SG-1 Friendathon: polling for interest

[fignewton]

So way back in 2008, we had a ficathon over at sg1friendathon: gen stories with an emphasis on friendship. We had twenty authors contributing twenty-three different stories, which is an excellent statistic for gen, let me tell you. :)

After a three-year hiatus, I'm considering another round. I am all too aware that many SG-1 fans have moved on to more current fandoms, but I hope that there are enough of you out there who are still interested enough to participate! suzannemarie will be joining me as your friendly neighborhood mod, and we're both looking forward to lots of new friendship fics.

I expect the majority of the action to take place on LJ -- sadly, the percentage of gen SG-1 fans that moved to DW is pretty low -- but I have created a mirror comm at sg1friendathon here, for those who prefer not to use LJ at all. When the ficathon has reached its triumphant conclusion (I can dream, can't I?), a master list will be posted at both comms that includes links to both LJ and DW.

We'll begin with a poll to determine interest, ficathon type, and dates. Long-winded explanation of poll choices:

What kind we're going to do:

We have two choices: a traditional assignment of prompts, and an open pool of prompts.

If we go with the traditional mode, then each person participating in the ficathon would submit three different prompts. Prompts should name two characters and a suggestion for the fic: a quote, an episode, a bit of dialogue, etc. These prompts must use different characters - you can't, for example, ask for Jack and Daniel three times! :) You may use one character twice among your three prompts - for instance, you can ask for Janet and Sam dealing with Cassie, or Janet and Hammond in a missing scene from Urgo, but you would not be able to put Janet in your third prompt. You may also, if you wish, offer one prompt of three or more characters for multi-friendship (such as Jack, Teal'c, and Daniel watching jello-wrestling in Ascension). Timeframes may be included in your prompt (early Season One, pre-series, post-series, classic SG-1 only, S9-10 only - whatever). You may also include up to three things you specifically do not want in your fic: no NID, no Tok'ra, no excessive violence, etc.

If we go with an open pool of prompts, there will be a one-week period in which anyone, whether or not they plan to sign up for the ficathon, can submit screened prompts. As with the traditional mode, prompts should name two (or more) characters and a suggestion for the fic: a quote, an episode, a bit of dialogue, etc. There would be no limitations in terms of using the same character in multiple prompts or submitting several multi-friendship prompts. When the submission period has ended, a new post would go up with all the available prompts. Prompts would be claimed on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both methods. The first assures that participants will get one story written specifically to their tastes, including what they'd rather not see in their requested prompt. The second offers many more choices for inspiration and makes it easier to take the plunge into participating; it also allows last-minute contributions from people who hadn't planned to take part in the ficathon, but find themselves suddenly inspired by a particular prompt a week or so before the stories are due. However, there's no guarantee that your own prompt will be taken or that the story written with your prompt won't include elements that you dislike.

No matter which kind of ficathon we ultimately have, all assigned or claimed prompts must be written and posted to the ficathon community before any of them can go public. There's the option to gradually unscreen the stories over a period of time rather than releasing them all at once -- that way, readers can enjoy each story individually instead of gulping down a dozen-odd stories at one sitting -- but all fics would need to be in the queue before we begin.

When we're going to do it:

If we go with the traditional mode, we'll have a week sign-up period, a week for assignments to be handed out, and six weeks or so of writing time before stories are due. If we go with the pool of prompts mode, we'll have a week submission period, a week in which prompts can be claimed, and six weeks or so of writing time before stories are due. I've offered a spread of dates in the poll, and it offers ticky boxes so you can choose whatever works for you. Hopefully, we can find a time that is, at the very least, doable for most.

Please take the poll at ONE location only -- either here at DW or over at LJ -- so I can have a clear idea of the number. Thanks. :)

Poll #7052 SG-1 Friendship Ficathon

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 8

View Respondents

Would you sign up for a friendship ficathon this summer?

View Answers

Yes! Give me the details!
4 (50.0%)

Maybe. It depends on the timing.
3 (37.5%)

I can't write, but I'll read the fics and cheer for the authors.
1 (12.5%)

You left out something important, which I've explained in the comments.
0 (0.0%)

What's a poll without gratuitous ticky boxes?
2 (25.0%)

What type of ficathon would you prefer?

View Answers

A traditional ficathon, with prompts submitted by participants and assigned by the mods.
0 (0.0%)

An open pool of prompts, claimed by anyone on a first-come, first-served basis.
4 (50.0%)

I have no particular preference. Either one would do.
4 (50.0%)

How should fics be released when the ficathon goes live?

View Answers

All at once! I want to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of friendship fic.
1 (12.5%)

One or two a day, so I can look forward to each fic individually.
1 (12.5%)

Either way will do, as long as we get lots of fic!
6 (75.0%)

When should the ficathon take place? Please check all schedules that would work for you.

View Answers

Signups/prompts from May 26-June 1; assignments/prompts claimed from June 2-June 8; stories due August 1st.
1 (16.7%)

Signups/prompts in second week of June; assignments/prompts claimed in third week of June; stories due August 10th.
3 (50.0%)

Signups/prompts in third week of June; assignments/prompts claimed in fourth week of June; stories due August 15th.
3 (50.0%)

Signups/prompts in last week of June/first week of July; assignments/prompts claimed in second week of July; stories due August 22nd.
5 (83.3%)

Comments

[kayim]

Newbie to your circle here, but a long *long* time SG fan :)

I didn't vote for a time period because I don't mind, but I will *totally* come and play, either here or on LJ!

[fignewton]

Welcome, and so you glad you'll be playing with us!

(Also, your icon makes me giggle.)

[thothmes]

I voted for a late date because July and early August is busy for me, and besides I'm a Procrastinatrix Extraordinare!

But really I commented to say that I am willing to do this either here or on lj. I hang out on both.

[fignewton]

Oooh, we were all set to go with the earlier date, and now you've tipped the balance...

Hmm. Must go talk to Suzannemarie about this. In terms of procrastination, all the choices cover more or less the same time periods - it's just a question of when it starts.

We might arbitrarily go with the earlier date anyway. :) We'll know by the end of today, at any rate.

(Most of the action will certainly be at LJ -- just look at the poll numbers in both places to see where gen fic is more active! -- but the master list will definitely be mirrored at both sites.)