User Not Found: A Dystopian Censorship Tale

by Dani Finn

A dystopian censorship tale about a censor whose egg cracks when reading a fic.

Jack works for the Censorship Bureau of the Incorporated States, scanning transgressive fics for clues to the identities of the authors. It's a shit job, and it's getting to him.

He finds himself unnaturally drawn in by transgressive a fic by UserNotFound26A6. He can't stop thinking about it and about the author he's nicknamed Oomf. He should just turn them in and be done with it, but his curiosity must be satisfied.

What he discovers at the used bookstore where the fic was posted will change him forever.

This 12,000-word dystopian short story is set in a not-too-distant future that is by turns bleak and oddly hopeful.

Content This story is meant for adult audiences and contains drinking, drug use, societal transphobia, and explicit, consensual sex scenes.

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia

45 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2025

About the author

Dani Finn (they/them) is a nonbinary fantasy romance author who occasionally writes fantasy without romance as well.

They favor high-steam love stories that crisscross the gender spectrum, from swords and sorcery to sword-free fantasy with meditation magic and everything in between.

Reviews

[Lanie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was wonderful. When Finn fiest announced it a few days ago I assumed this would be well depressing, but in keeping with the tradition that I have seen with so many Queer authors recently this was a celebration of Queerness, but most especially being Transgender in a time when that is a very scary prospect. I loved all of the characters so much, Jack, especially, of course, but Nita and Bee were amazing as well.

I highly recommend this for a quick reminder that no matter how bad it gets, there will always be someone there to help you up.

[Artemis Stardust · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a slow reader, and this little story was short enough to enjoy in one sitting. That was good, because I didn’t want to put it down at all. Every detail showed that less is more, with a bleak dystopian setting that is parallel enough to our own present reality that the alternative terms and mechanics were easy to grasp. As the story unfolded, the most delightful moments were painted in bright colors against the dark backdrop of an authoritarian world. I felt a range of emotions with the characters, and there were pleasant surprises throughout. This story is more redemptive and welcoming than bigotry can possibly pretend to promise.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Absolutely fascinating and unique. I really like Finn’s writing a lot. It’s so gripping. I liked Jack a lot and his journey of self discovery was so good. This is short but it didn’t feel underdeveloped or anything. It was great to be less than 100 pages.

[DigitalSymbiote · Rating 5 out of 5]

A phenomenal read. Terrifyingly relevant story with an undeniable feeling of hope. We will always find each other, and we will persist, no matter what.