Schedule

Art by linecrosser

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Reverse Big Bang?

In general, Big Bangs are cooperative fandom events that pair up different creators.
In a Reverse Big Bang, an artist creates an art piece (often associated with a key concept or vibe they are going for), and is later paired with an author that wishes to write a fan fiction based on their art.
Ideally, every team is completed with a beta-reader, so even if you’re not a writer or artist you can contribute!

That “Big Grand Idea” that you had? That visual madness you are just dying for someone to put to work? Your crazy creative drive to contribute something to the fandom? This is the place for it, to do it in a team and have all the pump up hype you can wish for!

What is the schedule for this event?

Please check our Schedule page!

What counts as a bang fic?

Fics will have to be 7,000 (7k) words long as a minimum.

There is no upper limit, only how much you can handle within the allotted time of the event.

Want to know all the deets? Please refer to our writer guidelines.

What counts as a bang art?

One artwork (clean, fully coloured/rendered) OR two art pieces (clean, b/w), inspired by the claimed story.

We’re mainly constraining this event to visual art, traditional or digital, but a few exceptions will be allowed upon mod approval.

Want to know all the deets? Please refer to our artist guidelines.

I only care about The Raven Cycle // I only want to create for DreamerTrilogy, is it okay?

Totally! During the signup and in several other steps of the process you will be asked to state if you’re working in the “common universe”, with common characters, in a big bundle, or if you’re on board solely for one saga or the other.

Is NSFW allowed in this event?

It is!

For everyone’s ease, however, we’re going to have two general categories of rating:
T and under (suitable for creators of all ages and include no warnings/sexual content)up to E (may include heavy and/or adult themes)
Choose your fighter and keep your fandom experience exactly as you like it! This event can be as SFW or NSFW as you desire.

I’m so confused by the ratings, what do the letters mean!?!?

Since the fics will be posted on Ao3 we’re using the Ao3 notation for ratings.

T and under = G and T ratings. Works in this category can go up to the PG13 classification, meaning that you would comfortably hand over this work to a 13 yo.up to E = M and E ratings. Equivalent to PG16 and 18+ classification, meaning that this work requires discernments or handles themes that are not suitable for all audiences (most notoriously sexual content, but think also of graphic violence and the like).
For a super detailed explanation of Ao3 ratings, please read over here.

How does claiming work?

1. Every artist and their sketch/WIP art will be assigned a number
2. Wristers will put min 4, max 6 preferences, in order of preference
3. Matching will be on a first come first served with an automatised form and excel-sheet, you will know the results immediately.

Declared M-E WIP sketches assume the involved parties, both artists and writers, are 18+ and will have to be specially selected.

(Note that one artist can have multiple different WIPs, each with a unique number. If we have an over-abundance of art, writers could double claim at a later stage)

What about beta readers?

Betas will be inserted in the same system of Writers and will be able to claim their favourite piece if they wish.

Given the hectic demands for betas, though, we’ll keep the signup open all the way through and you can always join in and help.

Are you taking pinch-hitters?

In case a writer drops out, yes, we will keep applications for pinch-hitters open throughout (a pinch-hitter is a backup player of this game!).

For pinch-hitters that will be called to match past July 31st, the requirement for the writing piece will be lowered at 5000 words, to account for the reduced time.

If an artist drops out, the writer will be relocated to a new team to keep the experience going for everyone.

I’m not sure if I want to join as a creator, can I still submit prompts?

You very much can!

We’re collecting prompts from everyone who might have an idea floating around that they TOTALLY want to see executed in a big bang format. Of course creators still have their freedom, prompts will be non-binding.

Refer to our “prompt submission” page for more details.

What is the promo week?

On the first week of August (1 Aug 2021 - 8 Aug 2021), we will hype up the creators and the soon-to-be released work, to get that sweet anticipation going.

Every team (artist, writer, beta) will have a short presentation about themselves, about the work that they are doing, and maybe some snippets to hook people up.

Participation is not mandatory, everyone team will be able to tailor the promo week advertising to their liking and comfort, but we’re all in this together so we highly recommend you join!

Promo will run mostly on Tumblr but we will find a way to advertise on Twitter and Instagram as well.

Art by linecrosser

Artist Guidelines

Sign-ups: Open 24 April 2021 // Close 30 May 2021

Requirements: at the beginning of the event, you will be expected to submit just WIPs (deadline: 7 Jun), which can absolutely be sketches but should be discernible and understandable for whoever sees them.

By the end of the event, the minimum contribution is one artwork (clean, fully coloured/rendered) OR two art pieces (clean, b/w), unless arranged otherwise with the writer.

POSTING WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 27th, 2021.

Examples of art that would qualify:

One clean, fully coloured art(EXAMPLE)

One rendered art(EXAMPLE)

Two clean, black&white art pieces2x (EXAMPLE)

Non-standard submissions: If you’re an artist and you plan to contribute an art that is NOT visual (traditional or digital), you should contact the mods during the signups.

We encourage creativity and if you have a clear idea of what you can contribute it will be most likely be allowed.

Just drop us an ask or an email, and we will be happy to keep track of everything!

WIP submission:

In order to match you with a writer, you will have to provide a sketch of your art piece, and some additional information, by June 7th:

Roughly, you will be asked to provide:
fandom (Raven Cycle only, DreamerTrilogy only, fusion/general universe)one-liner (ex: sci-fi AU, werewolves, that one in which they found a baby, ect),prospective rating (or rating category, see below)key pairing(s) you are envisioning, if anyany particular “Do Not Want (DNW)” for the prospective cooperative work
The whole process will be nicely set in a google form.

Every artist will be able to submit up to three different WIPs for three different ideas/prompts as long as they are committed into finish each of them into a full artwork by August 27th!

The writers (and beta) will be able to take their pick on June 20 2021.

Ratings: Every WIP sketch will be associated with a rating category.
If you mark your sketch as “T and under”, you want the overall cooperative work (your art + the fic) to be suitable for readers of all ages and to include no sexual content.

If you mark your sketch as “up to E”, you’re comfortable with the overall cooperative work to include heavy and/or adult themes, including but not limited to sexual content (within the limit of you and your writer’s comfort and DNWs).

N.B! selecting the “up to E” category can also just declare that you’re comfortable with working with such teams. However, you will NOT be required to produce art that is, in itself, explicit or in need of warnings. That is up to your personal preference/inspiration.

Check-ins for artists:
Pre-WIP deadline 31 May-5 JunPost-claiming: 25 Jun-2 JulMid-way through: 25-31 JulPre-posting: 13-20 Aug
At the midway through check in you will be expected to have a draft (or all of your WIPs!) and be on track to finish at least the minimum requirement for every piece by the pre-posting check-in.

Arrangements with the writer: This is a team effort so we encourage extensive team communication. In a Reverse Bang, a writer that claims an artist’s piece is already inspired by some aspects of it, once there is a team matching both parts should make sure to communicate ideas, vibes and personal tastes to each other and work together!

Private arrangements with the author are always possible as long as both parties are happy with it: you had a super specific idea associated with your art? You had only a vague idea but your writer just came up with the most detailed scenario ever? You both are figuring things out in the early stage of your matching as it comes? It will be fair game as long as it satisfies the whole team.

Extra artwork after claiming: the minimum is, of course, just a minimum. If you want to produce more (especially if the associated story goes above minimum wordcount required from authors) and you have the time/energy/space, go wild!

Extensions: each check-in after the claiming moment will be a perfect point to ask for an extension, if you think you need one for any reason. Just make sure your team is up to speed with what is happening!

All fics will be published on Ao3, and you can add them to the big bang collection that we will set up for you!

The art can be published on tumblr/instagram/twitter or the platform of your choice, but should be linked or embedded in the fic on Ao3, so that everyone that reads the work gets the full big bang experience!

Miscellaneous Artists FAQ:

Q: Is traditional artwork allowed?
A: Yes, as long as it fits the requirements and is then scanned/photographed in good quality

Q: Are photomanips /edits allowed?
A: No, from the experience of the previous formats fanarts seem to be 99.9% of the submission and the preference for all parties involved. Making manips/moodboard/playlists for the fic alongside the art can be negotiated with the single authors

Q: Can I submit WIP art for multiple prompts?
A: Absolutely! But be committed to finish it in a full piece if it gets claimed.

Every artist can submit up to three sketches for three different prompts/ideas/scenarios. Each of these WIPs will be assigned a different number and will be claimed by a different writer! By the end of the event (Aug 27th) each of the WIPs should be complete and meeting the minimum requirements, so make sure to pace yourself and your commitments!

Q: Can I submit multiple WIP art for a single prompt?
A: We recommend one sketch per prompt!

Even if you’re working on several art pieces for the same idea, choose the most representative one for the claiming. After claiming, your writer will be delighted to know that you plan to make MORE art for your cooperative project!

Q: Do I have to come up with a whole “plot” for my art piece?
A: No you don’t!

The important thing is that you provide a sort of context in your additional information. This can be either a specific context you have in mind (“Witch AU!”) or just a vague concept/a vibe/a trope (“Late Nights” “Hurt Comfort”). On the other hand, if you you have a full prompt associated with your art, please concisely write it out so that your writer can get the gist of what they would be signing up for.

You can also get inspired by the prompts of our open prompt list, in that case please refer to it clearly!

Q: What if my writer drops out?
A: If a writer drops out, you will be allocated a pinch hitter! Of course they will start fresh, and depending on how early on this happens they might have a lower requirement of wordcount.

Please note that if you have multiple teams (because you submitted 2 or 3 WIPs) and only one of your writers drops out, you would not be allocated a pinch hitter because you would already have plenty of stuff going on! :D

Writer Guidelines

Sign-ups: Open 30 May 2021 // Close 18 June 2021

Requirements: a fanfiction of 7,000 words minimum, no upper limit, to be posted by Aug 27th. The work will have to be inspired by a piece of art that you claimed.

The fiction will have to be one coherent work of writing: it can be a chaptered fic following the same plot, theme, whatever, of at least 7k in total word count. It cannot be a series of unconnected short chapters.

POSTING WILL BEGIN ON AUGUST 27th, 2021.

Claiming an art piece:

In a Reverse bang, your writing will be based on an art piece.

Artists will provide sketches of their work, with some associated information, prompt or vibes. These sketches will be made available by 13 June 2021.

Every WIP art will be given a number. The submissions will be organised google site, available only to the participants and optimised for easy navigation. Alongside the art, you will also have some additional details (a prompt, a vibe, pairing ideas…) and some personal preferences of the artist (including “Do Not Wants”). As a writer, you will get a week to look through all the submissions.

You will have 7 days to compile a list with minimum 4, maximum 6 numbers in order of preferences, and this list is the one that you will submit at claiming time.

Claims will open on June 20th (timezone dependent, we will optimise the time so that everyone has the possibility of access it). The process is first-come first-served, automated from the form. You will get your assignments immediately.
The whole process will be nicely set in a google form.

People that want to act as beta readers for a team will also be able to claim.

For more details on the claiming process, refer to our FAQ.

Stating a rating:
All the artworks will be organised in a rating category.

’T and under’ means that the story that you will write to associate with this piece will be suitable for readers of all ages and includes no sexual content.

‘Up to E’ means that the story that you will write to associate with this piece may include heavy and/or adult themes, including but not limited to sexual content, and your artist is comfortable with that.

Writers, artists and beta readers will have to declare throughout, in the specific section of the predisposed google form, that they are willing to see and work with adult content if they choose an M-E rated fic.

N.B! selecting the “up to E” does NOT mean that the artist is required to produce art that is, in itself, explicit or in need of warnings. That is up to personal preference/inspiration!

Arrangements with the artist: This is a team effort so we encourage extensive team communication. In a Reverse Bang, a writer that claims an artist’s piece is already inspired by some aspects of it, once there is a team matching both parts should make sure to communicate ideas, vibes and personal tastes to each other and work together!

Private arrangements between author and artist are possible as long as both parties are happy with it. Some artists might want all of your input on a story, just following a vague vibe or a scene that they absolutely want to include! Some artists might have a super detailed scenario or prompt on which you can craft your writing! You both are figuring things out in the early stage of your matching as it comes? It will be fair game as long as it satisfies the whole team.

Remember, throughout this thing, to respect your artists boundaries, and to clearly state your own!

Check-ins for writers:
Pre-claiming, 11-18 JunPost-claiming, 25 Jun-2 JulMid-way through, 25-31 JulPre-posting, 13-20 Aug
At the midway through check in you will be expected to have a draft of your written work, at least ~50% done. By the pre-posting check-in you should have your work basically finished, coherent, and within the minimum requirements.

Extensions: each check-in after the claiming moment will be a perfect point to ask for an extension, if you think you need one for any reason. Just make sure your team is up to speed with what is happening!

All fics will be published on Ao3, and you can add them to the big bang collection that we will set up for you!

Miscellaneous Writers FAQ:

Q: Is traditional artwork allowed?
A: Yes, as long as it fits the requirements and is then scanned/photographed in good quality

Q: Are photomanips /edits allowed?
A: No, from the experience of the previous formats fanarts seem to be 99.9% of the submission and the preference for all parties involved. Making manips/moodboard/playlists for the fic alongside the art can be negotiated with the single authors

Q: Can I submit WIP art for multiple prompts?
A: Absolutely! But be committed to finish it in a full piece if it gets claimed.

Every artist can submit up to three sketches for three different prompts/ideas/scenarios. Each of these WIPs will be assigned a different number and will be claimed by a different writer! By the end of the event (Aug 27th) each of the WIPs should be complete and meeting the minimum requirements, so make sure to pace yourself and your commitments!

Q: Can I submit multiple WIP art for a single prompt?
A: We recommend one sketch per prompt!

Even if you’re working on several art pieces for the same idea, choose the most representative one for the claiming. After claiming, your writer will be delighted to know that you plan to make MORE art for your cooperative project!

Q: Do I have to come up with a whole “plot” for my art piece?
A: No you don’t!
The important thing is that you provide a sort of context in your additional information. This can be either a specific context you have in mind (“Witch AU!”) or just a vague concept/a vibe/a trope (“Late Nights” “Hurt Comfort”). On the other hand, if you you have a full prompt associated with your art, please concisely write it out so that your writer can get the gist of what they would be signing up for.

You can also get inspired by the prompts of our open prompt list, in that case please refer to it clearly!

Q: What if my writer drops out?
A: If a writer drops out, you will be allocated a pinch hitter! Of course they will start fresh, and depending on how early on this happens they might have a lower requirement of wordcount.

Please note that if you have multiple teams (because you submitted 2 or 3 WIPs) and only one of your writers drops out, you would not be allocated a pinch hitter because you would already have plenty of stuff going on! :D

Prompt Submission

The Big Bang will run from late April to August 2021!

Like last year, the event will be be a merged Raven Cycle/Dreamer Trilogy bang, allowing you to mix&match from both sagas at your leisure.

Mister Impossible will come out during the Artist signup period, so you can totally unleash your creativity on the new material!!!

The event this year is a Reverse Bang, meaning that the artist will start sketching, and the writers will wax poetically and construct a fan fiction around the art.

Not sure if you want to join, but there are some ideas that you’re dying to executed, if an artist decides to be up for it?

We have a huge fandom-wide prompt submission open! This has been open since the 2020 Big Bang, and we’re steadily accumulating prompts.

We might open up also a “visual inspiration” section that is not just written, stay tuned!

Everyone can participate. The prompts will be non-binding, there will be no guarantee that someone will decide to pick them for their bang work, but if someone is looking for inspiration and you have a Mighty Need©, make yourself heard!

Compile your prompt(s) in this Google Form!
Check out the prompts already submitted over here!

Want to know more about how a Big Bang works? Hit up our FAQs!

Want to see the detailed schedule? It’s over here!

Follow us on social media to keep yourself updated, and for any other question, our Tumblr askbox is open!