The Age of Fire & Ash — Contributor Guidelines
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A concise, web-ready guide for authors who wish to write in the Fire & Ash world
The Age of Fire & Ash is a shared universe spanning 83 years after a global nuclear event. Multiple authors explore human survival, settlements, and intrigue in interconnected storylines. Authors can write before, during, or after the event, or explore orbital/space perspectives leaving the planet just before or during the event.
This page explains what is allowed in your stories, what is not, and the dos and don’ts to maintain continuity across the universe.
Allowed vs Not Allowed
| Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Original characters and settlements | Retconning main historical events in the timeline |
| Interacting with canonical characters respectfully | Instantly restoring modern technology or civilization |
| Exploring orbital or space-based perspectives | Breaking core rules of settlements, factions, or ancient evils |
| Genre flexibility: romance, horror, thriller, western, spy, sci-fi | Ignoring the established Story Bible or Contributor Guidelines |
Dos
- Use original characters and settlements
- Respect timeline events
- Coordinate cross-story interactions
- Include orbital/space stories if relevant
Don’ts
- Break the Story Bible
- Instantly restore modern civilization
- Retcon major events
- Ignore other authors’ approved stories
Special Orbital / Space Story Guidelines
- Stories may occur in orbit before or during the Event.
- Ensure survival challenges are realistic to orbital evacuation or descent.
- Do not bypass the global consequences of the Event.
- Connections to Earth-based settlements should remain consistent with the timeline.
What the Universe Is
Grounded Speculative Realism
Human-focused, science-rooted stories about survival, politics, culture, and rebuilding society across decades.
Wide Temporal Scope
Authors may write before, during, or after the Event—including orbital perspectives—anywhere along the 83-year timeline.
Cultures & Geography
Distinct cultures, altered coasts, flooded regions, and permanent environmental shifts are core canon elements.
Local Focus, Global Consequence
Stories should center local struggles while honoring the irreversible global damage of the Event.
What the Universe Is Not
The following are prohibited to protect continuity, tone, and realism.
| Category | Not Allowed |
|---|---|
| Supernatural | Magic, ghosts, gods, psychic powers, miracles |
| Aliens & Extra-Dimensions | Alien visitors, signals, portals, alternate realities, time travel |
| World-Fixing Tech | FTL, interstellar travel, miracle energy, terraforming, nanotech that rebuilds civilization |
| Undoing the Event | Prevention, reversal, simulation reveals, or negating the Event |
| Fast Global Recovery | Fully restored governments, worldwide communications, instant infrastructure recovery |
| Canon Changes | Redefining Sunnar/Ether core culture, major cities’ fates, timeline alterations |
| Character Violations | Changing or harming other authors’ main characters without permission |