Archive of Our Own

Inspired by 2020’s Reel Fest, we’re opening up inspiration to include movies and much more.

Got an AU idea—inspired by a book, movie, TV show, song, artwork, or more—that you’ve always wanted to read or write? How about a fic set in canon, post-canon, or loosely-inspired by canon that features our favorite characters enjoying any piece of media?

If you’ve always wanted to see Patrick introduce Star Wars to David, read an AU in which Twyla is the Little Mermaid, or see Stevie reluctantly co-organize the RMG book club with Ruth, we’ve got the fest for you. Give us Alexis organizing an Ocean’s Eight-inspired heist, or Jake Tucker Must Die. If it’s inspired by media or features our characters enjoying media, you’re in the right place!

CREATING AND CLAIMING PROMPTS

How do I make a prompt?
1. To make prompts, click on “Prompt Form” from the menu on the left. Make sure to include characters or pairings that are important to you, but understand writers may take some liberties. You can modify your prompts up until the prompt period closes.
2. You will need an Ao3 username to create (and claim) prompts.

Who can claim my prompt?
Anyone with an Ao3 username can claim prompts, and more than one person can claim a single prompt.

How do I claim a prompt?
Starting on January 31, to claim a prompt, click on “Prompts” from the menu on the left. You’ll see all the prompts everyone has submitted! Just click “Claim” next to the one (or ones) you want to claim.
Technically, as soon as a prompt is posted, anyone can immediately claim it. We’re asking people not to claim prompts until January 31so that prompters can go back and change or delete prompts if they wish. Please maintain the honor system. We will delete claims that are made before January 31.

But! Please feel free to start writing/recording/vidding/drawing/etc. before January 31. Just be aware the prompt may be edited or deleted. And hey, you can always make your own and claim it if that happens. We won’t tell.

What if I claim a prompt by accident, or change my mind after I’ve claimed it?
No problem! Life is crazy and unpredictable! This is for fun! Just go back to the prompt and click “Drop Claim” to release your claim on the prompt. This will really help others who may be wary about claiming a prompt that is already claimed.

What if I claim a prompt, but I end up not being able to finish the fanwork?
Please do your best to only claim prompts you have a serious intention to finish in time for reveals. But if it doesn’t work out? That’s okay! Life is crazy and unpredictable! This is for fun! Keep in mind that others may not be as likely to claim a prompt that’s already claimed. And please make sure to go back to the prompt and click “Drop Claim” to take your name off of it as a courtesy to others, or let the mods know you are unable to fulfill a claim, as this will also help organize the fest better.

No fanworks will be added to the collection once the collection is closed and all works are revealed. If you have claimed a prompt and need additional time, please reach out to one of the mods and we will try to accommodate you as best as possible. However, if your work is too late to be added to the collection, please do post it on your own once you finish it!

If I claim a prompt, does that mean no one else can?
Any prompt can be claimed by more than one person. They won’t disappear if you claim them. That also means there’s no rush, so you can play with an idea for a while before you claim it to avoid committing if you’re not sure. The challenge is anonymous until creators are unveiled, so no one will know who has claimed or dropped a prompt.

I can claim more than one prompt?
Of course! Please remember we are asking you to only claim prompts you seriously intend on finishing.

What are these catch-all prompts?
Some people would like to participate in this fest with an idea that they'd prefer to keep for themselves. While you can always prompt your own idea and then claim it, some people prefer to not do that for various reasons. We've put together a few catch-all prompts that you can claim if you'd like to submit a work that doesn't correspond to a specific prompt left by someone else.

 
PODFICCERS & ARTISTS:

I am a Podficcer/Artist, can I participate?
- We will have catch-all prompts for you to submit your original media-themed artwork, or podfic of an existing media-themed fic. You may also claim an existing prompt that may fit your artistic vision so keep an eye out!
- We can also connect you with writers and help you form collaborations for either podfic, or artwork, or both. If you're interested in a collaboration, email us at [email protected] and we'll try our best to connect you to a writer!

I'm a writer, and I'd love to have a podfic or fanart created to go with my Mediafest 2022 work, what can I do?
Just email us on [email protected] and we'll connect you with a podficcer and/or artist if possible/available.

 

FINISHING AND POSTING WORKS

How do I post my fanwork once it’s done?
Once you’re finished, go back to the prompt you claimed and click on “Fulfill.” This will take you to a Post New Work AO3 page with the collection information and prompt already filled in.

Alternatively, you may also create a New Work from your dashboard, and if you have claimed a prompt in this collection, you will be able to see an option to "Fulfill Claim" in your draft.

What if the fanwork I end up making doesn’t quite fit the prompt?
The great thing about a prompt fest is that while you’re filling someone’s prompt, you’re not making it as a gift to them. So deviating slightly from the prompt is less of an issue. The goal is to be inspired to make new things, and whatever you’ve made is probably wonderful. However, if you have significantly deviated from the prompt, please indicate that in the notes or tags so the original prompter, and anyone reading the prompt, knows to expect a different direction. Also see the Adherence to Prompts section of the rules.

When can I post my fanwork?
Anytime after January 31, you can start posting fanworks. They will be invisible to everyone else until the daily releases, when everyone will see your amazing creations. They will remain anonymous for several days (depending on posting date). But you can continue to claim and post more fanworks even if you have already posted the first one, up until March 20 at 11:59 PM EST when the collection is posted. You can also claim several right away and work on them simultaneously. Do what works for you.

Do I need an AO3 account to post works?
Yes! It takes a few days to get an account once you request one, so make sure to do that well before the posting deadline.

What if I need an extension?
Contact the mods at the SC Mediafest Tumblr or via email at [email protected]. We will work with you to coordinate your extension.

Why aren’t you releasing all the fanworks at once?
Depending on participation and volume of works submitted to the collection, dropping a lot of new fanworks on a single day can be overwhelming, especially during the busy holiday season. Staggering allows each of the works to get a little time at the top of the feed and be enjoyed before the next batch lands. This also makes it easier for people to enjoy longer stories.

How are you deciding which fanworks will be released when?
We will take the finished works and sort them by word count, pairing, genre, etc., with a goal of releasing about a mix of fanworks and media types each day. Some days this might be one or two fanworks, other days it might be several more.

Key Dates:
Prompts submitted: January 17 at noon ET to January 31 at noon ET
Claiming prompts and and submitting work: January 31 at noon ET to March 20 at 11:59 PM ET (all fanworks must be completed and submitted by this time)
Fanworks released: Fanworks released daily at noon ET beginning March 23
Creators revealed: 1 week from last posting date, at noon EST

Rules:
- Leave as many prompts as you like
- You do not have to claim a prompt to leave a prompt
- Claim as many prompts as you like (you can also unclaim a prompt)
- Multiple creators can claim the same prompt
- All works should be completed. You will have 2 months to complete your fanwork. 1,500 words min for fics, 1,000 words min for podfic.
- Works must be entirely stand-alone and cannot be set in a series or universe of a separate work.
- Posting will be staggered with a few fics released every day. The final duration will depend on the number of works.
- Works will be anonymous until one week after the final posting date.
- Prompting, Claiming, Adherence to Prompts, and Submitting Work
- Please see the FAQ on claiming and unclaiming prompts and submitting works.

When making prompts, you are welcome to be as specific and detailed as you like, but bear in mind that this isn't an exchange: creators might be inspired by your prompt but take it in a bit of a different direction. If you're a creator, and you're deviating from the original prompt in a significant way, please indicate that in the tags or notes to your fanwork.
Size and Type of Fanworks
All types of Ao3-supported fanworks are welcome! Fics! Podfic! Vid! Art! Graphics! Other types at your discretion. Please contact a mod if you’re not sure.
Written fanworks should be at least 1,500 words. Podfics should be of fics that are at least 1,000 words.
Art should be completed (really whatever that means to you).
Vids can be whatever length you want.
All works must be finished and stand-alone. They may not be part of an existing world or series.

Reach Out:
Feel free to contact a mod with questions. You can reach us on the SC Mediafest Tumblr or via email at [email protected]. 87% of the time our answer will probably be a clangorous, vociferous "YES!"
Have fun!