TMA Big Bang

Thank you so much to everyone who signed up! If you haven’t already joined the Discord server, please check your asks and dms for a link from us! Joining the server is mandatory for this event.

The only reason we would have for rejecting an applicant is if they were banned from one of our events in the past, and this would only have occurred in the event of severe rule breaking that resulted in harm to other participants.

If you’re unsure if we received your application, you can send us an ask with the url you applied under and we can check for you!

A beta can do a variety of things, depending on what you are comfortable with and what the author is requesting help with for their specific fic!

The most common requests for beta help I have seen are for spelling and grammar checks, general proofreading (i.e. sentence structure, tenses, paragraph and chapter breaks, etc), and being a sounding board (so someone to bounce ideas off of to figure out the best story arc).

In general, I would say to sign up as a beta you should have a pretty good handle on grammar (or know how to work grammar checking programs) and just be willing to bounce around ideas and talk them through with your author!

Yep!! Sign up form just went live!!

Hey guys, the day is finally here! Sign ups are now open, so fill out the form linked below! They will remain open until November 14th and you will have until November 16th to join the Discord server or we will assume you have dropped.

In order to receive access to the server, please make sure you are either following a mod or allow dms from people you do not follow. All info you will need to join will be sent over Tumblr/Twitter dm, so make sure we can dm you!

As always, our askbox and dms are always open, and we can’t wait to see you all!!

https://forms.gle/oyXxM1AJDHDfZt5fA

Hey!! You should absolutely still sign up, people would definitely help you brainstorm an idea in the server, or you could find another writer to work with if someone is looking for a parter. You have options!

In terms of safeguards, we’re incredibly dedicated to maintaining a safe space for everyone. Some of the ways that we approach that is having a server safe word that can be triggered anonymously that shows that someone is uncomfortable with the conversation that is happening and that it needs to stop. This is achieved via Carl bot, and also notifies the mods immediately. We have a ticketing service where anyone can open a private ticket with the mods directly to address any concerns they’re having. Finally, mods have access to all channels, any external servers that are created, and all docs which allows us to ensure that everything is in line with our event guidelines. If you have some specific concerns please feel free to contact us and let us what we can do to make you feel safe, as again it’s a significant goal for all of our events to be a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone involved

We are the same mods! This time around we’ve factored in time for our personal schedules, which are also more stable now. We also have some friends with mod experience on standby that can step in and help us if need be

What is the TMA Big Bang?

It’s a collaborative event where writers, betas, and artists are paired up and work on a unique fic/art piece. Ours is focusing on the podcast The Magnus Archives.

Can I participate?

Of course! Sign up applications will open October 31st, and will remain open until November 14th.

Is there any required social media for this event?

Yes - we are requiring both a Tumblr or Twitter account and a Discord. All communication occurs through the bang Discord server, and we will need your Tumblr or Twitter to dm you a server link and so you can post your content.

How do the sign up applications work?

Upon the completion of your sign up, the mods will review your form and dm you a sign up link through Tumblr or Twitter. We reserve the right to deny any application. Don’t let this discourage you from signing up - this is not a judgement on quality, merely a way for us to help keep track of who is participating.

If I want to participate as a writer, how much do I have to write?

The minimum word count for all fics will be 8k, regardless of whether it is a oneshot or multichap fic.

Can I write two fics?

Yes! You may write two fics, in any combination of oneshot or multichap you choose. You may also co-write one or both fics with a partner. Please be aware that the min word count for each fic is still 8k.

What is the multichap post by date?

As you may have noticed in our schedule, March 15th is listed as the date all multichapter fics must be finished posting by. You will be free to post on whatever schedule you want within the time frame between your first posting date and the multichap post by date, but your fic must be fully posted on AO3 by that date. If you do not finish posting by then, you risk being unable to participate in future events.

Is there anything I’m not allowed to write?

We’re not allowing NSFW content, or content glorifying of unhealthy relationships (abuse, pedophilia/age difference where one was a minor, grooming, etc.) We are also not allowing any x reader fics, or fics focusing on OCs or avatarsonas.

Why is NSFW content banned?

In this bang, we will have a zero tolerance policy for explicit discussion of sexual content in order to make the bang friendly for all ages. Within your fic, references to sexual content are permitted, but your fic must abide by the AO3 guidelines for an M-rated fic or lower. TL:DR: We know this show deals in incredibly mature and intense themes, so we will allow M-rated fics, but explicit sexual content is completely banned. If you have more questions, you can always send an ask to the event blog or dm a mod!

We have answered this more in-depth here.

What about crossovers?

We will be allowing crossovers, but the characters of TMA should still play a primary role in the plot of your fic.

What if I have a beta and/or artist I normally work with?

In our sign up form, there will be a place for betas and artists to say that they have a pre-established agreement to work with a certain writer! To ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to work on fics, we are only allowing writers to join with a maximum of one artist and one beta pre-established.

What type of art can I make?

We accept any type of art, whether that’s traditional or digital art, edits, moodboards, playlists, title cards, podfics, or more!

If you are creating podfics or traditional/digital art, you are only required to make one piece of art per fic. However, if you are making edits, playlists, or moodboards, we are going to require that you make a minimum of two pieces per fic for the fics you’re making edits/playlists/moodboards for.

Are there any requirements to being a beta?

Nope! Just do your best, and ask your author what they need help with! If you want more info, @shelbychild wrote a guide that you can find here

What if I am a minor and feel uncomfortable working with adults, (or I am an adult and feel uncomfortable working with minors)?

We know this show can be quite dark, and that some may prefer to write only with other minors or other adults! When authors fill out their fic synopsis forms, they will be able to say that their fic is minors only or adults only, as well as any other trigger or content warnings that apply to their fic. When we open claiming, artists and betas will have full access to all of this info, and be able to make their choices from there!

What do I need to prepare for my synopsis/What info will be available for each fic at claiming?

Each fic will have a working title, the author(s), genre, AO3 rating, trigger warnings, pairings, word count, artist specifics, and beta specifics. There will also be a short plot summary and a 100-300 word excerpt.

I have never participated in a bang before, and I have absolutely no clue what to expect.

That’s totally understandable, and we’re happy you’re considering our event! Earlier this year, we wrote a guide to big bangs for beginners for @podcastbigbang, which you can find here. Give it a read, it may help answer a lot of your questions!

Where can I see/read the fics/art?

October 31st - November 14th: Sign-Ups Open

Sign-Up applications for writers, betas, and artists will be open! Please make sure you have Tumblr messages open so a mod can dm you a link to the Discord server.

November 16th: Deadline to join Discord

If you do not join the Discord server by this date, you will be unable to participate in this event. If there are issues with the link sent to you, contact a mod ASAP.

November 17th, 11:59PM EST: Synopses Due

All fic synopses must be sent in by WRITERS by this time. If you do not send a synopsis, you will be removed as a writer from the event, no exceptions or late submissions.

November 19th: Claiming Begins

The claiming document with all the fic synopses will be open so ARTISTS and BETAS can claim the fics they want to work with. There will be open slots to put your tumblr username for each fic. The exact time claiming will open is yet to be determined and will be announced closer to the date.

November 20th, 11:59PM EST:  Claiming Ends

Get in contact with all the members of your group. Take this time to introduce yourselves, set up a schedule with your betas, and start to discuss which scenes will be depicted or what the concept of the art pieces is going to be.

December 2nd: Deadline to Contact Groups

You should hear from all of your members by this date! Please let us know if there are any issues with contacting any members of your group.

WRITERS: If you are creating an outline, you must send it to your group by this date, as well as check in with the mods that you have either sent an outline or informed your team there will be no outline.

December 8th: Checkpoint One

WRITERS should have 1.6k written and shared with their groups.

ARTISTS and BETAS should have checked in with their groups and established a plan for what is asked of them and what they will be doing the rest of the bang.

December 22nd: Checkpoint Two

WRITERS should have 3.2k written and shared with their groups.

ARTISTS should show their group some sketches, an outline, to let them know how far you’ve gotten and if you need to know anything new.

BETAS should be up to date on reading through all their fics.

January 5th: Checkpoint Three

WRITERS should have 4.8k written and shared with their groups.

ARTISTS should have a good idea of all the scenes/info you’re planning to use, start outlining/sketching if you haven’t.

BETAS should be up to date on reading through all their fics.

January 12th: Checkpoint Four

WRITERS should have 6.4k written and shared with their groups.

ARTISTS: if you’re doing more than one piece try to have one of them pretty much ready so you have time to work on the other. Let your writer know if you need more info than what they’ve given you thus far.

BETAS should be up to date on reading through all their fics.

January 19th: Checkpoint Five

WRITERS should have 7.2k written and shared with their groups.

ARTISTS should be in constant connection with their groups, if you are going to add any last minute touches now is the time.

BETAS should be up to date on reading through all their fics.

January 26th: Checkpoint Six

WRITERS should have 8k, or be totally finished with their fics. Take this next week to go over final edits and make a plan for posting with your team.

ARTISTS should be done with all their pieces, take this time to make sure you have image IDs for all your pieces and have talked about a plan for posting.

BETAS should take this time for any last edits, as well as seeing if their authors need help with things like tags or summaries for posting.

February 2nd: End of Content Creation

February 6th: Posting Dates Assigned

Based on what we’ve heard back from everyone, we’ll assign you a posting day. We’ll do our best to give the latest posting dates to those that, for whichever circumstance, fell behind (so, if you feel you’re good to go, let us know you’re up for being the first to post).

February 7 - 14th: Posting Week

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