General Information
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Hurt/Comfort BigBang Information Post
Email hcbigbang.mods@gmail.com
General Information
What is a Big Bang?
There are many different types of bigbangs, all varying slightly, but generally a bigbang is a process in which authors write long fics (here, 25,000 words or longer) and artists make art for that piece of work. Simple in concept, right? This bigbang specializes in the genre hurt/comfort. Everything preliminary for this bigbang is hosted in this livejournal community, but on the reveal date, all contributions (art, stories, vids, fanmixes, etc.) will be hosted on a separate website archive (likely AO3). When everything is ready, the archive goes live, resulting in you going blind from trying to read all these huge stories and checking out all the fantastic artwork and vids. Sounds fun, right?
What kind of timeline will I be under?
Author Sign Ups: OPEN - Aug.30.2013
Artist Sign Ups: OPEN - Jan.31.2014
Beta Sign Ups: OPEN - OPEN
Check Point #1 (optional): Nov.15.2013
Check Point #2 (mandatory): Jan.17.2014
Check Point #3 (10K for art): Mar.14.2014
Art Claiming: Mar.15.2014
Art & Final Story Due: May.20.2014
Public Posting: June.01.2014
Can I join this comm?
Absolutely! Feel free to join and watch the comm even if you aren't signing up; if you ARE signing up you need to join the comm ASAP. Some important reminders and post will be members locked.
How do I sign up?
An AUTHOR, go here.
If you an ARTIST, please go here.
If you are offering to BETA READ, go here.
REQUIREMENTS AND INFO
FOR THE WRITERS:
What type of requirements are there for a writer?
Your fic must be at least 25,000 words long and must be beta-read before the posting date. You can choose any pairing, fandom, or even original fiction if you wish. At the time of signing up, you will need to have the following information: 1.) What fandom/pairing and general synopsis (can be changed later!); 2.) Provide a working e-mail address; 3.) Join AND Friend the community to be able to catch important updates and announcements.
You MUST declare your fandom/pairing by the artist sign-up deadline of January 31th, 2014.
Also note, that if you choose to collaborate with one or more people, an additional 10k word requirement is added per person. For example, if two people are writing, the minimum requirement is 35k. If there are four people writing, the minimum requirement is 65k.
What exactly is hurt/comfort?
Hurt/comfort (often shortened to h/c) is a fan-fiction genre where the plot is generally summarized by the name: one character is hurt, and/or at least one other character provides comfort. The injury can be minor but is generally quite severe and traumatic, and often life-threatening. Hurt/comfort stories tend to be highly dramatic and many claim the popularity of the genre is from taking strong characters and putting them in situations where they are made physically and emotionally vulnerable - both the injured character and those who comfort him or her.
I don't know what to write! I've got so many ideas!
We're here to help! While you can change your plotbunny at any time, we're also offering you this post to help figure things out. You provide descriptions of up to five of your plotbunnies, and we put up a poll here to see what people are interested in. No obligation to go with the winner, but it might help you choose!
I've already been writing a hurt/comfort story already. Can I use that?
You are allowed to use a WIP in this bigbang if it's less than 10k. Your story cannot have appeared anywhere on the net already. If you have already a couple thousand words of it up somewhere (at max, 10k), then we won't count that towards your total 25k requirement, and you must immediately take it off the internet completely for the duration of the challenge.
Can I write with someone else?
Yes, you may co-author your bigbang if you want to. However, the word minimum for co-authored works is 35,000 words and is increased by 10,000 words for each additional author participating. For example, if two people are writing, the minimum requirement is 35k. If there are four people writing, the minimum requirement is 65k.
Do I really have to have my fic be beta-read?
Yes. Dear Gods, yes. A beta reader is a person who reads another person's written work with a critical eye, with the aim of improving grammar, spelling, characterization, and general style of a story before the author posts it up. All participants must get their fiction beta’d by at least one person. Beta reading is love, people!
Is there a rating limit requirement for my story?
No. Absolutely not. If you want to write sunshine and rainbows for toddlers, you may. If you want to write bloody, limb tearing gore, that's fine too! Even tenticle sex is welcome. Just keep in mind that whatever you choose to include in your story, all ratings and warnings must be provided and that it may cause a delay in security an artist and/or beta reader for your story. All stories should use the standardized fiction rating system provided by Fiction Ratings.
Can I write more than one fandom?
Yes you can! You can write your story crossing as many fandoms as your heart desires. You can even write completely original fiction!
What happens if I can't write that much by the posting deadline?
First, relax and don't panic! You've got until April for finishing this baby off! For writers, this is not a reciprocal challenge, so I'm not going to go chasing after you with a big giant stick if you drop out. It's hard to write this much fic on a deadline! I understand! Don't stress yourself; fandom is meant to be fun. Usually in these things, at least half of the writers drop out. That's expected. But please, please, please - if you need to drop out of this challenge, drop your mods a quick note at the community email or make a comment to an entry that is created to leave messages for the moderators.
Another note: If you fall short of the 25k, don't panic. Please do not sign up with the *intent* of writing anything short of a 25,000 word story, but if you fall a little short, there is a 2,000 word window allowed.
Wait, what is this I see about a Mandatory check-in later on? What's that about?
The mandatory check-in for authors is scheduled on March 11, 2014. An entry poll will go up in the days leading up to that check point. Authors must either affirm/deny that they have written at least 10,000 of words for their Big Bang fic by that deadline, or they will NOT recieve an artist's claim for their story. Meaning, no pretty fanart for your fanfiction. That said, if you sign up and later find you just cannot make the 10,000 word count by the mandatory check-in, you can still continue to write something and have your story go live on this comm on the Debut Date. You just will not receive artwork or vids for it through this challenge. But you would get to see your story all shiny and pretty and still get the satisfaction of participating!
Can I have contact with my artist?
We will provide you with contact information once an artist is committed to you. From there, you can contact them to find out more about their interests. We would like to encourage you to be in contact with them and to share and collaborate, but ONLY in fun. The artist is under no obligation to work directly with you. Author sign up requirement code is (AUTH20HC13BB). Ultimately, what they create for your fic is their creation, just like how they cannot dictate what you write for your fanfiction. But we all want everyone to be happy with what they get and what they create, so I hope this remains a happy, fun, friendly experience.
What if I hate my artist and/or dislike the artwork that is done for my fanfiction?
Um, the politist way I can honestly word this is: deal with it. The artist is trying their best, I'm sure, to produce a good piece of work for you. Give thanks, and be on your merry way.
FOR THE ARTISTS:
How do I know what I'm making art for?
After the writers have their mandatory check-in on January 17th, we'll make a claims post listing fandoms and pairings. In this post, we'll also include the story summary and any warnings the author gives. You can choose which fic you'd like to create art for, and then that person's fic will get crossed off the list. Author's names will not be attached to their fanfics on this post; the artist's claims will be done blind that way. This is done to even the playing field, so that an artist may claim a fanfic based on the summary/pairing/fandom, rather than the popularity of the writer. (Though by no means is the author prohibited at any point from telling people which fandom/pairing/story is theirs. I imagine that in any case, we'll be able to have a great number of educated guesses for authors based on the pairing/fandom alone. That's fine. I'm just trying to make the artist' claims post less about favoring popular authors, and more about showcasing the merits of the story.)
Please note: All stories that checked in with their fandom/pairing/summary in January will initially be included on the selection list. If the authors do not have the mandatory word requirement by their Check Point #3 (March 14, 2014) their story will be stricken from the selection list. Therefore, there will be the option of having up to two back up options when the time comes to stake your claim. Each round of claims though will only accept the first available chosen story.
What are the requirements for art?
You can make whatever kind of art you feel like, in whichever medium. Drawing, painting, digital, manips, vids, fanmix, anything you can think of. We just ask that you put some time and effort into it, as our authors have for their stories.
How do I sign up and/or claim an artwork?
You can sign up to be an artist now, but claims will happen much later, on March 14th, after writers have attested that they have written at least 10,000 words to prove their worth. Claims are done on a first come, first serve basis. We will be putting up a f-locked post and the artists will reply to it with the story they claim to do art for (so make sure you are a member of the community by then!).
Sign ups for artists will remain open until all fanfics get claimed!
What happens if the number of authors doesn't match up with the number of artists or mixers?
We will do several rounds of claiming so that EVERY fic has an artist. In the event that fics outnumber artists, we will allow artists to make a second claim.
Can I have contact with my author?
We will provide you with contact information once you have been committed to an author. From there, you can contact them to find out more about their interests. We would like to encourage you to be in contact with them and to share and collaborate, but ONLY in fun. You are under no obligation to work directly with the author. Ultimately, what you create for your artwork is your creation, just like how you cannot dictate what the author writes for their fanfiction. But we all want everyone to be happy with what they get and what they create, so I hope this remains a happy, fun, friendly experience.
How many pieces of art will I be required to make?
Only one primary piece is required. If you artistic bunnies don't want to stop, you may create more but that is between you and your author. We will only accept one piece of artwork for the debut date.
What if I cannot create the fanart by the deadline?
Think very, very hard before claiming a story! Because there is a person who is expecting some fanart for their work and I'll have to hunt down a back-up artist to take your place, if you end up dropping out. If you can't create the fanworks, tell me as soon as humanly possible. We want everything to go live at once, on June 1st. Finding artists is hard enough with a decent timeline, but finding backups are a nightmare! Artists sign up requirment code is (HC20BB13ART). Please don't make me do it!
TIMELINE
Author Sign Ups: OPEN - Aug.30.2013
Artist Sign Ups: OPEN - Jan.31.2014
Beta Sign Ups: OPEN - OPEN
Check Point #1 (optional): Nov.15.2013
Check Point #2 (mandatory): Jan.17.2014
Check Point #3 (10K for art): Mar.14.2014
Art Claiming: Mar.15.2014
Art & Final Story Due: May.20.2014
Public Posting: June.01.2014
What's an optional checkpoint?
As the name implies, this one isn't mandatory. They're something to give you a feel on where a typical author should be at in their writing process. They're used for encouragement and motivation only.
What's the mandatory checkpoint?
This one is mandatory check-in for authors; the writing minimum to claim an artist for your fanfiction is 10,000 words. If you have written that much, you get an artist. If you haven't, you continue to write! It's just you won't qualify for an artwork for your fic when DD happens!
Will artists get checkpoints?
We will be making sure everyone's on the right track and are able to finish their art before the deadline, but these checkpoints will be less formal, as there is no wordcount for a piece of art.
Can I have an extension?
We will be granting extensions for, at max, a few days, on a case-by-case basis. We would hope, however, that you use the checkpoints and all your ample available writing time to its fullest. The fanworks ALL go live on June 1st, 2014, which is a firm deadline! REMEMBER THAT! If you think at anytime you need an extension (whether fic or art) contact a mod right away so we can begin working it out with you.
POSTING REQUIREMENTS
Where do we post our completed fics?
We will be hosting this on an official archive website! Details regarding posting will be issued at a later date, but it will involve authors e-mailing us at hcbigbang.mods@gmail.com their fanworks, fully and properly coded to LJ specification. Upon verifying that it does not have any errors (e.g. a missing closing bracket to a "bold" lj-tag that turns the entire text bold), I will ask my wonderful helpers to start setting up the website. It will include linkbacks to individual author-related posts on this livejournal comm where feedback for authors may be left. The same will be done of the artist's work, who will upload all their artwork to the appropriate hosting sites (imgur, etc...) and then give me their works all coded out to LJ specification. Artists will receive their own feedback post here on this comm as well.
What types of requirements are there for me to post my fic?
You must include a header with all regular information on it. This includes warnings. Not all of our readers like the same thing, so you are required to warn them on character death, sex, rape (including non-con and dub-con), torture, hardcore kinks, incest, etc.
Here is an example header, with the things you could include.
Title:
Fandom(s):
Pairing(s):
Word Count:
Rating/Warnings: ((please refer to Fiction Ratings))
Beta:
Summary:
Author's notes:
Then your story follows.
What types of requirements are there for me to post my artwork?
Please include the artwork, and information like the author's name, the fanfiction's title, and the fandom/pairing of the piece. Any additional remarks/comments from you are welcome!
Where can I upload my graphics?
Imgur is recommended for images or .gif files, along with Photobucket. Both have their pros and cons. Fanvids can be uploaded to YouTube, provided that it meets YouTube's requirements, but I can holler out to the comm if anyone needs pointing in the right direction.
Can I post it to my journal a few days early to show my friends?
No. The first time you show your fic for this bigbang must be on Debut Day, on this comm. Mods will handle the revealing details. There will be more posts on that to come. Once the Big Bang website goes live, feel free to post your stuff wherever.
PARTICIPATION FOR NON-WRITERS AND NON-ARTISTS
Beta readers - Please submit your sign up here. The form covers what your preferred fandoms and strengths are. Also, leave an e-mail address that will be good for the next few months. *g* Most people will already have their own beta reader, but hey, maybe they want to try someone new.
Additionally, if you don't want to write for this challenge, and you instead want to help in any one of the following areas, notify the mods and tell me what you'd like to do!
Coding help - Basically, you'd help coding the stories and help in any other way the Web Designer needs you.
Creating Pimping Artwork - I always need artists to help create pimping banners and whatnot.
Advertising this Big Bang - I need people to volunteer to pimp this Big Bang around on appropriate comms! I will guide you on how to do that, and possibly recommend some good places to start.
Standard disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their public respective owners. No money is being made from this project. No copyright infringement is intended. Plagiarism will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form.
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