a few upcoming challenges/exchanges

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fffx, Five Figure Fanwork exchange, a multifandom gift exchange for fanfic of 10,000+ words, and for comics of least 10 pages or at least 40 panels, has has opened sign-ups until August 11. I know a lot of work, but you do until January 22nd. If you missed nominations/want to nominate something that you plan to offer or request, they have reopened nominations, and you can nominate 3 fandoms with 3 groups/characters. Make sure you read the rules first.

retrotvexchange, an exchange for TV shows that ended by/before 2002, is also open for sign-ups until August 1st, 11:59pm UTC. Still a little less than a day left! Rules are this way.

no_true_pair is opening posting on August 1st for its 8 character round. It's low pressure, so if you choose to sign-up, you are not obligated. Sign-ups are here and make sure you sign-up before looking at the prompts.

Comments

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Makes sense. And yeah, who knows what happened? As you said, they may have figured they weren't matchable either. I deleted a sign-up recently but the mod is new and so far everything has been delayed so I figured I would find a more structured exchange instead.

Got it. These exchanges can really box you in and it's better to know what appeals to you. And there are always challenge tables/bingo cards too if you every want be inspired.

[brokenhighways]

I don't think they got many sign ups in the end, anyway, so it's possible. I'll be honest a lot of these things have so many rules and stipulations that sometimes skipping it altogether is for the best. And yeah, lack of structure is another reason to bail as well, lol!

I'm really bad at bingo cards, but I actually just got one from all_bingo! I was able to plot out two potential bingos and I'll probably just write a few drabbles for them, and if I get to call bingo, cool. If not, it's no big deal.

I think I prefer to just stay in my own lane and write whatever I want. I'll probably sign up for the Supernatural Xmas exchange come September anyway, so that'll fill my "write a gift!!" quota. :)

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Yeah, I don't know if it's the topic or the timing- some of the "bigger" exchanges have started popping up, but then again that is the case for most of the year. And I know for a fact the mod turned at least a few people off by some initial drama over the nominations. Might not have been more than a handful who changed their mind.

It was this Heroes Don't Exchange, which came off the whole Batman thing. I think the mod meant well and was impulsive about it but an exchange does take time and I am not sure how much they really have. I think sign-ups were supposed to close a week ago and it hasn't happened yet so I figured I'd drop out now rather than later. As someone who has ran an exchange before (and would do a lot differently if I did it over), I sympathize but yeah, I don't think I can keep waiting.

Bingo cards do present their own challenges (some of them you risk getting the most random themes) but it's cool that you signed up and got one! At least there's no real risk. Hope it turns out well! :)

Understandable. And hey, at least there's that! Exciting! Sounds like you got it all covered lol

[brokenhighways]

With the retro challenge, you mean? What happened with the nominations? I'm still not sure how they even managed to match people. I think they should have run it as a regular challenge where people can just write a story based on an older TV show.

I didn't have to sign up for the all_bingo card which is a lot better for me. They have themes every month and you can just grab a card and go on with your day. I just made a 3x3 card for the summer theme bingo they have. I'm trying to make it as easy as possible for myself, lol.

Ah, the Heroes Don't Do That thing... lol, I'll admit I rolled my eyes at the challenge and the drama. People get so worked up over things that don't really matter. You'd think Batman was a real person the way some people carried on. At any rate, it does seem like the challenge was just thrown up very quickly and it sounds like the mod didn't realise how difficult it would be. Running a challenge seems like it's a lot of effort.

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There was something about needing at to offer shows with at English versions? I didn't keep up and I kinda don't remember. If you're curious, it's in the comments here. They did end up slightly changing their policy. As far as matching goes, they let AO3 run their program and then I think there were 3 pinch hits? Not so bad. I know some challenge mods still hand match but I think most of it is done on AO3, which is so much simpler. I had to make a spreadsheet and it took forever back in the day lol

Oh that is convenient. Then you really can just go at your own pace. I saw the all_bingo cards and it is nice that you can make your own. That is smart. :D

Treating fictional characters like real people is a time old tradition on the internet, one I cannot see ending any time soon. Most people seemed to just use it as an opportunity to make jokes/memes rather than take it seriously though. And the challenge was definitely thrown together on a whim. It is a lot of work, even with the AO3 assistance.

[brokenhighways]

I wish I'd seen that drama beforehand, I wouldn't have bothered signing up! I already was hesitant, but it would have sealed the deal, lol.

I saw someone say a lot of people will end up with fandoms they don't want to write for and I agree. When they were emailed me and told me to pick a prompt, I was just like...nah, I'm good. I didn't pick 10 fandoms for a reason, lol. I don't want to go into something knowing I would just let someone down. I'm sure there will be more pinch hits in the future, lol.

They had another stipulation where it said six weeks was enough to familiarise yourself with a canon and write the story and I was like...this is the one exchange where more time is necessary, surely?

True. I saw one on Reddit yesterday where someone was upset that people were shipping a lesbian character with a guy and calling it erasure and I was just like...'why waste time worrying about this of all things?'. Or the time in the Supernatural fandom when some fans consulted a RL child psychologist over how John Winchester treated Dean. Sometimes I wish these people would internet elsewhere sometimes so the rest of us can just keep it chill and do fandom in peace, lol.

The Batman thing was pretty funny. I get DC's POV - they have to keep these characters somewhat PG because they have plastic figurines to sell to kids. It is what it is. Maybe they could venture into more adult action figures? Something tells me the fans can (and already) do a better job of it themselves, though.

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Oh yeah, I came across by accident but I did get sucked into all the drama that the fail_fandomanon has going on.

Maybe, but I guess if you offer it, you should be willing to write for it. As long as you can offer something for someone, they match you. For this particular exchange, I think you might've been the only one who wasn't matcheable. Since they do make posts announcing how many people aren't, for most exchanges, it seems like it can be anywhere from 1-5. Rarely is it more than that. And there are always more pinch hits down the line, as people default for whatever reason.

Six weeks is definitely not enough time. If it is only a few episodes/one or two seasons, a movie or a short book, maybe, but it does take a while to watch and then write a story/make art about it.

Like, one hand, I can see why someone might get offended but on the other, like you said, there is no point in wasting time stressing out. Unless it happens in canon, you can't waste time on this. People are going to ship what they want and you can't change anyone's mind. And wow, that seems like a bit much. This is why I only follow a few people I know on any platform in a certain fandom and avoid the rest.

True. I know it was the Harley Quinn show but it is funny how they chose to address it, rather than it was "not age appropriate", them going with "heroes don't do that" is certainly a choice and it is even funnier that they had to clarify after all the jokes/memes came out, and be all "Batman is a generous lover". Lol disasters. And you are right, they probably do.

[brokenhighways]

FFA is a time vortex (and often not a good one). I used to read it religiously every day before I dropped out of fandom altogether. It's usually a good starting and ending point when I'm contemplating getting sucked back in.

Fair enough. I think it only has 20 sign ups, so it's going to be super small. I think people who do exchanges tend to like fandom hopping, so it's good for them, but for someone who is more monofandomish, not really. Yeah, I was the only unmatchable, and in fairness they did give me a chance to still do it. I just didn't want to.

Lol, yeah...I watched an episode of the third fandom I was willing to write and it was enough. I can't imagine having to spend time going through the canon, and then putting a story together all within six weeks. Someone also pointed out that the sign up period was too short which I agree with.

People just care about other people's opinions waaaay too much. When it comes to fandom, I don't have that problem (which is a blessing and a curse) so I really don't get it. It's also why I tend to keep things I like to myself, too. Unsolicited opinions are a dime a dozen in this world, lol. Why waste time fretting over other people's likes when you can spend it reading or shipping whatever you like? I will never understand it.

Honestly, Tim Burton's whackadoodle Batman probably DID do that, so DC should have just kept it cute and mute, but I guess they will learn from it, lol.

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LOL I can imagine. I only got back into DW in the last year and I guess I never noticed it when it was on LJ but it definitely seems that way.

Yeah, that isn't very big at all. I of course have fandoms that I would like to write for more than others but I try offer ships that I think I can work with. That did result in me writing Thor/Sif twice when I had never even written MCU fic but it was a fun challenge. And you're right- some people do bounce around. I only have a few but since one of them is the MCU I have been okay so far. And I don't blame you for not wanting to add things. I probably would just have dropped out too and I have seen other people who need to add do the same.

Got it. It is extra work and well, fandom should be fun. We barely have time for it as it is and trying to make extra is difficult. I did read someone say the sign-up period was short and I agree too.

They really do. It is good (and healthy) that you don't. And I agree with your assessment. It is better not to waste your time. Some people do thrive on the drama though.

I guess they didn't think about how it would go viral or maybe even that it would come out. Now they know lol

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It's one of those comms that you either know or don't. There is no in between, lol. I only remember it exists when I see it somewhere, lol. I suppose they like it that way? It's a good tool for keeping up with the exchanges, though. I didn't realise the Fandom Gift Box mods had gone AWOL, lol!

It's good to be willing to write other things, for sure. I commend the people who are able to hop around or actually write for characters and ships they don't necessarily care about. I just signed up as a pinch hitter for the first time for characters I do not know and I'm probably going to have several meltdowns, lol. I felt bad seeing it still up so I was like, 'sure, I can figure this out!' and then I looked up the characters. Wish me luck, lol.

It should be fun! However, I wonder how much fun it actually is. Reading FFA, it seems like people are complaining about one thing or the other. The Fanfiction subreddit is a nightmare of epic proportions. Reading these things reminds me why I was so happy writing Zude on my own for the last few years. No drama! And instead of trying to find new things, I think I'll just spend less time on it and keep things drama-free. I like the idea of pinch hitting every now and then if I see something I can write.

Lol, yes, they really do thrive on drama and it's exhausting! I think that's my issue with fandom in a nutshell. It just brings out the worst in some people.

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That makes sense! I found out about it through the drama, because I clicked on the comments and saw it and I got curious. And yeah, I can imagine. It really is though! fandomcalendar has a lot but even the mods don't always post so sometimes you miss nominations or catch sign-ups late. It seems much more up to date. And yeah, I noticed they hadn't posted. Someone in the FFA apparently emailed them but I am not sure if they've heard back.

Same! Some people are so multi fandom and it is impressive. I'm so picky, especially with ships, that it is hard for me. Oh, wow ... good luck! That was really nice of you. I've been a pinch hit before and I'm very grateful for those who are willing to take it on. If you ever need a cheerleader, I'm always happy to wave some pom poms (or of course, beta).

Oh yeah, for sure. I think people love to complain and I do it too, mostly in my head though- a lot of the stress comes internally. And that is good that you are able to work in a space without drama. That's a good idea- the less drama the better. Some people do exclusively pinch hit and it does work out. You know you are picking up something you want to write (and I've seen people be really excited about going to instant pinch hit for a similar reason).

It does but that is a wider internet problem- not that people aren't jerks in real life but the anonymity does give certain people courage to say things they wouldn't to someone's face and just pretend that they're not real. It is pretty awful.