Help Center
Search common questions about accounts, reading, posting stories, forums, Premium, and site features.
Getting Started and Account Access
Use for joining, registration, login-adjacent basics, email requirements, contact/support, account deletion, age requirements, and basic site orientation.
12
questions
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How do I create an account?
Click Sign Up from the top right menu, follow the instructions, and use a working email address that is not from Yahoo. -
How much does it cost to register?
It is free to join. You can purchase a Premium Membership to support the site and get access to additional stories. -
How do I change my Member Group?
Go to Account settings and choose change member group -
Becoming an Author: What must I do before I can post a story?
For Guests, you select Author on registration. For Members, you can change your group setting in Account Settings. -
What, if any, legal information should I know before joining Gay Authors?
These are detailed in the terms of service. Read the full answer for more details. -
Do I need a valid email to register?
Yes. Yahoo emails are blocked because Yahoo blocks us too often. -
What is the age requirement to register at Gay Authors?
You must be over the age of 13 or higher depending upon your location. -
What are Promoted Authors?
Signature, Classic, or Promising Author are all Promoted Authors -
What will prevent me from becoming a Promoted Author?
Not writing often and well. Removing stories from the site. Not engaging with members. -
Do I have to agree to the site rules (Terms of Use and Privacy Policy) in order to register?
Yes. -
How do I become a Promising or Signature Author?
Write well, write often, and engage with the Gay Authors community. Read the full answer for details -
Do I have to register to participate in the GA forums?
Yes.
Profile, Privacy & Member settings
Use for profile editing, profile images, signatures, imports, privacy-ish profile settings, ignoring members, reputation, badges, achievements, and age range display.
11
questions
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How do I edit what appears my profile?
Go to your profile and click edit profile -
How do I find my profile?
Click on your account on the top right side and go to your profile -
How do I change my email?
Go to Account Settings and select "Email" tab. Enter the new address and then check your email and confirm the change worked. -
What is Reputation? What are Reputation Titles/Levels?
Reputation is a point total given from reactions and achievement points. -
What Are Achivement Points/Member Ranks/Badges?
Achievement points are given for completing various actions. Ranks are recognitions for reaching different levels of points. Badges are rewarded for completing different actions as recognition. -
What is Gay Author's Privacy Policy?
Privacy Policy is linked on the bottom of every page. -
How do I add images to my profile?
See full answer for step-by-step answer -
How do I ignore other members?
Hover over a user's photo to pop up the profile card. Select "Ignore User" -
Can I import information from other sites such as Facebook?
No, we cannot import from social media. -
Why must my age range be added on my profile?
Gay Authors has all age ranges on site, and we use the age bracket for the protection of youth and to better understand our audience. -
How do I add a signature to my profile and posts?
Go to Account Settings and select Signature. Read for full topic for details.
Notifications, Messages & Following
Use for bell/envelope UI, private messages, push notifications, following members/authors/stories, and notification behavior
10
questions
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How do Notifications Work?
Notifications alert you to activities on the site -
What is the little bell icon in the upper right corner?
Notifications indicator -
What does it mean to follow an author?
Go to Author profile of the author (you'll see the stories listed), and select follow and choose how you want your notifications to work. -
How do I get Push Notification on my devices?
See full post for external link -
Follow Member, Follow Author and Follow Story
Follow Member alerts you to all new content from member. Follow Author alerts you to all new stories by author. Follow Story alerts you to all new chapters of story. -
How do I follow a story?
On the top of the story, click follow, select notification desired and follow. -
Can I send a message to more than one person?
Yes -
How can I send messages to other members?
Click "Message" from a member's profile. -
What is the envelope in the upper right corner?
This is the site for the Private Messaging System (PM). -
How do Likes Work on GA?
Likes or Reactions, are a way to react to content and let the poster of the content know you interacted with it.
Reading Stories
Use for reader actions: reading, reviewing, following stories, sharing stories, readability controls, reading history, recommendations, Premium as a reader benefit, and supporting authors.
14
questions
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How do I find more stories like the ones I like? (suggested stories)
Go to the Stories page and then select "My Suggested Stories" -
How do I track Reading History?
Turn on Reading History by selecting to turn it on and then agreeing to the terms. -
How do I Filter and Sort stories in the story archive?
Read full answer as it includes an important graphic -
How do I change or remove a Story Recommendation in the system?
Click on recommend story on the story you wish to adjust and it pulls back up the dialog. You can change or remove recommendations from here. -
How do I recommend a story using the system?
Click recommend on the story and select reasons then hit recommend. -
What are the Top Recommended Stories?
Top Recommended stories are the result of members recommending stories -
What are those Large Numbers on Reading Stats?
It is overall site views rank. Read full post for more details and image. -
How Do I use Quick Search for Authors And Stories?
Type Title in Story Quick Search and select title you want. Type Author name in Author Quick Search and select author you want. -
How do I use the Chapter Text Controls?
See full post for details -
How do I access a story to read on Gay Authors?
Select Stories on the Menu. Click the title of the story you wish to read. Select chapter you wish to read. -
How can I search and find stories?
Use Guided Search, Browse, or use Title Search -
How do I review a story?
Chapter comments are are at the end of each chapter. Story comments are on the Table of Contents page for the story. Reviews are in the same place, if the story is Complete. See full post for detailed instructions -
How can I share my favorite stories off GA?
Post links wherever you like are allowed to do. Do not violate the site/app/social media rules to post a link. -
How can I help support authors I enjoy?
Engage with the author and their stories. React. Comment. Recommend. Review. Share. Discuss. See full post for more details
Posting and Managing Stories
Questions related to Adding/Editing Stories in the Stories Archive
17
questions
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Step-by-Step Guide to Post Stories on Gay Authors
See full post for step-by-step instructions -
What does a "view" mean on a Story/Chapter?
A view is how many times a chapter or story is loaded. -
Can I post flash fiction or poetry under 1k in length?
Yes, but flash fiction should be posted to a story as individual chapters. Poetry should be grouped under a story as well. See full post for story. -
What can I do with the Manage Story Menu?
See full post for details and image -
How do I select the correct Genre?
Read the Genre description page and choose the correct genres. For further strategies, read full post. -
How do I set a Story Discussion Location?
From the Story Management menu, choose Add discussion topic. Type title and select correct one when it pops up. -
How do I set an Author Discussion Location?
Change Discussion from Author profile where stories are listed. Select Change Discussion -
What are Reading Stats?
Shows reading stats over time periods you can filter. -
How often can I add new chapters and stories?
You can post a chapter at most every 8 hours, though we strongly suggest 1 time per day. New authors in the moderation queue should only post 1 chapter at a time for approval. See full details for more. -
How do I edit a chapter?
Click edit chapter on the chapter menu. -
How do I edit a story?
Click edit story on the story menu. -
How do I add a chapter to an existing story?
See full post for all details. Click "Add Chapter" from the story's menu. -
How do I submit a story to publish now or at a later date and time?
See full post for step-by-step instructions with images. -
How do I post a story on GA?
See full post for step by step instructions -
How do I get my story ready to post on GA?
Please review this topic in full before publishing your story. -
What types of stories are not allowed on GA?
Please read full post for answer -
What is the Moderation Queue?
New authors are required to have their stories/chapters review by site moderation until it is clear they understand the system and rules and/or hitting 250 points in story reputation points.
Series, Worlds & Collections
Use for story organization features.
7
questions
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What is a Story World?
A set of stories that occur in the same setting -
How do I set up a Series or World?
See full answer for step-by-step instructions -
How do I add a Story to a Series or World?
See full entry for step-by-step instructions -
What is a Story Collection?
A way to group stories for your use or sharing with other members -
How do I Add/Create a Story Collection?
Read full entry for step-by-step instructions -
How do I Add/Remove Stories and Manage Collections?
Read for step-by-step instructions for creating a collection -
What is an Anthology?
Collection of themed stories and poems we do each year.
Community, Forums & Conduct
Use for forums, posting behavior, moderation, violations, harassment, warnings, bans, politics, off-topic discussion, spoilers, mentions, and community rules.
25
questions
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How do I contact Gay Authors?
Use "Contact Us" linked at the bottom of every page. -
How do I have a question added to the Help Center?
Read the full answer and comment below or use the help forum -
What are the reaction icons and what effect do they have on GA members?
Reacting adds a reputation point to the recipient. -
How do I Close/Delete my account / data ?
In account settings under Security & Privacy -
How do I use Spoiler Tags?
Highlight text you wish to put behind spoiler and hit the spoiler button (eyeball) on the text editor. -
How do I see my Support Requests?
Help -> Support on main menu -
How do I find the Site Staff
Help -> Staff from main menu -
What are site bans?
Site bans are temporary or permanent suspension of accounts -
What are warnings, and why did I get one?
A warning is like a traffic ticket. We issue them for rule violations. See full post for breakdown. -
What do I do if I feel harassed by someone on the site?
Report the post immediately via the report function. -
What are the forums?
Forums are the place to discuss topics. There are multiple forum locations with different themes or focus. Please post in the correct forum. -
Where can I discuss politics on Gay Authors?
Post in the club, The Pit. No politics outside of the Pit. There are plenty of places on the internet to discuss politics. Gay Authors is all about stories, and other writing. -
Why did you lock a topic on the forums?
Topics are typically locked for rule violations. See full post for other possibilities. -
What is not allowed on the forums?
No porn, politics, copyright violations, or soliciting. Spammers are banned immediately. -
What do I do if I see a violation in the forums?
Use the report button to report rule violations -
Can I edit my posts?
Yes, for a limited time depending on area. -
I want to reply to a specific post, how do I do that?
Use the quote feature to respond to specific post or part of a post. -
What languages can I use in the forums?
English -
Can I start a topic on an article or story I read somewhere else?
Yes, so long as it is in the appropriate forum and not political in nature -
A topic I am involved has turned into a public chat
A conversation between two people is better suited as a Personal Message -
What should I do if a discussion strays off-topic?
Try to nudge it back on track. Or start a new topic for the diversion. -
Can I start my own topic?
Yes, just make sure you aren't duplicating a topic that is already active. -
Do I have to read an entire topic to participate?
You should be aware of the gist of the topic to stay on point. -
How do I use @mentions on the forums?
Type the @ symbol and then the name you want to mention. select the name when it pops up. -
What are the rules on Gay Authors?
Rules can be found under guidelines. Link is help menu.
Site Apps, Purchases & Media
Use for Store, Gallery, Blogs, Calendar-style app help, gift cards, purchases, and uploaded media.
24
questions
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How can I get help with my Premium subscription?
Use contact us from the bottom of every page to open a support request. -
How do I become a Premium Membership or a Sustaining Membership subscriber?
Click Subscriptions and select your preferred subscription of Premium Membership or Contributing Membership -
How do I renew my Premium subscriber membership?
Click on Subscriptions from the main menu. You can select your previous order and renew. -
What are Premium Memberships and Sustaining Memberships (Subscriptions)?
Premium membership is a subscription service on GA that funds the site and keeps it open for business. Subscribers get access to special stories and have external site ads removed in exchange for a low monthly fee. A new chapter or story is added each week when we are able. -
Do I need to have my Address on my account?
Yes, if you are doing purchasing activities. -
How do I manage my purchases?
Help -> Accounts and Purchasing -> Manage Purchases -
Do I need to have my Personal Information stored on the site?
Yes, if you make a purchase. -
Can I add Events to the Calendar?
No, ask the staff. -
Where can I view the Gay Authors Calendar?
Go to Apps -> Events -
Is there a size limit to how much I can post in the gallery?
Yes. It varies by group. -
What can be posted in the GA Gallery?
Member photos and story-related images -
How do I Add Image/Create an Album in the gallery?
Go to Gallery and click add image. -
How can I create a photo collage in MS Paint?
Click the full answer for detailed steps -
What is an Account Credit?
Help - > Accounts and Purchasing - > Account Credit -
How do I see my Past Orders?
Go to Help - > Accounts and Purchasing - > Orders -
How do I redeem a Gift Card?
Subscriptions - > Gift Cards -> Redeem -
Can I buy a gift card for someone on Gay Authors?
Yes, you can find the Gift Cards listed in the Subscriptions section -
How do I get to my blog?
Apps -> Blogs -> My Blogs -
Can I create more than one blog?
No. -
How do I post to my blog?
Go to your blog and click Add New Entry -
How do I create a blog?
Sorry, we no longer allow new blogs to be created -
Can I create a blog?
No. We no longer allow the creation of new blogs -
What is a Blog?
Blogs are a way to post topics for the site or for personal use if you have an existing blog set up. (we no longer allow new blogs to be added) -
Where can I view my images?
Go to your profile and select the Albums tab
Advertising & Site Business
Questions related to advertising advertising, copyright/DMCA, business/contact items, pricing/refund policy
3
questions
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How do I run my ad on Gay Authors?
We are handling advertising manually until further notice.
Please submit a support request for further details. Select "Advertising" for the department. -
How do I get people to see my work on GA?
This is a more involved topic and requires a full read. -
How do I make my story the best it can be?
Take advantage of all the free resources on Gay Authors to position your story for success. Read for further details and links to resources.