FAQ
General Information:
What is a big bang?
There are several variations, but generally it is a challenge where an Author writes a longer fic (in the case of Small Fandoms Bang, at least 10,000 words), and an Artist creates art for them.
Where can I find Small Fandoms Bang?
Small Fandoms Bang is now located on Livejournal and on Dreamwidth!
Who may participate in the challenge?
Anyone may participate! (The only exception is if you’ve been banned for one or more rounds.)
Any requirements I need to know about?
You must have a Livejournal or Dreamwidth account or OpenID, as you will need one to post to either of the communities. You can set up a free account on Livejournal here and on Dreamwidth here; the entire process takes about five minutes.
Also, you must join the community! Authors and Artists must be a member of the community to post. Additionally, Authors and Artists are expected to watch or track the community so that they are aware of important events, such as check-ins and claiming posts. You may join the Livejournal community here and the Dreamwidth community here.
Author Information:
How do I sign up?
Sign-ups open on September 1 for Authors. On that date a sign-up post will be made in the community. Read the rules and then click on the link to fill out the form with your name, e-mail address, and the top three fandom(s) you expect to write in. You will receive a confirmation from Google, as well as a confirmation e-mail from the mod account when we receive your sign-up.
Why must I sign up?
Authors must sign up so we know how many people are participating and in what fandoms - we need to make sure we have enough artists, and also verify that the fandom(s) you wish to write in qualify as small.
What small fandoms qualify?
All of them! This challenge isn’t limited to a certain number of qualifying fandoms. All fictional person small fandoms qualify for Small Fandoms Bang so long as we have verified that they fit our criteria for ‘small’. (In fact, I’ve created a Qualifying Fandoms Spreadsheet so I didn’t have to keep re-qualifying the same fandoms over and over again. As you can see from the spreadsheet, over 1,600 fandoms have been asked about and verified as qualifying for this big bang.)
Does RPF qualify?
No, sorry. This challenge does not include real person fiction unless the real person has been fictionalized and/or your story is based on a fictional source. For example, if you’re writing Alexander the Great based on the movie Alexander, or Napoleon based on the Temeraire series.
How do I know if my fandom qualifies as small?
We will be using the same criteria here that we use at our sister community, Small Fandoms Fest. The cut off is 2,000 fanfic, so if your fandom has more than 2,000 fanfic it doesn’t qualify. (The list of fandoms that have been disqualified as being too large can be found here. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; we only verify fandoms when we are asked about them.)
If you’d like to ask about a fandom before signing up, please comment to the sign-up post or to the What Qualifies As A Small Fandom post at Small Fandoms Fest and mention that you’re asking because of Small Fandoms Bang.
What if my fandom already has a big bang challenge?
Not a problem! You may still participate here, so long as the fandom you wish to write in qualifies as small. (See above.)
Must I already have written a long fic to sign up here?
Nope! We don’t even require that you have written any fic before to sign up here.
May two Authors co-write one fic?
Yes! However, please only submit one sign-up form, just include both Author user names and e-mail addresses.
May I sign up to write a fic of my own and also co-author a fic with someone else?
Yes. We want to support collaborative writing efforts as well as give the Author the chance to work on something solo. If you sign up to write more than one fic, please submit a form for each fic you wish to write.
May an Author sign up to write more than one fic (that does not include co-writing)?
Yes. You may sign up to write two (2) fic of your own, as well as one collaborative writing effort. (Or you may sign up for one solo and two collabs.) If you sign up to write more than one fic, please submit a form for each fic you wish to write.
Do I need to know exactly what fandom I plan on writing in when I sign up?
No. However, you should include the three fandoms that you are most likely to write in on the sign-up form. If you decide to write in a fandom that you did not list, just contact us first so that we may verify that it qualifies (and also so we can update our spreadsheet).
Can I post a WIP?
No. Your story must be complete.
Can my big bang be something I’ve already posted?
No. Your story must be new.
Can my big bang be something I've already started?
Yes, as long as it has not been posted anywhere else before on the internet.
What if I’ve already posted a couple of chapters?
As long as you remove those chapters from the internet and agree to write at least 10,000 more words (the minimum for this big bang), then we will allow you to use that existing story.
What ratings/pairings/genres are accepted for this challenge?
All of ‘em! Any rating (from G to NC17), pairing (gen, het, slash, threesomes), and genre (from horror to romance) are welcome here.
Does that mean AUs are okay?
AUs are absolutely okay!
What about crossovers?
You may write a crossover, however, both crossover fandoms must qualify as small. (Or all crossover fandoms must qualify as small if you’re writing the mother of all crossover fic.)
What about a fusion?
You may write a fusion, however, your main fandom and the fusion fandom(s) must qualify as small. [For example, a direct fusion with a larger fandom such as X-Men (inserting small fandom characters into the X-Men universe) would not be allowed, though, borrowing elements to create your own AU 'verse (aka, very loosely based on) would be fine.]
Are there any rating or content restrictions on fic?
No. However, please use MPAA ratings appropriately. Additionally, you must warn for at least the following: major character death, rape/non-con, and extreme violence.
Can I write a prequel or sequel to an existing story?
Yes, so long as the prequel or sequel will stand on its own and the existing fic does not need to be read first in order to understand it.
How about including an existing OC or established AU?
Also acceptable as long as the existing fic does not need to be read first in order to understand the fic written for this challenge.
How long does my fic have to be?
Your fic must be at least 10,000 words; there is no maximum.
10,000 words seems like a lot?!
It might seem that way, but if broken down into a daily word count, if you begin writing October 1, you need only average 84 words per day. Also, if the prospect of one 10,000 word fic is too daunting you may write a series of 10 related fic of 1,000 words (or more) [or 5 of 2,000, etc] to meet the 10,000 minimum word count.
What is expected of the rough draft I e-mail on January 31?
Rough drafts must be at least 8,000 words or 80% complete and have a beginning, middle and an ending; it must be coherent enough that a skim of the fic makes sense. (Note: Contact us if you’re short on the word count; we’re flexible on this if you are certain that you will have your final draft done by the due date and if you will have something substantial to submit to your artist after claims.)
A Rough Draft Submission post will be made one week prior. You must include a detailed description of the fic for the Artists and drafts must be e-mailed to sfbbmod at gmail dot com as either a DOC, DOCX, RTF or TXT attachment.
How final is the January 31 due date for rough drafts?
Final; no extensions will be granted. We must receive the draft to our gmail account by 11:59 PST on January 31 (though in reality, if it’s there by the time I get up the next morning and get on-line you’re good) in order to have a final count on who is participating and to prepare the Artist Claiming Post and Sneak Peek.
What if I can’t turn in a rough draft that meets the minimum requirements, but I’d still like to participate?
Authors may choose to Opt Out Of Art. You must still participate in the final check-in and have your final draft done by the due date in order to claim a posting date.
May I hook up with an Artist before the anonymous summaries go up?
No. While we won't know if you do this, it is not in the spirit of the challenge, so we ask that you please refrain from back room deals between Authors and Artists.
Can I post my fic anywhere prior to posting in the Small Fandoms Bang community?
No. You may not post your fic in part or in whole anywhere on the internet before posting it to the community on your posting date. The only exception to this is sending the story to your beta and posting snippets to the support community.
Do I need to use a beta?
We do not require authors to use beta services; however, we strongly encourage it.
Artist Information:
How do I sign up?
Sign-ups open on November 1 for Artists. On that date a sign-up post will be made in the community. Read the rules and then click on the link to fill out the form with your name and e-mail address. You will receive a confirmation from Google, as well as a confirmation e-mail from the mod account when we receive your sign-up.
Why must I sign up?
Artists must sign up so we have some idea of how many Artists we have in relation to Authors.
I’ve signed up as an Author; may I also sign up as an Artist?
Yes! However, you may not claim your own fic for which to create art.
May two Artists co-create one piece of art?
Yes! However, please only submit one sign-up form, just include both Artist names and e-mail addresses.
I’d like to sign up as an Artist, but how do I know what fandoms are being written in?
At the time of Artist sign-ups opening you won’t know for sure what fandoms are being written, however, at the third Author check-in (January 1), Authors must have made a final decision as to which fandom they’re writing in. I will use that check-in to create a ‘complete list of fandoms’ so that potential Artists can see what fandoms are represented that round.
What does an Artist do if the only fic written are not in fandoms they’re familiar with?
Unfortunately, given that this is a multi-fandom, small fandom big bang, that is not only possible, but likely. We’d like to encourage Artists to create art for fandoms they’re not familiar with, but realize that is a challenge and that they will necessarily require the aid of their Author to find screen caps, character descriptions, etc. All Authors should be prepared to assist their Artist in this endeavor.
May an Artist sign up to create art for more than one story?
Yes, but only after all Artists have had a chance to claim a story to work on. If we have stories that haven’t yet been claimed after 48 hours, then Artists will be allowed to claim a second (or even third) story.
May an Artist claim a story that has already been claimed once by another Artist?
Yes, but only after all of the stories have been claimed once, as it would be unfair for a story to receive art from two different artists when other stories receive none.
What type of art is allowed for the challenge?
We allow for many different types of art! Graphics, including cover art, banners & icons, fanmixes, podfic and video. (This list is not exhaustive. If you have an idea for artwork that is not listed here, please ask us about it.)
What are the art requirements?
Artists are required to produce one (or more, if so inclined) fanmix with at least 8 songs, a series of at least 8 icons, a video, a podfic, a single piece of two-dimensional art like a cover or banner (manip, drawing, etc), or title and chapter banners.
Can I create more than one piece of art?
Yes, absolutely! One is required, but if your muse moves you, you’re welcome to create more than one.
Are there any rating or content restrictions on fic or art?
No. However, please use MPAA ratings accordingly and warn for material that is possibly triggering and/or not safe for work.
Must the Artist collaborate with the Author?
Artists and Authors may collaborate, but ultimately it's the Artist's choice regarding what to produce.
Can I post my art anywhere prior to posting in the Small Fandoms Bang community?
No. You may not post your art in part or in whole anywhere on the internet before posting it to the community on your posting date. The only exception to this is sending the art to your beta and posting snippets to the support community. (The Saturday Snippets post at the support community will be open to artists after artist claims close.)
Do I need to use a beta?
We do not require artists to use beta services; however, we strongly encourage it.
Check-Ins:
What are check-ins?
Check-ins are an informal way for the mods to get an idea of how you’re coming along with your fic (and whether you’re still participating in this challenge). We’ll make a post and ask Authors (and Artists, when the time comes) to comment with their progress. They’re very easy and painless, we promise.
Are check-ins mandatory?
Yes. Due to problems experienced during the first round, all check-ins will be mandatory for future rounds. The third Author check-in (scheduled for Jan 1) is extra important because by that time Authors must know what fandom they will be writing in. We will need this information to assist us in gathering additional Artists.
Why is there a check-in for Artists before they’ve even claimed a story?
Due to issues of attrition of Artist numbers during the first round (ie, based on sign-up numbers we thought we had a lot more artists planning to claim fic than we ended up having), the mods want to have an updated idea of how many Artists are still planning to participate before artist claims open.
What if I miss a check-in?
If you miss a check-in, then it will be presumed that you have dropped out of the challenge.
However, since we want people to continue to participate, we’ve tried to make the check-in as easy as possible. Instead of one day, the check-in period is now one week. Also, check-ins are announced beforehand at the community, and if you will not be available during the check-in period we allow you to contact us ahead of time via e-mail to let us know that you’re still planning to participate.
If you missed a check-in but still would like to participate, then you will have to contact us to let us know. If you miss more than one check-in then you will not be allowed to continue to participate this round.
Artist Claims:
How do artist claims work?
Artist claims will be made anonymously. Once the Authors turn in their rough draft we will create a claims post that includes a description of each story. (A ‘sneak peek’ will go up a couple days before claims open.) Artists may claim the fic they’d like to create art for on a first come, first served basis. We’ll ask you to choose your top three in case your first choice isn’t available.
How do I know who my Author/Artist is?
You won’t know the name of your Author/Artist until the reveal post is made one week after artist claims open. At that time e-mails will be sent to the Author/Artist ‘introducing’ them to each other.
What should I do if there is a problem with my Author or Artist?
Please email the mod at sfbbmod at gmail dot com ASAP and detail the issue at hand. We shall endeavor to help and/or mediate as best as we can.
What if my Author/Artist drops out:
If your Artist withdraws we will obtain a pinch-hit artist for you. If your Author withdraws you may finish the art and post it without the accompanying story, claim an as-yet-unclaimed story, or offer to pinch-hit in case another artist withdraws.
Posting:
How and when do I post to the Small Fandoms Bang community?
The Posting Period runs from April 5 - April 30. A sign-up post will go up on April 1. Authors may sign up for their preferred posting date between April 1 - April 4.
(To keep things streamlined and organized only Authors may sign up for a posting date, though Authors should consult with their Artist(s) to make sure everyone is available for that date. The Artist will be allowed to sign-up if the Author is not available, or on their own behalf if Author has dropped out.)
On your posting date, both Authors and Artists will make an announcement post to either the LJ or DW community (but not both) for which we will provide a template. (Yes, we do things a bit differently than most big bangs, but we want both Authors and Artists to be able to receive the accolades they’re due for their hard work.) Do not friends lock or disable comments on your community post.
Where can I post my fic and/or art when it's my day to post?
You may post your fic wherever you normally post your fic [Livejournal, Dreamwidth, personal website, archival sites like AO3, FanFiction.Net, etc.]. Please make only an announcement to smallfandombang that links to your fic (again, using the template we will provide). Please note that your fic and/or art should be easily accessible, so please do not lock your fic/art post.
Do you have any suggestions on how to post fic that do not fit in one Livejournal post?
Yes! The LJ length for stories is quite generous (over 11,000 words), but if your story requires more than one post you might want to create a master post in your own journal that links to the multiple parts. We also encourage internal linking (to previous/next parts) or at least a link back to the master post on every part of the fic so that readers find it easy to follow the multiple parts. Or you could post to an archive like AO3, which allows posting long fic in one post or in chaptered posts.
Should I integrate the art into my story or can it be separate (at the artist's Livejournal, etc.)?
Yes! The Artist should make a post at their own journal/archive, but the Author should absolutely integrate the art into their story if it suitable for that, as well as linking to the Artist’s post.
Do I have to use warnings on my fic for this challenge?
Yes, you must use warnings in the header of the announcement that you post at smallfandombang | . We understand that this is often a volatile topic that usually encourages vigorous debate, however, we ask that you please warn for at least: major character death, non-con/rape and extreme violence. Please feel free to use a color bar to hide warnings.
While you must use warnings in your header at the community, you are free to include or exclude any information where you post your story.
Do I have to use the same fic header on my site as I do at the community?
No. You may use your usual header at your own journal.
How should I rate my fic or art?
Please use MPAA ratings: G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17. The rating should cover the entire fic and not just part of the fic. If you host your fic at an archive that uses another rating system, please use the equivalent rating there but in your header at the community, please use an MPAA rating.
What if I cannot post on my assigned day?
The sign-up period for posting is quite close to the posting period and you get to choose your posting date, so we expect that there should be no problem with posting. If an emergency crops up, however, please email the mod at sfbbmod at gmail dot com and let us know what the issue is - if you let us know at least 72 hours before your assigned day, we will work with you on choosing another posting day.
(We have recently instituted an Amnesty Posting Week to run May 1 - May 7 for those people who were unable to make their scheduled posting date and who contacted us to let us know.)
Withdrawing:
What if I have to drop out?
There is no penalty for withdrawing from this challenge so long as you contact the mods and let them know.
When you disappear without contacting the mods, it creates more work for us, and might leave an author without artwork, or an artist without a corresponding story for their art. Therefore, starting with Round Five, there will be a penalty imposed on anyone who disappears without contacting the mods (this includes missed check-ins, see below for more on check-ins):
~Your first infraction means that you will not be eligible for the next round.
~Your second infraction means that you will not be eligible for any further rounds (ie, you’ll be banned from participating altogether).
And yes, we’ll be keeping a list and checking it twice.
Support Community:
Is there a place where I can get support while developing my fic, through out the writing process, and help finding a beta?
Yes! We have our very own support community - smallfandomcafe. Authors and Artists, Betas and Cheerleaders will be invited to join the support community. We have fandom and writing resources, a beta/cheerleader sign-up/offer post, Saturday Snippet posts, Hump!Day posts, and Rand & Rave posts.
Affiliates & Promotion:
May my community affiliate with smallfandombang?
Yes! Please affiliate with us by commenting to this post on LJ or this post on DW.
How may I help advertise and promote the challenge?
Feel free to promote the challenge at your Livejournal, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We have graphic links that you can cut and paste here on LJ and here on DW. (The link goes to the ‘promotion’ tag; please use the graphic in the latest post. Thank you.)
Participation Banners:
Do I get anything for participating?
You mean aside from the satisfaction of knowing that you created an amazing piece of fanwork? Yes! Everyone who participates will receive a participation banner.
Moderators:
Who's running this thing and where can I contact you?
sfbbmod is currently just me, spikedluv. You can reach me through the mod e-mail: sfbbmod at gmail dot com. (Please use the e-mail rather than PM’ing me. If I receive a PM and I’m away from my computer, I won’t be able to get back to you as I have to sign out of one account and into another to even read it. Also, it’s easier to keep track of conversations via e-mail. Thank you.)
Schedule:
What are those dates again?
The schedule for Round Eight is:
Event
Date(s)
Author Sign-ups:
September 1 - October 31, 2018
Artist Sign-ups:
November 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019
Author Check-In No. 1:
November 1-7, 2018
Author Check-In No. 2:
December 1-7, 2018
Author Check-In No. 3:
January 1-7, 2019
Artist Check-In No. 1:
January 1-7, 2019
Rough Draft Due:
January 31, 2019
Artist Claiming:
February 7 - February 13, 2019
Matching Reveal:
February 14, 2019
Author Check-In No. 4:
March 8-14, 2019
Artist Check-In No. 2:
March 8-14, 2019
Final Drafts (Fic & Art) Due:
March 31, 2019
Posting Date Sign-Ups:
April 1 - April 4, 2019
Posting Period:
April 5 - April 30, 2019
If there is something we have not covered here or further clarification is needed, please comment here.
(Last updated: May 2, 2018.)
What is a big bang?
There are several variations, but generally it is a challenge where an Author writes a longer fic (in the case of Small Fandoms Bang, at least 10,000 words), and an Artist creates art for them.
Where can I find Small Fandoms Bang?
Small Fandoms Bang is now located on Livejournal and on Dreamwidth!
Who may participate in the challenge?
Anyone may participate! (The only exception is if you’ve been banned for one or more rounds.)
Any requirements I need to know about?
You must have a Livejournal or Dreamwidth account or OpenID, as you will need one to post to either of the communities. You can set up a free account on Livejournal here and on Dreamwidth here; the entire process takes about five minutes.
Also, you must join the community! Authors and Artists must be a member of the community to post. Additionally, Authors and Artists are expected to watch or track the community so that they are aware of important events, such as check-ins and claiming posts. You may join the Livejournal community here and the Dreamwidth community here.
Author Information:
How do I sign up?
Sign-ups open on September 1 for Authors. On that date a sign-up post will be made in the community. Read the rules and then click on the link to fill out the form with your name, e-mail address, and the top three fandom(s) you expect to write in. You will receive a confirmation from Google, as well as a confirmation e-mail from the mod account when we receive your sign-up.
Why must I sign up?
Authors must sign up so we know how many people are participating and in what fandoms - we need to make sure we have enough artists, and also verify that the fandom(s) you wish to write in qualify as small.
What small fandoms qualify?
All of them! This challenge isn’t limited to a certain number of qualifying fandoms. All fictional person small fandoms qualify for Small Fandoms Bang so long as we have verified that they fit our criteria for ‘small’. (In fact, I’ve created a Qualifying Fandoms Spreadsheet so I didn’t have to keep re-qualifying the same fandoms over and over again. As you can see from the spreadsheet, over 1,600 fandoms have been asked about and verified as qualifying for this big bang.)
Does RPF qualify?
No, sorry. This challenge does not include real person fiction unless the real person has been fictionalized and/or your story is based on a fictional source. For example, if you’re writing Alexander the Great based on the movie Alexander, or Napoleon based on the Temeraire series.
How do I know if my fandom qualifies as small?
We will be using the same criteria here that we use at our sister community, Small Fandoms Fest. The cut off is 2,000 fanfic, so if your fandom has more than 2,000 fanfic it doesn’t qualify. (The list of fandoms that have been disqualified as being too large can be found here. Please note that this list is not exhaustive; we only verify fandoms when we are asked about them.)
If you’d like to ask about a fandom before signing up, please comment to the sign-up post or to the What Qualifies As A Small Fandom post at Small Fandoms Fest and mention that you’re asking because of Small Fandoms Bang.
What if my fandom already has a big bang challenge?
Not a problem! You may still participate here, so long as the fandom you wish to write in qualifies as small. (See above.)
Must I already have written a long fic to sign up here?
Nope! We don’t even require that you have written any fic before to sign up here.
May two Authors co-write one fic?
Yes! However, please only submit one sign-up form, just include both Author user names and e-mail addresses.
May I sign up to write a fic of my own and also co-author a fic with someone else?
Yes. We want to support collaborative writing efforts as well as give the Author the chance to work on something solo. If you sign up to write more than one fic, please submit a form for each fic you wish to write.
May an Author sign up to write more than one fic (that does not include co-writing)?
Yes. You may sign up to write two (2) fic of your own, as well as one collaborative writing effort. (Or you may sign up for one solo and two collabs.) If you sign up to write more than one fic, please submit a form for each fic you wish to write.
Do I need to know exactly what fandom I plan on writing in when I sign up?
No. However, you should include the three fandoms that you are most likely to write in on the sign-up form. If you decide to write in a fandom that you did not list, just contact us first so that we may verify that it qualifies (and also so we can update our spreadsheet).
Can I post a WIP?
No. Your story must be complete.
Can my big bang be something I’ve already posted?
No. Your story must be new.
Can my big bang be something I've already started?
Yes, as long as it has not been posted anywhere else before on the internet.
What if I’ve already posted a couple of chapters?
As long as you remove those chapters from the internet and agree to write at least 10,000 more words (the minimum for this big bang), then we will allow you to use that existing story.
What ratings/pairings/genres are accepted for this challenge?
All of ‘em! Any rating (from G to NC17), pairing (gen, het, slash, threesomes), and genre (from horror to romance) are welcome here.
Does that mean AUs are okay?
AUs are absolutely okay!
What about crossovers?
You may write a crossover, however, both crossover fandoms must qualify as small. (Or all crossover fandoms must qualify as small if you’re writing the mother of all crossover fic.)
What about a fusion?
You may write a fusion, however, your main fandom and the fusion fandom(s) must qualify as small. [For example, a direct fusion with a larger fandom such as X-Men (inserting small fandom characters into the X-Men universe) would not be allowed, though, borrowing elements to create your own AU 'verse (aka, very loosely based on) would be fine.]
Are there any rating or content restrictions on fic?
No. However, please use MPAA ratings appropriately. Additionally, you must warn for at least the following: major character death, rape/non-con, and extreme violence.
Can I write a prequel or sequel to an existing story?
Yes, so long as the prequel or sequel will stand on its own and the existing fic does not need to be read first in order to understand it.
How about including an existing OC or established AU?
Also acceptable as long as the existing fic does not need to be read first in order to understand the fic written for this challenge.
How long does my fic have to be?
Your fic must be at least 10,000 words; there is no maximum.
10,000 words seems like a lot?!
It might seem that way, but if broken down into a daily word count, if you begin writing October 1, you need only average 84 words per day. Also, if the prospect of one 10,000 word fic is too daunting you may write a series of 10 related fic of 1,000 words (or more) [or 5 of 2,000, etc] to meet the 10,000 minimum word count.
What is expected of the rough draft I e-mail on January 31?
Rough drafts must be at least 8,000 words or 80% complete and have a beginning, middle and an ending; it must be coherent enough that a skim of the fic makes sense. (Note: Contact us if you’re short on the word count; we’re flexible on this if you are certain that you will have your final draft done by the due date and if you will have something substantial to submit to your artist after claims.)
A Rough Draft Submission post will be made one week prior. You must include a detailed description of the fic for the Artists and drafts must be e-mailed to sfbbmod at gmail dot com as either a DOC, DOCX, RTF or TXT attachment.
How final is the January 31 due date for rough drafts?
Final; no extensions will be granted. We must receive the draft to our gmail account by 11:59 PST on January 31 (though in reality, if it’s there by the time I get up the next morning and get on-line you’re good) in order to have a final count on who is participating and to prepare the Artist Claiming Post and Sneak Peek.
What if I can’t turn in a rough draft that meets the minimum requirements, but I’d still like to participate?
Authors may choose to Opt Out Of Art. You must still participate in the final check-in and have your final draft done by the due date in order to claim a posting date.
May I hook up with an Artist before the anonymous summaries go up?
No. While we won't know if you do this, it is not in the spirit of the challenge, so we ask that you please refrain from back room deals between Authors and Artists.
Can I post my fic anywhere prior to posting in the Small Fandoms Bang community?
No. You may not post your fic in part or in whole anywhere on the internet before posting it to the community on your posting date. The only exception to this is sending the story to your beta and posting snippets to the support community.
Do I need to use a beta?
We do not require authors to use beta services; however, we strongly encourage it.
Artist Information:
How do I sign up?
Sign-ups open on November 1 for Artists. On that date a sign-up post will be made in the community. Read the rules and then click on the link to fill out the form with your name and e-mail address. You will receive a confirmation from Google, as well as a confirmation e-mail from the mod account when we receive your sign-up.
Why must I sign up?
Artists must sign up so we have some idea of how many Artists we have in relation to Authors.
I’ve signed up as an Author; may I also sign up as an Artist?
Yes! However, you may not claim your own fic for which to create art.
May two Artists co-create one piece of art?
Yes! However, please only submit one sign-up form, just include both Artist names and e-mail addresses.
I’d like to sign up as an Artist, but how do I know what fandoms are being written in?
At the time of Artist sign-ups opening you won’t know for sure what fandoms are being written, however, at the third Author check-in (January 1), Authors must have made a final decision as to which fandom they’re writing in. I will use that check-in to create a ‘complete list of fandoms’ so that potential Artists can see what fandoms are represented that round.
What does an Artist do if the only fic written are not in fandoms they’re familiar with?
Unfortunately, given that this is a multi-fandom, small fandom big bang, that is not only possible, but likely. We’d like to encourage Artists to create art for fandoms they’re not familiar with, but realize that is a challenge and that they will necessarily require the aid of their Author to find screen caps, character descriptions, etc. All Authors should be prepared to assist their Artist in this endeavor.
May an Artist sign up to create art for more than one story?
Yes, but only after all Artists have had a chance to claim a story to work on. If we have stories that haven’t yet been claimed after 48 hours, then Artists will be allowed to claim a second (or even third) story.
May an Artist claim a story that has already been claimed once by another Artist?
Yes, but only after all of the stories have been claimed once, as it would be unfair for a story to receive art from two different artists when other stories receive none.
What type of art is allowed for the challenge?
We allow for many different types of art! Graphics, including cover art, banners & icons, fanmixes, podfic and video. (This list is not exhaustive. If you have an idea for artwork that is not listed here, please ask us about it.)
What are the art requirements?
Artists are required to produce one (or more, if so inclined) fanmix with at least 8 songs, a series of at least 8 icons, a video, a podfic, a single piece of two-dimensional art like a cover or banner (manip, drawing, etc), or title and chapter banners.
Can I create more than one piece of art?
Yes, absolutely! One is required, but if your muse moves you, you’re welcome to create more than one.
Are there any rating or content restrictions on fic or art?
No. However, please use MPAA ratings accordingly and warn for material that is possibly triggering and/or not safe for work.
Must the Artist collaborate with the Author?
Artists and Authors may collaborate, but ultimately it's the Artist's choice regarding what to produce.
Can I post my art anywhere prior to posting in the Small Fandoms Bang community?
No. You may not post your art in part or in whole anywhere on the internet before posting it to the community on your posting date. The only exception to this is sending the art to your beta and posting snippets to the support community. (The Saturday Snippets post at the support community will be open to artists after artist claims close.)
Do I need to use a beta?
We do not require artists to use beta services; however, we strongly encourage it.
Check-Ins:
What are check-ins?
Check-ins are an informal way for the mods to get an idea of how you’re coming along with your fic (and whether you’re still participating in this challenge). We’ll make a post and ask Authors (and Artists, when the time comes) to comment with their progress. They’re very easy and painless, we promise.
Are check-ins mandatory?
Yes. Due to problems experienced during the first round, all check-ins will be mandatory for future rounds. The third Author check-in (scheduled for Jan 1) is extra important because by that time Authors must know what fandom they will be writing in. We will need this information to assist us in gathering additional Artists.
Why is there a check-in for Artists before they’ve even claimed a story?
Due to issues of attrition of Artist numbers during the first round (ie, based on sign-up numbers we thought we had a lot more artists planning to claim fic than we ended up having), the mods want to have an updated idea of how many Artists are still planning to participate before artist claims open.
What if I miss a check-in?
If you miss a check-in, then it will be presumed that you have dropped out of the challenge.
However, since we want people to continue to participate, we’ve tried to make the check-in as easy as possible. Instead of one day, the check-in period is now one week. Also, check-ins are announced beforehand at the community, and if you will not be available during the check-in period we allow you to contact us ahead of time via e-mail to let us know that you’re still planning to participate.
If you missed a check-in but still would like to participate, then you will have to contact us to let us know. If you miss more than one check-in then you will not be allowed to continue to participate this round.
Artist Claims:
How do artist claims work?
Artist claims will be made anonymously. Once the Authors turn in their rough draft we will create a claims post that includes a description of each story. (A ‘sneak peek’ will go up a couple days before claims open.) Artists may claim the fic they’d like to create art for on a first come, first served basis. We’ll ask you to choose your top three in case your first choice isn’t available.
How do I know who my Author/Artist is?
You won’t know the name of your Author/Artist until the reveal post is made one week after artist claims open. At that time e-mails will be sent to the Author/Artist ‘introducing’ them to each other.
What should I do if there is a problem with my Author or Artist?
Please email the mod at sfbbmod at gmail dot com ASAP and detail the issue at hand. We shall endeavor to help and/or mediate as best as we can.
What if my Author/Artist drops out:
If your Artist withdraws we will obtain a pinch-hit artist for you. If your Author withdraws you may finish the art and post it without the accompanying story, claim an as-yet-unclaimed story, or offer to pinch-hit in case another artist withdraws.
Posting:
How and when do I post to the Small Fandoms Bang community?
The Posting Period runs from April 5 - April 30. A sign-up post will go up on April 1. Authors may sign up for their preferred posting date between April 1 - April 4.
(To keep things streamlined and organized only Authors may sign up for a posting date, though Authors should consult with their Artist(s) to make sure everyone is available for that date. The Artist will be allowed to sign-up if the Author is not available, or on their own behalf if Author has dropped out.)
On your posting date, both Authors and Artists will make an announcement post to either the LJ or DW community (but not both) for which we will provide a template. (Yes, we do things a bit differently than most big bangs, but we want both Authors and Artists to be able to receive the accolades they’re due for their hard work.) Do not friends lock or disable comments on your community post.
Where can I post my fic and/or art when it's my day to post?
You may post your fic wherever you normally post your fic [Livejournal, Dreamwidth, personal website, archival sites like AO3, FanFiction.Net, etc.]. Please make only an announcement to smallfandombang that links to your fic (again, using the template we will provide). Please note that your fic and/or art should be easily accessible, so please do not lock your fic/art post.
Do you have any suggestions on how to post fic that do not fit in one Livejournal post?
Yes! The LJ length for stories is quite generous (over 11,000 words), but if your story requires more than one post you might want to create a master post in your own journal that links to the multiple parts. We also encourage internal linking (to previous/next parts) or at least a link back to the master post on every part of the fic so that readers find it easy to follow the multiple parts. Or you could post to an archive like AO3, which allows posting long fic in one post or in chaptered posts.
Should I integrate the art into my story or can it be separate (at the artist's Livejournal, etc.)?
Yes! The Artist should make a post at their own journal/archive, but the Author should absolutely integrate the art into their story if it suitable for that, as well as linking to the Artist’s post.
Do I have to use warnings on my fic for this challenge?
Yes, you must use warnings in the header of the announcement that you post at smallfandombang | . We understand that this is often a volatile topic that usually encourages vigorous debate, however, we ask that you please warn for at least: major character death, non-con/rape and extreme violence. Please feel free to use a color bar to hide warnings.
While you must use warnings in your header at the community, you are free to include or exclude any information where you post your story.
Do I have to use the same fic header on my site as I do at the community?
No. You may use your usual header at your own journal.
How should I rate my fic or art?
Please use MPAA ratings: G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17. The rating should cover the entire fic and not just part of the fic. If you host your fic at an archive that uses another rating system, please use the equivalent rating there but in your header at the community, please use an MPAA rating.
What if I cannot post on my assigned day?
The sign-up period for posting is quite close to the posting period and you get to choose your posting date, so we expect that there should be no problem with posting. If an emergency crops up, however, please email the mod at sfbbmod at gmail dot com and let us know what the issue is - if you let us know at least 72 hours before your assigned day, we will work with you on choosing another posting day.
(We have recently instituted an Amnesty Posting Week to run May 1 - May 7 for those people who were unable to make their scheduled posting date and who contacted us to let us know.)
Withdrawing:
What if I have to drop out?
There is no penalty for withdrawing from this challenge so long as you contact the mods and let them know.
When you disappear without contacting the mods, it creates more work for us, and might leave an author without artwork, or an artist without a corresponding story for their art. Therefore, starting with Round Five, there will be a penalty imposed on anyone who disappears without contacting the mods (this includes missed check-ins, see below for more on check-ins):
~Your first infraction means that you will not be eligible for the next round.
~Your second infraction means that you will not be eligible for any further rounds (ie, you’ll be banned from participating altogether).
And yes, we’ll be keeping a list and checking it twice.
Support Community:
Is there a place where I can get support while developing my fic, through out the writing process, and help finding a beta?
Yes! We have our very own support community - smallfandomcafe. Authors and Artists, Betas and Cheerleaders will be invited to join the support community. We have fandom and writing resources, a beta/cheerleader sign-up/offer post, Saturday Snippet posts, Hump!Day posts, and Rand & Rave posts.
Affiliates & Promotion:
May my community affiliate with smallfandombang?
Yes! Please affiliate with us by commenting to this post on LJ or this post on DW.
How may I help advertise and promote the challenge?
Feel free to promote the challenge at your Livejournal, Facebook, Twitter, etc. We have graphic links that you can cut and paste here on LJ and here on DW. (The link goes to the ‘promotion’ tag; please use the graphic in the latest post. Thank you.)
Participation Banners:
Do I get anything for participating?
You mean aside from the satisfaction of knowing that you created an amazing piece of fanwork? Yes! Everyone who participates will receive a participation banner.
Moderators:
Who's running this thing and where can I contact you?
sfbbmod is currently just me, spikedluv. You can reach me through the mod e-mail: sfbbmod at gmail dot com. (Please use the e-mail rather than PM’ing me. If I receive a PM and I’m away from my computer, I won’t be able to get back to you as I have to sign out of one account and into another to even read it. Also, it’s easier to keep track of conversations via e-mail. Thank you.)
Schedule:
What are those dates again?
The schedule for Round Eight is:
Event
Date(s)
Author Sign-ups:
September 1 - October 31, 2018
Artist Sign-ups:
November 1, 2018 - January 31, 2019
Author Check-In No. 1:
November 1-7, 2018
Author Check-In No. 2:
December 1-7, 2018
Author Check-In No. 3:
January 1-7, 2019
Artist Check-In No. 1:
January 1-7, 2019
Rough Draft Due:
January 31, 2019
Artist Claiming:
February 7 - February 13, 2019
Matching Reveal:
February 14, 2019
Author Check-In No. 4:
March 8-14, 2019
Artist Check-In No. 2:
March 8-14, 2019
Final Drafts (Fic & Art) Due:
March 31, 2019
Posting Date Sign-Ups:
April 1 - April 4, 2019
Posting Period:
April 5 - April 30, 2019
If there is something we have not covered here or further clarification is needed, please comment here.
(Last updated: May 2, 2018.)