waybackexchange | Oh snap! FAQ Post!

TAGSET | COLLECTION | ELIGIBILITY POST | LETTERS POST

CURRENTLY PLAYING: Sign Ups!

Welcome to the Wayback Exchange! This gift exchange is focused only on canons that ended more than 10 years ago. That means that for the 2020 round, the only canons eligible will be ones with no new material published or released after December 31, 2010. By signing up, you are agreeing to produce at least one fanwork about a fandom AND a character and/or relationship that your recipient requested.

Minimum Requirements

Fanfiction is to be a minimum of 1,000 words.

Fanart must be one finished illustration or two sketches on unlined paper. Line art counts as a sketch. A finished illustration includes shading/color and background.

Podfics must be a complete recording of a story of at least 1,000 words and fulfills your recipient's request. If the story was written by someone else, you must obtain permission from the original creator. If you wish to write the story yourself, you can definitely do that - the minimum word count in that case would be 600 words, to accommodate the extra effort required to both write and record.

ETA 2/23/19: Fanvids are now allowed! Fanvideos must be a minimum of one minute long.

Requests/Offers

You may request: 4 - 10 canons, with 1 - 20 tags (character, relationship).
You may offer: 4 - 10 canons, with 2 - 20 tags (character, relationship).

And finally, you may nominate: 6 canons, with up to 8 tags (character, relationship).

2020 Schedule

Eligibility Review Period: January 16 - 28

Nominations: January 28 - February 11

Sign Ups: February 16 - March 1

Assignments will be sent by: March 6

Works due: April 30

Works Revealed: May 14, 9 AM MST

Authors Revealed: May 21

All deadlines are at 10 PM, Mountain Standard Time. Reveals will be at 9 AM MST on May 14th.

Some FAQs beneath the cut! Don't hesitate to comment with questions.

What canons are eligible?

Anything that has not produced any new material since December 31, 2009. New material includes new seasons of a TV show, new books/short stories, webseries or podcast episodes, or other similar official content. Informal supplemental information from a creator (such as JK Rowling discussing additional canon details on Twitter) does not count. However, sequels/prequels (such as the new play) do count. (So for obvious reasons, Harry Potter isn't eligible. Sorry, Potterheads.)

If the newer material is in a different medium (such as supplemental comic books for a TV show), I am going to review that on a case by case basis. There will be an opportunity for you to make your case during the eligibility period. Generally speaking though, if it's a canon that ended - by any common sense definition of "ended" - before the cut-off, I am going to accept it.

What about franchises?

Generally speaking, if the new canon contains the same characters and continuity, then it will be counted as a single canon. So for example: Charmed (1998) would be considered separately from the Charmed (2018) reboot, as the new show contains a completely different set of characters. However, the Marvel movies (anything from Iron Man (2008) up to Infinity War (2018)) would be counted as a single canon, since they share the same characters and timeline.

As far as spin-offs, sequels, prequels, etc. go, as a general rule, if the main set of characters OR the continuity is significantly different, then I'll accept it as a separate canon. So for example, Gilmore Girls (series) and Gilmore Girls: A Day in the Life would be considered the same canon, as one is a fairly straightforward sequel to the other, sharing characters and continuity.

However, if you wanted to nominate Star Trek: The Original Series, I would accept that regardless of the new canon (Star Trek: Discovery), as the character ensemble on the new show is very significantly different, even though the continuity is the same. The Star Trek (AOS) movies would also be considered separate, as they share characters but a completely different timeline/continuity.

If you have a canon that falls into a grey area, there will be an eligibility period where you can make a case for it to be accepted.

Is RPF allowed?

No. Sorry! It's just not really compatible with the theme of this exchange. The only exception to this would be fictional depictions of real people (James Van Der Beek's character in Don't Trust the B---, for example).

Original works?

Original works do not fall within the scope of this exchange, sorry.

Would an adaptation of a very old work (in the public domain) count as new material?

No! So if you wanted to nominate Pride and Prejudice, or Much Ado about Nothing (for instance), I would accept those regardless of any adaptations that came out in the past ten years. I am sticking to my general rule of new canon material on this one, and a straightforward adaptation of a book or play doesn't count as new, in my opinion. If you have a specific case where you disagree with me about this, feel free to get in touch with me.

However, if you wanted to nominate a specific adaptation of something, then that adaptation would have to comply with the ten year rule just like any other canon.

Are crossovers allowed?

Yes, as long as BOTH fandoms are eligible underneath the ten year rule. Please nominate under Crossover Fandom.

What about musicals/plays/five minute fandoms?

The date of a musical or play's first performance will be considered its end date. Same goes for commercials, music videos, songs, etc. Unless there is new canon material released past the ten year cut off, it counts.

What about comics?

As a general rule, I'm going to consider each title and run separately. So if you wanted to nominate the Bendis run of Alias (Jessica Jones), that would be accepted under the ten year rule, as that run ended in 2004. But a different, more recent run, such as the Fraction/Aja Hawkeye title, would be too recent to be eligible.

I realize that a new writer/artist team doesn't necessarily mean new characters and continuity. And many characters/continuities are long-running, so I'm going to go on a case by case basis. If you want to nominate something that is even a little iffy, please just go ahead and make a case for it on the eligibility post. If you can reasonably prove to me that a character/run is distinct enough from its more recent iterations, then I'll err on the side of accepting.

Again, this is a grey area, and I know it can get confusing fast. I'll be using Google and my excellent friend/comic expert to help me decide specific cases, but I'll be all ears during the eligibility period, and I'm going to assume that everyone is operating in good faith. Make your case, and I promise I'll do my best to be fair!

How many nominations do we get?

6 canons, with up to 8 tags for each. You may nominate a single character, or a relationship. When nominating relationships, using '&' indicates a platonic relationship, and '/' indicates romantic/sexual. Please don't mix these up!

There will be more information about how to format your nominations when we get closer to 2/13.

What if I miss the eligibility period?

I will continue considering canons up until nominations close. That means you actually have until February 20 to make your case.

Are poly ships allowed?

Yes. As well as combinations of & + /, such as: "Leia Organa/Han Solo & Ben Solo."

What about requests and offers?

You may request: 4 - 10 canons, with 1 - 20 tags (character, relationship).

You may offer: 4 - 10 canons, with 2 - 20 tags (character, relationship).

How does matching work?

Matching is based on fandom, media (fic, art, or podfic), and an additional tag (either a character or a relationship)! This exchange will run on "OR" matching, which means that you may only match with someone on ONE of the tags you've requested/offered. You are not guaranteed a gift that includes every single tag you request. Similarly, if you offer a specific character or relationship, and your recipient has requested more than that, you are not obligated to write anything outside of what you offered.

When planning your requests and offers, please be sure not to request a single character when you really want a pairing. Remember that the person writing for you might not be offering the other half of that relationship.

Your fandoms must also be unique, in both requests and offers. That means you cannot request or offer the same fandom twice.

What about DNWs?

You may include any DNWs you have in your sign up form. If it's not included in the sign up on AO3, I will not enforce it officially. Any other details you include in your sign up or letter (prompts, requests, etc) are optional for your writer.

Can we write letters?

Sure! I will put up a letter post once we get close to sign ups, and of course you may include a link in your sign up form on AO3.

How will pinch hits be handled?

If you don't have any potential creators right off the bat, you will be an initial pinch hit. If your writer defaults, then you'll be posted as a pinch hit ASAP. All pinch hits will be posted to the community, and can be claimed by anyone on a first come, first served basis.

Can I write treats?

Absolutely! You do not need to be signed up to write treats, or claim pinch hits.

I have more questions.

Email me at waybackexchange@gmail.com!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Are you open to vids as a fanwork? Minimum length for exchanges is generally 1 minute.

I am, yes - I've added fanvids as an freeform tag, just be aware that because sign ups are already open, I can't increase the maximum number allowed. (Meaning - when requesting/offering, people will still only be able to pick 3 mediums, maximum.)

Edited 2019-02-24 00:25 (UTC)

Awesome, thank you!

I think I know the answer to this, but I'm asking anyway. Did the pairings had to be approved through the eligibility/nomination process before sign ups?

(I thought it was just the fandoms that needed to be pre-approved so I honestly didn't look at the pairings. Now I feel like a dill for not reading the FAQ more closely.)

Yes, we're doing a typical AO3 challenge process. First you nominate the pairings and fandoms you want for a tagset, which is then used as the basis (a "bank" of tags for people to draw from, so to speak) for the challenge. The tagset is here, hopefully there's enough in there that you like!

Thanks for that!

Hey Mod,
You might want to slip asuralucier a note. Her DNWs aren't listed in her signup (they're listed, but it doesn't say they're DNWs, someone could assume they're actually wants). I only know because I happened to check her letter.

Can you explain more about treats? How do they work? Is there a list of unclaimed prompts posted at a later date for people to choose to write/make even if we didn’t sign up?

Because this is a gift exchange and not a fest, prompts are not claimed - each person will have a list of requested fandoms (with relationships/characters, and prompts if they choose to write some). Everyone is matched with a writer (someone who will write them a gift fic) and a recipient (someone they will write a gift fic for). People list several prompts in order to make this matching process easier.

All the requests are visible at the Requests Summary, and when sign ups close I'll post a spreadsheet with all the participants and their fandoms. Anyone can write a gift fic for any of these requests, regardless of whether or not they're signed up officially themselves. These are called "treats," since they're extra stories above and beyond the minimum required for participation.

I have a question about the anonymous reveals period as it relates to podfic. Fic, art, and vids are all pretty easy to anonymize and post without a name attached, but podfic is a little more difficult, given that it's...well, your VOICE, and thus naturally kind of gives you away. Plus, it's a little more complicated given that most podfics have to be downloaded in order to be listened to, so going back and replacing a non-anonymized version with the signed one is a lot more of a pain. I run the largest podfic exchange, and we never bother with anonymity because once many people hear their gifter's voice they recognize who it is; however, since this isn't run just within the podfic community, I recognize that that recognition is significantly less likely. Also of note is that many podficcers use Paraka Productions hosting, which contains their username in the subdomain, which also ruins anonymity. How would you like to handle this?

Well, I don't know that there's much we can do about the voice issue! As for the username in the domain - is it possible to set up an anonymous account with Paraka for the purposes of the exchange?

If not, I'll leave it up to you, and any other podfic creators. If you don't want to mess around with duplicate audio files etc, then I'm okay operating in good faith that your recipients/listeners will honor your anonymity as much as possible during the anonymous period despite your name being attached (in whatever fashion). That is, if you're okay with that as well.

Paraka can't create any new accounts, but I can host anonymized versions on the ITPE account for any podficcers who'd prefer not to use MediaFire etc./would like to provide streaming options.

I'm up for at least attempting anonymity since the rest of the exchange will be so, even if there really is no helping the "recognizable voice" aspect, heh.

Do you have a preferred posting template for media (art/podfic/vids), to keep everything uniform/more anonymized, or nah?

That's very cool of you! I will make a post closer to the assignment due date for anyone who might be posting podfic. As far as a posting template goes - nah. As long as it's accessible to the people reading/listening/viewing, I don't mind how it's uploaded or hosted.

Should we date works for 'works revealed' date or 'authors revealed' date?

Thank you so much for putting this on - such a great exchange!

Edited (word) 2019-03-16 06:55 (UTC)

That one's up to you - different authors like to do different things. As a mod, I have no preference!

Hi there! I left an anonymous comment to claim a pinch hit from your post deadline pinch hits. I see the one I wanted has now been claimed but I haven't received a new assignment on AO3. Should I assume someone beat me to the post?

Yes, that's correct. I apologize, I replied to you at the post but forgot that anonymous commenters can't see screened comments.

No problem! I just wanted to check. Thank you.

can I nominate:

the classic phantasy star series: release dates 1987-1993. there have been spin-off series such as the Online games but the original four are an enclosed story arc. there have also been more recent remasters but none of them that change the story.

radiant historia: released in 2010 although there is a 2018 remake that adds an extra chapter

xenoblade chronicles: released 2010, some remasters but nothing that adds story, two sequels but they don't share a world

Langrisser 2 (/Der Langrisser): released 1994, last remastered 2009. characters appear in Langrisser Mobile with extra character story snippets but no real new story content.

probably not controversial but I want to confirm:

Gemfire (/Royal Blood): released 1991
Dragon Force: released 1996

Hi - as stated in the schedule above, nominations do not begin until Jan 28th. The 2020 tagset on AO3 has not even been created yet.

If you want to provide evidence for a fandom that might not qualify, please do so at the eligibility post (linked above).

ah sorry

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