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Rules:

The FandomFusionFlash 2021 (aka FFF 2021) is a low-stress, 300-word gift exchange where fandoms are fused into neat little stories. To sign up, you must have an Ao3 account and be at 18+, because some works may be E-rated. If you plan on signing up, read all the rules. If you have any question, email me at: [email protected]

*Note that rules may be updated if necessary.

Schedule

- Both tagset and sign-ups open on February 10 and close on February 15.
- Stories must be posted to the FandomFusionFlash 2021 AO3 collection page no later than February 22, where they will automatically appear as anonymous “Mystery Gifts” for the recipients.
- On February 23, works are revealed, but still anonymous. Authors may reply to comments left on their work at this point, but they will show up as “Anonymous Creator” until authors are revealed.
- Authors will be revealed on February 25, 2021.

*All times are 9:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.

What's a fusion?

A fusion is the merging of two fandoms by incorporating characters from one fandom into the setting of another as if they had always been there.

What's not a fusion?

A fusion is NOT an accidental/sudden collision between two fandoms. That's a regular crossover. Those are fun, but this exchange is about fusions, which are a specific kind of crossovers.

>>> STEP 1: Tagset nominations

The FFF tagset takes nominations during the entire sign-up period.
- Participants can nominate up to 10 'characters' (the nomination of fandoms is explained further down).
- Each 'character' should be a clear fusion between two fandoms/sets of characters. Here are the two formats you can use for nominations:
1) A characters & B setting (writer needs to incorporate at least 1 character from fandom A in the setting of fandom B). For example: Star Trek (DISCO) characters & Harry Potter setting. The writer could create a fic about Michael Burnham being at Hogwarts, with no obligation to write about any of the canon Harry Potter characters.
2) A characters & B characters (the setting, either A or B or a mix of both, is up to the writer, but characters from A and B need to show up). For example: Lucifer (TV series) characters & The Expanse (TV series) characters. The writer could create a fic about Lucifer and Amos being on an adventure together.

- In both cases, you need to nominate a fandom to go with it. Pick a fandom that's part of your fusion.

*You may not nominate single characters (ex: Greg House & The Expanse setting), but you can be specific fandom-wise, for example by using 'Iron Man Movies' or 'Spider-Man Comics' instead of 'MCU'. Be more specific rather than not enough! Do you want the movie version, or the book version? Which movie? Etc.

*You're looking for all the noms about 'Harry Potter' and don't know where to start in this mutant tagset? Go to the Sign-up Form and begin to type 'Harry Potter' in the 'character' slot; all the options for 'Harry Potter' (either as characters or setting) will pop up.

>>> STEP 2: Requests and offers (sign-up)

Requests:
- Between 3-10 requests.
- Between 3-10 'characters' (fusions) per request. This is a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 100. You can mix and match fusions in a request regardless of the fandom you nominated them under. You may NOT use a specific fusion more than once in your sign-up.
- The description section should contain two things:
1) DNW (Do Not Wants), i.e. the things you don’t want to read in a story. For this exchange, your DNWs may include characters and/or relationships you really don't like. Keep your list of DNWs to a reasonable length (15, not including the disliked characters).
2) Characters and/or relationships you like, to inspire your gifter.
- Optional tags are also there to inspire your gifter. List as many (or as few) tropes and specific things you enjoy in a story. However, keep in mind that it’s up to your gifter to decide the specifics of your gift.

Offers:
- Between 3-10 offers.
- Between 3-10 'characters' (fusions) per request. This is a minimum of 9 and a maximum of 100. You can mix and match fusions in an offer regardless of the fandom you nominated them under.
- Offer as many optional tags as you want. List as many (or as few) of them as you like.
- There are no DNWs to list in your offers. That's normal.

*IMPORTANT: Check the section 'Requests Summary' on the left panel at the end of the sign-up period to make sure that what you offer is requested by others (i.e. that you are matchable).

*You can edit your offers and requests as often as you want until sign-ups close. You can find your sign-up form on your AO3 profile page in the left panel.

*Socks are welcome, but that means more work, so be sure you can handle it.

>>> STEP 3: Matching

The matching (providing you with a gifter and a giftee) is on: 1 'character' (fusion).
- If your requests don’t match any offers, they’ll become pinch-hits to be claimed by other creators (this is explained further down).
- If your offers don't match any requests, your sign-up will be deleted. Hence the need to check the Requests Summary.

>>> STEP 4: Assignment

- Once you’ve received your assignment, you must write a fanfiction of 300+ words featuring 1 fusion requested by your giftee. The fic should stand on its own, so no work in progress. Abide by the DNWs in your giftee's request, including characters/relationships they dislike. Optional tags, favorite characters, and favorite ships are optional. If your giftee requested...
--- Combination A characters + B setting, you need to use at least 1 character from A and the setting from B (characters from B are optional).
--- Combination A characters + B characters, you get to choose the setting (either one of the fandoms the two sets of characters are from, or a mix of both), but you need to use at least 1 character from each fandom.

- Where to find your assignment: check the “Assignments” section in the left panel of your Ao3 profile or your email. Can't find it? Contact me immediately at [email protected].

- DO NOT contact your giftee if you have questions about your assignment! Contact me so that I can convey your question and get back to you with an answer.

>>> STEP 5: Posting

To post your work, go to “Assignments” on the left panel of your Ao3 profile page or to “Your Assignment” on the FFF 2021 collection page. There, click “Post to fulfill”, and you'll be taken to a posting form. This will automatically post your story into the exchange. It also has your recipient's name already filled in.

*DO NOT put anything in the author’s notes that would give away your identity - not until authors are revealed.

Treats

Treats are gifts to any participant in this exchange.
- Treats don't have a word minimum, but they must respect the requested fusion and DNWs.
- If you're posting a treat, you won't have an assignment, so go to the exchange page on the AO3, and click on “Post To Collection” under the exchange title. This will take you to a form with the challenge collection name already filled in. You’ll have to add the recipient's name manually.
- You didn't sign up for the exchange? Not a problem! You may absolutely create a treat! Just make sure to respect the requested fusion and DNWs.

Defaulting

You can't complete the assignment by the due date? Either email me about an extension or click the 'default' button on the assignment page of your Ao3 profile 24 hours before assignments are due *at the latest*. Should you not provide a gift by the due date (and haven't defaulted or been granted an extension), you will be prevented from participating next year.

Pinch-hits

- Defaulted assignments will be posted as pinch-hits on my dreamwidth and on the EAD and YFE Discord channels.
- Anyone with an Ao3 account may claim a pinch-hit, i.e. become the new writer for the defaulted assignment. To claim a pinch-hit, direct message me on Dreamwidth email me at: [email protected].

***I'll do my utmost to make sure that every participant gets a match and receive a gift, but some pinch-hits may remain unclaimed. In other words: Gifts are not guaranteed, but highly probable.

When you receive your gift… Like in real life, thank your gifter! Leave kudos, write a comment. You don't have to wait for authors reveals!

PS: many thanks to the EAD community for their advice.