FAQs
(adapted from hc_bingo)
What is allowed?
- Any fandom, including RPF (real person fiction)
- Any rating, any pairing
- Gen, (femme)slash, and het content
- Crossovers and fusions
- Original characters in existing fandoms
What is not allowed?
- Original fiction/art
- Work in a language other than English (simply to make it easier on the mods)
- Previously posted fiction/art
What counts as a fill?
Bingo squares can be filled with fic, art, icons, recs, picspams, videos, podfic, fanmixes, or meta.
What are the fill requirements?
To keep the amount required to complete a fill consistent, the minimum requirements for a fill to count are as followed:
Fic - 500 words
Meta - 1000 words
Art - medium sized (400x400 pixels)
Icons - set of 10
Recs - 10 recs
Podfic - 500 word fic
Picspam - 20 pics
Video - 30 seconds
Mixes - 10 songs
Obviously, you may do more than that (we encourage you to do more! :D), but no less.
What are rules for recs?
- While this may seem obvious: please do not rec stories that have been used as fills for hs_bingo (regardless of the author).
What are rules for podfic?
- If you're reading a fic that is not your own, please get the author's permission prior to recording and posting.
- When posting to the community, please include a link to the original fic, as well as a link to download the podfic.
- You may record a fic that was written as a fill for hs_bingo, with the author's permission, of course.
What are rules for mixes?
- Mixes must have a minimum of ten songs. They must be uploaded to mediafire, megaupload, or any other long-term hosting site. Please put them in a .zip file.
- While cover art is optional, you must include a track list with an explanation of how each song fits your prompt.
- When posting to the community, do not link directly to the download. Rather, link to your LJ post with the tracklisting and download link.
I find a particular prompt triggering. What do I do?
If by chance you do find a certain prompt triggering, please let us know when you sign up so we can give you a card free of that particular prompt.
Can I write/draw/icon/etc in mutliple fandoms for my card? How about for one bingo?
Yes. Yes.
Can I write a series?
Yes, but each story within it can only be used to fill one prompt space on your card.
Can I write prequels/sequels/timestamps/etc to my pre-existing stories?
Yes, you may. Keep in mind anything that has a connection with another story/stories should still be able to be read without having read the previous works.
Are alternate universes (AUs) allowed?
They are both allowed and encouraged.
Can I sign up as part of a team?
You can sign up with one other person as a team, however you must work equally on each prompt - don't divide the prompts between you. Please note that the person who signed up for the card should make all posts to the community.
I have something posted previously that fits one of my prompts, can I use it?
No. Everything for the bingo should be newly written and tagged as written for hs_bingo.
I have something done for another bingo that also fits one of my hs_bingo prompts. Can I use it for hs_bingo as well?
As long as it wasn't previously posted and the other bingo(s) allow it, you may make a fanwork that answers to prompts spread out over various bingos.
Can I post my bingo fills to newsletter communites and etc?
Yes.
Do I have to post everything I've made for the bingo to the community?
No. You can only post the combination (bingos and extras) with the links to individual fills to the community; posting single fills to the community is not allowed unless it's during amnesty period.
I dislike my card and want a new one. Can I change it?
To request a new card you have to finish at least one bingo on your current one. Fill out the bingo you're most comfortable with and request a new card to play with!
If, however, you've received a card with prompts that you find triggering, please contact the mods ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
I've submitted a line bingo and now want to do a blackout, can I just fill the missing squares?
You'll have to write new stories for the squares you've used in the previous bingo. You can fill a square as many times as you like providing you write something new for it each time. If you do that, we'll count points both for your previous bingo and your blackout.
I've completed a bingo but I want to continue playing with my current card. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you're making new fills for the previously used prompts.
Can I make a fill that covers several squares at once?
Apart from doing extras, no. Your fill can answer as many prompts as you like, but it can only count for one square.
However, if you manage to write a proper story covering all prompts of the whole card while giving equal weight to all of them (no less than 12500 words), we'll bow before you and give you a special prize. Still won't count as a bingo, though.
I don't understand what my prompt means.
PM one of the mods and we'll help you. Or, ask about it on the Masterlist post.
I don't like some of my prompts and I can't write them, what can I do?
If the prompt is triggering to you, contact the mods ASAP and we'll work with you to fill those prompts with more suitable ones.
All prompts are open to interpretation. For example, "school nurse" could be about a student lusting over a nurse, or a student getting sick and having to visit the nurse. "Student/teacher" doesn't neccessarily have to be a romantic relationship; they can simply be good friends and/or have a normal student-teacher relationship. Please note that the prompts do not have to happen to your main character/pairing; it can be about them dealing with somebody else's situation. For example, "coming out" could see your main character/pairing dealing with a friend/sibling/parent coming out.
As you might've guessed from looking at some of the prompts, fanworks do not have to feature the high school explictly. However, at least one main character/one half of your pairing must be a high school student.
Remember, some prompts are supposed to make you think and throw you out of your comfort zone. Look at them in new ways.
How much do I have to focus on the prompt?
Your prompt should be an important part of your fanwork. It shouldn't just be mentioned once and then move on; it should deal with it in some way. For example, if your prompt is "bullying", your fanwork should have more than just a passing mention of being bullied/bullying others.
What is a wild card?
A wild card is the center space where you choose a high school themed prompt, either on the masterlist of prompts or otherwise. You still have to do fanwork to fill the space, you just happen to get to choose what the prompt will be.
What is scoring round?
Scoring round runs from Jul 1 - Dec 31. Basically, you can post any completed bingos and extras during this time. This is the only round that counts for points. When posting bingos to the community, there is a specific format that you must follow. For more information, please see the Posting Template.
What is amnesty round?
Amnesty round is from Jan 1 - May 20. Basically, you can post any fills you have finished during this time. If you haven't completed at least one bingo during the scoring round, you must post at least one filled prompt in order to qualify for the next round. Please note that anything posted during amnesty will not get you points.
During the amnesty round, we will be posting communal cards for anybody to participate in. These are just for fun and aren't counted for points. However, prizes will be awarded.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
Either PM one of the mods or comment to this entry.
What is allowed?
- Any fandom, including RPF (real person fiction)
- Any rating, any pairing
- Gen, (femme)slash, and het content
- Crossovers and fusions
- Original characters in existing fandoms
What is not allowed?
- Original fiction/art
- Work in a language other than English (simply to make it easier on the mods)
- Previously posted fiction/art
What counts as a fill?
Bingo squares can be filled with fic, art, icons, recs, picspams, videos, podfic, fanmixes, or meta.
What are the fill requirements?
To keep the amount required to complete a fill consistent, the minimum requirements for a fill to count are as followed:
Fic - 500 words
Meta - 1000 words
Art - medium sized (400x400 pixels)
Icons - set of 10
Recs - 10 recs
Podfic - 500 word fic
Picspam - 20 pics
Video - 30 seconds
Mixes - 10 songs
Obviously, you may do more than that (we encourage you to do more! :D), but no less.
What are rules for recs?
- While this may seem obvious: please do not rec stories that have been used as fills for hs_bingo (regardless of the author).
What are rules for podfic?
- If you're reading a fic that is not your own, please get the author's permission prior to recording and posting.
- When posting to the community, please include a link to the original fic, as well as a link to download the podfic.
- You may record a fic that was written as a fill for hs_bingo, with the author's permission, of course.
What are rules for mixes?
- Mixes must have a minimum of ten songs. They must be uploaded to mediafire, megaupload, or any other long-term hosting site. Please put them in a .zip file.
- While cover art is optional, you must include a track list with an explanation of how each song fits your prompt.
- When posting to the community, do not link directly to the download. Rather, link to your LJ post with the tracklisting and download link.
I find a particular prompt triggering. What do I do?
If by chance you do find a certain prompt triggering, please let us know when you sign up so we can give you a card free of that particular prompt.
Can I write/draw/icon/etc in mutliple fandoms for my card? How about for one bingo?
Yes. Yes.
Can I write a series?
Yes, but each story within it can only be used to fill one prompt space on your card.
Can I write prequels/sequels/timestamps/etc to my pre-existing stories?
Yes, you may. Keep in mind anything that has a connection with another story/stories should still be able to be read without having read the previous works.
Are alternate universes (AUs) allowed?
They are both allowed and encouraged.
Can I sign up as part of a team?
You can sign up with one other person as a team, however you must work equally on each prompt - don't divide the prompts between you. Please note that the person who signed up for the card should make all posts to the community.
I have something posted previously that fits one of my prompts, can I use it?
No. Everything for the bingo should be newly written and tagged as written for hs_bingo.
I have something done for another bingo that also fits one of my hs_bingo prompts. Can I use it for hs_bingo as well?
As long as it wasn't previously posted and the other bingo(s) allow it, you may make a fanwork that answers to prompts spread out over various bingos.
Can I post my bingo fills to newsletter communites and etc?
Yes.
Do I have to post everything I've made for the bingo to the community?
No. You can only post the combination (bingos and extras) with the links to individual fills to the community; posting single fills to the community is not allowed unless it's during amnesty period.
I dislike my card and want a new one. Can I change it?
To request a new card you have to finish at least one bingo on your current one. Fill out the bingo you're most comfortable with and request a new card to play with!
If, however, you've received a card with prompts that you find triggering, please contact the mods ASAP, so that we can work with you to create a more suitable card.
I've submitted a line bingo and now want to do a blackout, can I just fill the missing squares?
You'll have to write new stories for the squares you've used in the previous bingo. You can fill a square as many times as you like providing you write something new for it each time. If you do that, we'll count points both for your previous bingo and your blackout.
I've completed a bingo but I want to continue playing with my current card. Can I do this?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you're making new fills for the previously used prompts.
Can I make a fill that covers several squares at once?
Apart from doing extras, no. Your fill can answer as many prompts as you like, but it can only count for one square.
However, if you manage to write a proper story covering all prompts of the whole card while giving equal weight to all of them (no less than 12500 words), we'll bow before you and give you a special prize. Still won't count as a bingo, though.
I don't understand what my prompt means.
PM one of the mods and we'll help you. Or, ask about it on the Masterlist post.
I don't like some of my prompts and I can't write them, what can I do?
If the prompt is triggering to you, contact the mods ASAP and we'll work with you to fill those prompts with more suitable ones.
All prompts are open to interpretation. For example, "school nurse" could be about a student lusting over a nurse, or a student getting sick and having to visit the nurse. "Student/teacher" doesn't neccessarily have to be a romantic relationship; they can simply be good friends and/or have a normal student-teacher relationship. Please note that the prompts do not have to happen to your main character/pairing; it can be about them dealing with somebody else's situation. For example, "coming out" could see your main character/pairing dealing with a friend/sibling/parent coming out.
As you might've guessed from looking at some of the prompts, fanworks do not have to feature the high school explictly. However, at least one main character/one half of your pairing must be a high school student.
Remember, some prompts are supposed to make you think and throw you out of your comfort zone. Look at them in new ways.
How much do I have to focus on the prompt?
Your prompt should be an important part of your fanwork. It shouldn't just be mentioned once and then move on; it should deal with it in some way. For example, if your prompt is "bullying", your fanwork should have more than just a passing mention of being bullied/bullying others.
What is a wild card?
A wild card is the center space where you choose a high school themed prompt, either on the masterlist of prompts or otherwise. You still have to do fanwork to fill the space, you just happen to get to choose what the prompt will be.
What is scoring round?
Scoring round runs from Jul 1 - Dec 31. Basically, you can post any completed bingos and extras during this time. This is the only round that counts for points. When posting bingos to the community, there is a specific format that you must follow. For more information, please see the Posting Template.
What is amnesty round?
Amnesty round is from Jan 1 - May 20. Basically, you can post any fills you have finished during this time. If you haven't completed at least one bingo during the scoring round, you must post at least one filled prompt in order to qualify for the next round. Please note that anything posted during amnesty will not get you points.
During the amnesty round, we will be posting communal cards for anybody to participate in. These are just for fun and aren't counted for points. However, prizes will be awarded.
I have a question that isn't answered here.
Either PM one of the mods or comment to this entry.