This event is a multifandom Big Bang open to participants aged 15 and up, with a focus on smaller Korean webnovel and webcomic fandoms. It aims to highlight fanworks that often go underrepresented in larger fandom spaces, while encouraging creators to explore and expand upon these works through collaborative storytelling.We welcome collaborative fanworks across all participating fandoms, as long as they maintain a primary focus on canon character(s) from their respective source material. All interpretations of the canon material are encouraged—canon-compliant, canon-divergent, and alternate universes alike.The only requirement is that canon characters are the primary focus, and that all content is clearly and appropriately tagged.

Eligibility

This event is open to participants aged 15 and above.For source material rated 19+ (R19) under Korean standards, participants must be at least 18 and above to create works for that fandom in this event. Participants are responsible for complying with these restrictions.

What is a Big Bang?

A Big Bang is a collaborative fanwork event that pairs authors and artists to create connected works.In this format:

  • Authors produce a longer written work.

  • Artists create accompanying visual work inspired by the author’s story, often beginning from a shared concept or work-in-progress (WIP).

For additional context, please refer to the Fanlore page:
https://fanlore.org/wiki/Big_Bang

What Counts as a “Smaller Fandom”?

To maintain a focus on underrepresented communities, this Big Bang prioritizes smaller Korean webnovel and webcomic fandoms.A fandom tentatively qualifies if:

Its Archive of Our Own (AO3) fandom tag, when filtered by English language and works over 1,000 words, contains fewer than 1,000 works.

Additional notes:

Webnovel and webcomic adaptations are evaluated separately.
A series may qualify through one format even if the other exceeds the threshold.

These criteria may be adjusted depending on participation and final scope.

Participation Tiers

This event offers two tiers to accommodate different levels of commitment:

  • Tier 1

  • Minimum 3,000 words (authors)

  • Lighter art requirement (defined below)

  • Tier 2

  • Minimum 8,000 words (authors)

  • More substantial art requirement (defined below)

Art requirements scale proportionally, with Tier 2 requiring twice the workload of Tier 1.

Art Requirements

Artists may work in any approved medium, provided their submission meets the required workload.

Tier 1 (3k Big Bang): 1× workload
Tier 2 (8k Big Bang): 2× workload

All guidelines below define what counts as 1× workload. Tier 2 submissions must meet 2× these requirements (e.g., two pieces, or equivalent effort).

Illustrations / Comics

One A4 page-sized finished artwork, or
One fully rendered comic page
Must be fully inked and/or rendered to a strong level of completion
May be traditional or digital
Minor variations (e.g., color swaps, small edits) do not count as separate works

Animation

One looping animation (minimum 1 second, at least 12 frames), or
One animatic

Check-Ins and Communication

  • Both artists and authors are required to submit work-in-progress (WIP) during scheduled check-ins. Please refer to the Timeline for exact dates.

  • If you anticipate difficulty meeting a deadline or need to withdraw, you must contact the moderators as early as possible.

For further expectations and policies, please refer to the Rules section.

Artist

Selects a fanfiction concept during the claims period and creates artwork(s) inspired by it.
Artists collaborate with authors to ensure alignment between their artworks and Author’s final fanfiction concept, while respecting any Do Not Wants (DNWs).

Author

Creates a new or evolved fanfiction concept featuring canon characters for the anonymous claims process. After matching, Authors complete their selected fanfiction concepts while collaborating with their assigned Artist(s).

Beta Reader (Optional)

Provides editorial support to authors, which may include:

  • Grammar and clarity

  • Narrative flow and tone

  • Character and plot consistency

  • Sensitivity reading

Pinch Hitter

A backup participant (artist or author) who steps in if a team member withdraws.Pinch hitters work on a shortened timeline to ensure all teams are able to complete their works for posting.

The following timeline outlines the expected progression of the event. All participants are required to adhere to scheduled check-ins to ensure steady progress and successful collaboration.June 15
Author and Artist Sign-Ups Open
Participants may register for their chosen roles and indicate their preferred participation tier:

Tier 1: Minimum 3,000 words (authors) with corresponding art requirements.
Tier 2: Minimum 8,000 words (authors) with expanded art requirements.

Author Sign-Ups Close July 20August 10
First Author Check-In (30%)
Authors should have completed approximately 30% of their planned word count (at minimum, roughly 900 words for Tier 1; 2,400 words for Tier 2)
Only THIS check in may be waived upon request for valid reasons; however, communication with moderators is required.September 28
Second Author Check-In (60%)
Authors should have completed approximately 60% of their planned word count (at minimum, roughly 1,800 words for Tier 1; 4,800 words for Tier 2)Artist Sign-Ups Close October 01October 12-19
Author–Artist Matching Period
Participants will be paired. Authors should have a sufficiently developed draft to support collaboration, and artists will begin planning their pieces based on the fic.December 14
Third Author Check-In (80%)

  • Authors should have completed approximately 80% of their fic (roughly 2,400 words for Tier 1; 6,400 words for Tier 2).

First Artist Check-In (30%)

  • Artists should submit initial concepts, such as thumbnails, composition sketches, etc for each planned piece.

January 25
Final Author Check-In (100%)

  • Authors must submit a complete draft that meets the minimum word count requirement for their selected tier (3,000 for Tier 1; 8,000 words for Tier 2).

  • All works must be uploaded to AO3 collection etc.

Second Artist Check-In (60%)
Artists should provide substantially developed work, such as:

  • Polished line art with partial or flat coloring (a significant portion of the piece should be colored), or

  • An equivalent level of at least 60% completion

Beta Reading and Pinch-Hitting Period

  • Authors may finalize revisions with beta readers.

  • Pinch hitters may be assigned if necessary to ensure all teams complete their work.

March 01
Final Artist Check-In (100%)

  • All artwork must be fully completed and ready for posting.

1. Adherence to Rules

All participants must read, understand, and follow these guidelines at all times. If any part of the rules is unclear, it is your responsibility to seek clarification from the moderators. We will do our best to respond in a timely manner.

2. Responsibility for Timeline Management

While moderators will provide reminders through Discord and social media, participants are responsible for managing their own schedules and keeping up with the event’s timeline and deadlines.

3. Participation in Multiple Roles

You may participate as both an artist and an author; however, you may not be paired with yourself.

4. Fandom Eligibility Requirement

To ensure a sustainable and collaborative experience, a fandom will only be included in the event if there is sufficient participant interest.A fandom will be considered eligible if:

  • At least two (2) authors and two (2) artists indicate interest in creating content for that fandom

Exception:
Fandoms may still be permitted if there is a pre-arranged collaboration (predetermined author–artist pairing) for that fandom. These cases will be reviewed and approved by moderators.Moderators reserve the right to make final decisions regarding fandom eligibility based on overall event balance and participation.

5. Mandatory Check-Ins

All participants must respond to required check-ins within one week of the request.

  • a. If no response is received, moderators will attempt to contact you using the methods provided at sign-up.

  • b. If you remain unresponsive, you may be removed from the event.

Note: Extensions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for extenuating circumstances, but must be communicated in advance whenever possible.

6. Communication Expectations

Participants are expected to communicate with their assigned partner(s) and the moderation team in a timely and professional manner.
Extended periods of unresponsiveness may result in removal from the event, as it impacts both collaborators and event coordination.

7. Contact Information

Participants must provide at least two reliable methods of contact during sign-up.

8. Matching Process

Author–artist pairings will be arranged by moderators. Participants may not pre-form teams prior to matching.While preferences will be considered, matches cannot be guaranteed and will depend on overall event needs.

9. Independent Pairing Policy

If you prefer to form independent author-artist collaborations outside the official matching process, you may do so. If you choose this option:

  • a. Both participants must still complete the sign-up process

  • b. The pairing must be communicated to moderators in advance

  • c. The collaboration must still adhere to all event rules, timelines, and requirements

Independent pairs will be part of the event, but excluded from the standard matching process.

10. Backup Recommendation

Participants are strongly encouraged to maintain regular backups of their work (writing and/or art) to prevent data loss.

11. 18+ Content Restrictions

Participants under the age of 18 are not permitted to create, collaborate on, or be assigned to any 18+ or NSFW content, under any circumstances.
Only participants aged 18 and over may be permitted to create works for source material designated as 19+ (R19) under Korean standards.

12. Community Conduct

All participants are expected to maintain a respectful and welcoming environment. Harassment, bullying, gatekeeping, or shaming of any kind will not be tolerated. The principle of “Don’t Like, Don’t Read” applies throughout the event.

13. Moderation and Reporting

This event is intended to celebrate and uplift smaller fandom communities.
Any concerns regarding participant conduct should be reported to moderators, who will review the situation and take appropriate action if necessary.

14. Withdrawals and Extensions

If you are unable to meet a deadline or need to withdraw from the event, you must inform the moderators as early as possible. We will do our best to accommodate participants and arrange solutions such as pinch-hitting when needed.

15. Posting Policy

Completed works must not be shared publicly prior to their assigned posting date. Participants are asked to adhere to the event schedule so that every collaboration can be released fairly and in coordination with others.

16. Pinch Hitter Policy

Because this is a multifandom event with contributors working at different paces and project scopes, pinch-hit situations will be handled with flexibility and communication in mind. If a participant drops out and a Pinch-Hitter is assigned to a project, the moderation team may adjust requirements depending on:

  • how far along the event timeline is,

  • the amount of completed work already available,

  • the remaining workload,

  • and the comfort level of the replacement contributor(s).

As a general guideline:

  • Pinch-Hits that occur before the final check-in period will typically follow the original project tier requirements whenever feasible.

  • Pinch-Hits that occur after the final check-in period may have adjusted or reduced requirements depending on timing and project progress.

The moderation team may also reclassify projects between tiers on a case-by-case basis if doing so is necessary to keep the project manageable for all contributors involved. To ensure smooth coordination, contributors involved in a pinch-hit should maintain communication at minimum once every 2–3 weeks prior to the final check-in period, and at least once per week after final check-ins have passed. This does not require extensive updates; simply checking in and remaining reachable is sufficient.

1. Minimum Word Count and Commitment

Authors are required to write a new fanfiction based on their assigned collaboration, meeting the minimum for their selected tier:

  • Tier 1: 3,000 words

  • Tier 2: 8,000 words

Authors will have multiple months to complete their work. Please consider the full timeline carefully before signing up and ensure you are able to meet the required deadlines.

2. Matching Process

Matching will be conducted by moderators. During this process, participants will be provided with anonymous summaries, fandom information, and relevant tags to facilitate author-artist matchups.Teams will be assigned based on compatibility, preferences, and event needs.

3. Original Work Requirement

All fanfiction must be new, original work. Works may not be previously published or shared publicly prior to the event. No AI-generated material will be permitted.

4. Collaboration and Communication

Authors are expected to communicate respectfully with their assigned artist throughout the process.If any concerns arise regarding content or direction, participants should discuss them openly and work toward a mutual understanding.

5. Creative Alignment

While authors lead the narrative component of the collaboration, they should ensure that their work remains compatible with the overall concept of their submission before matching.Major changes that would significantly affect the collaborative vision should be discussed with the artist in advance.

6. Language and Format

All works must be written in English.Draft submissions must be in .pdf, .doc, or .docx format.Supplementary materials (such as outlines or handwritten notes) may be included if necessary.

7. Work-in-Progress (WIP) Check-Ins

Authors are required to participate in scheduled check-ins as outlined in the Timeline:

  • August 10 — First Check-In (30%)

  • Submit either:

  • ~30% of your draft (approx. 900 words for Tier 1; 2,400 words for Tier 2 at minimum), or

  • A structured outline (beginning, middle, end) with any existing draft material

  • September 28 — Second Check-In (60%)

  • Submit ~60% of your draft (approx. 1,800 words for Tier 1; 4,800 words for Tier 2 at minimum)

  • December 14 — Third Check-In (80%)

  • Submit ~80% of your draft (approx. 2,400 words for Tier 1; 6,400 words for Tier 2 at minimum)

  • January 25 — Final Check-In (100%)

  • Submit your completed draft, including:

  • Final title

  • Summary

  • Rating

  • Tags

  • Archive/content warnings

8. Confidentiality

Full details of your work (including complete drafts or full plot summaries) should remain within your team (author, artist, beta reader, and moderators) until the official reveal.Small previews or excerpts are permitted, but avoid sharing substantial portions of your work prior to posting.

9. Beta Readers

Beta readers are optional but encouraged. Moderators may assist in connecting authors with beta readers upon request.

10. Final Submission and Posting

All works must be completed and ready by the final check-in.
Works must be posted in full to the designated event collection on their assigned posting date.
Do not post your work prior to your scheduled date.
If you anticipate issues with posting, notify moderators in advance.

11. Withdrawal Deadline

The final date to withdraw from the event as an author will be specified in the timeline. Participants are strongly encouraged to communicate early if they encounter difficulties.

1. Work Requirements

Artists must create at least one (1) new, previously unpublished, finished artwork for the event. All works must be based on the assigned fanfiction and should visually interpret and/or complement the story.

2. Art Scope and Tier Alignment

Artwork requirements scale according to the author’s selected tier:

  • Tier 1 (3,000 words): 1× artwork

  • Tier 2 (8,000 words): 2× artwork (or equivalent effort)

Artists may fulfill the Tier 2 requirement in the following ways:

  • Create two separate works for two different authors

  • Create two works for a single Tier 2 author

  • Collaborate with another artist, where each artist contributes one piece toward a Tier 2 author’s requirement.

3. Accepted Formats

The following are considered equivalent to 1× artwork:

  • One fully rendered illustration (digital or traditional)

  • One finished comic page (A4-sized equivalent)

  • One short animation (minimum 1 second loop with at least 12 frames) or one animatic

If you wish to submit a different medium, you may contact the moderators with a proposal for approval.

4. Originality and AI Policy

All artwork must be original and created specifically for this event.Works generated or assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are strictly prohibited.

5. Matching Process (Fanfic-Based)

Matching will be conducted by moderators using anonymous fanfiction summaries, fandom information, and tags.Artists will be assigned to a fic based on compatibility, preferences, and event needs.

6. Creative Basis and Usage

Artwork must be based on the assigned fanfiction.
If you wish to use your artwork for commissions, merchandise, or any external purposes, you must obtain explicit permission from the author beforehand.

7. Confidentiality

Artists may not publicly share or discuss their assigned work prior to the official posting period.Small previews (e.g., cropped images or progress snippets) are allowed, but full pieces must remain private until reveals.

8. Work-in-Progress (WIP) Check-Ins

Artists are required to participate in scheduled check-ins as outlined in the Timeline:

  • December 14 — First Artist Check-In (30%)

  • Submit initial concepts, such as thumbnails, composition sketches, or structural layouts.

  • January 25 — Second Artist Check-In (80%)

  • Submit substantially developed work, such as polished line art with partial or flat color, or equivalent progress.

  • March 01 — Final Artist Check-In (100%)

  • Submit fully completed artwork, ready for posting.

9. Communication and Collaboration

Artists are expected to communicate with their assigned author in a timely and respectful manner.Any significant changes or concerns should be discussed collaboratively.

10. Delays and Extensions

If you are unable to meet a deadline, you must contact the moderators as early as possible.We will work with you where possible, but communication is essential.

11. Posting Requirements

Artwork must be posted in full on the assigned posting date.It may be embedded within the fic or posted separately, depending on agreement between artist and author.If embedding, authors may add artists as co-creators where applicable.Do not post your work prior to your scheduled date. If issues arise, contact moderators in advance.

12. Withdrawal Deadline

The final date to withdraw as an artist is by the first check-in (December 14). Early communication is strongly encouraged if issues arise.

Authors will create a new fanfiction work for the event. The work must meet the minimum word count requirement for their selected tier (3,000 words for Tier 1, 8,000 words for Tier 2).Artists will create at least one new piece of artwork inspired by their assigned author’s work. The scope of the artwork should align with the event’s defined requirements for each tier.All works must be new and created specifically for this event, and may not be posted publicly outside of the event until the official posting period.Authors and artists will be paired, and are expected to collaborate throughout the creation process, ensuring that both the written and visual components complement one another.You may participate as both an author and an artist; however, you will be matched with a different author and a different artist. You cannot claim your own fic or your own art.Both authors and artists are required to submit work-in-progress (WIP) during scheduled check-ins.If you are unable to meet a deadline or need to withdraw, you must contact the moderators as early as possible so appropriate arrangements(such as pinch-hits) can be made.All works must focus on canon characters from the selected fandom, in accordance with the event’s eligibility guidelines.Works generated or assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) are strictly prohibited in any capacity, including writing, artwork, or editing.For further details, please refer to the General Information, Rules and Requirements, and Frequently Asked Questions sections.

Discord Server: Link
Artist Sign-Up: Artists
Author Sign-Up: Authors
Beta Reader Sign-Up: Betas
Pinch-Hitter Sign-Up: Pinch Hitters

Feel free to send us any questions you might have via Tumblr, Twitter, or Email. Our DMs on all sites and askbox are always open, as well as the #questions-concerns channel in our Discord.