M/M Rares 2014 Information
2014-04-13 09:05 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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mm_raresNominations Open: 13 April
Nominations Close: 3 May @ 8:00pm PDT
Signups Open: 5 May @ 8:00pm PDT
Signups Close: 23 May @ 8:00 PDT
Assignments Sent: No later than 30 May @ 8:00pm PDT
Fics Due: 25 July @ 8:00pm PDT
Fics Revealed: 1 August @ 8:00pm PDT
Authors Revealed: 8 August @ 8:00pm PDT
1. What is M/M Rares?
M/M Rares is an annual fanwork (fanfiction and fanart) exchange for rare slash pairings. Participants either write a fic at least 1000 words long or create an original work of art focusing on a slash pairing another participant has requested. As this is an exchange, they receive a 1000+ word fic or original work of art featuring a slash pairing they requested in return.
If offering fanart, the art must be an original piece of art created by you. Manips, icons, wallpapers, etc. cannot be used to fulfill a fanart request.
2. What pairings are eligible?
To be eligible, a pairing must meet both of the following conditions:
* Be a slash (male/male) pairing
* Have no more than 200 completed fics on the AO3. (For purposes of this requirement, only fics of 1000+ words, written in English, and marked as complete will be counted.)
Pairings will be evaluated at the time of nomination to determine if they will be eligible for that year's exchange. Alternate versions of the same character (in canon) will be considered separately for purposes of rarity determinations.
3. Are crossover pairings allowed?
Crossover pairings are allowed. If the two fandoms are in the same universe and/or it is common fan practice to tag the pairing in one fandom or the other, you may nominate it appropriately. If the fandoms are not in the same universe or canonically connected, nominate them using the fandom "Crossover Fandom". These pairings should be nominated using the format of:
Character A (Fandom 1)/Character B (Fandom 2)
The fandom names used in these cases need to be complete and clear enough to be able to tell which fandom is meant.
4. Are threesomes/moresomes allowed?
Threesomes/moresomes are not eligible to be nominated. As this exchange is focused on rare pairings, the focus of any resulting fic should be on the pairing requested, though threesomes/moresomes may be mentioned in the fic as long as they don't directly involve the main pairing.
5. Is gen fic allowed?
Yes, as long as the focus/primary relationship of the fic is an m/m pairing requested by the recipient. You are welcome to explore any aspect of the relationship; erotic or explicit fics are certainly allowed but not required.
6. Is RPF allowed?
Yes, as long as it meets the requirements listed in question 2.
7. How do I nominate a pairing for the exchange?
Nominations will be made on the AO3. You will be able to nominate up to 4 fandoms and up to 4 pairings within each fandom.
8. Can I change my nominations?
You may not change your nominations after they are checked by the moderators. Nominations will be checked on an on-going basis as they are submitted, to speed up the time between the close of nominations and the start of sign-ups.
9. How do I sign up? How many requests and offers am I required to submit? Can I submit more than the required number of requests or offers?
Signups will be managed on the AO3. You are required to make at least 4 requests and 4 offers. You may choose to submit 2 additional requests and 6 additional offers for a total of 6 requests and 10 offers. Each request may contain up to 10 pairings and offer may contain up to 15.
For each request, you will be able to note whether you prefer to receive fic or art or have no preference (select any). For each offer, you will similarly be able to indicate whether you can produce fic, art, or both for the listed pairings.
10. What goes in the Description section of my requests?
You may include any specific things you would like the author to include in the fic. These details are optional and the author is not required to consider them, though authors do sometimes find them helpful.
11. Can I change my signup?
You may modify your signup until the signup deadline.
12. How will I know my assignment?
After the signup deadline, the moderators will run a match and your assignment will be sent out via the AO3. The assignment will show up under the Assignments link on your AO3 dashboard and you should also receive an email with your assignment once it is made.
13. Can I change my assignment?
Generally, no. The assignments are made so that everyone who is offering fics is also set to receive one. Once assignments are made, it would be too complicated to accommodate switches and still make sure the exchange aspect is maintained.
If you receive an assignment where none of the requests match what you offered (this is extremely rare), please contact the moderators ASAP.
14. Can I write or draw for any fandom my recipient requested, even if it's not one I originally offered?
Yes. The requirement is that you write a fic or create a work of art (based on the requester's preference, if any) featuring a pairing requested by your recipient - you can choose from any pairing requested, even if you didn't originally offer it.
15. How do I post my fic or art once it's completed?
On your AO3 dashboard, find the link that says "Assignments" on the sidebar. Find your assignment for the 2014 MM Rares exchange and click on 'Post to fulfill'. This will take you to the posting form with the challenge collection and your recipient's information pre-filled. You will just need to fill in the rest of the form as you normally would when posting a fic and post.
NOTE: As the AO3 does not allow the direct hosting of art, you will need to host it elsewhere - in a reliable place - and embed it into your AO3 post.
16. When can I post my work?
The collection will be open for posting shortly after assignments go out. You can post any time up until the deadline - works will not be revealed until after the deadline has passed.
17. Can I edit my work after I post it?
Yes, you may edit at any time. That said, you must make sure you have a fic of at least 1000 words or completed work of art posted prior to the deadline.
18. What if I can't finish?
If you don't think you'll be able to finish your assignnebt by the deadline, you can default. To do so, find your assignment by clicking on the Assignments link on your AO3 dashboard. Click on the button labeled 'Default' and click on the confirmation that pops up. The moderators will then find a pinch hitter to fufill your assignment.
19. What are the consequences for defaulting?
If you default (following the process outlined in #18) by July 15, you will be flagged as a defaulter, but will be allowed to participate in future years of the exchange.
If you default (following the process outlined in #18) after July 15 but before the deadline, you will need to complete a fic from your assignment prior to participating in the future years of the exchange. It will be your responsibility to contact the moderators to let them know you've completed a fic.
If you do not follow the default process before the deadline or fail to submit your fic, you will be banned from particiating in future years of the exchnge.
20. What is a pinch hit?
A pinch hit is an assignment made available because the originally assigned author needed to default. These will be sent out as needed after assignments are made.
21. How do I sign up to be a pinch hitter? Can I sign up to be a pinch hitter even if I'm not signed up to participate?
Information on pinch hit sign ups will be posted once assignments are sent. You may sign up to be a pinch hitter even if you're not formally participating in the exchange - the only requirement is that you have an AO3 account.
22. How are pinch hits distributed and claimed?
More details on pinch hits will be posted once assignments are sent. Pinch hits will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Assigned pinch hits will show up in the same way as a regular assignment (see #12).
23. How do I post a pinch hit?
Pinch hits are posted in the same way as a regular assignment (see #15).
24. What are treats?
Treats are extra gift work that may be written by participants (and sometimes even non-participant authors). Some participants might choose to write a second fic for their recipient. The full list of requests is made available on the AO3 approximately one week prior to the deadline, and this list can be used as inspiration for treats as well. Treats are neither required or expected, but are certainly welcome.
If you decide to give a treat, you won't have an assignment and therefore won't be able to use the "Post to fulfill" button. Instead, go to the current challenge page on the AO3, and click on the "Post To Collection" button. This will take you to a form with the challenge collection name pre-filled. You will need to enter the recipient's name in the "Gift this work to" box, then fill in the rest of the form as you normally would when posting a work and post.
Nominations Close: 3 May @ 8:00pm PDT
Signups Open: 5 May @ 8:00pm PDT
Signups Close: 23 May @ 8:00 PDT
Assignments Sent: No later than 30 May @ 8:00pm PDT
Fics Due: 25 July @ 8:00pm PDT
Fics Revealed: 1 August @ 8:00pm PDT
Authors Revealed: 8 August @ 8:00pm PDT
1. What is M/M Rares?
M/M Rares is an annual fanwork (fanfiction and fanart) exchange for rare slash pairings. Participants either write a fic at least 1000 words long or create an original work of art focusing on a slash pairing another participant has requested. As this is an exchange, they receive a 1000+ word fic or original work of art featuring a slash pairing they requested in return.
If offering fanart, the art must be an original piece of art created by you. Manips, icons, wallpapers, etc. cannot be used to fulfill a fanart request.
2. What pairings are eligible?
To be eligible, a pairing must meet both of the following conditions:
* Be a slash (male/male) pairing
* Have no more than 200 completed fics on the AO3. (For purposes of this requirement, only fics of 1000+ words, written in English, and marked as complete will be counted.)
Pairings will be evaluated at the time of nomination to determine if they will be eligible for that year's exchange. Alternate versions of the same character (in canon) will be considered separately for purposes of rarity determinations.
3. Are crossover pairings allowed?
Crossover pairings are allowed. If the two fandoms are in the same universe and/or it is common fan practice to tag the pairing in one fandom or the other, you may nominate it appropriately. If the fandoms are not in the same universe or canonically connected, nominate them using the fandom "Crossover Fandom". These pairings should be nominated using the format of:
Character A (Fandom 1)/Character B (Fandom 2)
The fandom names used in these cases need to be complete and clear enough to be able to tell which fandom is meant.
4. Are threesomes/moresomes allowed?
Threesomes/moresomes are not eligible to be nominated. As this exchange is focused on rare pairings, the focus of any resulting fic should be on the pairing requested, though threesomes/moresomes may be mentioned in the fic as long as they don't directly involve the main pairing.
5. Is gen fic allowed?
Yes, as long as the focus/primary relationship of the fic is an m/m pairing requested by the recipient. You are welcome to explore any aspect of the relationship; erotic or explicit fics are certainly allowed but not required.
6. Is RPF allowed?
Yes, as long as it meets the requirements listed in question 2.
7. How do I nominate a pairing for the exchange?
Nominations will be made on the AO3. You will be able to nominate up to 4 fandoms and up to 4 pairings within each fandom.
8. Can I change my nominations?
You may not change your nominations after they are checked by the moderators. Nominations will be checked on an on-going basis as they are submitted, to speed up the time between the close of nominations and the start of sign-ups.
9. How do I sign up? How many requests and offers am I required to submit? Can I submit more than the required number of requests or offers?
Signups will be managed on the AO3. You are required to make at least 4 requests and 4 offers. You may choose to submit 2 additional requests and 6 additional offers for a total of 6 requests and 10 offers. Each request may contain up to 10 pairings and offer may contain up to 15.
For each request, you will be able to note whether you prefer to receive fic or art or have no preference (select any). For each offer, you will similarly be able to indicate whether you can produce fic, art, or both for the listed pairings.
10. What goes in the Description section of my requests?
You may include any specific things you would like the author to include in the fic. These details are optional and the author is not required to consider them, though authors do sometimes find them helpful.
11. Can I change my signup?
You may modify your signup until the signup deadline.
12. How will I know my assignment?
After the signup deadline, the moderators will run a match and your assignment will be sent out via the AO3. The assignment will show up under the Assignments link on your AO3 dashboard and you should also receive an email with your assignment once it is made.
13. Can I change my assignment?
Generally, no. The assignments are made so that everyone who is offering fics is also set to receive one. Once assignments are made, it would be too complicated to accommodate switches and still make sure the exchange aspect is maintained.
If you receive an assignment where none of the requests match what you offered (this is extremely rare), please contact the moderators ASAP.
14. Can I write or draw for any fandom my recipient requested, even if it's not one I originally offered?
Yes. The requirement is that you write a fic or create a work of art (based on the requester's preference, if any) featuring a pairing requested by your recipient - you can choose from any pairing requested, even if you didn't originally offer it.
15. How do I post my fic or art once it's completed?
On your AO3 dashboard, find the link that says "Assignments" on the sidebar. Find your assignment for the 2014 MM Rares exchange and click on 'Post to fulfill'. This will take you to the posting form with the challenge collection and your recipient's information pre-filled. You will just need to fill in the rest of the form as you normally would when posting a fic and post.
NOTE: As the AO3 does not allow the direct hosting of art, you will need to host it elsewhere - in a reliable place - and embed it into your AO3 post.
16. When can I post my work?
The collection will be open for posting shortly after assignments go out. You can post any time up until the deadline - works will not be revealed until after the deadline has passed.
17. Can I edit my work after I post it?
Yes, you may edit at any time. That said, you must make sure you have a fic of at least 1000 words or completed work of art posted prior to the deadline.
18. What if I can't finish?
If you don't think you'll be able to finish your assignnebt by the deadline, you can default. To do so, find your assignment by clicking on the Assignments link on your AO3 dashboard. Click on the button labeled 'Default' and click on the confirmation that pops up. The moderators will then find a pinch hitter to fufill your assignment.
19. What are the consequences for defaulting?
If you default (following the process outlined in #18) by July 15, you will be flagged as a defaulter, but will be allowed to participate in future years of the exchange.
If you default (following the process outlined in #18) after July 15 but before the deadline, you will need to complete a fic from your assignment prior to participating in the future years of the exchange. It will be your responsibility to contact the moderators to let them know you've completed a fic.
If you do not follow the default process before the deadline or fail to submit your fic, you will be banned from particiating in future years of the exchnge.
20. What is a pinch hit?
A pinch hit is an assignment made available because the originally assigned author needed to default. These will be sent out as needed after assignments are made.
21. How do I sign up to be a pinch hitter? Can I sign up to be a pinch hitter even if I'm not signed up to participate?
Information on pinch hit sign ups will be posted once assignments are sent. You may sign up to be a pinch hitter even if you're not formally participating in the exchange - the only requirement is that you have an AO3 account.
22. How are pinch hits distributed and claimed?
More details on pinch hits will be posted once assignments are sent. Pinch hits will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
Assigned pinch hits will show up in the same way as a regular assignment (see #12).
23. How do I post a pinch hit?
Pinch hits are posted in the same way as a regular assignment (see #15).
24. What are treats?
Treats are extra gift work that may be written by participants (and sometimes even non-participant authors). Some participants might choose to write a second fic for their recipient. The full list of requests is made available on the AO3 approximately one week prior to the deadline, and this list can be used as inspiration for treats as well. Treats are neither required or expected, but are certainly welcome.
If you decide to give a treat, you won't have an assignment and therefore won't be able to use the "Post to fulfill" button. Instead, go to the current challenge page on the AO3, and click on the "Post To Collection" button. This will take you to a form with the challenge collection name pre-filled. You will need to enter the recipient's name in the "Gift this work to" box, then fill in the rest of the form as you normally would when posting a work and post.
no subject
Date: 2014-04-13 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-04-14 10:57 pm (UTC)As this is a slash exchange, slash fics are expected, though they need not be explicit or focus on sexual aspects of the relationship.
This confuses me. Slash fics--fics involving a homosexual relationship--can be gen; they can focus on the relationship, some aspect of being together, etc. Or are you saying for this ficathon, the couples absolutely have to fuck?
no subject
Date: 2014-04-15 01:53 am (UTC)5. Is gen fic allowed?
Yes, as long as the focus/primary relationship of the fic is an m/m pairing requested by the recipient. You are welcome to explore any aspect of the relationship; erotic or explicit fics are certainly allowed but not required.
Hope that makes it clearer? I'll go ahead and update the various FAQs with this new language, but do let us know if you have any additional questions.
art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-16 12:45 pm (UTC)Also, is the graphic at the top of this page what you'd like people to use as a promo banner? I used it to signal boost and then wasn't sure. (It's easier to spread the word with a banner.)
Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-16 08:16 pm (UTC)The exchange is for fic only. In future rounds we will likely expand to include art, but fic is the focus this round.
And the banner above is perfectly fine for signal boosting. It's what I've been using when I've posted some ads in various places. Thanks for spreading the word!
Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-18 06:07 pm (UTC)Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-20 04:22 pm (UTC)Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-20 04:40 pm (UTC)Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-20 05:09 pm (UTC)I was wondering, though, Steve/Tony from MCU and comics isn't a rare pair, but I'm interested in Steve/Tony from the cartoon (Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes), that is rare enough (when I try searching for it AO3 shows me only 56 results). Is it ok to nominate it? Maybe I should have asked before nominating it, sorry. :/Nevermind, I've seen on the rules how much the max quota needs to be for rare pairs. :)Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-22 02:05 am (UTC)Re: art question and signal boost question
Date: 2014-04-26 06:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-04-20 04:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-04-22 12:59 am (UTC)For instance, if I nominated Dick Grayson/Bruce Wayne under the fandom Young Justice: if you counted only fics with relationship tag under ONLY that fandom, it would qualify. However, if you simply counted the uses of the relationship tag itself, it would be disqualified - due to all the different fandoms (All the Batman movies, many other DCU comics and animated series, games, ect.).
no subject
Date: 2014-04-22 02:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-04-22 02:48 am (UTC)