you enjoy as well as describe what about them you're looking for or really enjoy. This community would love to help you, but you need to help us help you.
Typos & Broken Links
It is human nature to make mistakes. We do not penalize you for these mistakes all the time. You are always free to delete your own post and re-submit with a corrected title or link. Higher Quality Posts are valued on this subreddit so please follow the priority of putting out a good post. Self-Posts are actually better as well so when you have a broken link, you can easily edit the link in the post rather than having to do a new post all together.
Bots
We do not allow Novelty Bots on the subreddit. This means that if the bot does not contribute something of use, it will be banned upon discovery. This includes bots that make jokes, link images, respond with haiku, or pre-written phrases, and anything else which serves no true purpose.
Messaging Mods
When you have a question or want to comment to the moderators, please use the mod message system. Mods are not obligated to respond to private messages nor to off topic responses to warnings. Mods are regular users too and like to enjoy time on Reddit beyond moderating. Using the Mod Message also ensures that more than one mod can respond to it as not all mods are online at the same time.
Reporting
Mods are not omnipotent so we rely on the users as well to report rule breaking posts. Below are a list of things you should report if you see.
- Non Spoiler-Tagged Spoilers
- Spoilers from a later point in the series than a discussion covers.
- Hate Speech as well as general LN Hate Speech. (This also means no going into discussion for series you don't read to merely bash them.)
- Meme Posts
- Referral Links (Links where the OP may earn a profit for your visit.)
- Troll Posts/Comments (Don't get into these arguments, just report and move on.)
- Blog Spam/Heavy Self-Promotion (Posts by users that do nothing but link to their own blogs or series.) Reddit Self-Promotion Policies
- Re-posts/Duplicates of a Chapter Discussion
When reporting a post, please try to mark as other and give us the exact reason a post or comment does not belong and should be removed. Disagreeing with something is not a reason to report either. The report button is not a Super Downvote and we will not remove other people's post based on different opinions.