rarepair_shorts | Winter Exchange 2020-21 Rules

Winter Exchange Rules

Hello everyone!

It's that time of year again and we're hope that you are excited for another round of the Harry Potter

rarepair_shorts Winter Exchange fest!

We are posting the signup sheet before the main signup post again. As with previous years, we will try our hardest to make sure we pair you with someone who can do your preferred method, but it may not be possible for everyone to get their first choice as it depends on who signs up.

As you know the Winter Exchange is an anonymous exchange for rare pairs in the Harry Potter fandom where the mods match up requests with another participant, who then writes the requested fic/art. All participants receive a fic or art based on their request/prompt. The authors/artists are anonymous until all the entries have been posted.

This year's timeline and basic rules:

5th October 2020: Sign-ups open
19th October 2020: Sign-ups close
26th October 2020: Assignments sent out
14th December 2020: Assignments due
24th December 2020: Posting begins

As per the comm rules, only rare pairs are allowed (please see this post for excluded pairings). Minimum word count is 500, maximum 2500 words for fics. Art must be traditional style and it must show that it's more than a simple drawble. For this exchange fest, we will not be accepting photo-manips.

NC-17 material is allowed, but please remember that there should be some plot rather than just smut. The focus is on your recipient's desire more than anything else.

Extensions will still be granted but on a case by case basis only. Extensions will last no longer than two weeks after the deadline before you assignment is given to a pinch hitter.

People who signed up last year but dropped out without telling us are not eligible to participate this year.

Please read through this post carefully before asking questions. There is a lot of information to sift through, because everything you need to know is in this post. Be sure to read everything!

GENERAL RULES

01. Fics must be at least 500 words and no more than 2500 words pertaining to your assignment. You also have the option of breaking it down into drabble or ficlet form - you may write as many drabbles or ficlets as you wish, but the combined total number of words must be at least 500 words as well (and again, no more than 2500). Fics should be completed and should not be sequels to or continuations of a pre-existing work.

02. Art should be a complete piece and not a sketch or drawble.

03. Fics and art can be any rating, but please remember to be tasteful and mindful of your recipient's wishes.

04. You may only request/write about rare pairs in the Harry Potter fandom. What counts as a rare pair? Anything not on this list.

05. While the use of a beta is not required, it is encouraged. Please review your fics for spelling, grammar, etc.

06. Upon receiving your assignment, please reply to the email to confirm that you have received it. If at any time you find yourself struggling with your assignment, PLEASE CONTACT US! We will help sort out any problems.

07. Upon completion, send in your completed assignment to rarepair.shorts.mod[AT]gmail.com with subject line "RPS Fic Exchange (your username)". Assignments will be due by 14th December 2020.

08. Fics should be in either .doc, .docx, or .rtf format, and should include all the html tags. Art can be in any format.

Also include the below header:

Author: Your LJ name, which will be hidden until the reveal
Recipient: The LJ name of the person you are writing for
Title:
Pairing:
Rating:
Word Count/Art Medium:
Summary:
Author's Notes: Thank your betas, leave a note for the recipient, give any warnings for the story, etc.

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09. If you need an extension, CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY. This year, we have decided that we will grant extensions that only last two weeks after the deadline has passed. After that your assignment WILL go to a pinch hitter. So please keep this in mind when deciding whether or not to sign up!

10. As far as dropping out goes... we really hope that you don't, though we understand if real life gets in the way. Please don't sign up if you know you won't have the time to write a fic for your recipient. If you do drop out of the exchange, you will not receive your gift - it will be posted to the community as a gift for everyone. Additionally, if the deadline passes and we don't hear from you within two days, we will automatically assume you've dropped out, unless you've previously contacted us.

11. If you drop out and don't let us know then you will be banned from participating in the fest next year.

12. This is an anonymous exchange, and it will remain as such until the time of the big reveal. So, please don't post your fic/art anywhere until after the masterlist is posted.

SIGNING UP

This is the sheet you will use to sign up with. Please DO NOT reply to this post. The sign up post will be put up on the 7th October 2019.

You
Name:
Email Address:
LJ name of someone you trust (and can keep a secret) that the person creating your gift can contact with questions about your preferences:
Are you willing to be a pinch-hitter if need be?:

Receiving
Preferred medium: Fic/Art
Top five (or so) pairings you'd like to receive:
Desired rating of your gift:
Situations, genres, prompts, things, etc., you want: Be specific!
Situations, genres, things, etc., you DON'T want: Again, it only helps to give as many details as you can. Include squicks.

Giving
Preferred Medium: Fic/Art
Femmeslash, Het, Slash. Which of these are you willing to write/draw?:
Highest rating you will write/draw:
Characters and genres you can or would like to write:
Situations, ships, characters, genres, etc., you CANNOT or would NOT like to write: Include squicks.
Any additional writing strengths: (optional)

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Here are a few banners to promote the fest:

If you have any questions either reply to this post, or send us an email at rarepair.shorts.mod[AT]gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Anyone is welcome to join us, whether you've participated here before or not. So please spread the word to all your friends; the more, the merrier!

Sign ups will be open on LJ and DW.