Challenge planning.

[randomling]

So - as some of you know, I'm running a challenge next year. Current plans are to run it from March - May next year, with stories posted in early May. That way people have plenty of time to write, and be finished in plenty of time to write their stories for Pen's Dragon Challenge which always goes live on June 6th.

The challenge is going to be called The Badass Badfic Challenge, and we already have a community open at badass_badfic. Here's what it's all about:

We've all read our share of badfic. Not just the stories that are poorly written, have bad spelling and grammar, or dodgy dialogue - but the ones that make you cringe or even laugh with their ludicrous plots, bizarre characterizations, or painfully-bad sex.

So have you ever had the urge to take one of those crazy plots and make it work? Yes? Good! Then this is the challenge for you. Take the badfic concept that has been bothering you and make it into goodfic, something that takes the ideas and runs with them. Or is, alternatively, intentionally funny.

And if you like the concept, but don't have a particular badfic-related bunny eating your brain, the never fear. We'll have a list of badfic prompts to inspire you and help you on your way!

So here are some of my plans and, um, concerns.

So, my current plan for the schedule is as follows:

Sign-ups open: Friday 27th February.

Sign-ups close: Friday 6th March.

Stories go live: Friday 1st May.

I have no idea when to start suggesting people join the community, and pimping the challenge, given the schedule. (A month before? A couple of weeks before sign-ups open?)

I'm planning to have authors post their stories to the community themselves, with no anonymous period, because that makes it easier. I'll then make a master post to the community and to shinyandnew with links to all the fics.

What do you all think of this? Any comments or suggestions? And - phaballa, may I pimp this on popsoundboard when the time is right?

Thank you!

Comments

[phaballa.livejournal.com]

Of course you can pimp it there. Just don't post about it 28372 times over there and you will be five by five.

Your timeline is fine, except isn't Camp Sparkle the first week of May? Or maybe it's the second...

[catviret.livejournal.com]

CS starts on the 7th (I believe?) so I should be all good for that - we should be wrapped up a few days before I leave. I could move it a bit earlier, though, which might make things easier for potential CSers taking part in the challenge.

And thank you! I shall make a post a little bit before I open up for sign-ups.

[epicflailer.livejournal.com]

heeeeee! i think it sounds like a fantastic idea! there's zero chance of me taking part, unfortunately, because i think i'm going to take a little break from writing popslash once sesa is over to go where my heart bunnies really are for a bit, but all the stories to come out of this? will be awesome!

[catviret.livejournal.com]

Aw. [hugs] Well, you're allowed to write the stuff you want to write, I guess.

But I can hope you'll join the comm, throw prompts at us and read along, right?

[epicflailer.livejournal.com]

oh, phew! permission! you had me worried for a second there. ;)

and i'm aaaaaaaaaabsolutely going to be there!

[catviret.livejournal.com]

[sticks tongue out at you]

And, yay! ♥

[musicboxgirl.livejournal.com]

That sounds like tons of fun!

[catviret.livejournal.com]

Ooh, glad to hear it! I shall start pimping it properly in the New Year. :D

[rikes]

In my experience the best time to pimp a challenge is when the signups are open. Maybe a note or two in advance, but I think it's good when people can sign up right away if they're interested. But that's just my opinion!

CS starts on the 8th, so I think the live date is just fine.

[catviret.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, that's a good point - I might promote it once a week or two before I open sign-ups, and then pimp everywhere once sign-ups are open.

Do you think a week is long enough to keep sign-ups open for a small challenge like this?

[rikes]

It should be since most of us are online every day and will hear about it soon. But on the other hand, I don't think a couple more days would hurt, there's still plenty of writing time left. :)