Hi, and welcome to the fourth flash round of Be The First! This is a low-pressure challenge to write a fic, of any length, for a fandom that previously had none. That's it! If you want to take part, just reply to this post :)

This flash round works exactly the same as usual, with the exception of one thing: instead of having two months to write, you now only have two weeks. The deadline to submit your fic is at 23.59 GMT on the 17th of September, and the archive will go live at 00.01 GMT on the 19th of September.

The AO3 collection for this flash round is here, and I'll be putting up a fandom promo post in roughly a day.

Good luck to everyone who's challenging themselves with this! Write like the wind :Db

Finished since the last reading post
Omon Ra, which was a short novel that did a great job of depicting the performative in the Soviet space programme and the disillusionment of a young man's dreams of space

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, a sequel to the YA novel I read earlier in the year, continuing the protagonists' story into their last year of high school, growing up, making friends, and figuring out how they can be together

Salatun rakkauden historia by Heidi Airaksinen and Tiina Tuppurainen, a Finnish non-fiction book about glimpses into queer lives from about the middle of the 19th century. Some of the historical pieces were very brief and amounted to not much more than hearsay or reading between the lines; the second half of the book is based on interviews with people active in various LGBTQ+ circles since the 1960s. Interesting, but the overall impression for me was superficial.

Sinkkipojat (Цинковые мальчики) by Svetlana Aleksijevitš in Pauli Tapio's Finnish translation, devastating because of the simplicity and number of the personal accounts from different ordinary people involved in the war in Afghanistan.

Currently reading
Pohjoinen tanssi by Petter Kukkonen, which takes the protagonist to Macedon just in time for Philip II and Alexander.

Reading next
Mum and I went to the library yesterday and I made her borrow a few books for me, so one of the those, probably.

We've finished request checks and sent a ton of emails!

If your username starts with A, B, C, D, E, F, I, J, K, L, M, N, P, R, S, T, V, W, or Y you need to check your email.

...yes, that's most of the alphabet. We sent a lot of emails about a lot of problems. Some of these emails concern things that will make us remove things from your requests or even delete your sign up altogether if we don't recieve a reply. We don't want to do this! Please email us back! You all have until 10:00PM EDT on September 4th to reply. We suggest checking your spam folder just in case.

Other notes/reminders:

• While we contacted people about a lot of things, we did not generally contact participants about unenforceable DNWs unless we felt they were DNWs that were DNWing a requested tags or DNWs attempting to force creators into making something very specific. Some of you might still have DNWs that we would have a hard time enforcing because they're phrased too vaguely or something like that.
• Please unlock/finish your letters asap.
• If you're requesting swaps based on username rather than AO3 matching (like, if you've given us a list of usernames to swap with) make time after assignments come out but before swaps end to double-check that everyone you're requesting is still requesting the fandoms/relationships/mediums that you think they are.

As we all start planning our nominations and requests, mods have been reviewing our rules around the number of fandoms that can be nominated and requested.

Traditionally, Yuletide has allowed participants to nominate a maximum of 3 fandoms to the tagset, with up to 4 characters each. We increased that to 4 fandoms in 2023 and got positive feedback about that change.

During signups, participants have been required to request at least 3 fandoms, and up to 6 fandoms if they choose. They must offer a minimum of 4 fandoms.

We've needed to limit the tagset size due to a combination of AO3 technical limitations as well as the logistical effort to confirm each fandom is eligible while avoiding duplicate fandoms. The good news is that we’ve found AO3’s tagset interface loads the moderation tools a bit faster lately. We've also developed more scalable processes and a group of wonderful, experienced volunteers to help with that checking. We think we can handle more nominations this year, but we won’t know until we try!

Change to nominations:

For 2025 only, we are going to increase the number of tagset nominations from 4 fandoms to 5 fandoms per person. The maximum number of characters will remain at 4 per fandom.

We’ll see how this goes, and whether the additional workload seems manageable to us, before deciding whether to keep the increased limit in 2026.

Change to requests:

For 2025 only, we are also going to increase the maximum number of fandom requests from 6 to 8. The minimum of 3 will not change. This means you must request at least 3 fandoms, and up to 8 fandoms if you choose.

Everything else remains the same: for each fandom, you will still be able to request up to a maximum of 4 characters. You will still be required to offer at least 4 fandoms with a minimum of 2 characters each.

Again, we will evaluate how it goes, and how this affects our workload, before deciding whether to keep the increased limit in 2026.

We hope this opens up some exciting possibilities for you in the 2025 round! Please stay tuned for our usual eligibility and evidence posts.

It was 102°F here today so physically I'm not ready to bust out the scarves, sweaters, and pumpkin spice. But emotionally, I am THERE.

PSL skelly understands.


I enjoy the fall very much and with it come some fun fannish challenges.

👻 I am looking forward to spook_me for spooky and fun stuff with ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night. Since it's a zero pressure challenge, I'm sure I'll sign up this year once sign-ups open. Not sure if I'll keep plugging away with Grantchester or return to FK for it.

☕️ Meanwhile, another zero pressure option is this month's trope_of_the_month, which seems like a fun one and appropriate for PSL season. Theme is "Coffee Shops." That sent me down the internet rabbit hole about Coffee Shop AUs. I'm more of a canon divergence AU kind of person. But I can also see the appeal, and never say never. For the challenge, it doesn't have to be AU though, that's just an option. Canonical coffee shops work too. Because a cafe featured prominently in season 7 of Grantchester, I'm noodling through what I might do with that.

🎃 thefruitbat reminded me about ficortreat, a low pressure option for which you set the parameters of the types of "treats" you'd like to give out. I'm not planning to participate, but it's a fun concept!

Creator: delphi
Title: Fidelis
Fandom: Our Flag Means Death
Rating: Teen
Word Count: ~5600
Characters/Pairings: Fang/Izzy Hands, Fang's dog
Notes/Warnings: Inspired by the ‘Fang’ and ‘Water’ squares of my 2025 Izzy Hands Bingo card. This fic is set in the afterlife; there is major character death referenced, but the characters in question are still present in the story. Also available on AO3.
Summary: Izzy has spent the last decade on a small island in the middle of nowhere with only a dog for company. One day, an old friend comes to call.


DW Link: Fidelis

seasonsofdrabbles has revealed its creators (very short anon period for very short fics). I wrote these two:

"Even the Smallest Possibility"
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(G, gen, 100 words; Link, Revali; Minish | Picori legend)

"Reasons to Visit the Library"
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(G, gen, 100 words; Link, Zelda; King Rhoam's secret study)

The folks who wrote so nicely for me, as previously posted, are now known to be kay_obsessive ("Legacy") and samifer ("Refuge"). Many thanks to them! And also thanks to senmut for generously beta-reading for me.

Welcome back to Trick or Treat! Nominations are open until September 8 at 7:59 PM EDT/23:59 UTC. Please read this post before nominating!

Countdown until nominations end.

Here is this year's tag set! You may nominate up to 8 fandoms with 8 characters or relationships in each.

Nominations format

You can nominate characters and/or relationships under each fandom you nominate. For AO3 matching algorithm reasons, both characters and relationships are nominated under the “Characters” slot in the tag set, and relationships should be specified by including “Ship:” in front of the pairing, whether romantic/sexual or platonic.

All fandoms in the tag set need to be nominated with at least one character or relationship tag under that fandom.

For all tags:
Please nominate original works under the fandom Original Work. If you don't specify a character's gender in the tag, you're leaving it up to the creator to choose.

Please avoid using pipes where possible and do not use diacritics/tone marks where unnecessary.

All character and ship nominations must be disambiguated. (See below for an explanation!)

Please use the name order as in the canon ("Given Name Family Name" for most western canons, "Family Name Given Name" for most Asian canons).

For relationship tags:
Relationships must include "Ship:" in front of the pairing.

You may nominate / or & relationships. "A/B" is a romantic or sexual relationship; "A & B" is a platonic relationship.

Please alphabetize ships by family name.

Please nominate crossovers under the fandom Crossover Fandom, with ships in the format:
Ship: Yuri Plisetsky (YOI) & Rajah (Aladdin).

You cannot nominate both / and & in a single tag. This means any nominations like "Ship: Aerith/Tifa & Cloud (FFVII)" will be rejected.

What is disambiguation?

This means adding the fandom in brackets after your nomination. Some examples:

Sakurayashiki Kaoru (SK8)
Leia Organa (SWOT)
Luke Skywalker (SWST)
Ship: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson (BBC Sherlock)
Ship: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson (Sherlock Holmes - ACD)
Ship: Mia Fey/Phoenix Wright (Ace Attorney)
Ship: Enoshima Junko/Tsumiki Mikan (DR Hope's Peak)
Ship: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers (Marvel 616)

Before nominating, please check if your fandom is already in the tagset, and what disambiguations were used. Your nominations get approved faster if they are already in the correct format.

Specific Fandom Nomination Guidelines

Updated per feedback for 2025: Please nominate all MCU movies and Marvel TV shows under Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Updated per feedback for 2025: Please nominate Dimension 20 campaigns separately according to continuity.

Updated per feedback for 2025: Please nominate FFVII Remake/Rebirth separately from Compilation of FFVII.

Marvel Comics should be nominated by the characters' native universe, e.g. Marvel 616.

DC Comics should be nominated together under DCU (Comics). You may specify timeline (e.g. Pre-Flashpoint) in the disambiguation.

Arrowverse TV shows should be nominated together under DC's Arrowverse. Superman & Lois is separate.

All DCEU movies should be nominated together under DC Extended Universe.

Baldur's Gate games should be nominated together as Baldur's Gate (Video Games). "Tav" or "Dark Urge" are the main character of BG3. "Charname" is the main character of BG1 or 2. "Original Character(s)" are not player characters.

Buffyverse (TV) consists of the television shows for both Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) and Angel: The Series.

Doctor Who is divided between 1963, 2005, and Torchwood.

Danganronpa has the original continuity ("Danganronpa - Hope’s Peak Arc") while Danganronpa V3: Killing Harmony is separate.

Dragon Age should be nominated as Dragon Age - All Media Types.

If you've read this far down the post, please comment with your favorite spooky creature. This doesn't mean anything, it's just for fun.

Star Trek should be divided by show, with Star Trek: Alternate Original Series (Movies) separate.

Star Wars should be divided into Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars Original Trilogy, Star Wars Sequel Trilogy, the standalone movies, then the individual properties, e.g. The Mandalorian (TV).

Ace Attorney and The Great Ace Attorney are two separate fandoms. Please use localized names where applicable, i.e, "Miles Edgeworth" and "Herlock Sholmes."

Here are some recent fannish things I've happened to see and would like to share!

Spotlight: I don't subscribe to Netflix, so I assumed I was going to miss out on K-Pop Demon Hunters. But then they released widely in cinemas for one weekend only and I happily got tipped off in time. I liked it even more than I thought I would! K-Pop isn't my genre, but thoughtful magical-girl adventures? Well, yeah. Imagine that the original Sailor Moon manga and the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV show had a daughter and appointed High School Musical her fairy godmother. K-Pop Demon Hunters is joyful, hopeful, and deeper than it looks. It's a packed 90 minutes, with nothing missing and nothing to spare. (And I really enjoy "What it Sounds Like.")

Ficathons, fests & communities

• Create & engage
  • trickortreatex, where every gift is a "trick" or a "treat," has nominations through 9/08, sign-ups through 9/18, due 10/24.
  • yuletide_admin '25 is underway. Nominations through 9/26; sign-ups through 10/24; due 12/17.
  • fandomgiftbasket, a gifting fest a la Fandom Stocking/Trees, has sign-ups through 9/05 and reveals 10/12.
  • fandommixtapeex uses songs as exchange prompts. Nominations through 9/09, sign-ups through 9/21, due 11/16.
  • fffx, the "Five Figure Fanwork Exchange" (10K+ words), has sign-ups through 9/07; due 1/24.
  • aspecex is a fic exchange themed on asexuality/aromanticism. Nominations through 9/17; sign-ups through 9/20; due 10/07.
  • no_true_pair's 8-Character Challenge somewhat resembles Into A Bar, but everyone gets matched with everyone via distinct prompts.
  • 10itemsorless is for ships with >10 works on the AO3. Sign-up through 9/06; due 10/25.
  • 1character is a challenge community in which you claim a character and a prompt set and write 50 one-sentence micro-fics.
  • fandomwithbenefits is a low-commitment, no deadlines, monthly challenge/interaction community.
  • drabbleonficathon is a prompt-meme challenge. Prompts close 10/01; fills open now and indefinitely.
  • dreamwars is a community for all Star Wars.
  • vampiremedia is a community for all vampire media.
  • seasonsofdrabbles has released its summer event and will de-anonymize the works today.
  • pinchhits is a forum for pinch-hits in exchanges. For example, wipbigbang is seeking pinch hitters.
  • whenisitdue tracks many more events than I note here!
• Enjoy & share
  • fancake (themed fanfic recs); September theme: "food & cooking"
  • gensplosion (gen fanfic recs)
  • het_reccers (m/f fanfic recs)
  • fanart_recs (fanart recs)
  • recthething (fanwork recs)

Sidelight: Those who enjoy the ongoing Aurora webcomic by Red of Overly Sarcastic Productions (online | hardcopy) might like to know that Red is currently selling a pack of 4 character pins (Kendall, Alinua, Erin, and Falst). Shop the OSP store. Red's custom pins are always limited time, limited stock (though occasionally some do come back for deals around US Thanksgiving time, I wouldn't depend on that). I plan to put Kendall and Alinua on my work backpack.

Signups have closed! There are two unmatchables! Please check your email if your AO3 name starts with G or M!

There are three people who are not open to extra gifts, if your name starts with E, G, or I please check your email!

We will be checking requests over the next day or two, so please keep an eye on your emails in case we find any issues we need to contact you about.

Per the dw_news post regarding the MS/TN blocks, we are doing a small code push shortly in order to get the code live. As per usual, please let us know if you see anything wonky.

There is some code cleanup we've been doing that is going out with this push but I don't think there is any new/reworked functionality, so it should be pretty invisible if all goes well.