FAQs
Shiny new FAQ post for this year. As always, if you don’t find the answer to your question, don’t hesitate to either comment here or send a PM directly to reapertownusa. This post will be updated as questions are received.
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~ Writers ~
How long does my story have to be?
Your story needs to be 5 to 14k for a mini bang and 15K+ for a big bang.
Can my story be longer than 15K?
Absolutely! There is no maximum word count on big bangs and if your mini ends up longer than 14K then you can upgrade to a big bang any time prior to artist claims. After you have an artist, you can still write a longer story, but your artist is not obligated to do additional art.
Can I write a sequel?
Yes you can! If you’re writing a sequel to a story that is not gen, your sequel does have to be able to stand alone, which is a good idea regardless to help draw in artists who may be intimated by having to read multiple stories.
Can I collaborate with another writer?
Most definitely! Co-written stories are quite welcome.
Do I need a beta reader?
Your story does need to be beta read before final posting. For those who need a beta, we will have a beta listing. You can also post beta requests at spn_beta and spn_betas.
Is my rough draft far enough along to submit?
Your rough draft doesn't have to be perfect nor does it have to be at the minimum word count, but you do need to be certain that you'll be able to finish the story by the time posting begins. What that means is going to be different for everyone. You know how fast you write and how much time you have for it far better than I do. if you tell me you can finish in time, I'll believe you. Once. We don't want any artists stuck with unfinished stories come posting day. If you fail to complete a story that was submitted for artist claims, you will need to submit a final draft next round in order to be eligible for claims.
How do I submit my rough draft?
A post with full instructions for submitting your rough draft will be posted closer to the due date. Essentially, you will send in an email with your story and summary, which must be received by 11:59PM PST on the due date. If you will be out of town when rough drafts are due, you will need to send it in early so that it doesn't miss out on the artist claims.
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~ Writers and Podficcers ~
Seriously, what is gen?
Here we’re defining gen as no romantic pairings. There can be background sexual relationships - i.e. the boys can be on a case helping a sweet old married couple with a poltergeist in their attic or trying to rid a BDSM club of a vengeful spirit. However, the boys, or whoever your main characters may be, should be single.
Dean can still hook up with random chicks, but any sexual encounter should be a minor background event, preferably speaking to Dean as a character or serving as a trigger for a larger event in the story. Likewise, Sam can be attacked by a succubus, but the story should focus on the hunt for it or hurt/comfort in response to the assault, not on the physical details of the attack itself.
What about crossovers?
This bang is primarily Supernatural and that’s what most artists here will be looking for, but if you have an undeniable hankering for a crossover or fusion that primarily focuses on the boys or other Supernatural characters, then go for it.
Can my story be AU?
It most certainly may. All levels of AUs are welcome so long as you stick to the canon characters.
What about RPF?
This is a Supernatural 'verse only big bang so your story needs to feature canon characters from the series rather than the actors from the show with the exception of stories focused around 'The French Mistake'.
Does the story have to be about Sam and Dean?
Definitely not. The boys don't even have to be in your story so long as you're writing in the Supernatural 'verse and your story stars a canon character from the series.
Can I do art and a story/podfic?
You can't do art for your own story, but as long as you have the time, you're more than welcome to sign up for any combination of artist, writer or podficcer.
Can I choose my own artist?
No you may not. The anticipation and surprise of seeing who you'll be working with is part of the fun of big bangs. If you want to handpick your artist, there are comms that you can post requests to. Here, the artists choose the story they will be creating art for based on your provided summary.
What if I don't like my artist's style?
There is a chance that you might not like the style of art, but you may not request a different artist on account of style. Every artist will do the best they can to create beautiful art for your story. An artist doesn't want to hear that you don't like their style anymore than you'd want to hear from your artist that they don't like yours.
What if there are more writers/podficcers than artists?
There will be and that's okay. There will be an initial round of claims where every artist picks one story then there will be subsequent rounds of claims until everyone has an artist.
---
~ Podficcers ~
Do I need to get permission to record a story?
You do indeed need to get the author's permission, but they'll more than likely be delighted to hear from you. If you don't like asking and don't already have a story in mind, check out our Podfic Permission Granting Post, which lists stories authors here have already given permission to be podficced for this challenge.
What if the author is no longer active in fandom?
If the story you want to record is from an author who is no longer reachable then you will need to select a different story, but luckily there is a multitude of amazing stories from active authors that you can choose from.
Where can I find gen stories to record?
If nothing on the Podfic Permission Granting Post floats your boat, you can browse spn_gen for other gen delights.
How long does my podfic have to be?
There is no requirement as to how many minutes/hours your podfic has to be, just how long the story you're recording is. As for writers, a mini bang is 5 to 14K and a big bang is 15K+.
Do I need a beta listener?
While it certainly never hurts, it is not required for this challenge.
Do I have to submit a rough draft?
Yes, you do. By the time rough drafts are due, you should have done the majority of your initial recording, but this does not by any means have to be the finished, polished piece. You'll have plenty of time for editing after artist claims.
How do I submit my rough draft?
A post with full instructions for submitting your rough draft will be posted closer to the due date, but the basics are that you will need to email a link to an uploaded, rough version of your podfic along with a link to the author's story. If you're working on a particularly large project and have a large amount of unedited audio, uploading a reasonable sized portion of it is fine - I just need to hear that you have indeed been working on it. If you will be out of town when rough drafts are due you will need to send it in early so that it doesn't miss out on the artist claims.
---
~ Artists ~
What do artists do?
You make the magic happen. Once story rough drafts are turned in there will be a claims post in which you get to pick the story you would like to make art for based off the provided summaries. Graphics, illustrations, manips and videos are all welcome.
How much art do I have to create?
Your author will appreciate as much quality work as you can do in the time provided. The minimum for the mini bang is one piece, two pieces for big bangs and a podcover for podfics.
Can I create a fanmix?
For legal reasons, we do not allow the posting of fanmixes that include the distribution of music files, but suggested play lists are of course fine as long as they're done in conjunction with other art.
What about videos?
You're welcome to do a fan video for your chosen story, but you do also need to create banner art so your author has art they can display along with their story. If you're a vidder only please contact the mod, reapertownusa, prior to claims. You are still eligible to claim a story - we'll just leave that story open to also be claimed by a graphic artist who will be able to make the accompanying banner art for you.
Can I do art for more than one story?
If you have the time, absolutely! We will need some artists to do art for more than one story and if you would be available for that, or pinch hitting in the case of an artist drops outs, then you would be the hero!
Can I write a story/read a podfic and do art?
You can't do art for your own story, but as long as you have the time, you're more than welcome to sign up for any combination of artist, writer or podficcer.
~~~
~ Writers ~
How long does my story have to be?
Your story needs to be 5 to 14k for a mini bang and 15K+ for a big bang.
Can my story be longer than 15K?
Absolutely! There is no maximum word count on big bangs and if your mini ends up longer than 14K then you can upgrade to a big bang any time prior to artist claims. After you have an artist, you can still write a longer story, but your artist is not obligated to do additional art.
Can I write a sequel?
Yes you can! If you’re writing a sequel to a story that is not gen, your sequel does have to be able to stand alone, which is a good idea regardless to help draw in artists who may be intimated by having to read multiple stories.
Can I collaborate with another writer?
Most definitely! Co-written stories are quite welcome.
Do I need a beta reader?
Your story does need to be beta read before final posting. For those who need a beta, we will have a beta listing. You can also post beta requests at spn_beta and spn_betas.
Is my rough draft far enough along to submit?
Your rough draft doesn't have to be perfect nor does it have to be at the minimum word count, but you do need to be certain that you'll be able to finish the story by the time posting begins. What that means is going to be different for everyone. You know how fast you write and how much time you have for it far better than I do. if you tell me you can finish in time, I'll believe you. Once. We don't want any artists stuck with unfinished stories come posting day. If you fail to complete a story that was submitted for artist claims, you will need to submit a final draft next round in order to be eligible for claims.
How do I submit my rough draft?
A post with full instructions for submitting your rough draft will be posted closer to the due date. Essentially, you will send in an email with your story and summary, which must be received by 11:59PM PST on the due date. If you will be out of town when rough drafts are due, you will need to send it in early so that it doesn't miss out on the artist claims.
---
~ Writers and Podficcers ~
Seriously, what is gen?
Here we’re defining gen as no romantic pairings. There can be background sexual relationships - i.e. the boys can be on a case helping a sweet old married couple with a poltergeist in their attic or trying to rid a BDSM club of a vengeful spirit. However, the boys, or whoever your main characters may be, should be single.
Dean can still hook up with random chicks, but any sexual encounter should be a minor background event, preferably speaking to Dean as a character or serving as a trigger for a larger event in the story. Likewise, Sam can be attacked by a succubus, but the story should focus on the hunt for it or hurt/comfort in response to the assault, not on the physical details of the attack itself.
What about crossovers?
This bang is primarily Supernatural and that’s what most artists here will be looking for, but if you have an undeniable hankering for a crossover or fusion that primarily focuses on the boys or other Supernatural characters, then go for it.
Can my story be AU?
It most certainly may. All levels of AUs are welcome so long as you stick to the canon characters.
What about RPF?
This is a Supernatural 'verse only big bang so your story needs to feature canon characters from the series rather than the actors from the show with the exception of stories focused around 'The French Mistake'.
Does the story have to be about Sam and Dean?
Definitely not. The boys don't even have to be in your story so long as you're writing in the Supernatural 'verse and your story stars a canon character from the series.
Can I do art and a story/podfic?
You can't do art for your own story, but as long as you have the time, you're more than welcome to sign up for any combination of artist, writer or podficcer.
Can I choose my own artist?
No you may not. The anticipation and surprise of seeing who you'll be working with is part of the fun of big bangs. If you want to handpick your artist, there are comms that you can post requests to. Here, the artists choose the story they will be creating art for based on your provided summary.
What if I don't like my artist's style?
There is a chance that you might not like the style of art, but you may not request a different artist on account of style. Every artist will do the best they can to create beautiful art for your story. An artist doesn't want to hear that you don't like their style anymore than you'd want to hear from your artist that they don't like yours.
What if there are more writers/podficcers than artists?
There will be and that's okay. There will be an initial round of claims where every artist picks one story then there will be subsequent rounds of claims until everyone has an artist.
---
~ Podficcers ~
Do I need to get permission to record a story?
You do indeed need to get the author's permission, but they'll more than likely be delighted to hear from you. If you don't like asking and don't already have a story in mind, check out our Podfic Permission Granting Post, which lists stories authors here have already given permission to be podficced for this challenge.
What if the author is no longer active in fandom?
If the story you want to record is from an author who is no longer reachable then you will need to select a different story, but luckily there is a multitude of amazing stories from active authors that you can choose from.
Where can I find gen stories to record?
If nothing on the Podfic Permission Granting Post floats your boat, you can browse spn_gen for other gen delights.
How long does my podfic have to be?
There is no requirement as to how many minutes/hours your podfic has to be, just how long the story you're recording is. As for writers, a mini bang is 5 to 14K and a big bang is 15K+.
Do I need a beta listener?
While it certainly never hurts, it is not required for this challenge.
Do I have to submit a rough draft?
Yes, you do. By the time rough drafts are due, you should have done the majority of your initial recording, but this does not by any means have to be the finished, polished piece. You'll have plenty of time for editing after artist claims.
How do I submit my rough draft?
A post with full instructions for submitting your rough draft will be posted closer to the due date, but the basics are that you will need to email a link to an uploaded, rough version of your podfic along with a link to the author's story. If you're working on a particularly large project and have a large amount of unedited audio, uploading a reasonable sized portion of it is fine - I just need to hear that you have indeed been working on it. If you will be out of town when rough drafts are due you will need to send it in early so that it doesn't miss out on the artist claims.
---
~ Artists ~
What do artists do?
You make the magic happen. Once story rough drafts are turned in there will be a claims post in which you get to pick the story you would like to make art for based off the provided summaries. Graphics, illustrations, manips and videos are all welcome.
How much art do I have to create?
Your author will appreciate as much quality work as you can do in the time provided. The minimum for the mini bang is one piece, two pieces for big bangs and a podcover for podfics.
Can I create a fanmix?
For legal reasons, we do not allow the posting of fanmixes that include the distribution of music files, but suggested play lists are of course fine as long as they're done in conjunction with other art.
What about videos?
You're welcome to do a fan video for your chosen story, but you do also need to create banner art so your author has art they can display along with their story. If you're a vidder only please contact the mod, reapertownusa, prior to claims. You are still eligible to claim a story - we'll just leave that story open to also be claimed by a graphic artist who will be able to make the accompanying banner art for you.
Can I do art for more than one story?
If you have the time, absolutely! We will need some artists to do art for more than one story and if you would be available for that, or pinch hitting in the case of an artist drops outs, then you would be the hero!
Can I write a story/read a podfic and do art?
You can't do art for your own story, but as long as you have the time, you're more than welcome to sign up for any combination of artist, writer or podficcer.