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A collection of asks and questions that have come up on tumblr, discord, or DMs:
Q: I have a fic idea that I've discussed/shared/brainstormed previously that I would like to use for this big bang is that okay?
A: Please contact one of the mods to talk more about your specific circumstances.
We’re working through these questions on a case by case basis. Mostly, if you’ve talked about it in a small group on a discord server, it’s not a problem, but we’re trying to protect matching anonymity as much as possible.
Q: Can we use existing WIPs for this big bang?
A: Yes you can! As long as it hasn't been publicly shared. If you’ve shared it with a beta or a small writer’s group in private, or if you plan on signing up as a team with a specific artist and have shared it with that artist, that’s fine.
Q: When can we start writing?
A: As soon as you sign up! (Or before, if you're working off a WIP)
Q: When can we share information about our fics? Can we discuss it at all?
A: we're keeping this one hush-hush until reveals! 🕵️ Prior to the fics getting posted there will be a promo reveal showing fic titles and who's working with who, but until then, partners are also a surprise.
That's outside the [Discord] server/participants. Amongst yourselves, you can discuss who's with who! We do ask however, that artists don't share too much with other artists about their author's fic. You can share art and discuss a bit about the scene you're illustrating and what you're going for with mood etc., but don't share big spoilers.
Q: What is meant by self-contained?
A: "Self-contained" means: Any reader could read JUST this fic and be completely satisfied. There's perhaps an opening where a possible sequel could slip in, but no cliffhangers, no major hooks, no big loose threads. It can stand alone without a sequel if you never get around to finishing or publishing the sequel. It does not require reading any prequel to understand what's happening, who's who, or what the major themes are.
Q: How will posting work?
A: Fics will be posted as complete works. While they may be structured as chaptered stories, all chapters will be released/revealed at once.
Art should be embedded into the fic itself, though they can also be posted in a secondary location that is revealed on the designated posting day, such as Tumblr.
Q: If we're keeping our work secret from the larger community, what about other participants, like others in the Discord server? (Especially if your handle may be easily recognizable.)
A: The BBB server has both authors and artists in it, so you can’t talk about your fic everywhere, but you can talk about your fic as much as you’d like in the author-only channels! You can brainstorm, ask for feedback, gush, post snippets, etc., and a lot of your fellow authors will do the same. You don’t have to use any special pseudonymous handles to hide who’s writing what from the other BBB authors on the server.
And also:
Q: Are the authors/artists announced or is it a hush-hush secret up until reveals/posting stages?
A:We’re keeping the team-ups under wraps until promos and reveals, yes!
You’re welcome to discuss who you’ve been teamed up with on the BBB discord and privately with other BBB participants, but we’d like to keep things private from the fandom at large until the finish line is in sight.
Q: Are all ships okay for this big bang? (Including bat/bat)
A: Nope, no restrictions on any ships, tropes, or content! Feel free to write whatever ships spark joy.
This will eventually get it's own dedicated post, but for now this is the placeholder info:
Q: I have a fic idea that I've discussed/shared/brainstormed previously that I would like to use for this big bang is that okay?
A: Please contact one of the mods to talk more about your specific circumstances.
We’re working through these questions on a case by case basis. Mostly, if you’ve talked about it in a small group on a discord server, it’s not a problem, but we’re trying to protect matching anonymity as much as possible.
Q: Can we use existing WIPs for this big bang?
A: Yes you can! As long as it hasn't been publicly shared. If you’ve shared it with a beta or a small writer’s group in private, or if you plan on signing up as a team with a specific artist and have shared it with that artist, that’s fine.
Q: When can we start writing?
A: As soon as you sign up! (Or before, if you're working off a WIP)
Q: When can we share information about our fics? Can we discuss it at all?
A: we're keeping this one hush-hush until reveals! 🕵️ Prior to the fics getting posted there will be a promo reveal showing fic titles and who's working with who, but until then, partners are also a surprise.
That's outside the [Discord] server/participants. Amongst yourselves, you can discuss who's with who! We do ask however, that artists don't share too much with other artists about their author's fic. You can share art and discuss a bit about the scene you're illustrating and what you're going for with mood etc., but don't share big spoilers.
Q: What is meant by self-contained?
A: "Self-contained" means: Any reader could read JUST this fic and be completely satisfied. There's perhaps an opening where a possible sequel could slip in, but no cliffhangers, no major hooks, no big loose threads. It can stand alone without a sequel if you never get around to finishing or publishing the sequel. It does not require reading any prequel to understand what's happening, who's who, or what the major themes are.
Q: How will posting work?
A: Fics will be posted as complete works. While they may be structured as chaptered stories, all chapters will be released/revealed at once.
Art should be embedded into the fic itself, though they can also be posted in a secondary location that is revealed on the designated posting day, such as Tumblr.
Q: If we're keeping our work secret from the larger community, what about other participants, like others in the Discord server? (Especially if your handle may be easily recognizable.)
A: The BBB server has both authors and artists in it, so you can’t talk about your fic everywhere, but you can talk about your fic as much as you’d like in the author-only channels! You can brainstorm, ask for feedback, gush, post snippets, etc., and a lot of your fellow authors will do the same. You don’t have to use any special pseudonymous handles to hide who’s writing what from the other BBB authors on the server.
And also:
Q: Are the authors/artists announced or is it a hush-hush secret up until reveals/posting stages?
A:We’re keeping the team-ups under wraps until promos and reveals, yes!
You’re welcome to discuss who you’ve been teamed up with on the BBB discord and privately with other BBB participants, but we’d like to keep things private from the fandom at large until the finish line is in sight.
Q: Are all ships okay for this big bang? (Including bat/bat)
A: Nope, no restrictions on any ships, tropes, or content! Feel free to write whatever ships spark joy.
Beta reading
This will eventually get it's own dedicated post, but for now this is the placeholder info:
When do I need to get a beta?
Whenever you're ready for one! We recommend that you don't put betaing off until August so you have plenty of time to polish your fic. Perhaps aim for June or earlier. If you're writing something VERY long 90k+, it'll be kinder to your beta if you let them start much sooner than that.
How do I get a beta, if I don't already have someone in mind?
If you're active in fandom, ask your writer friends and non-writer friends alike! Other fandom servers are a good resource. Lots of people get pretty hype about the chance to look things over. Some people are even happy to beta read for a fandom they're not very familiar with, if you don't need someone to check your canon accuracy.
You can also headhunt on Fail-FandomAnon and other fandom spaces you might be familiar with. Just let them know that they'd be agreeing to up front (50k+, any kinks/warnings, maintaining secrecy.)
Please keep Beta requests as secretive as possible. (DMs, being vague when first approaching, etc. Bat behavior.)
If you cannot find a beta on your own, please contact the mods for a list of beta volunteers. As of writing this Jan 4th, we do NOT have a long list of beta volunteers. We will actively recruit for them in March and throughout the spring, but please know selection might be limited. We will provide you with lists of volunteers' interests and squicks. It'll be up to you to reach out to them and check that they're interested in your premise. (Make sure you read squicks carefully!)
ETA: When searching for a beta, you certainly can mention that it's for the big bang, though a full list of participants won't be made public until promo time.
My beta and I aren't getting along anymore! / Their input isn't beneficial!"
By all means, find a new beta! That's your right! You don't have to run it by us.
how will betas be assigned for writers?
Hi! Thanks for sending in your ask.
Finding beta readers is up to the writers, and you’re allowed to ask anyone to be your beta, so long as you keep your fic premise on the down low in public spaces. You can even have more than one beta if that’s your jam!
If you are unable to find a beta reader on your own, we are looking for beta volunteers so that we can put you in contact with someone. Choosing who you’d like to work with from the list and contacting them is up to you, based on how you think their stated likes and dislikes would work with your fic.
The Claiming process ⇉ Here
