ETA: We have a banner! Huge thanks to VeroNyxK84 for her work on this! SAD is so lucky to have you!!

It’s never too early to start thinking about the holidays… 

Have you ever wished upon a star for the Spuffy fic of your dreams? (Have any of us not done that?) Do you have an idea banging around in your head that you would love to see but have no idea how to do it yourself? Would you just like to enjoy more of the thing you adore because you adore it forever and you just need more more more?

Then you might like to participate in our upcoming SADvent Calendar event! (Forgive us. We live for wordplay.)

This event will be something new for SAD. In the past we’ve done prompt exchanges. We’ve done free for all gift exchanges. But this year we are doing a full on custom fic/art exchange.

Here’s how it works!

You will sign up here, describing the gift you’d like to receive. You’ll be able to share your maximum rating tolerance, genre preferences, and a custom prompt describing your ideal gift. You can be as vague or as specific as you like here. You’ll also describe any type of fic/art that you are unwilling to make for others in exchange for your gift (so that we don’t accidentally pair you with a prompt or rating you’re uncomfortable with!).

After everyone has signed up by October 31, the SADmins will go about pairing your prompt with the perfect creator for what you’ve requested.

By November 7, you will receive an email with the name of your giftee and their story requests and preferences. At this time, you’ll also sign up for the specific day you would like to post your story in December. Days will be reserved on a first come, first serve basis. 

Our goal is to have a daily posting throughout the entire month (you know, like the advent calendar). That way everyone reading along has something to look forward to every day.

Some rules and deets because sometimes you need them rules and deets:

• Fics should be a one shot completed story with a minimum of 1000 words.
• Posts should be made on the day you sign up for— no earlier, no later (please see the site time below the Scooby Chat if you’re unsure of timing). If a conflict arises where you know you’ll be unable to post on your day, please reach out to the SADmins ASAP so that we can work with you to rearrange the schedule.
• Keep your giftee and the date of your posting SECRET. Why? Because it’s FUN. That’s why.
• Please avoid particularly triggering topics in your fic request (i.e. character deaths, sexual assault, etc.)
• Try to keep your prompt realistic for the length of the event and allow for your gifter to interpret the prompt as they will.
• The prompt you receive should be followed as best as you can manage. Please do not willfully disregard the wishes of the person you’re gifting to. It’s Christmas for crying out loud. If there is an issue with the prompt you receive please inform the SADmins immediately so that we can help you find a solution.
• If you have a question about the prompt you’ve received and would like to ask your giftee something, please reach out to the SADmins who will communicate with them on your behalf.
• Please refrain from publicly complaining about your prompt or the stress of writing it. We don’t want anyone to feel discouraged or embarrassed.
• When posting your gift, make sure you check the event box and also include your giftee’s name in the Gift To section of your story info so they receive an email alert that their gift has been posted!
• Promptly thank your gifter! Even if you feel the prompt was interpreted "incorrectly" or you didn't receive what you expected, someone still worked hard to custom-create a story or piece of art just for you. They will be waiting on pins and needles to hear from you! So, like, don’t leave them hanging. It’s just not cool. 

We will be giving out standard writer, artist, beta, and commenter awards for this event. As always, to win an artist (for banners) or beta award the writer must credit you in their story info. To earn the commenting award, make 15 comments of 15 words or more!

If you have further questions, feel free to comment, reach out privately, or join the community conversation on our Discord server.