GSGW (GDCG) Reverse Big Bang 2026
A collaborative fan event between Artists & Authors for
Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work
by Baek Deoksoo※ Note: We're excited to have you. Welcome aboard the train!
About
This event is a celebration of Even If I Fall Into a Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work (괴담에 떨어져도 출근을 해야하는 나) by Baek Deoksoo (백덕수), highlighting the unique world, tone, and characters that define the work.All kinds of creative interpretations are welcome. There are no restrictions on content, dynamics, or ratings. This includes alternate universes (AUs), canon-divergent ideas, and experimental formats. The only firm guideline is that canon character(s) from the original novel must remain the central focus of your work.Please note that original characters are fine as background or supporting elements, but they should not be the main focus. All entries should be appropriately tagged to help readers navigate content.Definition
A "Reverse Big Bang" is a collaborative fanwork event where artists take the lead. Unlike a traditional Big Bang—where authors write first and artists claim authors' WIPs (works in progress) to illustrate—this format gives artists creative freedom to develop their own pieces or concepts first. Authors then browse the artists' submitted WIPs during a claiming period and choose one to write a story for, guided by the artist's vision and content preferences.Once paired, the artist and author will work together to develop story and art side by side, leading up to the event’s posting date.Guide
- Artists will create at least one piece of new art for the event
- Authors will write a fanfiction of at least 4,000 words long based on the art piece that they have claimed
- You may participate as both an Author and an Artist, but you will not create fanfiction for your own art.
- Works generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are not permitted in this event.
- For more information, please see General Info, Timeline, Rules, FAQ, or navigate to the Explanations on a Google Document by clicking the 'Page' Icon below.
Overview
- Artists will create one to three (1-3) art pieces with the source material of GSGW/GDCG as the primary focus.
- Authors will write a fanfiction of a minimum of 4,000 words based on one of the Artists’ art pieces.
- Artists and Authors will both be required to submit their work in progress for Check-Ins (check the Timeline for more information).
- If you need to drop out or feel unable to complete a deadline, please contact the Moderators ahead of time.
For more information, please see the Rules.
Welcome Aboard
Thank you for showing interest in our event!RolesArtist
Creates a concept sketch or artwork featuring canon characters, which will be used in the anonymous claims process. After matching, the artist completes the piece while collaborating with their assigned writer(s).Author
Chooses an artwork during the claims period and writes a fic inspired by it. Authors collaborate with the artist to align the story with the original concept while respecting any content preferences or Do Not Writes (DNWs)Beta Reader
Acts as an (optional) editor or reviewer for authors. Betas may help with grammar, flow, tone, and how well the fic complements the original artwork.Pinch Hitter
A backup participant—either an artist or author—who volunteers to step in if someone drops out. Pinch-hitters work on a shorter timeline to ensure all teams have completed works for posting.
Timeline
disclaimer: this is a provisional timeline, subject to change as needed.July 19th – Interest Check Goes Live
Help us gauge interest in the event before sign-ups open!September 6th – Artists’ Sign-Ups Go Live
Artists may sign up to contribute completed standalone artworks, which will later be claimed anonymously by authors.September 6th – Authors’ Sign-Ups Go Live
Authors may sign up to create fanfiction inspired by the artworks submitted by Artists. Author sign-ups will remain open until the deadline unless extended.October 4th – Artists’ Sign-Ups CloseOctober 24th – Mandatory Artists’ Check-Ins Go Live
Artists must submit a sketch or rough version of their piece that clearly conveys the intended final composition. It should include a basic background or visual structure that allows an author to build a story from it.
Artists must also include a list of restrictions for fic content (e.g. no NSFW, etc) that authors must follow. Optional prompts or themes are welcome but not required, and will only be suggestions.October 31st – Mandatory Artists’ Check-Ins Close
October 31st – Deadline for Artists to Drop Out, no questions asked
November 5th – Authors’ Sign-Ups Close (Subject to Change)
After this date, artists are expected to continue in the event unless serious issues arise. Authors must also complete sign-up forms by this date unless the deadline is extended.November 9th – Art Claims Go Live
Authors will be able to view submitted anonymous artwork WIPs (works-in-progress) and claim one to inspire their fic. Authors must respect any stated restrictions and preferences from the artist.November 14th – Art Claims Close
No more claims will be accepted after this date. Additional rounds may be opened depending on available unclaimed art.November 21st – Team Matches Are Sent to Artists & Authors
Teams will be notified of their matches. Artists and authors should begin communicating and planning collaboratively from this point forward.November 28th – Mandatory Teams Check-Ins Go Live
This check-in ensures all teams are in active contact and working together. If someone is unresponsive or unavailable, adjustments may be made.December 4th – Mandatory Teams Check-Ins Close
Failure to check in may result in removal from the event or reassignment of partners.December 19th – Authors’ First (Mandatory) & Artists’ Second (Optional) Check-Ins Go Live
Authors must submit 30% of the minimum word count and/or a full outline describing the beginning, middle, and end of the story. This check-in must also include a provisional title, summary, rating, tags, and known content/archive warnings.
Artists may optionally submit updates or refinements to their work at this stage.December 26th – Authors & Artists Check-Ins Close
December 26th – Deadline for Authors to Drop Out, no questions asked
Authors are expected to continue beyond this point. If you are no longer able to participate, please notify us by this date.January 9th – Beta and Pinch Hitter Sign-Ups Close
Final opportunity to sign up to assist with beta reading or stepping in as a backup writer or artist.February 6th – Artists’ Final and Mandatory Check-In Goes Live
Artists should deliver their finalised and polished art pieces, along with any optional promotional materials (title card, teaser art, etc.) for posting.
February 6th – Authors’ Second (Optional) Check-In Goes Live
Authors may submit 60% of their fic if they would like additional feedback or support before final submission.February 13th – Authors & Artists Check-Ins Close
Final day to submit second check-ins for review.February 20th – Authors’ Final (Mandatory) Check-In Goes Live
Authors must submit their completed draft and promotional information: title, summary, tags, archive and content warnings, and final rating. This will be used for formatting and posting prep.February 27th – Authors’ Final Check-In Closes
Final deadline for written works. No changes will be accepted beyond this point unless previously arranged.March 13th (Friday) – Posting Begins
All completed fanworks will begin posting according to the final schedule. Let the celebration begin!
Rules and Requirements
General Rules, Artist Rules, & Author RulesNote: Specific dates will be added as the event progresses. for now, please refer to the Timeline.General Rules
1. You are expected to read, understand, follow, and respect the rules at all times. If something of our wording is unclear or you have any questions regarding them, it is your responsibility to ask the moderators for clarification. We’ll do our best to answer in a timely manner.2. Although we will send constant messages/reminders and post about important dates both in the Discord Server and on Social Media, it is your responsibility to manage your time accordingly and keep up with the Reverse Big Bang Schedule.3. All participants must respond to Mandatory Check-Ins at the time they are requested. You have a period of one week. If you do not, the Moderators will attempt to contact you via the methods you provided at Sign-Up. If we are unable to contact you, you will not be allowed to continue participating in the event.
Note: Extensions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, but are usually due to extenuating circumstances.4. You will communicate with your partner(s) and the moderators in a timely and professional manner. Failure to do so will result in potentially not being allowed to continue to be part of the event.
We understand major life events happen, but if weeks go by and we haven’t heard from you, it is a major source of concern for both the moderators and your partner.5. You must write down in your Sign Up form at least 2 ways we can contact you.6. Art claims will be anonymous. Participants will not independently form artist/author teams ahead of time.
While we will take preferences into account during the matching process, we cannot guarantee it depending on our matching needs.7. Not a strict rule, but we strongly recommend creating regular backups for everything you create, whether it is art or fanfiction8. All submitted works must center on Even If I Fall Into A Ghost Story, I Still Have to Go to Work and feature canon character(s) as the primary focus. Alternative Universes (AUs) and canon divergences are welcome, but crossovers and original characters as main protagonists are not permitted.9. All dynamics, genres, ratings, and content are welcome. Everything must be properly tagged and adhere to the content restrictions your Artist stipulated. If in doubt, ask the Moderators or a Beta Reader.10. All participants must indicate whether they are over or under 18 to ensure indicated matching with preferred age group(s).During sign-ups, participants will be asked to indicate their age group (over/under 18) and partnering preferences from the below options:I am 18+, and I am willing to be partnered with all age demographics
I am 18+, and I would prefer to be partnered with adults only
I am under 18, and I am willing to be partnered with all age demographics
I am under 18, and I would prefer to be partnered with other minors onlyThese preferences will be respected during the matching process. You will not be paired with someone outside your stated comfort zone.11. No participant under 18 will be allowed to create or collaborate on any 18+ or NSFW content, under any circumstances.12. Please be respectful and kind to one another. Don’t Like, Don’t Read is important to this event. We will not tolerate any harassment, bullying, gatekeeping or shaming for any reason or in any way, shape, or form. We want this event to be as welcoming and positive as possible.13. This event is a celebration of GSGW / GDCG. In case of bullying or harassment, please report it to the Moderators, who will review the situation and, if necessary, take appropriate measures.14. If you need to drop out or feel unable to complete a deadline, please contact the Moderators ahead of time. We want to work with you, and will try to be as accommodating as possible.15. If any of the fanworks have been completed before their respective posting day, we ask you to please have patience and refrain from sharing them until the assigned posting date has arrived. While everyone is eager to see and enjoy the works these collaborations will produce, it is crucial to respect the date assigned for the event.Artist Rules
1. Artists will make at least one (1) piece of brand new, previously unpublished, finished art. All content should have a primary focus on the GSGW/GDCG Universe.2. For the Reverse Bang, we will consider one (1) piece of art in the form of:
- 1 scanned traditional illustration, 500 px minimum
- 1 digital illustration, 500 px minimum
- 1 video, 60 secondsNote: If you’d like to sign as an Artist with a different form of art, please contact the Moderators with a proposal of what you believe will be equivalent to the guidelines above and we will consider your proposal.3. AI (artificial intelligence) created images are not permitted4. You may participate as both an Author and an Artist, but you will not create a fanfiction for your own art piece5. During Sign Ups you will be asked if you’d like for your Art Piece to be claimed by more than one author, or if you’d like to work with only just one Author. Keep in mind that if your Art Piece is claimed by more than one Author, you won’t be allowed to discuss the details of the fics with anyone but the respective Authors.6. Artists are allowed to submit up to (3) three separate art pieces for this Reverse Big Bang (though keeping in mind that they should all be about different ideas)7. Artists are not allowed to publicly discuss/display their artwork for this event before posting. Art Claims will be anonymous so we ask that Artists do not discuss their art in public or with authors anywhere prior to Claims.8. First Check-In will go out to Artists on October 24fh, and will close on October 31st.During First Check-In, Artists must send a sketch that most looks like the finished art piece(s). It doesn’t have to be the finished piece, but it must be completely sketched and with a semblance of background that gives the general idea of how the final piece will look. Changes will be allowed to be done to the art pieces after claims, but the Author must be able to write a fic based on the art as-is.Along with their art, Artists must include a list of restrictions on fic content (eg. no NSFW, no Major Character Death, no Dub-Con, etc.) that Authors must adhere to when they claim an Art Piece. The more clear you are with what you don’t want, the better time everyone will have during this event.Artists may also include a suggested prompt or details they’d like to see paired up with their Art Piece, but always keeping in mind that it is up to the Author if they wish to fulfil the prompt as is or not.10. Teams will be notified when every art piece has an Author (or more) on November 21st. At this point, teams will begin to coordinate directly with each other.11. Team Check-In starts on November 28th and ends on December 5th. It is a Mandatory Check-In.12. You will be required to submit your work in progress for Check-Ins.
FOR ARTISTS
- Second Check-In starts on December 19th and ends on Dexember 26th. It is an Optional Check-In.
- Third and Final Check-In starts on February 6th and ends on February 13th. It is a Mandatory Check-In.13. If Artists are unable to meet the deadline but still want to see their work as part of the event, please contact the Moderators beforehand.14. The artwork must be posted in full on the specified posting date, either linked or embedded on the corresponding fanfiction on the GSGW Reverse Big Bang 2026 AO3 Collection. Do not post beforehand. If something comes up and you cannot post on your assigned date, please contact the Moderators as soon as possible.15. Digital and Traditional art can be embedded on the fic or posted separately on AO3/elsewhere, at the decision of both you and your Author. If the art is to be embedded, your Author will add you as a Co-Creator if requested. If they’re unsure how to do this, please contact the Moderators.16. There is no maximum or minimum size for this Reverse Big Bang, but please be mindful of final file sizes with regards to uploading and downloading.17. The final date to drop out as an Artist is on October 31st.Author Rules
1. Authors will write a fanfiction with a minimum of 4,000 words based on the artwork they have claimed after Moderators have made the teams. Authors have multiple months to write their story and must consider this timeline when making a claim. Please be mindful of your schedule and the writing period we have given so you do not claim something you cannot write in that window of time. (Authors should be aware that they may or may not be the only one working on a piece, as some Artists have said that they’re okay with more than one Author claiming their Art Piece(s))2. Authors must respect restrictions specified by the Artist during Art Claims. The fanfiction must be related to the art for which it is written, and it cannot have been already posted elsewhere. All fanfictions must be brand new and original.3. While writing, you may stumble upon a topic that your teammate was not aware of that made them uncomfortable. We ask that you do your best to always communicate with your teammate at all times and reach a compromise if need be so that you both have a good time during this event.4. Authors won’t demand changes to the art to fit the fanfiction unless your artist has expressly permitted this.5. Art Claims will go live on [insert date] and will end on [insert date]. The process will be anonymous (as much as they can be), meaning Authors won’t know whose artwork they’re claiming.6. Teams will be notified when every Author has been paired with an Artist on November 21st. At this point, teams will begin to coordinate directly with each other.
Team Check-In starts on November 28th and ends on December 5th. It is a Mandatory Check-In.7. Authors should include a link to their Artist’s artwork when posting their fanfiction (If the artist has decided not to post on social media, then it should be linked/embedded on the fanfiction on AO3).8. Author’s fics should be complete and posted in its entirety on their scheduled posting date, unless you have previously contacted the mods.9. All works must be written in English.10. Drafts you submit must be in .pdf, .doc, or .docx. Photos of notebooks or handwritten outlines are allowed.11. Authors will be required to submit their work in progress during Check-Ins.12. First Check-In starts on December 19th and ends on December 26th. It is a Mandatory Check-In.At this time, Authors must submit: a provisional title, summary, rating, key tags, and content and archive warnings you know your work will include and:30% of their rough draft (depending on the established minimum word count for this event)
OR
an outline depicting the beginning, middle, and ending of your work, as well as any amount of rough draft you have.13. Author’s Second Check-In starts on February 6th and ends on February 13th. It is an Optional Check-In.At this time, Authors must submit:
60% rough draft14. Author’s Final Check-In starts on February 20th and ends on February 27th at 6:59 UTC. It is a Mandatory Check-In.At this time Authors must submit their Final Draft as well as Promotional Information (title, tags, summary, archive and content warnings, rating).15. The full summary and details of the story must be kept between Author, Artist, Beta Reader, and mods until after the works have been revealed. Little snippets of the work, even hints of the title and of the plot, are allowed, but never the full fic or entire chapters (if the fic is multi-chaptered).16. Beta readers are not required, but moderators will assist you in finding one if interested.17. Stories must be posted in full to the Official GSGW Reverse Big Bang Collection on AO3 on the specified posting date. Do not post beforehand. If you can not post in the collection or are unable to post that day, please communicate with the moderators beforehand.18. The final date to drop out as an Author is on December 26th.19. Works generated by Artificial Intelligence won’t be allowed to participate in the event.
Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQ, Artist FAQ, Author FAQGeneral FAQ
- What is a Reverse Bang?
A Reverse Bang is a creative challenge that is the opposite of a Big Bang. Instead of Authors writing their fic and Artists creating art for it, it’s the Artists who first create a piece of artwork. Then, Authors will claim the artwork during an anonymous claiming process and proceed to write a fic based on that artwork and following the guidelines given by the Artist for content they don’t want associated with their art.Artists may submit optional prompts and concept notes along with their art. These prompts can help guide writers, but the focus of the inspiration will come from the artwork itself. Writers should view these prompts/notes as collaborative suggestions, not requirements, and are encouraged to reach out after claims to align their plans. Do Not Writes (DNWs) listed by the artist are mandatory and must always be respected.- How does this Reverse Bang work?
After Artist Sign-Ups open, Artists will have a little over a month to submit a sketch that most looks like the finished art piece(s) they will submit during Final Check-In. It doesn’t have to be the finished piece, but it must be completely sketched and with a semblance of background that gives the general idea of how the final art piece will look like. The Authors must be able to write a fic based on the art as-is.
Along with their art, Artists must include a list of restrictions on fic content (eg. no NSFW, no MCD, no Dub-Con) that Authors must adhere to when they claim an artwork. The more clear Artists are with what they don’t want, the better time everyone will have during this event.Artists may also include a suggested prompt or more details they’d like to see paired up with their Art Piece, but always keeping in mind that it is up to the Author if they wish to adhere to that.After an anonymous process in which Authors will claim one (1) Art Piece they wish to create a story for, Moderators will partner Authors and Artists. (Authors should be aware that they might not be the only one working on a piece, as some Artists have said that they’re okay with more than one Author claiming their Art Piece(s))Once partnered up, teams will collaborate to produce their finished work by the posting date, Friday, March 13, 2026Please be respectful at all times of both your teammate and the Moderators.- How do I sign up?
You will need to fill out the respective Sign-Up Form for the role you wish to partake in this event. Every role has a different end date for their Sign-Up Forms.Artist Sign-Ups October 4th
Author Sign-Ups October 31st
Beta/Pinch-Hitter Sign-Ups January 9th- Can I sign up for more than one role?
Yes! You can always sign as an Author and an Artist, with the stipulation that you won’t be creating a fanfiction for your own art piece. You can also sign up as a Beta and help an Author with their fic alongside your own work.- What type of content is accepted?
We welcome any fanworks as long as they have a primary focus on the canon characters and the original novel. There are no restrictions on content or ratings.All interpretations are encouraged, whether they are canon-compliant or canon-divergent. The only content requirement we have is that everything is properly tagged and that a canon character along with the source material remains central.- I’m under 18. Can I still participate in the Reverse Big Bang?
Yes. Participants of all ages are welcome. However, if you are under 18, you cannot collaborate on any NSFW or 18+ content. You will also have the option to request that you are only paired with other minors.- Do age group preferences apply even if I’m not making NSFW content?
Yes. These matching preferences apply regardless of the content rating of your final work. The intent is to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety when collaborating.- How do authors and artists create something for the event? Are there prompts?
Artists will sign up to create one (1) brand new, previously unpublished piece of art with a primary focus on the GSGW Universe/Characters.They must submit Content Restrictions (i.e. content they don’t want associated with their artwork) alongside their artwork, but they can also submit a prompt as well.However, no Author is under obligation to fulfill the prompt, just adhere to the Content Restrictions. The prompt is merely a suggestion.Authors will sign up to write 1 brand new, previously unpublished fic of at least 4,000 words based on the artwork they claim during Art Claims.For this, Authors will be sent a form containing all the artworks available for claiming for this event. The content of their fanfiction is completely of their choosing, as long as it is related to the artwork and it adheres to the Content Restrictions Artists stipulated. This process will be anonymous, during which the Authors will claim their preferred Art Pieces(See Rules and Requirements for more information).- What exactly are claims?
In this event, artists will submit a work-in-progress (WIP) concept art that will be used in the anonymous claims process. These are not intended to solely be for personal use—they are intended specifically to be viewed by writers, who will use them to select a piece they want to write a fic for.During the claims period, all concept sketches will be displayed anonymously. Writers will review the available WIPs and rank them based on which they are most interested in writing for.Artists may submit up to three (3) separate concept sketches and may indicate whether they are open to being paired with more than one writer per piece.Preferences from both writers and artists will be considered during the matching process.After matches are made, the artist and writer(s) will collaborate, and the artist will finish the piece they initially submitted. While edits and improvements to the artwork are allowed after claims, the final version must remain consistent with the concept sketch shown during claims. Any major changes should be mutually agreed upon with the writer.- How do claims work?
Once Artists have sent us their first mandatory Check-In, the moderators will share the anonymous in-progress art pieces and content restrictions with the Authors, so they can claim which work they want to create a fic for. Each artist will receive at least one finished fic/story, with additional rounds of claiming being opened as necessary if not everyone has been assigned a partner.- What should I do if I’m having issues with my partner?
Contact us at [email protected], or contact the Moderators directly. We will do our best to help the situation and, if necessary, team you up with a different partner.- What are Check-Ins?
Check-Ins are a way to let Moderators catch up with Authors and Artists alike to know the status of the works for the Reverse Bang, and to provide them with any kind of support they need (if needed). Check-Ins aren’t meant to pressure Authors and Artists, but a way to encourage them with the work they’re doing.- How do I submit my work for Check-Ins?
When the time comes for a Check-In, the Moderators will send out a form for participants to fill out which will include an area for you to upload the documents necessary for Check-In, or may communicate with the participants in another manner.- I missed a Check-In! Can I still participate?
If it was an optional Check-In, it’s okay. However, for mandatory Check-Ins, please contact the Moderators as soon as possible so we can work something out with you. It’s best to give advance notice as much as possible.- When can I post my work?
The posting date will be Friday, March 13th, 2026. None of the works can be shared before the posting date. However, if something comes up and you are unable to post on the chosen date, please contact the Moderators as soon as possible.- What if I need to drop out?
We understand life gets busy and sometimes we don’t have enough time. We ask that you consider your options (like asking for extensions, communication) before dropping out completely. If you still want to drop out, let us know as soon as possible, but no later than [insert date] for Artists, and [insert date] for Authors.However, we also know that life can get unpredictable and we can’t plan for certain things, so if the deadline for dropping out has passed and you find yourself in need to drop out, we ask that you come to us, the Moderators, and openly communicate with us. We’ll do our best to work with you to explore other options so that dropping out is the last one you consider.Before the drop out deadline, you can drop out for whatever reason without giving any explanation whatsoever and facing no penalty, but past the deadline, we ask that this is only due to extenuating circumstances, and that you communicate with us, otherwise, you will potentially not be allowed to participate in this event, or any other future events.After art claims are done and team matches have been revealed, if an Author drops out, we will contact a Pinch-Hitter Author to come in and get them in touch with the Artist. However, if an Artist drops out, we will allow the Author to choose whether they want to post their fic on their chosen date, or if they would like to work with another Artist / Pinch-Hitter Artist and pair them up with someone.No matter what, we ask that you contact us with any issues or concerns you have about the event. We are happy to work with you and help you post your work. However, disappearing without letting your team and the Moderators know will impact your chance of posting at all for this and upcoming events.- Where can I see the works after they’ve been posted?
We will be sharing masterposts of all the works on their respective posting days on both Tumblr and Twitter, and they will all be posted on the GSGW Reverse Big Bang 2026 AO3 Collection.
Once the event is done, we will post a Masterlist with links to every Masterpost for easy access.- I have a question I didn’t see here!
Our ask box, DMs on Tumblr, Twitter, and Tellonym (@gsgwreversebang), are always open, but you can also email us at: [email protected]. You can also contact our head moderator Rina directly via Discord and Tumblr (@rinovella), if you’re more comfortable with that.Artist FAQ
- What kind of art piece can I create for this event?
Artists will make at least one (1) piece of brand new, previously unpublished, finished art. All content should have a primary focus on the GSGW Universe/Character(s)For the Reverse Bang, we will consider one (1) piece of art in the form of:
> 1 scanned traditional illustration, 500 px minimum
> 1 digital illustration, 500 px minimum
> 1 video, 60 secondsNote: if you’d like to sign as an Artist with a different form of art, please contact the Moderators with a proposal of what you believe will be equivalent to the guidelines above and we will consider your proposal.- Can I submit more than one piece of art for the event?
Yes, but we ask that you submit no more than 3 artworks, and that they all be about different ideas.Note: In the event there are not enough writers, not all of your artworks may be claimed- What should I aim for with my in-progress artwork / concept sketch for claims?
The artwork should be featuring the GSGW/GDCG universe. We ask that original character(s) / characters from other media not be the focus of the piece.Because these sketches are used by writers to decide what to claim, they must be clear enough to suggest a premise, character, scene, etc that a non-artist / writer can comprehend and can reasonably build a fic around.This does not mean the art must be fully polished or detailed—but it should communicate the basic idea of what’s happening, who is involved, or what kind of story it might become.Artists should plan their concept sketch / WIP with the understanding that another person will use the image as a storytelling prompt.
The version submitted for claims is considered the baseline that writers will be working from.
> After claims, artists are expected to complete the piece based on the concept sketch they submitted.While refinements are allowed, the final version should remain recognizably based on the original WIP unless the artist and writer decide otherwise.Artists may also submit optional written context alongside the sketch (such as a brief prompt, character IDs, or a general idea), which will be shared during the claims process.However, writers are only required to respect any DNWs (Do Not Writes) provided by the artist. They are not obligated to follow suggested prompts or story ideas unless both parties agree post-matching.- Do you have any examples of the type of art for art claims?
refer to https://tinyurl.com/gsgw2026rbbnote: There is no “strict” criteria on what claim art has to look like. feel free to check in with our moderators if you have any further concerns about your submissions.- Do you have any examples of what not to submit for claims?
Refer to https://tinyurl.com/gsgw2026rbbPreviously posted or publicly shared piecesConcept sketches for claims do not need to be polished, colored, or fully rendered. Rough sketches, linework, and unfinished pieces are absolutely welcome. However, the artwork must show clear effort and intention, and it should be visually readable enough for a writer to interpret and build a fic from.While everyone has a different process and skill level, please avoid submitting art that is extremely minimal or unclear—such as very rough napkin doodles, post-it scribbles, or sketches with little to no context or form. If the scene is too vague or the characters are unidentifiable, it may not be usable as a narrative prompt.If you're not sure whether your WIP meets the standard for claims, you’re welcome to check in with the mod team for guidance before submitting.- Can I discuss the art I’m planning to submit for claims?
Claims are anonymous. Artists must not share their submitted artwork publicly or discuss it with writers until the claim results are announced.- Can I post my artwork outside of the completed fic on AO3?
Artwork can be shared on your personal accounts or on an image hosting site, but we ask that you share the links for our masterposts and post only when the posting date has arrived. Please coordinate with your partner when it comes to posting.- I don’t want to post my art on social media, can it be embedded in the fic?
Yes, if you don’t want to post it on your account, you do not have to do it. It can be posted alongside the fic, though we must tell you that, since AO3 is not an image hosting site, your art will have to be posted elsewhere for it to be embedded on the fic. One method of doing this is creating a Tumblr Draft with the image, grabbing the link, and then deleting the draft. Coordinate with your Author how to go about posting, and contact the Moderators if any issues or concerns arise before or during your posting day.- As this is an all-included event, will artists have the chance to say what type of content they do not want to interact with?
When Artists sign up for this event, in their Sign-Up Form they will have to tell us their DNWs (Do Not Wants), squicks, triggers, or anything else they want us to know so Authors can know what not to write in their fics.Author FAQ- What does a mandatory outline consist of?
For the first Check-In (which is mandatory for all Authors), we will require you to give us a summary of your fic, a provisional title, key tags you know you will use, the relevant AO3 archive warnings, as well as content warnings or squicks that you think will apply, as well as either one of this options:
- A 30% rough draft of the minimum word count
or
- A rough outline that details the beginning, middle and ending of your fic, as well as any amount of rough draft you have.We know these things change as you continue writing the story, but this is a way to show that you are working on your fic and making progress.
Author FAQ (continued)
- Can my fanfiction be part of a series/a sequel to another one of my fanfictions?
Your fic should be created exclusively for this event, and as a response to the art. Accordingly, it can be part of a series only if no previous knowledge of the series is necessary to understand or enjoy it. It can also be the start of a series, but only if the fic itself is complete, and can be read as a standalone piece.- Can I talk about my fanfiction for this event with others?
Please don't share too many details about your fic publicly until your posting date, including, including discussing it in public spaces and posting excerpts of it beyond snippets.- Can I write something I already had in mind?
You will be allowed to use ideas you’ve mentioned off hand on social media or that you started writing before this event as long as you don’t discuss it in public spaces anymore and don’t post any excerpts of it.- Can I submit a fic in progress that I’ve already started posting?
No. Any work for this event cannot come from a previously published work.- Do I need a Beta Reader?
Beta Readers are not a requirement to participate in the event. However, we will help match you with a Beta if you would like one throughout this event.- Does my fic need to be finished by the deadline?
Yes. All works must be finished by the time their corresponding posting day arrives. If for whatever reason you’re unable to finish your work before that date, please contact the Moderators as soon as possible.- How long does my fic have to be?
We require that your fic is, at minimum, 4,000 words (if you can’t meet that mark, contact the Moderators). However, past that mark, the sky’s the limit. Be free.- How can I be a Pinch-Hitter Author?
When you sign up for the event, through the Sign-Up Form, we will ask if you’d like to also be considered as a Pinch Hitter.
If the time comes that we need more Authors at the last second, we will ask you to step-in.- How can I add my fic to the GSGW Reverse Big Bang 2026 Collection on AO3?
There are two ways to add your fanfic to the GSGW Reverse Big Bang 2026 Collection on AO3.For the first one, you must click the “Post New” button at the top of your profile, and in the “Post to Collections / Challenges” section, write GSGW Reverse Big Bang 2026.And, for the second one, you post through the Collection by clicking on the button ‘Post To Collection’ at the top of the profile.
