FAQ

[feroxargentea]

General Questions

What is a big bang?

There are many different types of big bangs, all varying slightly, but usually a big bang is a process in which authors write long fics and artists make art for them. In this case, the primary form of fanwork can be fic, podfic, art or vids, and our word count/work goal will be in the 20k range. See The Rules Post for detailed specs, or check out previous years’ challenges on AO3.

What is dS/c6d?

For Big Bang purposes, this means due South or any other fandom featuring characters played by Paul Gross, David Marciano, or Callum Keith Rennie. For more information, check out the entry on Fanlore.
 

Can I join this comm?

Absolutely! Feel free to join and watch the comm even if you aren't signing up. If you ARE signing up, please join the comm ASAP. Some important reminders and posts may be members-locked.
  

How do I sign up?

When sign-ups start, there will be a post where Primary and Complementary creators can sign up for the challenge. Primary sign-ups will stay open until the Primary Work Deadline, so you can sign up at any time until then. Basically, if you can hit the deadline, you’re in! Complementary creators can also sign up later, when the complementary claims open.
 

What kind of timeline will I be under?

See the sign-up post for this year's schedule.

Where will the works be hosted?

We are using AO3 for this challenge. If you need an invite, please contact a mod.

 

What’s a Complementary fanwork?

A fanwork based on the Primary fanwork you claim. The requirements for secondary fanworks are spelled out in The Rules Post.

 

What's a checkpoint?

This is where we check in with all creators to see if they’re on track and if they need any help.

 

What about chats? Do I have to do those?

These are text-based group chats on Discord. They’re optional, but we encourage you to participate in them. Last year’s chats were excellent for brainstorming, moral support, a lot of hilarious tangents, group therapy, commiseration and everything else you're going to need to get through this.

 

I've got two ideas in my head. Can I work on both?

Yes, as long as you think you'll be able to finish both by the deadline.

 

If I am doing more than one Primary fanwork, do they both have to be the same medium and fandom?

Absolutely not! For example, if you want to write a 20k Flashpoint story and do a series of Hard Core Logo drawings, that’s fine.

 

Can I write/podfic with someone else?

Yes, you may co-author your big bang if you want to. However, the word minimum for co-authored/podficced works is 25,000.

What if I have to drop out?

There are no penalties for primary creators dropping out! RL happens, writer's/artist’s block happens – we totally get that. If you drop out, we'll give you a hug and hope to see you the next round. However, if you’re a Complementary creator already assigned to a Primary work, we do ask that you let us know as soon as possible if you’re having problems, so that we can try and assign someone else. Complementary creators who default by no-show at the deadline will not be allowed to sign up to future due South/C6D big bangs except by prior agreement with the moderators.

 

Can I have an extension?

If you're running late, the mods may be able to grant a brief extension of a day or so, but only if you've agreed this with us in advance. Late works will not be accepted without prior agreement with the mods. We need finished works by the deadlines so we can find pinch hitters if necessary and publish on time.
 

Primary Fanworks

 

What type of requirements are there for fic/art/podfic/vids?

Please see The Rules Post for a complete list of requirements.

I've already been writing a story -- can I use that?

You can use a Work in Progress as long as 20,000 words are entirely new and unseen.

 

What genres/fandoms are allowed?

All genres are allowed. All ratings are allowed. RPF is allowed. For a partial list of C6D fandoms, have a look HERE. If your fandom is not on this list, contact a mod – odds are we’ll say it’s good.

 

Can I do a crossover, and if so, do both have to be C6D?

Yes you can, and no, the crossover fandom does not have to be C6D. However, the primary fandom MUST be C6D. For example, if you were writing a due South/White Collar crossover, the main POV must be from a dS character’s perspective. The C6D fandom cannot be a cameo. It could, however, be set in New York, with dS characters going to work with the White Collar unit.

Does my art have to tell a story?

Not necessarily, but there should be something there for the Complementary creator to work with.

How do I get a complementary creator assigned to me?
If you submit your primary work on time, it'll go on the list available for complementary creators to pick from. We'll ask you to provide a short summary, including any relevant warnings. If your piece is fanart, you can provide a thumbnail preview as well if you want to. We can't guarantee that everyone will get complementary work, but we'll do our best.

 

Complementary Fanworks

 

How do I know what I'm making a fanwork for?

After the primary fanwork deadline, we'll make a claims post. In this post we'll include the primary work summary and any warnings the creator gives. You can choose which piece you'd like to create a fanwork for, and then we’ll link you up with the primary creator for that piece.

 

How do I make a claim?

Initial claims will open for 48 hours to allow people in all time zones to choose their favourite primary work. If any works are claimed by two or more people in that time, we’ll draw names out of a hat. After the initial 48-hour period, any remaining claims will be on a first come, first served basis.

 

What happens if the number of Primary creators doesn't match up with the number of complement creators?

If Primary fanworks outnumber Complementary creators, we will allow people to make a second claim. If it's the other way round, we’ll allow more than one creator to be assigned to the same piece. Either way, everyone who wants to participate will get to participate. We can’t guarantee that all Primary works will get a complementary work, but we’ll do our best.

 

Can the Complementary fanwork be done in the same medium as the Primary fanwork?

We’d prefer them to be different, but if this isn’t possible (given that our fandom is very small!) then we will accept complementary fanworks in the same medium.

 

How will I get in touch with my Primary fanwork creator?

We will provide you with contact information once you are committed to that individual. From there you can contact them to obtain a copy of their fanwork and ask whatever questions you want. We would like to encourage you to be in contact with them and to share what you make for them throughout the process.

 

Posting Requirements

 

What types of requirements are there for me to post my fanwork?

You will need an AO3 account. Detailed instructions will be posted closer to the submission deadlines. Contact the mods as soon as possible if you need an invite.

 

Can I post it to my journal early to show my friends?

No, the first reveal for your fanwork must be on the big bang’s AO3 collection, on the go-live date.
 

Anything we didn’t address? Post a comment, PM the mods, or email us at dsc6dbbmod at gmail dot com with any questions.

Comments

3 questions, none of them pressing

[mekare]

Okay two three questions:

1) I know I am allowed to share snippets of the work in the chats, right? Not that I have something to show right now, but would that be possible in future chats?

2) How will art be described for claims, or how much preview pics are posted for the claims round?

3) I want to keep a log of my progress in my journal to keep myself on track. If I keep to verbal descriptions only, can I do that without "spoiling" the reveal in October?

Re: 3 questions, none of them pressing

[feroxargentea]

1) This is kind of a grey area. You're not supposed to post any of the final art publicly, and the chats are public, even though limited in practice. But writers are allowed to post snippets of fics above 20,000 words, because the "extra" isn't needed to meet the requirements, so if you have preparatory sketches/extra material in addition to your final submission, that would definitely be okay, and we'd love to see them!

2) Art is listed in the same way as other media: title, fandom, characters/pairings, rating, warnings and a verbal summary/description by the artist. None of the work itself is posted.

3) Yes, that's fine, as long as you don't post the art itself!

Re: 3 questions, none of them pressing

[mekare]

Re 1, yep that‘s what I meant, for example right now I‘m doing some colour studies so I can try out the different moods they convey. You can see a rough draft of the final art in tiny format but it isn‘t the piece I‘m going to post.

2) okay cool, then I‘ll have to think of some enticing description :-)

3) Great, I hope that way I get some accountability, even if only for myself. (Is a heavy procrastinator)

Thank you for the very prompt reply and excuse my late answer :-)

Resource for writers

[mekare]

So, maybe some writers need a little support, navaan is hosting Write Every Day this month, maybe you could make a post or announcement? Do we have a support post or something?
https://navaan.dreamwidth.org/603919.html

Re: Resource for writers

[feroxargentea]

Good idea! I've put up a new resources post for this and any other helpful links. Could you add it there?

[lakeeffectgirl]

Hi! Is there an official date when signups close?

[feroxargentea]

Hi, no, they stay open right up to the deadline of August 18th, so if you want to sign up at the last moment, you can. Occasionally people do :)