the delphic expanse

Hi All,

This is obviously the first time we've done anything like this. There will be kinks in the system. So, if you've got any questions about rules or categories or nominations, post them here!

I have a question about drabble nominations. Are we to nominate individual drabbles (even from a set, which might or might not be posted together as single fic with chapters)? Or is a set of drabbles considered a short fic together? Sometimes it's clear (at least in my mind) which is the case in terms of 'grouped for convenience' vs 'grouped because they form a story together'. Other times, it's not so clear-cut.

My personal opinion on it is that if the drabbles are posted together as chapters, they could be considered individually, but if posted as a 'set' like a double or triple drabble, I'm not sure if they still count as drabbles or are a short fic. I just am concerned that we might get nominations all over the board on these in terms of how people do it, with the possible result of not getting the requisite number of nominations.

A drabble is 100 words, as I'm defining it. Double drabbles would be eligible in the Under 2000 word categories. Drabbles can be posted as part of a set or individually posted. However, a drabble should exist in its own chapter if it is part of a set.

However, word counts and counters can be finicky. I'm going to leave a cushion of about 5 words to account for that fact! I don't trust the archive's word counter. I'm going to assume that anything archived, the author in good faith thought it was 100 words.

Thanks, that's very helpful And very good point about the word counter. I've noticed some discrepencies from time to time.

Art categories need nominations!

Best Shippy Drawing
Best Character Drawing
Best Photo Manipulation
Best Video
Best Ship Drawing
Best Avatar


I didn't put them up in the needing nominations thread at first, and I should have. The rules for these are a little different, since we don't have a gallery yet. But you need to link to potential nominees somewhere in the forum.

What defines a "story" within a category? IE, what makes a story qualify as an X/Y story -- if its primary storyline is X/Y, or if X/Y is a small or large part of moving the story along but not the focus, or if X/Y is simply contained in the story as a scene?

I think we'll handle that on a case by case basis, because the standards will be different depending on length. Honestly, if there's enough of a consensus that three different people want to honestly nominate a story for a particular pairing - unless there's something wacky going on with nominations such as people nominating the wrong story for the wrong category just to be jerks - we'll probably accept a nomination.

I'm generally going with Best X/Y being the primary pairing in the story (author defined), with wiggle room for longer stories. For example, I wrote a very long fic that was primarily TnT but had a significant and lengthy R/S B plot. In that case, each of those pairings would be acceptable.

But if there's true controversy, the administration will make the final call. If you have any questions, just pm or pose it in the forums.

Double post

Since these are nobel prizes and it is early in the nomination period, I am going to add a wild card category that Aquarius just thought of:


Best Sex that Never Was -

Oooh Triple post

But, I just wanted to remind everyone that there are 10 nomination slots for EACH category. You are more than welcome to nominate more than one story/art piece for a category.

Not all categories will have 10 noms, I'm sure, but that's the upper limit!

Word Prompts Count as a Challenge - Stories down in response to a prompt are eligible for the Best Answer to a Challenge Award!