[admin] Remix/Redux 6 Sign-ups Open

[musesfool.livejournal.com]

What's this all about?
* Ever read a fic and think, wow, what a fascinating story, but if I had written it, I would have... Well, now here's your chance to do just that. Rewrite someone else's story, tell somebody else's tale. Take the work of another person and wrap it up in your vision and style, just like a remixer does to songs.

So just take another person's story and change everything?
* Yes and no. You can do whatever you like to the story - change POV, dialogue, mood, characterization, make it longer or shorter, whatever - except for three things: pairing(s), setting(s) (except in certain circumstances, see below), and the basic plotline.

Why can't I change ____?
* Basic plotline is fairly obvious, I think. If you change the plot, then you're really not writing the same story, right? This doesn't mean you can't change things, adding or deleting as you see fit. For example, if you were rewriting The Little Mermaid, you might decide to give the mermaid a best friend who's a fish and a guardian who's a lobster, things that weren't in the original story. But you would keep the sea witch and the fact that the mermaid loses her voice, because those are essential to the story. Of course, what are and aren't essential plot points is purely subjective (for example, in the original Little Mermaid, Ariel dies), but I trust people will be able to decide what to do.

* Pairing(s) must be kept as is. While this can certainly be argued, I think once you change who the story is about, you're pretty much writing a new story, and contrary to popular belief, that's not what this challenge is about. It's about reinterpreting a story that's already been told. So, no, you cannot change the pairing(s) in the story. We also do not want any slash pairings het-ified or het pairings slash-ified. You may, if you feel it necessary, background the pairing(s) and focus on less pairing-centric plot points (i.e., you may remix a slash or het story as gen).

* And with the settings, people may take non-AU stories and make them AUs only if the plot remains almost exactly the same.

All right. So then we can choose any story we want to rewrite?
* Not just any story. Each participant will be assigned a writer (who will be a fellow participant and chosen at random, but matched by fandom--every participant will have one fandom in common with their assigned remixee) and must choose a story from that writer. You can choose any story written by the person you are assigned except for whichever story they designate as their safe story (to be explained below) and stories that are nothing more than smut, nor remixes they've written in the past (if they participated in past remixes). Not that you can't choose a smutty story to rewrite, just not one that is one long sex scene. After all, where's the challenge in rewriting that?

Also, please note that there is no matching on pairing or genre (i.e., slash, het, or gen), so if you only write het, for example, or only write a particular pairing or character, etc., you probably don't want to sign up, because there is no guarantee you'll get someone who matches on those requirements.

And just in case it's not common-sense, works in progress are off-limits and should not be remixed.

I'm still confused. We're just writing someone else's story?
* Rewriting. Don't just change a line here and there. Be creative. Have fun. Make a mess if you want. Remember, it's a challenge. Don't make it too easy on yourself. I've written about the process here, if that helps.

And these are only Harry Potter stories?
* Nope. This is a multifandom challenge, so everyone from BSG to Supernatural to Dr. Who fandom and beyond should join in. (Please note that this version is for FPF only. No RPF will be accepted. There are numerous RPF remix challenges out there.)

Qualifying Fandoms
* This year, everyone must have written five stories in at least one of the qualifying fandoms (there are approximately 40 qualifying fandoms--see the sign-up form for the list; obscure and/or smaller, yuletide-type fandoms are not among them. Sorry. You can still remix/be remixed in a small fandom, but you must have written in/wish to write in at least one medium-to-large size fandom listed to participate).

* You should only list fandoms in which you have written at least five (5) stories of at least 500 words.

* Everyone must be willing to write in at least one qualifying fandom. Everyone must be willing to write in at least one of their written-in fandoms. Matching depends on how many people sign up, and what fandoms they're in.

* If you've written in more than one fandom, so much the better. If you've only written in one fandom, you may ask to write in a new fandom, but must be willing to write in your current fandom.

* Remix always works better if more than one person from a fandom signs up, because then there are people to match them with.

So what the hell is a safe story?
* It's the one story that you don't want anyone messing with, for whatever reason. You only get one. You don't have to have one, only if you want. Any story you wrote for any past Remix challenge is also ineligible to be remixed again, as it is based in part at least on someone else's story, and may contain significant bits of that original story.

Do I have to have a website?
* Yes, because otherwise, how will we find your stories? You don't need your own website; hosted stories are fine as long as they're all on the same site. Stories posted to LiveJournal are okay as long as there is some sort of index or listing for them, making them easily accessible. Stories posted only to friends-only LJs or LJ communities, message boards and/or mailing lists are ineligible because access to those are often limited. If your stories are hosted on a password protected archive, you must provide the Remix mod with the password, and she will pass it on to the person you are assigned to (and then forget she ever knew it).

I've only written a few stories. Can I still play?
* As long as you have a minimum of five (5) stories of five hundred (500) words in one of the qualifying fandoms, not including your safe stories or past remixes, then you can. Works in Progress are not acceptable.

What if I've co-written with someone?
* If you have someone you co-write with regularly and the two of you wish to sign up for the challenge together, you will be counted as one participant and only the stories you have written together are eligible. If you regularly co-write with someone but only one of you signs up, then your co-written stories are off-limits. The same goes if both of you sign up but separately.

Are there any sort of other requirements/rules?
* Each remix must have a minimum word count of 1,000 words. One thousand words in six weeks is incredibly reasonable. Also, though drabbles don't meet the required word count as entries, you may remix a drabble if you so choose, by expanding upon it.

* While it's certainly not required, joining remixers_lounge is a good idea -- you can mix and mingle with your fellow remixers, ask questions, discuss the challenge, panic together, find a beta, etc.

Are there any sort of deadlines?
* Why, yes, there are! People can sign up for the challenge until 11:59 PM EST February 23. Assignments will be handed out no later than March 1. And then the stories aren't due until 11:59 PM EST April 12. So you've got a lot of time.

When will the stories be put up?
* I would like to have them up by April 19, barring technical difficulties. This year, we will once again be using the Remix sockpuppets method, in which participants will post their stories to remixredux08 via special anonymous remixer LJ accounts. More information on this process will be forthcoming in your assignment email. Only mods and remix sockpuppets will be given membership in remixredux08. Please do not try to join.

Oh yeah? What if I miss the deadline? Then what're you gonna do?
* Well, I'm not going to hound you for the story, except that I totally am, and neither of us will enjoy it. But I'm not opening up the community until all the stories are posted. And when people ask me, "Hey, why aren't the stories up?", I'll point them to a public post in this LJ, which will have the names and email addresses of everyone who's late, and say, "Because of those people."

Plus, I have the scary poky stick. Fear me.

If you bailed last year without telling me, don't sign up again. I'll know.

That's kind of mean.
* Why, yes, yes it is.

How do I play?
* Please fill out the sign up form if you'd like to participate. You should receive a sign-up confirmation email after you've submitted the form. There is no subject line filled in on the confirmation email, but it comes from the Remix gmail address, so please be on the lookout for it, and check your spam filters if it does not arrive; if it's not in the spam filter, possibly there is a typo in the email address you signed up with, and you should email us at remixredux @ gmail.com to check it out.

Please include:
* your preferred pseudonym and LJ name (if you have one; an LJ is not required to participate)
* your preferred contact email address
* the URL for your website or the index of your stories
* the qualifying fandom(s) in which you've written more than five (5) 500 word stories (excluding previous remixes you've written), and any other fandoms you've written in that meet the five (5) 500 word stories requirement
* the top three fandoms (if you've got more than one) in which you are most eager to write (and please, be specific, e.g., if you only write Buffy and not Angel, say so) (you must list at least one fandom in which you've already written amongst these three, and also must list at least one qualifying fandom). If you have no wish to write in a fandom, don't list it.
* the name of your "safe story" if you've got one, the name of the story(ies) you've written for past Remix challenges.
* are you willing to pinch hit (i.e., write a fill in story, usually on short notice, for someone who has defaulted on their assignment), and in what fandom(s)?

For example, my sign up would include the following:
Your Name: victoria p. (musesfool)
Your email address: victoria @ unfitforsociety.net
Your website/fic index: http://www.unfitforsociety.net/musesfool/sindex.htm
Fandoms in which I've written more than five (5) 500 word stories: Firefly, HP, Ocean's 11, Supernatural
Top Three Fandoms I'd like to write in: Firefly, Supernatural, HP
Other fandoms I would write in: Ocean's Eleven, Battlestar Galactica, Buffy, Angel, West Wing, Sports Night, The Iliad, Homicide, Dark Angel
Safe Story: Beggars Would Ride
Remix(es) Written: Three Days, Bittersweet Triumph, Boys of Summer, etc.
Stories of mine remixed in past remixes: Best Laid Plans, Three Tequila, Coffee and Cigarettes, False Idols, Alone I Fear the Tide.
Pinch hit? Yes (and fandoms in which you are willing to pinch hit)

I'll be in touch by March 1st with your assignment and more instructions.

Pinch Hitting
* Pinch hitters are the oft-unsung heroes of every ficathon. We adore pinch hit remixers, and are always happy to add you to the list. If you cannot participate due to not meeting the requirements or other ficathon commitments, but would be willing to get a frantic email and turn around a story in two or three days' time (or sometimes more, since some people are conscientious even in dropping out, and let me know early), please leave a comment here to that effect, as well, listing the fandoms in which you are willing to pinch hit in. Please put "Pinch hitter" in the subject line of your comment, and please include a contact email so I can get hold of you when the time comes.

If you have any questions, please drop a comment here.

Disclaimer: The management, meaning me, is not responsible for whatever is done to your story. If you can't handle the idea of someone else mucking around with your babies, don't sign up.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Amberlynne for the banners, to Beth for giving me a mailbox and webspace to host the archive, to Bree for building the original database, to soundingsea for creating the sign-up form, to dracofiend and her husband for the matching algorithm which will make this so much easier to run, and to the originators of the challenge, who let me run with their idea. Layout stylesheet by likefluffy (more details here), adapted for our use by amberlynne. Thanks also to my co-mods, amberlynne, devildoll, hwmitzy, luzdeestrellas, and mousapelli for their help and support.

~*~

Comments

pinch hitting

[storydivagirl.livejournal.com]

Alas I wasn't able to sign up this year for the main challenge, but if you need a pinch hitter, I am available.

Main Fandoms: Supernatural, Heroes, Alias, Sports Night, Ocean's Eleven, Charmed, Roswell...basically, if I know the fandom, I'll give it a try.

my email: tommygirl828 (at) gmail.com

[nicole-anell.livejournal.com]

Damn, I completely overlooked this. I could pinch-hit for BSG, Buffy or Angel. Email is Faith84 @ aol.com

[flyingtapes.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. I missed the sign-ups what with being death by tonsillitis for the last week and a half. :( Damn.

Uh, pinch hit, anyway? Or if someone backs out really early in, I'd be happy to step up. I'm not worried about getting a story in return.

[zvi-likes-tv.livejournal.com]

Are we supposed to watch this comm or remixredux for announcements? I deliberately didn't friend this one on the theory that people were going to post hundreds of fic posts here and I didn't want to be flooded ...

[savemoony.livejournal.com]

I know sign ups are closed, but what if you want to alter your application? I've been thinking about what I'd offer to write and I want to take one or two off. Is that possible or no? If not, it's fine; I'd just rather do it now, you know.

[tourdefierce.livejournal.com]

I've already signed up but Hotmail is fucking with my email account and hasn't let me in for four days. Obviously technical support is refusing to answer my emails.
SO, can I have my assignment emailed somewhere else?
My original email was loony4lupin@hotmail.com
and my new email (for the rest of the exchange JUST to be safe) is:

emily(dot)otis(at)colorado(dot)edu

thanks a lot!!

Pinch Hitter

[bigsciencybrain.livejournal.com]

I'm too late to sign up.

In no particular order...
Firefly
Buffy
Angel
Chronicles of Riddick
Wonderfalls
X-Files
Veronica Mars
Bourne Movie Series
Pretender
Surface
Harry Potter
Alien Movie Series
Charmed
Eureka
Pirates of the Caribbean
Lord of the Rings

Contact: jerib_78 at yahoo.com

Pinch Hitter

[greenowl.livejournal.com]

Fandom: Firefly / Serenity, X-Men.

Contact: greenowl99 at yahoo . com

Pinch Hitter

[inthetatras]

Wow. I totally didn't realise signups had gone up in the first place until now.

Um, you can put me down as a pinch hitter for the following fandoms:

Prince of Tennis, Inuyasha, and Death Note.

Pinch Hitter

[justholdstill.livejournal.com]

Since I have stunned myself by somehow managing to finish my remix early, I'm going to put my name in the hat to pinch hit.

I can do Harry Potter, Buffy, Angel, and Firefly/Serenity.

[avendya.livejournal.com]

Previous comment deleted because one evidently cannot screen your own comments in a community. If you have email notifications turned on, could you answer my question?

[bell]

Hi, musesfool said to comment here to volunteer as a Pinch Hitter.

So! I can Pinch Hit stories for House and Princess Tutu fandom. My email address is bell.mono @ gmail.com (and, for the record, I've already turned in my own remix story for this year).

Just one question: if I do get a Pinch Hit, do I have to turn the story by the 12th, or can I get until the 19th?

Pinch Hitter

[butterflykiki.livejournal.com]

Incredibly late, you probably don't need me, *but*...

Fandoms:
HEROES
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Angel: the Series
Firefly
Pretender
Smallville
Supernatural
Farscape
Stargate SG-1
Sarah Connor Chronicles
Torchwood
Doctor Who
Battlestar Galactica 2003
Highlander
ALIAS

... yeah, think that does it. You can reach me at charlieveparker @ gmail.com

(Edited because I'm a space who forgot to include the e-mail)

[rynne.livejournal.com]

Random question I'm putting here because I'm not sure where else to put it:

I need a beta for my fic, but it's in a fandom that probably won't have that many stories. Since asking for a beta as myself would be pretty much tantamount to saying which story is mine, can I use the sockpuppet to ask in remixers_lounge for a beta?

[azephirin.livejournal.com]

I feel kind of dumb for asking this, but since I'm unfamiliar with the posting process...

We sign in as sockpuppets and post our stories by 4/12, 11:59 p.m. The story posts are set as private until ~4/20, at which point the mods make them public and we can all read them. (The latter sentence is the bit I'm confused about.) Am I understanding correctly?

offering to pinch hit

[poohmusings.livejournal.com]

Hey there. Since I've actually finished my assigned remix story with days to spare before the deadline (a miracle!), feel free to contact me if you need someone to pinch hit in either Stargate SG-1 or BSG. Thanks.

Oops, just realized I never gave you my email addy. Yeah, me smrt like that. ;) poohmusings[at]livejournal[dot]com

I could also pinch-hit for Alias and Friday Night Lights, if that helps any.

(I hope people are being good and are not leaving you in a remix lurch! You're a saint for doing this year after year.)

Lost password

[cedarlibrarian.livejournal.com]

I accidentally deleted the email with the information with the sockpuppet and password I am supposed to use to post. (No worries on the fic, it'll be ready for posting on Saturday.) But could I have an email sent to cedar @ thedarkarts.org with the information?

*irons hands*

PINCH HITTER

[iamsab.livejournal.com]

I can pinch-hit, after Saturday when I turn my own remix in, for any last minute defaulting: Doctor Who (New), Torchwood, SGA, any sitcoms (try me!). Send up a flare.

And thank you so much for all your wrangling; how you manage to keep your head during these last two remix weeks every year is beyond me... thank you thank you thank you!

Pinch Hitter

[poisontaster]

I haven't uploaded mine yet, I'm still waiting on the final crit from my beta, but I'm done with the story and here to volunteer for any pinch hitting needed.

Fandoms: Supernatural, Heroes, Torchwood, Die Hard, Firefly, Dark Angel, Buffy/Angel.

Edit: Oh, and I could probably manage Doctor Who (especially new Who). Oh man! And how could I forget Stargate Atlantis! *facepalms* Sorry for the many edits.

[biichan.livejournal.com]

I just uploaded my story, but it doesn't have any tags on it yet. Everything else is good, so can you approve it anyway and I'll go and fix the tags right away?

Pinch Hitter

[meinterrupted]

Fandoms: Firefly, Supernatural, Chronicles of Narnia, House, Heroes, NCIS, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, probably a few others that i can't think of right now

email: kjwallace AT gmail DOT com

Pinch Hitter

[amidalashari.livejournal.com]

I'm available at the last minute if you need a pinch hit for The West Wing (amathela@gmail.com).

[little-murmurs.livejournal.com]

Missed the sign-ups but would love to pinch-hit if you need something done. My fandoms are:

X-Men (movieverse), X-Men (comicverse), Battlestar Galactica (2005), Harry Potter, Doctor Who (new series), Firefly/Serenity, Roswell, Alias, Chuck, How I Met Your Mother, Torchwood, and Space: Above and Beyond.

Contact: barely_a_murmur(at)yahoo(dot)com

[thisissirius.livejournal.com]

definitely! i'm just coding a newsletter, and then i'll start writing it up on my computer. sorry it's taken so long!

[athenejen]

If you're desperate for pinch hitters in:

Firefly, Good Omens, Pirates, Sandman, Supernatural, or The Iliad (I'm assuming that the archive> list is a reasonable list of fandoms to work from, as the signup form link no longer includes this year's list. And that The Iliad refers to the epic poem and not some other version.)

please go ahead and send me email: [this username] at gmail.com