I know we haven't even said "Trick or Treat" yet, but I've been so busy, I wanted to make sure this was up by November 1.
This tradition started at another board, then migrated over here with us when we opened the Expanse. Those of us who participated last year had a BLAST! Here's how it's going to work:
The concept is pretty simple. Sign up in this thread if you want to participate. Your involvement will require you to write one fic, but you will be gifted one fic in return.
Since this community is devoted to various 'ships and and sexual orientations therein, this activity is going to require a degree of flexibility on the part of the authors. Remember, authors, while the activity is meant to challenge you by including several elements of someone else's choosing, it's ultimately about the friend you are making the gift for, not you. Like the last couple of years, you will be allowed to opt out of writing smut (you will declare "smut" or "no smut" when you sign up), but you will not be allowed out of writing het or slash, or a requested pairing.
Sign-ups will be taken until November 15, giving you a little over two weeks to decide whether or not you want to participate. I will lock the thread before I go to bed that night.
Note: If you've participated in this or any of the reviewer contests, please check to make sure you don't still owe someone a fic! If you do, I'll have to disqualify you until you make good on your prior commitments to any outstanding giftees.
On the 16th, names will then be written on pieces of paper, thrown into a hat, and drawn randomly. If a smut/no smut incompatibility between author and giftee occurs,the name will go back into the hat and a new one will be drawn. You will be informed via Private Message who your giftee is. We're working this sort of like "Secret Santa," so don't tell anyone until you archive! 8)
YOU MUST ABSOLUTELY HAVE YOUR FIC BETA READ!! It's a gift, please don't half-ass it or assume you're good enough to get away without one. In fact, since it's a gift, be *more* careful than usual! :bolian
You may begin archiving your responses on Thanksgiving Day, but you have until January 1, 2013 to post your fic, as those dates bookend the "holidays" for most people.
Your fics do not have to be holiday-oriented, unless your giftee specifically requests it.
When you sign up, include the following information in your post:
THREE THINGS I WANT IN MY FIC:
THREE THINGS I *DON'T* WANT IN MY FIC:
PROMPT (optional)
I AM WILLING TO WRITE SMUT: yes/no
I AM OKAY WITH RECEIVING A SMUTTY FIC AS A GIFT: yes/no
NOTE: If your giftee says he or she is okay with receiving smut, it isn't mandatory that you write smut unless that was one of the three things they requested. Conversely, if you are *asking* for smut, specify if you want a particular 'ship smutted.
Questions? Post them here!
This kind of thing is more fun the more people we have doing it, so please don't be shy!