Archive -- refers to a collection of stories by multiple different authors in one easy-to-browse location. Major fandom archives often host thousands of stories of every imaginable variety. Many archives are also multifandom or even themed, such as Crossover archives. Fanfiction.Net is the largest archive ever in existence, and thus the first archive most new readers discover. While admittedly a great starting place for delving into a new fandom, it is by no means the only (or often best!) archive for many varieties of fandoms or genres. More specialised archives can generally be found by a quick Google search of the name of your fandom/pairing/preference with either the word "archive" or "fanfiction" beside it. Also, don't forget AO3! Otherwise known as the Archive Of Our Own, a massive fan-created multifandom archive alternative that is well worth checking out! (It has great downloadable formats of every story for e-readers and tablets, too!)

AU = Alternate Universe -- refers to a story of which there is a (often major) plot, setting, or character deviation away from established canon. AUs may be anything, but there are some themes that are quite common in a variety of fandoms such as Historical AUs, Animal AUs, Highschool AUs, and/or Modern AUs, for example. Authors may also create and develop their own unique worlds in which to place familiar characters. Sometimes referred to as Alternate Realities, Alternate Timelines or Parallel Realities, but such precise distinctions are not usually necessary. See also: Fusion and/or Worldbuilding Author -- refers to the person who writes a story. See also: Fanfic and/or Reader Badfic -- refers to stories written in a deliberately horrible manner as a special type of Parody story, one usually only done as a Challenge. Badfics tend to use every cliche in the book, ridiculous out-of-character descriptions and dialogue, and mainly... the most awful grammar and spelling one can stand! Such stories can be terribly funny (in the way watching a train wreck is interesting) or excruciatingly nauseating. See also: Challenge and/or Parody Backstory -- refers to a story about, or containing scenes of, the past history of a character as set well before the canon's timeline. The character's prior background may be previously established in canon and just further elaborated in the fic, or the backstory may be an entirely original creation of the author. As backstory is ostensibly part of the character's unseen history, it may be Jossed by canon at any time or possibly even retconned in at a later date. See also: Jossed and/or Retcon BAMF = Bad Ass Mother Fucker -- refers to a character who is particularly awesome and impressive. Often expressed by the BAMF character being extremely clever, effective, and hard to defeat. BAMFs may be male or female, stereotypically heroic or unexpectedly amazing, consistently so or just during brief moments. Bandom -- refers to a fandom specifically dedicated to a musical group or band. For example, the UK boyband One Direction has a large bandom community. See also: Fandom Bashing -- refers to a practice in which an author or reader who does not like a character or pairing consciously or unconsciously demonstrates their hatred for the character/pairing within the story. When character bashing, for example, an author may rewrite a canonical character out-of-character as an idiot, evil villain, or have other characters mention their dislike within the story. See also: OOC Bestiality -- refers to the presence of a sexual relationship between humans and animals. Most bestiality stories actually involve a human physically transformed into an animal via some spell or mysticism, but who still retains their human thoughts and emotions and are thus fully capable of giving informed consent. May be mild to extreme, implied or graphic. This can frequently be a squick for many people, so should be listed in the author's warnings. See also: Kink, Squick, Warning and/or Xeno Beta (-'d, -read, or -reader) -- refers to having someone knowledgeable in writing etiquette edit a story prior to posting. While spell-checking a story can catch most simple mistakes, certain grammar faux-pas will be missed. A beta-reader can catch not only the technical errors, but is often useful as a sounding board for improving the story itself. Betas can fill in plotholes, keep your characterizations on target, and help guide an author to new creative heights. Authors are fantastic and always appreciated, but betas make authors better and deserve some appreciation of their own. BDSM (or B, D, D/s, S&M) = Bondage Domination Sadism Masochism -- refers to the presence of bondage, discipline, dominance/submission, and/or sadomasochism in either sexual practices or as a lifestyle relationship. Not all aspects of the term BDSM may be included within a single fic, so many authors may distinguish which specific elements are involved, ie: spanking. A BDSM AU is one in which everyone is either a dominant or a submissive and BDSM relationships are considered the norm. Be advised that while a healthy BDSM relationship is consensual and not dangerous, if handled incorrectly it can result in abusive behavior considered Bad BDSM Etiquette. May be mild (PG-13) to extreme (NC-17). This can frequently be a squick for many people, so should be listed in the author's warnings. See also: Aftercare, Bondage, Discipline and/or Safewords Big Bang -- refers to a special kind of ficathon event in which authors sign-up to write long stories or novels by a certain date and are paired up with fanartists who make accompanying artwork for their stories. Length requirements for Big Bang challenges can range anywhere from a minimum of 10,000 words up to 50,000 word novels, and often produce epics well past those minimums. (A "Reverse Big Bang" is the same thing just switched around, with authors creating novels based upon submitted fanart.) Big Bangs may be fandom-specific, pairing-specific, genre-specific, or open to all possibilities. They also usually result in a large explosion of wonderful long fics all being posted simultaneously, hence the appropriateness of the term 'Big Bang'. See also: Challenge, Ficathon and/or Prompt BNF = Big Name Fan -- refers to a fan (usually an author or other prominent contributor to the fandom) who has become so well known within the fandom that they have gained power over it. Unfortunately, most BNFs tend to go inevitably mad with that power, and insanity and wank are not uncommon surrounding them. It is indeed possible for some BNFs to be quite nice and laid-back, even using their power for the greater good, but it is dishearteningly rare. See also: Wank Bondage -- refers to the presence of physical restraint used as sexual stimulus for a character in a consensual sex scene. Restraints may be deliberate such as rope or handcuffs, or improvised such as articles of clothing or from surrounding environment. May be mild (PG-13) to extreme (NC-17). This can frequently be a squick for many people, so should be listed in the author's warnings. See also: BDSM Bonding -- refers to stories in which two (or more) characters are connected psychically or emotionally, possibly even telepathically, in an often predestined and permanent bond such as soulmates. Often contains intense emotional or physical scenes of the bonding process itself. Can be gen, het, or slash, although even the most gen of stories often read as UST when the bonding is described. See also: Gen, Het, Slash and/or UST Canon -- refers to elements established by the original source material (TV show, book, movie, etc...) itself for either plot, setting, or character developments. The official details, as it were. See also: Fanon and Word of God Casefile -- refers to a certain type of plot element in a mystery or action storyline which involves the procedural investigation of a case. Most frequently used in fact-based fandoms, such as crime or medical shows. See also: A/A and/or Plot Challenge -- refers to story ideas issued to potential authors by other fans; often involve following specific guidelines or using suggested elements. Example: In an ABC challenge, each sentence must begin with the next letter of the alphabet until the the entire alphabet has been used. See also: Ficathon and/or Prompt Character Death -- refers to stories in which a major or minor canon character dies during the story. This can frequently be a squick for many people, so should be listed in the author's warnings. (If possible, that is. Admittedly, sometimes the nature of deathfics are best kept secret, so that nothing detracts from the power of the emotional impact upon revelation.) Also called Deathfics. See also: Death Cliché -- refers to elements within a story plot, setting, or characterization that are so common and overused as to become trite and stereotypical. Clichés can be annoying when encountered too often, but the important thing to remember is that they became clichés for a reason -- people like them! A new twist on an old cliché is almost always a guaranteed success. Closely related to the concept of Tropes. See also: AU, Crack, Genderswap, Kink, Plot, Sex Pollen, Trope and/or Wingfic