FAQ
Adapted with permission from hc_bingo
What is allowed?
- Any fandom, including real person fiction (RPF)
- All ratings and pairings
- Gen, slash and het content
- Crossovers and fusions
- Original characters in existing fandoms
What is not allowed?
- Original fiction/art
- Works in a language other than English
- Previously posted stories
Why is AU Bingo English only?
This is to make it easier for the mods. We are unable to moderate submissions, answer questions, or offer prizes for entries we can't read.
Is a fill limited to fic only?
No. While fic is used as a shorthand you are not limited to fic. Bingo squares can be filled with fic, art, icons, recs, picspams, vids, podfic, mixes, or meta.
What are the requirements for a fill to count?
To keep the amount of work a fill takes consistent there are minimum requirements for a fill. They are as follows:
fic - 500 words
meta - 1000 words
art - medium sized
icon - set of 10
rec post - 10 recs
podfic - 500 word fic
picspam - 20 pics
vids - 30 sec
mixes - 10 songs
You can, obviously, write/art/vid MORE than that, but no less.
What are the rules for mixes?
1. Mixes are a minimum of ten songs. They must be uploaded to mediafire, megaupload, or another long term hosting site. Mixes must be in a zip/rar file.
2. Cover art is optional, however you must include a track list with an explanation of how each song fits your AU prompt.
3. When posting to the comm, do not link directly to the download. Link to your own DW/LJ post with tracklisting and DL links.
I am uncomfortable writing Prompt X and/or Prompt X already applies to my main fandom. What do I do?
You can 'veto' up to three prompts from the list for any reason -- not comfortable writing it, you write Star Trek and so you don't want "In Space", you just had to write a paper on World War II and if you have to write an AU for it you'll gag... Just say the word, and we'll keep up to three prompts off your list.
If you elect to use the veto option, please either note this in your sign up comment or email the mods. We want to make sure everyone has a good time so we will work with you to make sure you have a card you can use.
If you need more than three prompts vetoed please contact phoenixofborg by PM or email (commandertalion@yahoo.com) and we will work with you to make sure you have a suitable card. I don't believe any of the prompts are triggery, but if I'm wrong PLEASE let me know.
Can I write in more than one fandom?
Yes.
Can I write a series?
Yes. However each story within the series should stand-alone.
Can I write, vid, etc. as part of a team?
You can sign up as a team but you cannot split the prompts between you.
I have a story posted previously that fits one of my prompts, can I use it?
No, everything for the bingo should be newly written and tagged as written for au_bingo.
Can I post my bingo story to newsletter communities and such?
Yes, of course.
Do I have to post every thing I've made for the bingo to the community?
No. You can only post the bingos with the links to individual fills to the community; posting single fills to the community is not allowed unless it's during amnesty period.
I dislike my card and want a new one, can I request it?
To request a new card you have to finish at least one bingo on your current one. Remember that you don't have to fill out all prompts in your card or be stuck with it until January. Fill out the bingo you're most comfortable with and request a new card to play with!
That being said, if you received a card with prompts of a triggering nature for you, please contact the mods ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
I've submitted a line bingo and now want to do a blackout, can I just fill the missing squares?
You'll have to write new stories for the squares you've used in previous bingo. You can reuse the square however many times you like, but only if you fill it anew every time. If you do that we'll count points both for your previous bingo and your blackout.
I've completed a bingo but I don't want to ask for a new card, I want to continue playing with this one. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you're making new fills for the previously used prompts.
Can I make a fill that covers several squares at once?
No. A lot of these prompts are explicitly contradictory, so it's basically down to luck whether it's even possible to do this. Feel free to incorporate multiple AU themes in your fic, but you can only cover one square with it.
I don't understand what my prompt means and I'm confused by it.
PM or email the mods and we'll be happy to discuss it with you.
How much focus do I have to give the prompt?
Your fanwork should have more than just a singular mention of the prompt. It should deal with it in some way. For example, if your prompt is "Vampires", one expects vampires to feature prominently in your fic.
My fandom has Alternate Universes established as part of its canon. Can I use these established AUs?
Sure! Star Trek Mirrorverse, DC Elseworlds, the myriad alternate timelines from Stargate -- these are all fair game.
What is wild card?
It's a card for which you choose an AU prompt, either from the list of prompts or otherwise. You still have to fill it if it's in your bingo, just with the prompt of your own choosing.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
You can either leave it as a comment to this post with Question in the subject heading or email/pm phoenixofborg (commandertalion@yahoo.com)
What is allowed?
- Any fandom, including real person fiction (RPF)
- All ratings and pairings
- Gen, slash and het content
- Crossovers and fusions
- Original characters in existing fandoms
What is not allowed?
- Original fiction/art
- Works in a language other than English
- Previously posted stories
Why is AU Bingo English only?
This is to make it easier for the mods. We are unable to moderate submissions, answer questions, or offer prizes for entries we can't read.
Is a fill limited to fic only?
No. While fic is used as a shorthand you are not limited to fic. Bingo squares can be filled with fic, art, icons, recs, picspams, vids, podfic, mixes, or meta.
What are the requirements for a fill to count?
To keep the amount of work a fill takes consistent there are minimum requirements for a fill. They are as follows:
fic - 500 words
meta - 1000 words
art - medium sized
icon - set of 10
rec post - 10 recs
podfic - 500 word fic
picspam - 20 pics
vids - 30 sec
mixes - 10 songs
You can, obviously, write/art/vid MORE than that, but no less.
What are the rules for mixes?
1. Mixes are a minimum of ten songs. They must be uploaded to mediafire, megaupload, or another long term hosting site. Mixes must be in a zip/rar file.
2. Cover art is optional, however you must include a track list with an explanation of how each song fits your AU prompt.
3. When posting to the comm, do not link directly to the download. Link to your own DW/LJ post with tracklisting and DL links.
I am uncomfortable writing Prompt X and/or Prompt X already applies to my main fandom. What do I do?
You can 'veto' up to three prompts from the list for any reason -- not comfortable writing it, you write Star Trek and so you don't want "In Space", you just had to write a paper on World War II and if you have to write an AU for it you'll gag... Just say the word, and we'll keep up to three prompts off your list.
If you elect to use the veto option, please either note this in your sign up comment or email the mods. We want to make sure everyone has a good time so we will work with you to make sure you have a card you can use.
If you need more than three prompts vetoed please contact phoenixofborg by PM or email (commandertalion@yahoo.com) and we will work with you to make sure you have a suitable card. I don't believe any of the prompts are triggery, but if I'm wrong PLEASE let me know.
Can I write in more than one fandom?
Yes.
Can I write a series?
Yes. However each story within the series should stand-alone.
Can I write, vid, etc. as part of a team?
You can sign up as a team but you cannot split the prompts between you.
I have a story posted previously that fits one of my prompts, can I use it?
No, everything for the bingo should be newly written and tagged as written for au_bingo.
Can I post my bingo story to newsletter communities and such?
Yes, of course.
Do I have to post every thing I've made for the bingo to the community?
No. You can only post the bingos with the links to individual fills to the community; posting single fills to the community is not allowed unless it's during amnesty period.
I dislike my card and want a new one, can I request it?
To request a new card you have to finish at least one bingo on your current one. Remember that you don't have to fill out all prompts in your card or be stuck with it until January. Fill out the bingo you're most comfortable with and request a new card to play with!
That being said, if you received a card with prompts of a triggering nature for you, please contact the mods ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
I've submitted a line bingo and now want to do a blackout, can I just fill the missing squares?
You'll have to write new stories for the squares you've used in previous bingo. You can reuse the square however many times you like, but only if you fill it anew every time. If you do that we'll count points both for your previous bingo and your blackout.
I've completed a bingo but I don't want to ask for a new card, I want to continue playing with this one. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you're making new fills for the previously used prompts.
Can I make a fill that covers several squares at once?
No. A lot of these prompts are explicitly contradictory, so it's basically down to luck whether it's even possible to do this. Feel free to incorporate multiple AU themes in your fic, but you can only cover one square with it.
I don't understand what my prompt means and I'm confused by it.
PM or email the mods and we'll be happy to discuss it with you.
How much focus do I have to give the prompt?
Your fanwork should have more than just a singular mention of the prompt. It should deal with it in some way. For example, if your prompt is "Vampires", one expects vampires to feature prominently in your fic.
My fandom has Alternate Universes established as part of its canon. Can I use these established AUs?
Sure! Star Trek Mirrorverse, DC Elseworlds, the myriad alternate timelines from Stargate -- these are all fair game.
What is wild card?
It's a card for which you choose an AU prompt, either from the list of prompts or otherwise. You still have to fill it if it's in your bingo, just with the prompt of your own choosing.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
You can either leave it as a comment to this post with Question in the subject heading or email/pm phoenixofborg (commandertalion@yahoo.com)