FICTION RATINGS

All stories on The Tracy Island Chronicles are rated FRC thru FRM unless otherwise noted on the author pages. We will always try to make sure to clearly mark FRM rated stories and explain why they are rated that way. TIC does not archive FRAO stories - not because we don't approve of them but because we feel a responsibility to protect younger fans.

Further information on fiction ratings can be found below.

The Tracy Island Chronicles (TIC) is an invitation-only site dedicated to Thunderbirds fan fiction based on the 1960s Original Series, the 1960s Movies (Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird Six), and the Thunderbirds Comics (TV Century 21, 1960s, and Thunderbirds, the Comic, 1990s).

TIC does not accept stories based on the 2004 movie Thunderbirds directed by Jonathan Frakes, unless it's impossible to tell from the content of the story that it is set in that universe.

TIC does not accept submissions directly. However, we do welcome recommendations, so if you've found a story you think our selection committee should take a look at, please send it to our submissions committee at ticmobilecontrol1@gmail.com.

We prefer not to take a recommendation directly from an author for their own story, mostly because we're soft-hearted and we hate to hurt people's feelings by turning them down!

Please note that after investigating rumors heard about the Motion Picture Association issuing Cease and Desist orders across the internet to ban usage of their copyrighted ratings system (G, PG, R, etc.), we here at The Tracy Island Chronicles have begun utilizing The Fan Rated Ratings System which is outlined below. This will help keep us, and our Thunderbirds fan fiction, from coming under fire for the ratings system.

In addition, there is a standard disclaimer that legally assists in avoiding lawsuits sometimes waged over the use of copyrighted characters/settings such as those in books, movies and television shows which you might wish to put on your individual stories as well. The below copy-and-paste comes from http://tfrrs.tripod.com/ and is in use throughout many fanfiction universes.

The Fan Rated Rating System is a system by which webmasters/webmistresses can rate the stories in their archive, without risk of breaking any laws by using the default ones as used by Movies and TV Shows, which are legally owned and copyrighted to the MPA (Motion Picture Association).

The new rating system was set up so that we all (as fans) can rate our stories, but without fear of legal troubles caused by the MPA and their Cease and Desist notices that are appearing all over the internet. This rating is OURS, which means anyone who writes Fan Fiction, or hosts Fan Fiction archives, can use it.

As always, though, you will need to apply the specific content warnings to your stories. As a guide, we have offered the following:

• P - Profanity
• SC - Sexual Content
• V - Violence
• GV - Graphic Violence

More, of course, can be added as you see fit.

FRC - Fan Rated suitable for Children (equivalent to G):

Suitable for Disney. Grandma Tracy wouldn't cover her eyes or ears. Contains nothing most parents would consider offensive for even their youngest children to read. No sex scenes, or references to drug use. Minimal violence. No profanity.

FRPT - Fan rated suitable for Pre-Teens (equivalent to PG):

Not for very young children, because it might contain things that parents would have to explain, like people kissing. No sex scenes, no drug use, only moderate levels of "harmless" scariness or violence. No profanity beyond a very occasional and light "damn" or "hell."

FRT - Fan Rated suitable for Teenagers (equivalent to PG 13):

Where most TB fic falls. Story might be inappropriate for pre-teens, themes may be somewhat adult, even if the story's about kids. No really harsh violence, sex is okay, but nothing explicit, no details. Drug use is allowable as long as it doesn't get too down and dirty (a fictionalized after school special about drug use in schools would probably be PG 13, for instance). Profanity must not be excessive or frequent, can include the "f" word but only if it's used occasionally (say once or twice a chapter in a long fic, if that much). If it gets used more often than that, we have to bump up the rating.

FRM - Fan Rated suitable for Mature persons (equivalent to R):

This rating can contain material that's really only suitable for older teens (at least 17) and adults. Violence can be harsher and more persistent, sex can be more explicit (although *not* with bodily fluids and not naming the parts…that's NC-17). Language can be harsher, more frequent and contain profanity worse than the "f" word. Drug use can be down and dirty.

FRAO - Fan Rated suitable for Adults Only (equivalent to NC-17):

DOES NOT MEAN IT'S PORNOGRAPHY. That's a misconception. But NC-17 equivalent stories are definitely for adults only. Can contain all the stuff that the other categories don't allow, including graphic sex, complete with named parts and bodily fluids. (Does not *have* to contain sex to get that rating, though, so don't assume that). Can also be NC-17 equivalent for hardcore sadistic violence, or even persistent use of very harsh language that would offend most people, especially sexually-derived words. Note: Stories of this nature are not accepted on TIC.

Last, but certainly not least, is a generic Legal Disclaimer you should importantly add to your Fan Fictions, or your Fan Fiction Archives.

"Without Prejudice. The names of all characters contained here-in [our TIWF suggested addition: "that are original to this universe"] are the property of Name_Of_Copyright_Holder. No Infringments of these copyrights are intended, and are used here without permission."

If you have original characters in your Fan Fiction, make sure you add that into your Disclaimer. [Our TIWF addition: we suggest the use of language such as "please do not use my original characters and situations without permission."]

Note: The presence of Original Characters (in your Fan Fiction) will dampen any law suit made against you for your use of the show/book/movie characters in your Fan Fiction.

FEEDBACK!

Writers live for feedback. The Tracy Island Chronicles is equipped with review capability. So if you like what you're reading, and you'd like to see more from that author, take a moment to click on the review link and leave an encouraging word or two. It's the gift that keeps on giving... and goes a long way to keeping a writer writing. Thanks!

Please note that TIC's sister site, The Tracy Island Archives, is currently not being updated.

If you're a budding Thunderbirds author, or you already write Thunderbirds fanfiction, or you would like a place to talk about Thunderbirds with like-minded people, then the Tracy Island Writers Forum is for you!