Cat And Mouse

I got this comment on a story from my Other AO3 Account this morning.

(Info redacted because I prefer keeping these accounts separate but no one follows me on the side blog I have for that account.)

The story was posted almost a year ago and is relatively “popular” by my average statistics even though it has tropes and themes that are big turnoffs for a lot of people (hence separate accounts). This popularity is undoubtedly because it’s a Marvel Loki story and that fandom is massive.

So there is obviously an algorithm or a bot scrubbing ao3 statistics and leaving this comment on fics that meet a certain metric with the main character of the fic inserted into the comment.

I had a little time to kill this morning so I decided to investigate further. And y’all this is so predatory. Come on this journey with me. It made me mad. It may make you mad.

First, if you go to Webnovel’s website, you HAVE to choose between male lead or female lead stories before you can go any further. WTF?

And that’s weird, but this gets so much worse. This is basically a pay-to-read site that has different subscription models. Which… okay BUT! The authors don’t get paid! Look at that comment again. They’re promising a supportive and nurturing community, but zero monetary compensation. It’s basically, “post your stuff here so we can get paid and you can get… nice vibes?” I mean look at this Orwellian writing:

Using the phrase “pay-to-read model” in the same sentence as “qualitative changes in lifestyles for authors” deliberately makes you think that you can get paid and maybe even make a living on this website. But that’s not actually what it says and authors will not receive one red cent.

Oh but wait, the worst is still to come. In case this breaks containment (which I kind of hope it does) this is where I mention that I’m a lawyer in the US.

I don’t do intellectual property or copyright law but I do read and write contracts for a living. So I went to look at their terms of service. It was fun!

Highlights the first, in which Webnovel gets a license to do basically whatever they want with content you post on their site. This is how they get to be paid for people reading authors’ writing without paying them anything.

Highlights the second, in which Webnovel takes no responsibility for illegally profiting off of fan fic. This all says that the writer is 100% responsible for everything the writer posts (even though only Webnovel is making money from it).

Highlights the third which say that by posting, the author is representing that they have the legal right to use and to let Webnovel use the content according to these terms. So if a writer posts fan fiction and Webnovel makes money from people reading the fan fiction, and the House of the Mouse catches wise, these sections say that that’s ALL on the writer.

So that’s a little skeevy to start off with but the thing that is seriously shitty and made me make this post was that these assholes are coming to ao3. They are actively recruiting people in comments on their fan fiction. And they are saying they are big fans of the character you’re writing about and that they share your interests.

They are recruiting fan fiction writers and giving every impression that you can make money from posting fan fiction on their site and hiding the fact that you absolutely cannot but they can make money off of you while you try, deep in their terms of service which no one but a lawyer who writes fan fic and has some time to kill will read.

I see posts on here regularly from people who don’t understand how this stuff works, don’t understand that they (and others) can not legally make a financial profit from fan fiction. And there are tons of people who will not take the time to dig into the details.

Don’t deal with these bastards. Fuck Webnovel.

This is so cute 😍. Makes me so happy to see them together.

S/O Complimenting Madara and Alucard's Appearance

Madara

(That child shouldn't have been afraid of this face)

Madara is extremely shocked. Your comment was so unexpected he didn't know how to respond, so he only stares at you for a few moments

Seriously, everything is pretty. His eyes, the brows, his nose, the cheekbones, lips, back, hands, shoulders, hair, legs, his yummy BUTT!

His toned physique is entirely a result of his training and all for function. Madara is a practical man, but don't ask about his long hair. He's just too strong and even his waist-length mane isn't a hindrance in battle. His appearance was never a concern as long as he was presentable

Madara doesn't bother himself with thoughts of whether he's handsome or not, but loves your sincere compliments even if he tries not to let it show. If you want to see the rest of his face more often, he'd tie his hair back (including the bangs) and forego his iconic look for you. That's love

Alucard

Ohhhhh boy. This ancient creature has no filter and knows no one can make him stop. He can be much more flamboyant with his affections towards his S/O

At first, he is surprised as well. People acknowledge how well he kills things. No one important ever compliments him on his looks. His eyes widen, before they glitter with warmth and he gets coy again. He's feeling so tender, his form falls apart and he's a pool of shadowy eyes before he pulls himself back together and puts you on his lap

As @thirstyforlulu said, Alucard will respond, "Thank you love, I designed this face myself." 🤣 Then he'll (not) jokingly ask what other features you prefer on your men (if that's your cup of tea) and he will create them on himself for you, exaggerating those features to extremes to get a laugh out of you before changing back to more reasonable proportions

He wears the form with your favourite face most often, and is almost exclusively in that form around you

Facebook wins

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers ♡♡♡

Thank you for the ask, @fennign! If you want to do the same: @ajstudio, @semenbetweenthetits, @7venz, @intelligentinsomniac, @forbiddenfascinations, @ostentatiouslyonigiri, @the--mother--ship, @adarkbeauty666, @artsy-jandi

5 things that make me happy:

My 3D hubby who seems to know me better than I know myself. He is proof every day that actions are more meaningful than words and shows the world beyond any doubt that I am cherished, respected, and loved so deeply

A good shift at work

An excellent scotch

Enough free time for myself, whether that is for simple self-care or to sit on my butt and do nothing at all

Comments on my writing. While I know that no one who reads my stuff owes me a comment and they have their own reasons for not engaging, I think most authors would agree that a nice comment is never unwelcome. They are so motivating, they often send me right back to the laptop to write some more!

It's my birthday

It's my birthday week. A new decade for me! Definitely feels different than when I hit 20. Been celebrating basically the whole week, but if anyone can send me fanart of Madara and/or Alucard (bonus if they're scantily clad), or direct me to short scenes of Alucard or furry/monster slice of life, smut, or fluff, that would make this dirty woman's next week 🙏🏻

A Night for Hunting Ch.10 should be out in the next few days! Got carried away with the celebrations this week! 🥳

☆ put this star into the inbox of your favorite blogs. it's time to spread positivity! <33

Oh wow, thank you Anon! I'm honoured! You don't even know how happy you made me!! Take care! 🥰

©东予薏米  jade rabbits making mooncakes for mid-autumn festival