#tfwbb

This is my art for the Team Free Will Big Bang ( @tfwbigbang ) that goes along with a Sam/Cas fic by @hitthebooksposts. The cover is inspired by the title card of ‘Velvet Buzzsaw’.

In light of all the stuff happening on Tumblr this week, we wanted to let you know that you can find this bang on alternative platforms.

We have collections on AO3.

We are on dreamwidth and Pillowfort as tfwbigbang

And we're on Twitter as teamfreewillbb

So even if Tumblr goes into complete meltdown before sign ups for 2019 open, you will find us elsewhere.

Written by @perfackles

Art by @vampire-on-my-shoulder

Title: Strangers in the Night

Summary: When his life in San Francisco takes an unexpected turn, Sam decides to move back to Kansas with the hope of mending his relationship with his brother. Sam must now learn how to navigate the turbulent waters of his future while coming to terms with the demons of his past.

Along the way Sam meets a mysterious stranger, Castiel – a man hopelessly besotted with his rather oblivious best.

But there's more to Castiel than meets the eye, and a secret hanging over all their heads that could unravel everything they’ve worked so hard to build.

Artist sign ups are open for the 2018 Team Free Will Big Bang!

Do you love Team Free Will and Team Free Will 2.0 as much as we do? Then you’ve come to the right bang.

We have a whole team of writers eager to work with you.

Artists can register their interest here.

Bang participation requirements:

For authors: A big bang fic of at least 15,000 words, or a mini bang fic of at least 5000 words.

For artists: For big bangs - a cover and two pieces of art. For mini bangs - a cover and one piece of art.

Posting will be happening in September 2018.

Don’t forget to checkout the:

FAQ and Rules | Schedule

Still got questions? Send us an ask or email [email protected].

Please note: This schedule is subject to change, should the community have a need for it to do so.

February 1st 2018: Author and artist sign ups open.

March 4th: Author sign ups close.

April 7th: Author check in with Google form.

May 5th: Author check in with Google form.

May 31st: 80% fic drafts due and summaries, via email.

June 1st: Artist sign ups close.

June 4th: Fic summaries emailed to artists by a link to a Google doc.

June 6th: Art claims open - artists send art preferences and matches are made.

June 9th: Artists and Authors check in to say they’ve talked.

July 28th-29th: Artists check in by sending in rough sketches/outlines to mods via email.

August 4th: Authors or artists tell us when they can’t post in September.

August 10th: Posting dates revealed.

August 18th: Authors final check in.

August 25-26th: Artists final check in - art 80% done.

Rules:

You must be aged 18 or over upon registration in order to take part in this bang.

What do I create?

Authors:

A story of a minimum of 15,000 words (big bang)

Or story of a minimum of 5000 words (mini bang)

The story must feature Team Free Will (Dean, Sam and Cas) at the center of the story (Team Free Will 2.0 is also allowed (Dean, Sam, Cas and Jack))

Or be a real person fanfic (RPF) featuring Jared, Jensen and Misha at the center of the story (Alexander Calvert can also be included as a central character if you so desire)

No story may feature anyone under the age of 16 in an explicit sexual situation, this rises to 18 for RPF

Your story must be posted in full on your assigned posting day

See further in the FAQ for more details

Artists:

For a big bang: a cover and two pieces of art connected to the fic (cover can be derived from main art)

For a mini bang: a cover and a piece of art connected to the fic (cover can be derived from main art)

No art may feature anyone under the age of 16 in an explicit sexual situation, this rises to 18 for RPF

Note that this bang runs a no fic left behind policy

See further in the FAQ for more details

All authors and artists must familiarize themselves with the bang schedule.

All authors and artists must make attempts to regularly communicate with each other once paired.

For those taking part this year, we have created a Discord server. Details about this are available upon bang sign-up. (We’re taking this approach after seeing how well it worked for both the DeanCas Tropefest and the DCBB.)

For more in-depth information on how to be a good bang participant: check out this post on allspnships.

FAQ

What are the differences between mini and big bangs?

Basically how long your story is. The Big Bang has a minimum of 15,000 words, and will receive a minimum of two art pieces from the artist plus a fic cover, while the Minibang has a minimum of 5,000, and will receive a cover and at least one piece of art.

Do covers have to be completely separate pieces of art from the rest of the bang’s art?

Covers can be remixes of art already created for the fic. But they need to feature the fic title, the names of the artist and the author(s).

How/where do I submit my draft?

We will provide details about this directly to creators nearer posting time.

How long does my story need to be?

You have two options: for a Big Bang, you need a minimum of 15,000 words. For a Minibang, you need at least 5,000.

What does the focus of my story need to be?

Your story must focus on all three members of Team Free Will: Dean, Sam, and Castiel. This means the story can be Dean/Sam, Dean/Cas, Sam/Cas, Sam/Dean/Cas or gen. If you choose a two-person pairing, the third character must be an equal focus on the story.

We won’t be counting words, but please try to stay within the spirit of the challenge. This is about celebrating all three characters, so have fun with them.

Change for 2018: Interpretations of Team Free Will that include Jack Kline (Team Free Will 2.0) are permitted this year, but everyone must have equal importance in your story.

Are AUs, crossovers and fusions allowed?

Yes, all are allowed. However, the more obscure the other fandom, the harder finding an artist who knows both will be, so keep that in mind.

What about RPF?

RPF is welcome, but again, must focus on all three actors and their relationships with each other. So Jensen/Misha, Jensen/Jared, Jared/Misha, and Jensen/Jared/Misha are all welcome. Again, you are welcome to include Alexander Calvert in your story, but everyone needs an equal weight in your plot.

What about underage?

Please ensure that all fanfic and art doesn’t include under 16s depicted in sexual situations - this raises to 18 for RPF. Basically - off the page is fine, but not on the page.

Is it okay to write a sequel or prequel to an existing fic?

Yes, but only if your bang fic can be read without having read the existing fic.

Can I sign up as both an author and an artist?

Yes, but you cannot claim your own fic.

Can I create additional art for my fic/have other artists make banners and art?

Not until after your post date.

Can I advertise my fic on my Tumblr, Dreamwidth, etc?

Once claims are completed and you’ve been assigned your artist, you are welcome to advertise your fic on whatever media you’d like as long as you don’t post any snippets of the actual fic.

Where do I post my fic/art when it’s complete?

All fics must be posted to either Dreamwidth or AO3 and made live on your posting date, with the art embedded in the appropriate scenes.

All art must have a masterpost on either Dreamwidth, AO3, or Tumblr made live on your posting day.

On or before your posting day, both links must be submitted in a post to the TFW Big Bang Dreamwidth and/or Tumblr. We will share the posting format nearer the time of posting We will check over the fic post for Tumblr and/or Dreamwidth, and make it public on the appropriate day.

Will there be an AO3 collection for posted fics?

You will be able to add your fics to the moderated collection via: tfw_bb_2018

Do I need a Dreamwidth/Tumblr/AO3 account to participate?

Artists should have at least a Dreamwidth or Tumblr to post their art to, and authors should have at least Dreamwidth or AO3 to post their fic to. No account besides an email address is required for claims.

Due to changes in LiveJournal’s terms of service in April 2017, the bang is no longer running on LJ.

Can I write more than one story/collaborate on a story?

Each author can write only one story for this challenge. You are welcome to collaborate on a story, but that counts as your one story.

Can I claim more than one fic to make art for?

The first round of claiming will allow artists to claim only one story. If there are still unclaimed stories 24 hours after the claiming begins, we’ll open a second round for artists to claim a second piece or for artists who didn’t originally sign up to participate. If artists drop out after assignments are set, artists can sign up to pinch hit as well regardless of whether they’re already assigned one story.

What do I need to provide for claims?

Fic writers will need to provide drafts that are 80% complete for claims, along with a summary. Specifics on how to do this will be shared via email ahead of the submissions date.

We will not accept drafts that fail to meet this criteria, as it’s not fair on artists.

What is “no fic left behind”?

If an artist fails to meet art draft check-ins, providing proof of art, when required: they will be removed from the bang and a new artist found for the affected bang story.

The only exception to this is those affected by extenuating circumstances who manage to communicate with their author and the mods - in this instance an extension will be given.

How will claims work?

There will be a preview doc with each summary posted 48 hours before claims and emailed to artists who have already signed up. When claims open, we will email a link to a Google Form where we’ll ask you to resubmit some of your artist details and your top three picks for doing art. We’ll update the preview summaries with notes on fics as they’re assigned.

Do writers need beta readers?

Yes, all fic needs to be beta read for at least spelling, punctuation and grammar.

If you don’t have a beta reader, you can try asking for help over on:

/r/fandomnatural

Or ask someone from All SPN Ship’s list of alpha and beta readers:

allspnships.tumblr.com

If you still need help finding a beta reader, email [email protected] and we will create a beta reader request post for you here.

May I post a WIP?

Works in progress (WIP) are not permitted to be posted for this bang. Fics must be posted complete (i.e. no serial posting), with art embedded.

We made it!

It’s September 30th and the last bang has been posted, the collection updated, and a warm glow has been left in our hearts.

If you want to find links to all of the amazing pieces of fan art and fanfic posted as part of the 2017 Team Free Will Big Bang, head here. There’s an amazing assortment of gen fic, Destiel, Sastiel, Wincestiel, and a few other ships too.

Thank you to all of the writers and artists who made this bang possible. The Team Free Will Big Bang hadn’t been run since 2014, so when I managed to get it transferred to @majesticduxk and me, I was quite worried about how things were going to go.

But we all made it, and it’s all fantastic.

For those wondering: we will be back in 2018, with sign ups opening in February. So make sure you’re following us.

But do please do check out the fanfic and art from this year’s bang.

Thank you.