A note written to the reader from the author.

Indicates a story that takes place in a universe where a few key details are changed from the original canon. An alternate reality may be part of a larger canon universe.

Indicates that the story uses known characters in a different, non-canon universe that is mostly or entirely original.

The feeling of emotional exhaustion or withdrawal after finishing reading a book.

An official, accepted universe within which a fandom exists.

Shorthand used to describe a book or story that someone stopped reading part way through, usually due to loss of interest.

Describes a story in which the main characters begin the story already involved in a relationship with each other.

A romance storyline in which the love interests start off hating each other and eventually fall in love.

Describes a sex scene that is not detailed on the page, but rather is alluded to before cutting short of showing explicit content.

A romantic plotline in which the love interests agree to pretend to be in a relationship together, and through this arrangement usually end up falling in love.

Two (or more) characters who are destined to be together. The characters often immediately bonded upon meeting, and in some stories are immediately in love.

Describes the relationship dynamic between love interests whose circumstances make their romantic relationship socially unacceptable. (Eg. step-siblings, co-workers, teacher/student relationships, sibling's friends, cheating)

A romance trope in which the plot requires the two love interests to spend a lot of time together.

A storyline featuring a romantic relationship between a couple than begins as platonic friends.

A story ending (usually of a romance) that features the main couple in a permanent, committed relationship. This often includes marriage or having children.

A story ending in which the main couple ends up together, but (unlike a HEA ending) are not necessarily in a permanent relationship.

Upon meeting, the characters experience a strong, irresistible pull toward one another, sometimes falling completely in love at first sight.

A story that contains graphic sexual depictions, often just for their own sake.

Indicates the genders involved in a story's primary relationship, with M meaning "male" and F meaning "female." M/F describing male-female relationships, M/M for male-male, and F/F for male-female.

The central character that the story focuses on. First-person stories are almost always written from the perspective of this character.

A quirky female character whose spirited personality serves to motivate and inspire the journey of the male protagonist.

An overly sweet and innocent female character archetype, usually one who is unrealistically perfect and without flaws.

An entirely new, non-canon character created by the author.

A couple who you root for to end up together, especially in stories where there are multiple possible love interests.

A sub-genre of werewolf romance that features a hierarchy with Alphas as the ruling class and Omegas as a subservient or weaker class. Often features elements of dominance and submission and usually skews toward male/male pairings.

A short (often just one-chapter) story with no planned additions or sequels.

The perspective through which a story or section of a story is written. "POV Switching" involves changing between the first-person perspective of more than one character.

A story made up mostly or entirely of sexual content. Ie. Erotica.

A genre of fan fiction that features real people, usually celebrities, instead of fictional characters.

A common story trope in which a main character lives an ordinary life but is actually hiding their status as a billionaire.

The act of avidly supporting particular characters in a romantic pairing with each other.

Fan fiction that puts two same-sex characters in a romantic pairing together.

A romantic story in which the primary couple takes a while to get together.

Scenes describing explicit sexual encounters. This term is sometimes used to describe stories whose content is mostly or primarily sexual.

Describes a book that is on one's list to read in the future, but has yet to be read.

A shorthand description of characters who make foolish, obviously unwise decisions that serve only to move the plot forward.

A common theme or plot device used in media. “Fake dating” and the idea of a “chosen one” are two popular examples.

Denotes where the reader should imagine their own name written in to the story.

A character who is obsessively in love with someone to the point of using extreme methods or violence to win the object of their affections.