FAQ

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

How do I determine if a fandom has no fics? Must I look absolutely everywhere, including old personal websites and zines?

The general guideline is to check AO3 and fanfiction.net, and doing some quick googling. The latter is just to make sure there isn't a fandom-specific archive hiding in plain sight. If none of those bring up any results, then you're in the clear. I don't expect you to spend hours digging through the dark corners of the net, don't worry!

All in all, we're operating under the honor system here. I trust your judgment when it comes to your chosen fandom, and will not go double-checking anything. If there's a mistake made and a couple of fics do exist after all, well, it's not the end of the world :)

What is the minimum/maximum word length?

There is none! Your story can be however long or short it needs to be.

Where should I post my completed fic?

Anywhere you want! I'll create a collection here on AO3 where you can post your fics. Said collection will be hidden until the deadline/reveal date, and is totally optional. I'll also post a list on the DW community with all the fics, regardless of where they're hosted.

How much time will I have to write?

Two months. The AO3 collection will close at 23.59 GMT on the 20th of April. It'll go live — and I'll round up links for all fics in the community — at 00.01 GMT on the 22nd of April.

When is the deadline for signing up?

There won't really be one, actually. I'm sure we've all been bummed out over discovering some awesome exchange or challenge just days after sign-ups closed. I wanted to avoid that here, by simply not having a cut-off date. So if you stumble upon this challenge the day before the reveal, and still want to take part? Write like the wind, buddy!

I can't decide what fandom to write for!

Then pick two! Which is to say, you can submit up to two fics for this challenge — just as long as they're for different fandoms (since otherwise one of them wouldn't be the first, y'know?). ETA: As per requests and subsequent voting, this limit has now been raised to four!

What if someone else writes a fic for my chosen fandom in the interim between signing up and the deadline?

Then that doesn't count. So even if there are suddenly ten fics posted after you've signed up, they won't affect you. Just keep working on your story and don't worry about it.

Can I write for a franchise, where some parts have fics and others don't?

That depends a bit... If the parts are separate enough to basically be different series, then yes, that's perfectly fine. But if they're very closely connected — with the same set of characters and continuing plot — then it's not really suitable for this challenge, sorry.

There are fics for my fandom, but only in Japanese/German/some other language.

For this challenge only fics written in English count, so go right ahead and ignore those.

I have an old WIP that I started writing ages ago, but never finished or posted anywhere. Is it okay to continue working on that for this challenge?

Yup! :Db

The fandom I'm thinking about has fanfiction, but not for the particular characters/pairing I'd like to write about. Is that okay?

I'm sorry, but no. This challenge is specifically to write the first fic for a rare fandom.

Can I combine this with another writing challenge, such as Yuletide's NYR?

Sure thing!

Fanfic exists for my chosen fandom, but it's a crossover. Does that mean I can't write for it?

That depends on a lot of different things (like which fandom is in focus), and as such the answer is on a case-by-case basis. Please ask and we'll talk about it.

Can I write a crossover?

If none of the fandoms have any fics, then yes (it'll be a double win in terms of you being the first!). Otherwise, for now, the answer is no.

Can I write RPF?

By definition that would be more about people, than a specific series. So it's the same as wanting to write for rare characters — and the answer is the same, too. Sorry. ETA: It turns out that a few people had their hearts set on writing RPF, and felt that my view on it was wrong. I don't want to disappoint anyone, so I'll rescind the rule and trust your judgment when it comes to this.

I don't have a DW account, can I still take part in the community?

Oh yes, absolutely. You can either post anonymously, or with OpenID. The latter enables you to use some other social-media account you may have, such as Twitter.

I'd like to post my finished fic to the AO3 collection, but I don't have an account.

Let me know and I'll do my best to get you an invite.

I have another question/problem/suggestion/comment.

Please comment on the FAQ post or drop me an email at galerian.ash@gmail.com, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!

Comments

[tree]

i wanted to clarify: you use the word 'series'. is this exclusively for extended/ongoing fandoms or are one-offs included?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Any type of fandom is welcome! For me, series is basically just a synonym for fandom. I guess I wanted to switch it up a bit, and not use the same word a million times, you know? Sorry for the confusion!

[(Anonymous)]

Can I write Anthropomorphic fic/ antoropomorfic? Like anthropomorphizing the english alphabet or flowers?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Sure! Just as long as nobody's beaten you to it, of course.

[daria234.livejournal.com]

There's a fandom where I wrote a short little fic and I'm pretty sure it's the only fic for this show. Does that disqualify it if I wanted to write? I would still be the only writer of fanfic for this show. Like I could delete that little fic, but I feel like I shouldn't.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Nn, that's a tough one. I mean, it would no longer be the first since a fic does exist, but at the same time you wrote it, so... I definitely wouldn't want you to delete your old fic, that's for sure! Ah, what the hell, I think an exception can be made in this particular case -- so if there are no other fandoms you have in mind, go right ahead and write for this one.

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

Hello! Your entry got to top-25 of the most popular entries in LiveJournal!
Learn more about LiveJournal Ratings in FAQ (https://www.dreamwidth.org/support/faqbrowse?faqid=303).

[meatball42.livejournal.com]

Hello! I have a fic-less fandom, a BBC miniseries from 2006, and I started a fic for it ages ago. Thing is, it's a crossover with another show which does have a lot of fic written. Would this still qualify?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Hm... I'd say it depends on whether or not the focus is on the eligible fandom. It's alright if, say, the popular fandom's characters are mainly relegated to cameo appearances. But if it's the other way around, and your fic is centered around the popular one, then it's not really suitable for this exchange, sorry.

[(Anonymous)]

The fandom I'd like to write for has 5 fics on Ao3, but they're all written in Spanish. Can I submit a fic as the first fic for the English-speaking fandom?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

*snaps fingers* Damn, I knew I'd forgotten something. That question was supposed to have been in the FAQ -- thanks for reminding me!

For this challenge only fics written in English count. So yup, you're in the clear.

[karrenia-rune.livejournal.com]

Just a quick question: If a fandom has a couple of stories, two of which are mine and the other was written for me as part of an exchange, would that mean it would not qualify for this challenge.
Also, ditto on the previous question, because another book fandom has four fics in it but they're all in Spanish. So if were to write a fic for said book in English than would it be the first? Please advise. Thanks and take care, Karrenia

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

That means the fandom has three fics, so yeah, it's definitely out. Sorry! (For what it's worth, I know how you feel; I have tons of fandoms where I either wrote a fic myself, or requested it in an exchange.) But your other fandom passes with flying colors -- I forgot to write this in the FAQ, but fics written in English are the only ones that count for this challenge.

[knowmefirst.livejournal.com]

I have a question:

I found some related kind of fics to the comic, but none that are the actual characters of the comic. There is one on Tumblr but I don't know if it's base on the comic, the others are only inspirations of the comic for other fandoms. If I write something for the comic will it qualify? The comic doesn't have a fandom tag on ao3 or ff.net.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

That sounds as if the writers mainly used the plot for vague inspiration; not to write for the actual fandom itself. Like, for example, using the time loop from Groundhog Day in a Captain America fic. So I think the comic you're talking about qualifies, yes :)

[thedevilchicken.livejournal.com]

Bit of an odd question but how about a movie fandom where there's no fic on AO3 and two on ff.net, but one of those two is for the sequel that's related in name only, and the other isn't so much a fic as just a mindbendlingly horrific bad-on-purpose summary of the movie's plot? I'm looking at you, Bloodsport.

No problem if not - I've got a backup! - but I thought I'd ask just in case.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Not an odd question at all! I... have actually gone looking for Bloodsport fic in the past, so I know exactly which "fic" you're talking about. And no, it definitely doesn't count -- and neither does the one for the sequel, if you're writing for the first movie. So go for it! I'm super-excited to read your story :Db

[candyflosskillr.livejournal.com]

Hi, is the AO3 collection set up yet? I was trying to find it but maybe it's not there to be found yet.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry for the late reply! RL stuff has kept me away, which is also the reason why the collection wasn't set up when you went looking. It is up now, though -- right here: http://archiveofourown.org/collections/bethefirst2016 (http://archiveofourown.org/collections/bethefirst2016)

[(Anonymous)]

Can we sign up for a particular short story from a collection of shorts? Some of the stories from the collection have fanfiction online but the one I'd like to write for does not.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's perfectly fine! Thanks for asking :)

[princess-lirin.livejournal.com]

If the only fic for a fandom is a crossover, does that disqualify the fandom? (Specifically, I was thinking of writing Danny Dunn, for which this fic (http://archiveofourown.org/works/4693697) exists.)

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Ooo, that's a very good question -- one that totally should've been in the FAQ to begin with, so I'm really glad you asked!

I guess maybe it should depend on whether or not your chosen fandom is the focus of the crossover or more of a cameo thing. But that requires participants to spend time checking, and opinions might differ as well, so... Let's just say that crossovers don't count. So you're good to go!

[synergic.livejournal.com]

Would the serial novel series Tremontaine be acceptable for this challenge? I'm guessing it's a fringe case at best.... It's a prequel to the extremely well-loved Swordspoint, but is set decades earlier, written in collaboration with six new authors, and much of the focus is on entirely new characters.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

I've read Swordspoint once, a million years ago, but this is the first I've heard of Tremontaine. So I'm sorry, but I can't really give you an educated answer here. Ultimately I'll leave it up to your judgment. That said, the rules about franchises is that if the parts are separate enough to basically be different series, then it's fine. But not if they're closely connected, with the same characters and continuing plot. I'm taking it you were planning on writing about the new characters you mentioned...? If so, I think it's fine!

[sanguinity]

What if two people want to sign up for the same never-before-written fandom?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Then it's a funny coincidence, nothing more! You don't need to worry about that at all; just write for whatever you want, even if someone else already mentioned the fandom in the sign-up post.

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

May we double up this challenge with another? Specifically, the fandom I want to write for has been requested in Yuletides past but never written for -- if I'm inspired by a past Yuletide prompt, may I give the story as a gift and put it in the NYR collection a well as in the Be The First collection?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Sure, why not! I'm sure that whoever you're planning on writing for will be thrilled :)

The only thing I'm a bit concerned about is the fact that the BTF collection will be unrevealed until the 22nd of April. I'm genuinely not sure what happens if you put your fic into the NYR collection as well -- will that mean the story is visible from the get-go? If that's the case, I'd simply ask you to please not add it to that collection until after reveals.

[avon.livejournal.com]

Hi!

I have a work that is done and currently saved in drafts.

I have an AO3 question. I have never run anything on AO3. If I had this probably would be obvious, but since I haven't I figured I'd ask. The story I wrote is a gift work, based on a Yuletide prompt. I know most of the BTF stories won't be gift stories. So, I was just wondering, will the recip get the notification about the story when the collection reveals, like what happens in exchanges? Or, have you not set that in settings because this is not a gift exchange?

Does that question make sense? Thanks!

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Hi there! The question makes perfect sense, no worries :) I'm in no way affiliated with AO3, but I'm still pretty certain that the recipient will get a gift notification. There is no option for me to turn it off, in any case! However, users themselves can edit their settings so that they won't receive gift notifications -- they could also have an unused email address connected to their account, which could prevent them from seeing the notification. I'm just mentioning these things in case you get no response from your recipient, as it could very well be that they simply weren't aware that someone had written them a gift.

If you scroll up a bit you can see someone else asking about Yuletide, and adding a BTF fic to the NYR collection as well. My response to them goes here as well: As I'm not sure if the fic will be revealed right away if added to another collection, please wait to add it to the NYR collection until after reveals (but be sure to include the gift recipient right away). Thank you!

[(Anonymous)]

Hey there!

I was just wondering whether Be the First was going to run again this year? It was a lot of fun the last couple of times.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Hi! Thank you for asking, I'm really glad to hear you had fun the previous years and would like to take part again ♥ The challenge will run again this year during the same dates -- so sign-ups will open around the 20th of February, with the usual writing time of two months. I hope that works for you!

[(Anonymous)]

If we’ve signed up before and failed to write anything will we still be allowed to sign up this year or will we need to sit out a year?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Oh, please don't worry about that! This is as low-pressure as it gets, and I'm just happy you want to give it another shot. Good luck, nonnie, I'm rooting for you :)

[(Anonymous)]

I know you’ve mentioned franchises in the FAQ, but I wanted to clarify. The fandom I’m considered is called a sequel to a film (that has one fic already written) by the studio but uses a completely different cast and an unrelated storyline. It does use the name of a character from the first film but with a different actor, personality/motivation/backstory for the character, ignores that the character died in the other movie, and actively ignores the plot of the other movie. The movies have little to do with each other but having a character name and a production studio in common.

My question is, would it be allowed to write for this “sequel” for the challenge? If more clarification is needed, I’d be happy to give it.

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Yup, that's perfectly fine! I gotta say it really sounds like two very different movies, especially with them randomly resurrecting that character from the first one, haha.

[(Anonymous)]

So I'm 100% certain that there WAS a smattering of fic for the fandom I'm thinking of, but I can't find it anymore. The archive it might have been on is kaput, any LJs that might have housed it also appear to be gone, and nobody seems to have imported it anywhere else. I can even tell you the salient points of one of these fics, but I can't find it, or any others. I think what there was is all gone now. So would this fandom qualify for BTF? Is it a "first" if it's a resurrection?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Aw, I like the idea of a little fandom resurrection!

That sounds totally okay. Even if you should happen to stumble upon one of those lost fics later, don't worry about it -- you clearly did your best to check, and that's more than enough.

[agirlnamedtruth.livejournal.com]

This is such a neat idea! Not sure if I can sign up yet because even more obscurest fandoms seem to have fandoms, even if it's a fandom of two (and I'm normally one of them lol) but I wanted to ask a question. Two shows I watch change their whole format every season - plot, setting, cast, everything but they keep the name of the show. Both of these have a very tiny handful of fics written for the first installment but nothing for the installment I wish to write. Each season/storyline/plot/cast and chracters etc are completely standalone.

Specifically I am thinking about;
Channel Zero: Butcher's Block* (probably less likely as I already have a WIP for that one for another fest meaning it will have a fic, because I'm writing a fic)
Slasher: Guilty Party

The first one falls under a "Channel Zero" umbrella where each season is based on a creepypasta. All the fic for that is either for Channel Zero: Candle Cove (Season 1) or Channel Zero: No End House (Season 2). There is yet to be any fic on either AO3 or FF.Net that is about Channel Zero: Butcher's Block.

The second one wasn't quite as well pitched as self-contained series' because I was expecting it to be Season 2 of Slasher and to pick up where Season 1 left off (even though they caught the killer and it wrapped up well enough to end it where it ended) HOWEVER I put the first episode on of Season 2 and wouldn't you know, it's an entirely different plotline, different killer for different reasons with a different cast of character and a nifty little subtitle. So I consider Season 1 to be "Slasher" and Season 2 to be "Slasher: Guilty Party" which is what comes up on the title screen. There is no tag for Slasher on FF.Net and 4 fics on AO3, 2 of which seem to be misplaced because they are refering to a slasher in general, such as Friday the 13th rather than the show or the characters from Slasher. The other 2 are for Season 1's self-contained arc.

If pressed, I would say it's about the same distinction as say, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" vs "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" or any other horror sequel that is barely related to the previous film. There's no shared characters or plotlines, just the name/creator/genre/channel that shows it. What do you think?

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

I think that's absolutely fine! I had never heard of this fandom before, so thank you for the thorough explanation. They sound like very separate things, even if they partly share the same title -- this seems to be quite common with horror canons, huh? And more recently True Detective, if you're familiar with that. Anyway! It's all good, so good luck with the writing :)

[(Anonymous)]

Oo, yay, I've been wanting to write a fic for a film since I watched it and can't believe there isn't any for it there at the moment!

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I know that feeling. I'm happy you're excited, best of luck with the writing!

[reynardo.livejournal.com]

"What if someone else writes a fic for my chosen fandom in the interim between signing up and the deadline?"

You little BEAUTY! *Grabs cup of tea, plate of biscuits, settles in to read extra fics on a long-neglected fandom*

[(Anonymous)]

Hi! i am thinking of writing for a fandom that has one fic up on ao3 in a language other than english, and one on ff.net that according to the author is "inspired by the fandom". So i'm not sure if it counts for this challenge (i'm thinking no, but i wanted to check). Thank you!

[galerian-ash.livejournal.com]

Hi there! That sounds perfectly fine :) Thank you for asking, and good luck with the writing!

[silverr]

Just double checking:

There is exactly one fic right now on Ao3 with the character Raven Xingtao, who appeared in the comic Princeless and then got her own spin-off comic (called, confusingly enough, Princeless: Raven: The Pirate Princess) with many many new characters.

Neither of those fandoms are set up on FFnet, and nothing jumped out at me during a quick trawl through the Misc category+"Raven" (other than a lot of bad Poe/SI fic :p)

There are no fics for Raven: The Pirate Princess on Ao3, so I'm going to assume that it thus qualifies for BTF?

[galerian_ash]

I took a quick peek, and apparently AO3 made Princeless: Raven The Pirate Princess into a synonym of the Princeless tag. I'm not familiar with this fandom, but I'm painfully aware that AO3 does stuff like this all the time -- despite the fact that in most cases they really should've given the fandom in question its own separate tag. Which is to say, no worries! It sounds like it qualifies for BTF, and I'm definitely not going to make you trawl through Tumblr ;D Good luck with the writing!