Can anyone use Our Story?

Absolutely! We are a community of Storytellers and that includes you. The only requirement for participation is that you want to participate. Welcome one and all, we’re glad you’re here!

Can I submit a story anonymously?

Yes you can. We are sensitive to the fact that not everyone is ready to share their stories and sign them. You can create an alias or simply sign as Anonymous. Protecting your privacy and honoring your vulnerability is essential.

What if I have stories to tell but I’m not a writer?

If you can write, you are a writer. If you have something to say, write it down and viola! You are a writer. Period. Three words or three pages, putting two or more words together is writing. Write from your heart. Write what you know. Punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure are irrelevant to your ability to tell your story. Pour a cuppa tea, put on some tunes, light a candle, do whatever gets you in the mood and start! Starting is the only requirement for being a writer.

How do I take down a story?

You have full editorial control. Simply log into your account and edit, or delete, as you please.

Can I turn off commenting?

Commenting is allowed by default. If you would like commenting disabled on your story, please let us know when you submit and we will disable commenting for that story.

How do I cancel my account? What happens to my stories if I cancel my account?

If you wish to delete your account, please email help@ourstoryconnection.com with Account Delete in the subject line and we will delete your account and all of the posts on our website. THIS CANNOT BE UNDONE. Please copy stories you wish to keep before you request account deletion. Once deleted, your stories cannot be retrieved.

Once published on ourstoryconnection.com, does Our Story own my story/ies?

We do not. You own your story. That said, when you agree to our Terms of Service (make this a link) you are also agreeing to allow Our Story to use a snippet of your story and your image on our social media platforms. If you choose to delete your story those will remain unless you notify us of a specific post you want deleted where we have posted your content. In that case we will honor your request and remove the post from our social media.

What are my image options when I post a story?

With each story you post you have the option to upload a personal image, use a stock image from Unsplash or leave it empty.

Why was the image for my story not posted?

In keeping with our community guidelines we are sensitive to keeping the content on our site appropriate for all. If the image violates our policy, we’ll replace it with a placeholder image and alert you so that you can choose a different image.

Can Our Story republish or use my story/ies I have posted on ourstoryconnection.com without my permission?

When you agree to our Terms of Service (make this a link) you are also agreeing to allow Our Story to use a snippet of your story and your image on our social media platforms. That is the only place we will republish your stories without additional consent.

How long does it take for my story to be published on the Our Story site?

Stories are read by staff and community moderators for inappropriate content. It may take 24 to 48 hours for your story to post. If after 48 hours you still don’t see your story posted, please email help@ourstoryconnection.com and we’ll check into it.

Why wasn’t my story posted?

If we choose not to publish your story because it violates our community guidelines, or was not written from a first person perspective, we will let you know asap. Stories are read by staff and community moderators for inappropriate content. It may take 24 to 48 hours for your story to post. If after 48 hours you still don’t see your story posted please email help@ourstoryconnection.com and we’ll check into it.

Why are stories reviewed by moderators before publishing?

All stories are read for content that violates our community guidelines. It is vitally important that all Storytellers feel safe and honored in our community. To ensure that we review all content published on our site so that everyone can participate without worry for their safety or the safety of others in their stories.

What constitutes inappropriate content?

Threats of physical harm to self or others. Pornographic material. Hate speech. The demeaning or diminishing of any specific group of people.

What does Our Story consider pornographic material?

Fictional sexual stories, images, or fantasies are considered pornographic. If it happened to you, it’s a story you can tell here in the first person as a factual accounting of something you have personally experienced.

Is Our Story a mandated reporter?

Our Story is not a mandated reporter however, we will report to authorities if we think you are in danger of harming yourself or others.

How do I submit an idea I have for Our Story?

We absolutely LOVE ideas! Email them to info@ourstoryconnection.com and we’ll drop it in our discussion box. If we use your suggestion, we will let you know with heaps of gratitude.

Is there a length requirement or limit for written stories?

You can write as much or as little as you want. Image sizes are controlled but words are not! Write away, Storytellers!

Can I pause working on a story and come back to it?

You can! Your work will be saved as a draft which you can access from the left side menu within your account.

Can I paste a story into my account from my desktop or another platform?

You sure can. Copy and paste work on our site as they do on the interwebs at large.

Can I record my story or upload a video if I don’t or can’t write it?

We are working on that very thing right now! You will be able to upload video or audio files when we’ve finished that portion of the site. Audio and video will be limited in size, similar to other platforms that have a three minute maximum length.