Fanfiction.net, as one of the most dominant platforms for fanfiction content, offers a global space for fan-fiction authors to unleash their creativity, share their works and gain appreciation from a like-minded community. The platform facilitates passionate authors to write within the universe of their favourite TV series, books, movies, games, etc. However, there often arises the question �Can you make a story private on Fanfiction?

The Privacy Settings

Unsurprisingly, authors often wish to keep their fanfiction writings private. However, Fanfiction.net currently does not provide an option to set your story as private. All published stories are viewable by anyone visiting the site. This means any story uploaded when published, is available for everyone to see, read, and comment on. The platform thrives on the principle of the freedom of expression and sharing creativity.

That being said, ways exist to ensure some level of privacy for authors who wish their works to only be accessed by a select group of people. By utilizing certain strategies and methods, it is possible to limit your work's exposure.

The Draft Option

While the platform does not directly allow for private stories, you have the option to save your story as a draft, which only you can see and edit until you decide to publish it. This feature allows writers to work on their stories privately before revealing it to the public.

However, the draft option is more of a tool for writers to refine and polish their work before publishing it for the site’s wider audience rather than a way to maintain privacy. Once a story is published, it becomes accessible to all users.

Private Messages

A way currently available to writers wishing to share their works privately is through Fanfiction.net’s private messaging feature. By sharing your stories in this manner, you can control who has access to your work.

However, sending a whole story via a private message might be inconvenient and impractical, especially if the work is of significant length. Nonetheless, it’s a valid option available for those seeking some level of privacy.

Temporary Publishing

Another strategy to achieve some form of privacy is the temporary publishing of your story. By uploading and publishing a story for a short time, selected readers can access and read the piece. Afterward, the story can be deleted.

However, be aware that during the period of publishing, your story might be read by others too. Plus, deleting a story means losing all reviews and favours associated with it.

Alternate Platforms

Publishing your story on platforms allowing for private readership is a viable option. Platforms like Wattpad and Archive of Our Own (AO3) provide the feature of setting your fanfiction as private or visible only to those with a link to the story.

Each platform has its pros and cons. While Wattpad is very user-friendly and offers more control over who can view your content, AO3 has better restrictions in place towards explicit content. Choosing among these would depend on the specific requirements and preferences of the author.

Conclusion

To sum up, while fanfiction.net doesn't support the option to make a story private directly, there are workarounds that allow you to control who sees your work. Whether that's saving the story as a draft, sending it directly to friends via private message, temporarily publishing or using alternate platforms, the most important thing to note here is to find a solution that meets your privacy expectations as an author.

FAQ

Can I make my story private on Fanfiction.net?

No, Fanfiction.net doesn't provide the option to make a story private directly. All posted stories are public and can be viewed by anyone visiting the site.

What alternatives are there to keep my story private?

You could save the story as a draft, share it through private message, or publish it temporarily. You can also choose platforms like Wattpad and AO3 that allow for private readership.

Can I delete my story on Fanfiction.net?

Yes, you can delete your story on Fanfiction.net. However, keep in mind that all reviews and favours associated with the story will be lost upon deletion.

References

(1) Fanfiction.net FAQ: https://www.fanfiction.net/faq.php

(2) Wattpad's Privacy Options: https://support.wattpad.com/hc/en-us/articles/209687726-Privacy-Settings

(3) AO3's Privacy Settings Guide: https://archiveofourown.org/tos_faq

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