Welcome to Rare Pair Exchange 2016

This is our fifth multi-fandom Rare Pair Exchange on Livejournal.

Fest FAQs:

1. This fest is to celebrate rare relationships (romantic and/or sexual) in ALL fandoms. Canon or non-canon relationships are welcome. They may be slash, het, femslash, or any combination of the aforementioned.

2. For the purpose of this fest, a rare pair will be defined as a relationship that has less than 250 COMPLETED works of 1000 words or greater in a single archive.

3. You must have an Archive of Our Own (AO3) account to participate. If you do not have one, please send an email to us at rarepairmod@gmail.com with the email address you would like us to send the invite.

4. Nominations
- Before signups, we will have a nomination period for people to pick fandoms and relationships that they would like included in the exchange.

- Each person can nominate five fandoms and six relationships per fandom.

- Nominated relationships can also include threesomes/moresomes.

- Crossover nominations are welcome. Please nominate them under the fandom "Crossover Fandom" and include in parenthesis the fandom for each individual in the pairing (ex. Harry Potter (Harry Potter)/Sherlock Holmes (BBC Sherlock)).

- Real person fiction (RPF) may be nominated with the following caveats:
a.) Nominated characters must be 18 or older.
b.) Living non-famous persons may not be nominated (for example, someone's wife or child).

- We will post an updated list of rejected nominations.

- If you feel like something was rejected that shouldn't have been, there will be an evidence post where you can provide details as to why it should be allowed.

5. Signups
- Do not imply rank for relationship or otherwise specify a favorite relationship (in the event you are requesting more than one ship in your fandom) or fandom.

- You can edit/delete your signup until signups close.

- Only sign up for fandoms you are comfortable receiving/creating fic or art for.

Requests
- Signups must include 3-10 fandoms from our list of nominated fandoms, and participants must pick 1-10 relationships from each fandom. You can also choose to request "any" nominated relationship in a given fandom.

- For each request you must choose if you want fic, art, or both.

- While the description section is optional, we strongly suggest you include dislikes. Other things to consider are the inclusion of general likes, rating restrictions, prompt ideas, or anything else you’d like the writer to know. However, please remember that these are optional for the person assigned to you. If you have a lot to say, consider linking to a letter in your own journal with the extra details (like with Yuletide).

Offers
- You must offer between 3-10 fandoms with between 1 and 20 pairings per fandom. You can also choose to offer to write/draw "any" nominated relationship in a given fandom.

- For each offer you must choose if can produce fic, art, or both.

6. Assignments
- All fics have to be a minimum of 1,000 words. There is no maximum word count. Art can be computer- or hand-drawn and must be complete (no rough sketches). Manips are not allowed as standalone art, but can be included in addition to a story or art.

- You are guaranteed to match on one fandom, one ship, and one media type. You don’t have to write the fandom/relationship you were matched on if something else the person requested interests you.

- At minimum you are required to write/draw for at least one fandom/relationship and not include any dislikes (if supplied). While it is not required, if possible use one of the requested prompts if provided.

- While the author/artist will not be bound by the scenarios, creating something that blatantly disregards the recipient's likes/dislikes will not be accepted.

- Related canons – You must write/draw for the version of the fandom requested unless your recipient gives you explicit permission to write in a related canon. (ex. If a person requests BBC Sherlock, you can’t write/draw for them something set in the Downey films unless they say they are okay with that).

- If you have a problem with, any questions about, or cannot complete your assignment, please contact us immediately at rarepairmod@gmail.com.

7. Pinch Hits
- All pinch hits will be posted here https://groups.google.com/group/rare-pair-pinch-hits.

- In the event we have issues matching someone, they will go out as a pinch hit right away.

- If you withdraw and the person assigned to create something for you withdraws, you will not be assigned a pinch hitter.

8. No extensions will be given.

9. Stories that are obvious placeholders (random text, no text, stories under 1000 words, etc.) at the time assignments are due will be rejected. If you do not default by the deadline or if you only have an obvious placeholder up at the time assignments are due, your assignment will automatically go out as a for pinch hit, and you will not be able to participate in the next fest unless you produce a full length treat before signups for the next round start.

10. You are welcome to continue editing your story between the time assignments are due and reveals.

11. Works will NOT be revealed until everyone has a gift.

12. Treats (stories/art created for someone that you are not assigned) are welcome and encourage. You don't have to sign up to create treats. Treats may be any length/medium.

Fest Rules:

1. NO WANK! Be respectful. Please realize that everyone has different likes/interests/dislikes.

2. Betas are not required but strongly encouraged. Submissions with excessive spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors will be rejected. We will have a beta sign up post for those that will need one.

3. As this is an anonymous exchange, do not post your story anywhere else or reveal your recipient to anyone until authors/artists are revealed. After reveals you are welcome to post anywhere.

4. Stories must be written specifically for this exchange and can’t have previously been posted somewhere and can't be part of a previously posted series.

Dates

- June 1 through June 14 - Nomination Period
- June 17 through June 28 - Signups open
- July 1 - Assignments will be sent out by this date
- August 20 - Assignments are due
- August 26 - Final Pinch Hits Due
- August 27 - Works are revealed
- September 3 - Creators are revealed

Please do not hesitate to contact us at rarepairmod@gmail.com if you have any questions/comments/concerns. We do not know about issues unless we are told.