TREKTOBER

Before we get into Trektober this year I'd just like to show you all something.

This is a comment that Demerite, who you may know as Mod Demi, left on one of my fics in 2018. This is the first time we ever interacted.

We graduated from there to exchanging messages on tumblr, and on Discord. When tumblr introduced their horrifying chat groups in 2019, we branched out and started the USS McKirk Discord server.

It was such a huge social and emotional lifeline for me in a world where people who share my interests are not always geographically close to me. I still read messages on that server every day and smile. I just moved home, and went through the pile of cards and gifts I've received in our exchanges, and it nearly brought me to tears with gratitude. I have met, in person, eight of those people. I consider some of them my closest friends.

Through it all, Demi has been my guiding light for what is real and true. They are kind, creative and so in sync with me that I still marvel, sometimes. They remain one of the most wonderful, incredible people I have ever encountered.

So if you ever think to yourself that comments on creative works cannot possibly matter, please remember

My life was irreparably changed by one.

None of us want to be alone out there.

Events like this one (and in fact very specifically this one) would not exist without them.

Okay, for those of you who haven't done Trektober before (in our SEVENTH YEAR, which even we can't believe), the rules are simple:

Each day of October has three prompts. One is a general plot prompt, one is a Star Trek-themed prompt, one is an NSFW prompt. You can pick any number of those prompts on each day, and create something for them. You can do as many days or as few as you like, whatever motivates you best!

If you'd like to keep to the rules and go for 100% completion, we allow three wildcards a month to just create whatever the heck you want on those days.

And if any of this doesn't work for you, it's totally fine to do something else! The important thing is, you're here, you're creating, and you're supporting your fellow creators.

The only non-negotiable rule is please tag appropriately! We do not place any restrictions on forms or nature of works produced, so we trust you all to know what's best, and to be kind to people while you do it.

So without further ado, here are your prompt lists! As always, NSFW list is under the cut, for those who would prefer to avoid.

Hi yes, the collection is now in the pinned post! And here!

Hi,

Yes please do! All we request on posting to the collection is that works are tagged as comprehensively as possible, any languages are fine!

Hi, thank you so much for being here with us!

The works can be in any language you like, or if it helps you to write slower in English and post later (or both!!) that's totally fine too, whatever works for you!

Hi there,

I'm here to tell you right now that neither of the mods will ever think you're half-assing anything due to chronic illness!

We create this challenge for everyone to use in exactly the way that works for them. If more rules and deadlines help you, feel free to do it in exactly the way it's written. If you're unable to do that, that's perfectly fine too. If you create one thing you don't even post, we will still be proud. The last thing we want is for anyone to struggle.

That might not particularly be an answer to your question, technically, but I hope it helps!

It can be anything! If you can relate it to the prompt, it can take any creative form you like!

If you take a scroll through the trektober tags for the previous years I'm sure you can see the wonderful variety of things people have made, in all sorts of forms.

Still waiting on an interpretive dance though, far as I know...

Yeah do it! Combine all 3 if you like! Whatever works for you is all good with us!

Heck yeah if they meet the prompts, I don't see why not!

A prompt list is forever not just for Trektober 💖

Good catch, thank you!

If you would like to use last year’s list, you are more than welcome to post works to last year’s AO3 collection or on tumblr using the 2023 tag, but to avoid confusion, we’d ask that you don’t post tot be 2024 collection or tag. Part of the fun of Trektober is seeing different interpretations of the same prompts. Thanks for understanding!

For the sixth (holy sh*t how?) year in a row, Aisha and I are kicking off Trektober 2024 with release of the official prompt lists. Releasing the lists now gives everyone participating plenty of time to plan ahead before posting starts in October.

As in previous years, there are three lists, each with their own theme.

The final (spicy) prompt list is below the cut, for those who wish to avoid it!