First Times

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2015-10-10 16:06:17 UTC

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Different Tropes for Different Folks – OTW Membership Drive October 2015

Do you remember your first fandom? The first time you discovered a new fanwork that was just perfect for you? The first time you found a fan community? The first time you ever watched fan video or listened to a podfic? The first time you made friends with another fan online? The first time you shipped something?

Whatever the experience, a first time is unique.

What was your first time with us like? Did a friend rec you a fanwork on AO3? Did you find TWC while you were researching for a school project? Did you find Fanlore when you were looking up a bit of fannish history online? Did you find out about our legal advocacy because you had questions about your rights as a fan? Did an older fic you loved come to the AO3 through Open Doors? Were you looking for meta when you found Fanhackers?

Tell us in the comments below how you found us. Whether you remember the OTW before we owned a single server or just found us today, we are so excited to have you with us!

Please, help us to continue to go forward together by donating today, and tell us about your first time with the OTW. We'd love to hear your story.

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Assassin_J Sat 10 Oct 2015 05:19PM UTC

If I recall correctly, I found AO3 on a google search for mpreg fanfics. It was the tags that intrigued me. I have always been a sucker for tags.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 01:52AM UTC
  
  Hi, Assassin_J!
  We're glad you found us! Many of us are pretty fond of tags, ourselves. Thanks for telling us your story!
  Have a great day!
  
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Klebkatt Sat 10 Oct 2015 05:26PM UTC

I think I was looking for fanfic through google, and AO3 would pop up now and then. It took me a while to join, because I wasn't into invite only sites and I'm still not, but I've been here...three years? Maybe two. I like it. :3

Last Edited Sat 10 Oct 2015 05:27PM UTC

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 01:55AM UTC
  
  Hi, Klebkatt!
  We're glad to have you with us! Thanks for sharing your story.
  Have a great day!
  
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Divine_shot Sat 10 Oct 2015 05:30PM UTC

I found A03 my first time through Livejournal I think looking for Naruto fanfiction. I wasn't really into invite only sites but one day someone on tumblr was inviting people so I decided to give it a shot and I've been here for two to three years?

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 01:57AM UTC
  
  Hi, Divine_shot!
  We're happy you gave it a shot! Thank you so much for telling us your story.
  Have a great day!
  
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BreitzbachBea Sat 10 Oct 2015 06:33PM UTC

I've been here for not only a year and I think I found it through FRUK Fanfic recommendations? Anyways, I started uploading my own stuff after hearing how high quality ao3 is supposed to be and i must say, as a user of wattpad, ff.net and ff.de, I like this site the most. The tags are honestly the best thing.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:03AM UTC
  
  Hi, SarahWolverine!
  We're glad that you found us, and so flattered that you like AO3 most. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!
  Have a great day!
  
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percamy Sat 10 Oct 2015 07:16PM UTC

Ohhh let's see it hasn't been all that long. I was on Tumblr but I looking for fanfic, and all the links took me either here or to ff.net, but I liked Ao3 better so here I am! Everybody on here is so skilled honestly!

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:05AM UTC
  
  Hi, percalarke!
  We're glad you found us! Thanks so much for telling your story.
  Have a great day!
  
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pave_ment Sat 10 Oct 2015 07:29PM UTC

To be honest I found my self here because I couldn't find enough fanfictions for some of my fav parings so while searching I found this sight and immediately signed up cause I knew I'd need some way to keep hold of all the fanfictions I was gonna read and bookmark :)

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:06AM UTC
  
  Hi, Professional_Shipper!
  We're glad you found your way here. Thanks so much for telling us how!
  Have a great day!
  
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tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 07:40PM UTC

Given that this is the fourth post in a row within as many days asking for donations to the OTW, could you maybe give us a timeframe within which the concerns which several users have raised in the comments to previous posts about the OTW's financial accountability and transparency might be answered? The first and thus far I think longest thread is here: http://archiveofourown.org/comments/41040907. There has been one reply thus far, which was couched in very general terms, meaning that a great many of detailed follow-up questions from several users appear to have been ignored.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sat 10 Oct 2015 08:42PM UTC
  
  Hi, tremontaine!
  Thanks so much for your interest in the OTW! Our treasurer expects to post the 2016 Budget, which will address financial queries, by mid-November. Thanks for your patience while we work to get everything finalised.
  Have a great day!
  
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2. 1. tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 08:45PM UTC
    
    In other words, you don't intend to answer any of the specific questions raised in the comments to the other posts at all? Particularly the queries about accountability and transparency processes within the organisation? As far as I know those are administrative/organisational questions which budgets don't usually address.
    
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  2. 1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:05PM UTC
      
      Hi, tremontaine!
      We have heard the questions and our treasurer plans to include information about the budgetary process in the mid-November budget release in addition to the near term plans for accountability and transparency measures that will be in the budget itself. We're all looking forward to its release.
      Have a great day!
      
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    2. 1. tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:08PM UTC
        
        As you've described them as "near term [i.e. future] plans for accountability and transparency", does this mean that there aren't any such processes in place at the current time?
        
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      2. whuh, bruh? (Guest) Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:20PM UTC
        
        Sorry to butt in, but when you mean accountability and transparency, you mean besides all the documents on the OTW site? I get where you are coming from with accountability (though I think the staff polices themselves, to make a guess at what the process is right now), but I don't get what you mean by transparency. There's a spooky amount of information available, not counting the budget coming out in Novemeber. Do you want all their private banking information? Or do you want all the board members home addresses? I don't get what you mean. :-S
        
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        OTW_DevMem (Official) Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:24PM UTC
        
        Hi, tremontaine!
        We're so glad that you're interested in our processes; they're very important to us. We are looking to improve our current accountability and transparency efforts as we move forward in the future, striving to be the best that we can be.
        Thanks so much for your comments and questions today - have a great rest of the day!
        
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        tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:28PM UTC
        
        I'm going to take that as a no.
        
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audreyanderson Sat 10 Oct 2015 07:53PM UTC

Is it true if the money goal isn't met you are shutting down for good? AO3 is my life I really hope that isn't the case! And I hope we reach the goal!!

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1. Lumeleo Sat 10 Oct 2015 08:35PM UTC
  
  According to the official AO3 tumblr, nothing is coming down. This is just a regular fundraiser, no reason to panic! \o/
  
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2. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sat 10 Oct 2015 08:48PM UTC
  
  Hi, audreyanderson!
  The OTW is NOT in any immediate danger and the AO3 will not shut down if we do not reach our drive goal of $175,000. This is a regular membership drive. We do need help to keep the OTW and its projects going, but we’re currently in a strong position because of the generosity of our members and other donors.
  Have a great day!
  
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audreyanderson Sat 10 Oct 2015 07:54PM UTC

Also I found AO3 while looking for fanfics and I just had to join so I could post my own!!

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:09AM UTC
  
  Hi, audreyanderson!
  We're glad you found your way here. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us!
  Have a great day!
  
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WolfKomoki Sat 10 Oct 2015 08:01PM UTC

So I had been a member of fanfiction.net since 2008. I went through several accounts due to the hate until I stopped at this account: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/4800505/
Eventually I searched on Google for alternatives to fanfiction.net and was lead to this website. I haven't uploaded fanfiction to fanfiction.net since.
I pretty much only use fanfiction.net to read and review stories now.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:13AM UTC
  
  Hi, WolfKomoki!
  We're glad you found your way to the AO3! Thanks so much for sharing your story.
  Have a great day!
  
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2. 1. WolfKomoki Sat 17 Oct 2015 10:08AM UTC
    
    You too. :)
    
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feminanebularum Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:13PM UTC

Lol, I'm just a raging fujoshi who was looking for a community with nice writing. Finder on AO3 was perfect ;)

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:15AM UTC
  
  Hi, LadyOfTheMist27!
  We're glad you found us! Thanks so much for sharing your story. :)
  Have a great day!
  
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HomicideAndGlitter Sat 10 Oct 2015 10:15PM UTC

//Well, a friend of mine loved a particular fandom, and told me that he writes here. I already dabbled in writing fanfictions on Quotev(used to be known as Quizazz). It was a long time before I came to this site though, that is until I entered the same fandom my friend tried convincing me to get into. After entering the fandom, I decided to give this place a chance, and boy do I NOT regret this decision at all<3 what a loving community we have here. Thanks, guys:)

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:19AM UTC
  
  Hi, HomicideAndGlitter!
  We're glad you gave us a chance! Thanks so much for sharing the story of how you found us.
  Have a great day!
  
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impertinence Sat 10 Oct 2015 10:23PM UTC

Hello! Do you plan to answer any of the questions about why there's no budget for 2015, whether or not the OTW has the mechanisms in place to confirm validity of reimbursements and other expenses, if the OTW plans to enforce financial competency in the treasurer position going forward, if the OTW plans to hire an accountant, etc., or even the questions asking about whether or not the organization is raising $175k without a current budget? If not, can you please explain to me how you're ethically justifying raising $175,000 with very few financial controls in place?
To answer the question the post asks, I (and many others asking you now about your financial issues) have been following you since your inception.

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Yrindor Sat 10 Oct 2015 10:25PM UTC

I forget exactly how I stumbled across AO3, but I know I stayed because of the tags and the search interface.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:23AM UTC
  
  Hi, Yrindor!
  Thanks for telling us why you stayed!
  Have a great day!
  
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xxmoonsongxx Sat 10 Oct 2015 10:30PM UTC

I've heard of AO3 for quite a few years and I think started reading some Naruto fanfics or Dragonball Z ones (my first fandoms) on here. It always seemed to show up whenever I searched for something and, well here I am today ^^ I still use some sites like Asianfanfics and Fanfiction.Net but this has become my main writing 'home' as of late.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:25AM UTC
  
  Hi, RoseEcho!
  Thanks for calling us home and sharing your story with us!
  Have a great day!
  
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2. 1. xxmoonsongxx Sun 11 Oct 2015 03:38AM UTC
    
    Oh you're quite welcome! ^^ Thank YOU guys for keeping this site up and running
    
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black_tea Sat 10 Oct 2015 10:58PM UTC

I don't remember if I found AO3 by google search or if I it was mentioned somewhere, but I was looking for a place to host a Doctor Who fic I was working on. Ironically, it was at least a year later before that particular fic ever got posted, because Star Trek promptly ate my brain. My first experience with fan fiction in general was my at the time roommate writing in the Supernatural fandom and posting on LJ. That was years before I came to AO3. I really liked AO3's clean and user friendly layout.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:27AM UTC
  
  Hi, black_tea!
  Thanks so much for sharing your story with us! We're glad you found us.
  Have a great day!
  
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SaltyKumquats Sat 10 Oct 2015 11:12PM UTC

I was around since the beginning, when AO3 was still being thought up and it looked like a good idea and had a road map.
Speaking of which, I've been wondering for a few years if we're ever going to get a road map again, like AO3 had in the beginning. It would put my mind a bit more at ease to know what's actually being worked towards.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sat 10 Oct 2015 11:33PM UTC
  
  Hi, SaltyKumquats!
  The Strategic Planning Committee has been hard at work on a roadmap of goals for the OTW. The OTW 2016-2019 strategic plan was presented at the board meeting last weekend, and they are working on wrapping up the final details now. We're pretty excited about the strategic plan and looking forward to releasing it.
  Thanks for your comment and have a great day!
  
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2. sarken (AO3_ADT) (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 05:05AM UTC
  
  Hi!
  There is indeed an Archive roadmap available! While it was posted in 2013, the Archive development team reviews it yearly to make sure it's up-to-date. If there are significant changes, we'll post a revised version.
  
  Sarken
  AD&T Co-chair
  
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3. 1. SaltyKumquats Sun 11 Oct 2015 05:18AM UTC
    
    That's cool, I guess. I think what I'm missing then is that the updates posts used to have a link to the roadmap for ease of access. Maybe do that again?
    
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hakuen Sat 10 Oct 2015 11:13PM UTC

I migrated from LJ and FFN with the archive's opening. Once the waiting list got to my spot in line! ^^

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:29AM UTC
  
  Hi, Emory!
  Thanks for sharing your story. We're glad you joined the queue.
  Have a great day!
  
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2. 1. hakuen Sun 11 Oct 2015 03:42AM UTC
    
    You're a trouper, Kiki. It's unfortunate that you're stuck with the canned responses.
    
    Last Edited Sun 11 Oct 2015 03:43AM UTC
    
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fyf Sat 10 Oct 2015 11:41PM UTC

I think I was on tumblr reading a fic and someone had a link to here for a Sterek fic I believe. I stayed because there was so much more content on here than on ff.net, well more fics that were in the style that I liked. Pretty much every story I come across on here is amazingly written and there's such a large range of different tropes and such that I just stayed here instead. I go here whenever I want to read a story about a ship, or to post any that I write. I also stay here because of the tags, like a lot of other people, it's just easy to find specific things which is often harder on other sites. Plus everyone I meet on here is lovely.

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:32AM UTC
  
  Hi, fyf!
  Thanks so very much for sharing that with us! We're glad you followed that link. :)
  Have a great day!
  
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BaristaKitty Sun 11 Oct 2015 12:08AM UTC

I don't remember how I heard about AO3, just hearing that it was an exclusive and invite-only site at the time.
It was something I definitely wanted to be a part of, having written and published fanfics since the age of twelve, so I signed up for an invite and was super delighted when I finally got my registration email months later! c:
I love AO3! I'm always so happy to donate every year ~

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1. OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 02:35AM UTC
  
  Hi, Yamimori!
  We're glad you signed up for an invite. Thanks so much for your support!
  Have a great day!
  
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Assassin_J Sat 10 Oct 2015 05:19PM UTC

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OTW_DevMem (Official) Sun 11 Oct 2015 01:52AM UTC

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Klebkatt Sat 10 Oct 2015 05:26PM UTC

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tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 07:40PM UTC

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tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 08:45PM UTC

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tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:08PM UTC

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whuh, bruh? (Guest) Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:20PM UTC

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tremontaine Sat 10 Oct 2015 09:28PM UTC

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