Archive of Our Own

Welcome to the Sterek Exchange! We are a community that was created to spread our love of Sterek! You can sign up and request either fic or art, however, you must also complete an offer for fic or art in exchange!

What is The Sterek Exchange?

The Sterek Exchange is a gift-exchange challenge created to celebrate the relationship between Stiles Stilinski and Derek Hale, better known as Sterek.

What is allowed for this challenge?

This exchange allows fic and art for the relationship Sterek.

Can we sign up as a team?

Sure! Just make sure you send us an ask to let us know that you’re collaborating since only one of you can sign up using the A03 form.

What is the schedule?

See above!

How do I sign up?

Click on the left to fill out our A03 “Sign-Up Form” accordingly (the link is located on the left side, again, or on top if you're on mobile)! You have to submit both an Offer and a Request.

What are the rules?

Please check out the rules section.

Where will creations be posted?

Creations will be posted on Archive of Our Own. If you do not have an account, message us and we can try to arrange an invite for you to create one on the archive. You will post there anonymously until the challenge is over and then all the gifts will be revealed. We will cross-post your submissions to Tumblr for you. More details will be released closer to posting dates.

How will I receive my assignment?

Once Ao3 has finished generating matches you will receive an email directly from AO3 with a link to your assignment. Your assignment will now be listed under “My Assignments” on your AO3 dashboard as well.

How do I post?

You will need to go to the ‘My Assignments’ tab from your AO3 dashboard. From there, click “fulfill” on your assignment.

How do I know when my work/gift has been revealed?

You will receive an email notification once your gift has been posted, but you’ll need to keep an eye out for when your own work goes live. Once it does, we suggest editing your posting date so that your work appears at the top of AO3’s new works.

I need to drop out! What do I do?

If you need to drop out, hit the “default” button on your assignment on AO3 ASAP. This will notify us that we need to assign a pinch hitter to your assignment.

Do I need a beta for this event?

Yes, you need a beta for this event. I’m not going to hunt your beta down and ask them if they read your fic, so this will have to be based on the honor system. Please have a friend read it over, at minimum!

Requirements:

Fics need to be at least 3,000 words in length minimum. There is no maximum.

Art needs to be at least one complete piece in whatever medium you choose.

All material submitted to this exchange must be new; please do not submit work that has been posted elsewhere. It must be created for this challenge specifically and be unpublished until your posting date.

Any rating is allowed.

Add an appropriate rating to all work submitted.

Please use the AO3 rating system.

Clearly mark all warnings for fic and art.

Do not post works anywhere else until the exchange is over.

This is a gift-exchange fest! By signing up, you agree to create a gift for someone else and will get work in return.

Your hosts reserve the right to ask that changes be made to your sign-up request and offer, either for clarity or matching purposes.

In order to preserve anonymity, all fics/art must be able to stand on their own and not be part of another series or a sequel/prequel to other works by the same author/artist.

This exchange is hosted on AO3, so you must have an AO3 account. If you do not have one, let us know via email as soon as possible.

Make sure that the email associated with your AO3 account is one that you check frequently, as this is how you will be notified of your assignments and any other communications from us.

Fics must have a beta, even if it’s just a friend looking it over. Feel free to ask for one on our discord server.

First and Second POV is not allowed for this challenge due to most readers reading third person pov. We want to make sure that your fic has the best chance of being read!

Poly Sterek is not allowed for this event. Threesomes, moresomes, and orgies with Sterek + Others are also not accepted for this event. This is a Sterek-only exchange.

If side-pairings/ships are to be included, they have to be in the character list of your requester, and okay with them being included. You are writing a GIFT for someone. They should WANT to read it and feel SAFE to read it. If I need to reach out about any side-ships for a fic, let me know and I can contact your giftee to make sure.

Please contact us ASAP if you need to withdraw from the exchange and click the “default” button on your assignment.