FAQ, 2014 Round
General Info and FAQ
Big Bang? What’s that?
Don’t know what a big bang is? We’re glad you asked! It’s a writing/art challenge in which authors are asked to create a work of fiction of 20,000 words (or longer, if you prefer!). A mini bang challenge has a lower bar-just 10,000 words. Artists then create artwork to go along with your story (for the big bang track). A posting schedule will be created, and when the glorious time arrives we shall all marvel at each other’s amazing work! While planning, news, and other items will be discussed on Livejournal and Tumblr, the final postings will happen on AO3 (where these communities will link to your work).
What’s the timeline?
August 1: Writer and artist sign-ups begin
September 1: Writer sign-ups closed (12:00am PST)
November 1: Writer check-in
November 15: Upgrade/Downgrade option (Big Bang to Little Bang/vise versa)
December 15: Drafts due (12:00am PST on December 15)
December 16: Artist sign-ups closed (12:00am PST)
December 17: Summaries posted for artists to peruse (privately)
December 18: Art claims
December 20: Art claims masterpost
December 29: Posting schedule masterpost
January 1: Pinch hit artist sign-ups
January 16: Artist check-in
January 29: Art due (12:00am PST)
February 1: Posting begins
How do I join this community?
When sign-ups begin, you may join this community same as you would any other. Since membership is moderated, a mod will review all requests to join to ensure all members are participants. On that note, membership is moderated for participating writers, artists, cheerleaders, and beta readers only. Everyone else is certainly welcome to watch this community for updates!
If you attempt to join before sign-ups begin, you will not be approved until after August 1st, when a mod can match up your request with a sign-up.
Can I write something for NaNoWriMo and submit it as my draft?
Yes, so long as it meets the required length and you do not post your fic elsewhere! Drafts are due on December 15, which gives you all of November and the first half of December to finish your fic. Keep in mind, you only need to turn in a draft on December 15. You have ample time for editing and beta reading beyond then.
I’m an author. How much art do I get?
Upon completing the requirements for the big bang (20,000 words), you’ll be assigned an artist and will receive one piece of art. Mini bang participants will not receive art. Mini bang authors are welcome to seek out artists on their own, if desired, but you’ll need to inform a mod so we can add the art to the collection when your posting date arrives.
Why don’t mini bang authors get art?
It’s the option for writers who want to participate, but can’t or don’t want to meet the higher word requirement of the big bang track. It’s the option with less pressure for the author, and no obligation to an artist!
Note: If we have an abundance of artists sign up, we will consider revising this.
I’m super excited for this challenge and want to write more than one fic. Is that all right?
We’re glad you’re so pumped! You can turn in up to two drafts. Just take care to finish by the deadline!
Can I write fic and submit art?
Of course!
I signed up for the big bang, but my fic isn’t going to be long enough. Can I downgrade to the mini bang? / I signed up for the mini bang, but my fic is long enough to be a big bang piece. Can I upgrade to the big bang?
Yes! The deadline to upgrade/downgrade is November 15th. Past this date you are committed to the track you’ve chosen. This is especially important to note for mini bang authors that do not upgrade, but submit fics of 20,000 words or longer, as you will still not receive art for your fic.
I’m an artist. How do I get in touch with my author?
Once the art claims masterpost is up, the mods will place you in contact with the author. Then the two of you can collaborate!
I’m an author. Do I have any say in what my artist creates?
In a word: No. The artists are making their own creations for this big bang, just the same as the authors. You can collaborate together and if your artist is open to doing art of particular scenes, then great! But the art they create for your fic is borne of their minds, just as your fic will be borne from yours. They can no more command you on what to write than you can command them on what to create for your fic.
Obviously, we encourage cooperation and pleasant, fun collaboration!
I don’t like my artist and/or I hate the art I received.
While we want everyone to be happy, this is something you'll simply need to deal with. The artist who has committed to you is spending their own free time and effort to create the best art they can for your fic. To disparage them or their effort is rude beyond measure. Your mods will not step in and give you another artist just because you’re displeased. The artist deserves your thanks, not your ire.
Help!
If you have a Tumblr and you’re participating (either as a writer, artist, beta, or cheerleader), you can send a message to sabrielbigbang.tumblr.com and we’ll add you to the support chat. We don’t have a Livejournal community set up for support, so apologies if you don’t have a Tumblr. However, it’s quick and easy to sign up! You can chat amongst your fellow participants, commiserate together, celebrate in your shared successes, and more!
At the moment, there are plans for special writing events, especially during NaNoWriMo, so stay tuned for more info!
I Want to Sign Up!
Sign-ups will open August 1st. You will be unable to leave a comment on these pages until then.
If you’re a writer, click here.
If you’re an artist, click here.
If you’re a beta, click here.
If you’d like to cheerlead/encourage others, click here.
I need to talk to a mod.
You have three mods ready and willing to answer your questions. If you have a problem not covered by the rules or FAQ, get in touch! If you’re on Tumblr, send a message to sabrielbigbang.tumblr.com. If you’re on LJ, you can send a PM to sabrielbbmod.livejournal.com. You can also send an email to sabrielbigbang(at)gmail(.)com.
Please check the FAQ and Rules pages before contacting us. If your question isn’t addressed on either page, then don’t hesitate to contact us!
I want to help, but I’m not a writer/artist. Is there anything I can do?
Yes! We have a mighty need for beta readers and cheerleaders alike! We have a support chat over on Tumblr for everyone to gripe and seek help throughout the duration of the challenge, and your kind words or helpful readthrough could make the difference for a discouraged, run-down author or artist. Here are our official sign-up pages for cheerleaders and beta readers. You can sign up as a cheerleader at any time, and beta readers are always welcome. And don’t forget that we have a plot bunny donation page for story ideas you may have, but don’t want to write!
We also need help with advertising this challenge! You can find promotional images and code here, and if you’re a graphic artist, we can always use more!
Big Bang? What’s that?
Don’t know what a big bang is? We’re glad you asked! It’s a writing/art challenge in which authors are asked to create a work of fiction of 20,000 words (or longer, if you prefer!). A mini bang challenge has a lower bar-just 10,000 words. Artists then create artwork to go along with your story (for the big bang track). A posting schedule will be created, and when the glorious time arrives we shall all marvel at each other’s amazing work! While planning, news, and other items will be discussed on Livejournal and Tumblr, the final postings will happen on AO3 (where these communities will link to your work).
What’s the timeline?
August 1: Writer and artist sign-ups begin
September 1: Writer sign-ups closed (12:00am PST)
November 1: Writer check-in
November 15: Upgrade/Downgrade option (Big Bang to Little Bang/vise versa)
December 15: Drafts due (12:00am PST on December 15)
December 16: Artist sign-ups closed (12:00am PST)
December 17: Summaries posted for artists to peruse (privately)
December 18: Art claims
December 20: Art claims masterpost
December 29: Posting schedule masterpost
January 1: Pinch hit artist sign-ups
January 16: Artist check-in
January 29: Art due (12:00am PST)
February 1: Posting begins
How do I join this community?
When sign-ups begin, you may join this community same as you would any other. Since membership is moderated, a mod will review all requests to join to ensure all members are participants. On that note, membership is moderated for participating writers, artists, cheerleaders, and beta readers only. Everyone else is certainly welcome to watch this community for updates!
If you attempt to join before sign-ups begin, you will not be approved until after August 1st, when a mod can match up your request with a sign-up.
Can I write something for NaNoWriMo and submit it as my draft?
Yes, so long as it meets the required length and you do not post your fic elsewhere! Drafts are due on December 15, which gives you all of November and the first half of December to finish your fic. Keep in mind, you only need to turn in a draft on December 15. You have ample time for editing and beta reading beyond then.
I’m an author. How much art do I get?
Upon completing the requirements for the big bang (20,000 words), you’ll be assigned an artist and will receive one piece of art. Mini bang participants will not receive art. Mini bang authors are welcome to seek out artists on their own, if desired, but you’ll need to inform a mod so we can add the art to the collection when your posting date arrives.
Why don’t mini bang authors get art?
It’s the option for writers who want to participate, but can’t or don’t want to meet the higher word requirement of the big bang track. It’s the option with less pressure for the author, and no obligation to an artist!
Note: If we have an abundance of artists sign up, we will consider revising this.
I’m super excited for this challenge and want to write more than one fic. Is that all right?
We’re glad you’re so pumped! You can turn in up to two drafts. Just take care to finish by the deadline!
Can I write fic and submit art?
Of course!
I signed up for the big bang, but my fic isn’t going to be long enough. Can I downgrade to the mini bang? / I signed up for the mini bang, but my fic is long enough to be a big bang piece. Can I upgrade to the big bang?
Yes! The deadline to upgrade/downgrade is November 15th. Past this date you are committed to the track you’ve chosen. This is especially important to note for mini bang authors that do not upgrade, but submit fics of 20,000 words or longer, as you will still not receive art for your fic.
I’m an artist. How do I get in touch with my author?
Once the art claims masterpost is up, the mods will place you in contact with the author. Then the two of you can collaborate!
I’m an author. Do I have any say in what my artist creates?
In a word: No. The artists are making their own creations for this big bang, just the same as the authors. You can collaborate together and if your artist is open to doing art of particular scenes, then great! But the art they create for your fic is borne of their minds, just as your fic will be borne from yours. They can no more command you on what to write than you can command them on what to create for your fic.
Obviously, we encourage cooperation and pleasant, fun collaboration!
I don’t like my artist and/or I hate the art I received.
While we want everyone to be happy, this is something you'll simply need to deal with. The artist who has committed to you is spending their own free time and effort to create the best art they can for your fic. To disparage them or their effort is rude beyond measure. Your mods will not step in and give you another artist just because you’re displeased. The artist deserves your thanks, not your ire.
Help!
If you have a Tumblr and you’re participating (either as a writer, artist, beta, or cheerleader), you can send a message to sabrielbigbang.tumblr.com and we’ll add you to the support chat. We don’t have a Livejournal community set up for support, so apologies if you don’t have a Tumblr. However, it’s quick and easy to sign up! You can chat amongst your fellow participants, commiserate together, celebrate in your shared successes, and more!
At the moment, there are plans for special writing events, especially during NaNoWriMo, so stay tuned for more info!
I Want to Sign Up!
Sign-ups will open August 1st. You will be unable to leave a comment on these pages until then.
If you’re a writer, click here.
If you’re an artist, click here.
If you’re a beta, click here.
If you’d like to cheerlead/encourage others, click here.
I need to talk to a mod.
You have three mods ready and willing to answer your questions. If you have a problem not covered by the rules or FAQ, get in touch! If you’re on Tumblr, send a message to sabrielbigbang.tumblr.com. If you’re on LJ, you can send a PM to sabrielbbmod.livejournal.com. You can also send an email to sabrielbigbang(at)gmail(.)com.
Please check the FAQ and Rules pages before contacting us. If your question isn’t addressed on either page, then don’t hesitate to contact us!
I want to help, but I’m not a writer/artist. Is there anything I can do?
Yes! We have a mighty need for beta readers and cheerleaders alike! We have a support chat over on Tumblr for everyone to gripe and seek help throughout the duration of the challenge, and your kind words or helpful readthrough could make the difference for a discouraged, run-down author or artist. Here are our official sign-up pages for cheerleaders and beta readers. You can sign up as a cheerleader at any time, and beta readers are always welcome. And don’t forget that we have a plot bunny donation page for story ideas you may have, but don’t want to write!
We also need help with advertising this challenge! You can find promotional images and code here, and if you’re a graphic artist, we can always use more!