A Community Update Part 2

[bottomdraco-mod.livejournal.com]

How's everyone doing so far? Guys still with us? xD

As promised, we're posting another update for the community!

Please take note of them~ :D

1. As requested by several members of the community as well as by the mods, Rule #8 in our rules list has been edited to apply only to dead links and MIA authors / artists who locked their posts. Changes have also been applied to our userinfo page.

2. Secondly, we encourage everyone to rec fics and art in the masterlist. If you click the specific rec lists asdjhk has posted an easy format that you can use to copy-paste your recs in! :D There is serious shortage of pairings with Draco that isn't HPDM! And HPDM could also use a variety of fics from different themes as well.

3. To protect the fictions and art coming in on October when the first bottom!Draco fest commences, we shall be raising the community's rating to "Explicit Adult Content" for 18+. However, the mods are not aware if doing so would lock the community for below-18 yrs of age members, and we do know that there are younger fans mature enough to enjoy and participate in the fest. Should this be a concern, please do comment in this post so we can opt for an alternative - such as an IJ account for the fest.

Based from the results of the previous poll on the fest, we have finalized some aspects:

As mentioned before, the fest will commence on October, while the sign-ups will be on June 5 to celebrate Draco's birthday. This will give the artists and authors 3 months to work on their prompts.

We have also decided for the first fest to be a showcase instead of a competition. Maybe in the future we can try for challenges like in hd_worldcup but for now we'd just like to showcase bottom!Draco talents.

Since we'll be using prompts for the fest, the mods have talked with one another and majority agreed that it would be nice to have a themed prompts list, as most other fests already do. For now we've come up with the theme, "Disney / Fairytale". Let's admit, High School Musical's "Breaking Free" can lovely apply to the HPDM pairing.

Some of the mods also thought of Disney / Fairytale remixes, like spin-offs of the real, Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm stories that were morbid but are decidedly gorgeous.

Still, everyone gets a voice in the community, so please do help us decide!

[Poll #1401112]

Please comment for any of your questions, point of considerations or suggestions!

Comments

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

I'm still counted as a member right? LOL.

Anyway, I opted for the Disney/Fairytale theme remix--although it shouldn't be mistaken for anything general. All we have to do is keep it strictly fairytale, the prompts being the title of the fairytale. The writer or the artist can opt to interpret it in any manner, be it a remix of the fairytale or his/her own take of the fairytale. Of course, I'm not so comfortable with the fairytale being a mere mention in one's work but whatever floats your boat and stays true to the theme.

The reason why i chose the fairytale theme however, was that I didn't want to merely stick to Disney--although I did love Disney's Little Mermaid, I would personally prefer Hans Christian Andersen's version. However, the author who takes the prompt "Little Mermaid" can opt to choose whichever version she/he wants to take into account. Am I making sense? D: D: D:

And of course it doesn't have to be morbid, so as long as it's bottom!Draco, anything's good to go! <3

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

And if we exceed the limited number of people volunteering, do you think it's best if we accept every entry, then do a lottery as is with hd_worldcup or stick to a first-come-first-served basis?

[spare-change.livejournal.com]

Why would there be any need to limit the number of people who participate? I'm confused. The more the merrier, no?

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

We can only showcase 2 writers and 2 artists per day for the entire month of October. 15 writers and 15 artists are invited to join while another 15 writers and 15 artists are offered slots to volunteer themselves. It's just for the first fest, as we want to gift our members with fanfiction from their favourite bottom!Draco writers and artists while at the same time, giving buddying writers and artists to showcase their work.

However, we can only showcase 2 writers and 2 artists per day for the entire month of October, which is why we require around 30 writers and 30 artists. If we have around 15 willing to write then the lottery basis of selection of the first-come-first-served option is no longer necessary.

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

BUDDING WRITERS. Jesus, where did the y come from? D:

The reason also, why we want to showcase only 4 is that, the polls came out with people wanting to post at the same time the fest is occurring hence we don't really want to leave the site too cluttered. :) And like we said, it's the first fest, we don't want it to be too labour intensive--hope you don't think we're lazy or anything but we're just trying to find an intermediary between showcasing a lot for our members but at the same time, giving ourselves air to breathe without having to compromise our members. :)

[spare-change.livejournal.com]

Ok -- thanks for clarifying because this structure was not at all clear to me from previous posts. Perhaps that's my fault and I didn't read carefully enough.

Personally I prefer a format that is more laidback and democratic. I think the goal should be more fics, rather than limiting participation. I think that's how the first Bottom!Draco fic fest here worked, fwiw.

Anyway, I understand where you're coming from, since this has become an increasingly popular format. From previous examples of fests that used this strategy (Snarry Games, HD Worldcup), I'm not sure at the end of the day if it results in a better "quality" of fic or anything like that, and it tends to over-privilege the folks who get "showcased" first, while those at the end get significantly less comments. But it is certainly your prerogative to do things this way.

Anyway, I would be curious to know what your criteria will be for the 15 who are invited ... will that be something that people can vote on, to determine who are indeed their favorite writers, or will it be the mods' favorite writers? thanks.

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

it tends to over-privilege the folks who get "showcased" first, while those at the end get significantly less comments.

I understand what you mean. That was initially my concern when I joined hd_worldcup because frankly, pitted against well-known authors, I hardly think people would want to pass by my work, you know--that's a definitely sound and logical concern. Although I tried to bring up to the other mods the possibility of keeping the identities anonymous until the end of the big reveal to remedy that particular problem. Of course, we're trying to answer all possible concerns but most of our decisions are based on the results of our previous polls. We don't make decisions purely based on what we think would work as we do take into account, the members' opinions and votes. :D


Or will it be the mods' favorite writers?
Honestly, I hope it doesn't come off in the manner you put it. XD I mean, it's not our intent to make it sound like we're governing things as we see fit without consulting the members--after all, the members are our primary concern. :) So we hope it doesn't come off that way. However, we're basing the list of invited writers and artists on (1) availability, (2) if they're consistently bottom!Draco writers and artists, (3) the number of works they've produced, (4) quality of work--which can mostly be seen based on the fic recs in this community.

Once again, I do understand where you're getting at so I'll try to consult with the other mods if there's a possibility to bring out the idea of allowing other members to vote which authors and writers they want to showcase however, I think the primary concern there as discussed by the mods is that we're not entirely sure if the proposed roster of authors are available or would want to jump in aboard. A well known bottom!Draco writer enchanted_jae mentioned her availability and of course, that's something that we have to consider. At the same time, we don't want to make the poll results of preferred authors up for the public as we don't want to make it appear we're pitting one author against the other. I hope you understand. :)

[bottomdraco-mod.livejournal.com]

I assure you than we get simmysim's idea-s on issues regarding the community, even with the new rules we have applied. We do not finalize most of our stuff without majority's consent. ^^

Actually, the Bottom!Draco Fest isn't the only one we'll be having. I think what you're talking about is more in line with our second project for the community - that is, the "Monthly Themes".

For the main reason that bottom_draco is not just a fest community unlike as you have mentioned the Snarry Games and the HD Worldcup, we needed something that will fill up the months wherein there are no fics coming in from the "Big Fest". A bottom!Draco fic and art traffic that will ensure some measure of fics coming in, that is very much liberal, or "laidback and democratic" as members like you and most likely more others want :D

This first Big Fest we're planning is for now a rip-off of the traditional fests around, since it is our first, and as dadomz mentioned just tot est the waters. However, with our "Monthly Themes" there will be no restrictions whatsoever (unless, GASP it's top!Draco) and the themes itself will all be suggested by the members majority - ranging from fluff to kink, as you guys would want it.

Also, I'm not sure if you've been visiting the comm as much before we started the changes. Back then the comm was filled with fic searches and repetitive fic theme-findings. Tags were practically non-existent and fic recs get buried from fic searches finding the same fics over and over again. Now I don't know about you, but I think we could do better, no?

As for over-privilege-ing, that is very much inevitable, because we cannot control people's attention span. By limiting the number of fic / art posts in a day, at least we can assure that each fic would get attention.

As for now the mod's choice of invited writers and artists are those already popular in the bottom!Draco fandom - those whose names crop up in the rec lists of bottom!Draco stuff the most. Should we hold a poll for that now, we'll never be able to settle into a limited list of invitees, as well as frustrated grudgings on why some weren't chosen. This way, invited and sign-ups will stay anonymous until the Big Reveal.

But don't worry, 100% sure for the next Big Fest we'll poll who are the best writers in accordance with member votes. We'd just like to see too if we can get gifted people from the Monthly Themes to be invited for next year's.

Please bear with us, we're really trying to be as democratic as we can about everything regarding the community.

[spare-change.livejournal.com]

I lovelovelove High School Musical! But I just don't see the connection between Bottom!Draco and Disney. Or fairytales. In fact, just typing that out feels kind of silly to me. ;D I vote for leaving the theme open, or maybe even opening up the prompts to the community at large? Folks could contribute ideas for stories they've always wanted to see written, and anyone who felt inspired could write a story to match. That's been a successful strategy at other fests. It would also make the fest feel a bit more of a community effort, rather than a top-down one.

After all, we're all here to celebrate Bottom!Draco, so my vote is always going to be against any limitations that might interfere with that. (Actually that sentiment applies to a lot of the changes that have appeared in this community ... as someone who's been lurking around here since the beginning, I personally don't think it's necessary to have so many rules in place given that the community worked for so long without them -- really, I would argue the only rule should be DON'T POST FICS THAT AREN'T BOTTOM!DRACO. :D But I realize mine is only one opinion and some folks prefer to make things more bureaucratic, much as I do miss the more freewheeling and joyful spirit of Simmy's original efforts ...)

Also, I may have been mistaken, but I was going through some of the Master Lists and I didn't see Simmy's original recs (from her site) on the list. Is there a reason for that? A lot of them were channier and darker than what appears on the Master List, and so -- given also the Disney suggestion -- I wanted to confirm that this new community wasn't limited to the fluffier side of Bottom!Draco. That would be so sad.

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

D I vote for leaving the theme open, or maybe even opening up the prompts to the community at large?

We plan to opening the prompts at large but not for the first fest. :) We're still testing the ropes.

But I just don't see the connection between Bottom!Draco and Disney.

It's not necessary to stick to that. I mean, one of the mods suggested the writers and artists can pretty much take inspiration from the songs. :) I'm not against it, I think it's a very good challenge considering it allows the artist and writer to exercise their creativity--being a writer myself, I usually like the challenge of being given prompts that people don't usually see as conventional, as opposed to being left to my own devices. However, to each his own.

After all, we're all here to celebrate Bottom!Draco, so my vote is always going to be against any limitations that might interfere with that.

Of course, I agree with you. :)

, I personally don't think it's necessary to have so many rules in place given that the community worked for so long without them

The rules are there to keep the community organized. :) We try to keep it as open as possible but sometimes, people overstep boundaries. It's not to say we're going to ban people if they commit an error, but if we want a healthy community, we need a little bit of structure. This isn't to say that we're not open to suggestions (so if there's a particular rule bothering you, please feel free to point it out). We've after all, consulted with the members and the former mod and she's given us the thumb's up.

I didn't see Simmy's original recs.

We're not done with the master list. The one we've currently made were compilations apart from this community. We're going to add them in soon.

I wanted to confirm that this new community wasn't limited to the fluffier side of Bottom!Draco. That would be so sad.

Heavens, no dear. To be honest, I pitched the fairytale theme--my co-mod initially pitched Disney, precisely because I had a thing for Hans Christian Andersen's and the brothers Grimm's semi-macabre themes. :) Like I said, everyone is allowed to interpret it in any way--just because the theme's fairytale (which is of course, easily associated with Disney and Happily Ever Afters) doesn't mean we have to stick on the brighter side. It would take a very, very talented author to write a dark spin-off. :)

[plotting-pen.livejournal.com]

Please wait! The masterlists are being slowly, but surely, updated as I get more time on my hands! It is surprisingly hard work, especially now that we're deciding to have a big tag system for all the fics in the lists ^^;

Like we said, the lists will eventually be compiled of ALL fics/art of bottom!Draco. It's just, with only five people, it can take a while to get everything ready. We put the lists up because we also want members to add it to them (some are already reccing), but they are always a WIP :)

The rules can seem pretty scary and overbearing at first glance, but they're not there to dampen the excitement! Like dadomz said, let us know which rules seem unfair and we'll try to rectify that ASAP! I'm looking at the rules now, and most of them seem more like common sense than anything else (i.e. no stealing other people's work, don't flame/wank/be mean ^^;). I think that if you just follow the rule of all rules: NO TOP!DRACO, then all the other rules will automatically fall into places :D

I hope this is not too many changes to handle. Our goals are to keep the comm clean and neat, and for everything to run smoothly, with all posts tagged, fic searches non-repetitive, no top!Draco works being recced here, no flaming, no linking to dead links, etc. And well, it's hard to do all that if there are no rules. The comm is run by its members, and so only the members can keep it a awesome place to be! So we're just setting some standards, both so members know what to expect/how to help one another enjoy what's already been offered and for their own benefits (it would suck to find a fic that sounds interesting, only to click on the link to know that it's dead), which is why you, and any member, really, are always welcomed to suggest what we should do differently if some things seem unfair!

As for our fest, I hear what you're saying, and it makes sense! This is why we have a poll up so all suggestions are heard and considered :)

Also guys! :) Don't think fairytale = fluff! You can do with whatever genre you want! :)

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

An example of awesome, not-so-fluffy Harry Potter bottom!Draco semi-Disney, semi-fairytale creations are:

(1) Arc of the Pendulum (http://community.livejournal.com/hd_worldcup/20717.html) by Brummell
Re-telling of Beauty and the Beast--a fandom gem.

(2) The Sea and the Shore (http://www.amanuensis1.com/theseaandtheshore.html) by Amanuensis
An interpretation of the Little Mermaid.

(3) Six Ways in Which Harry Potter was like Bambi's Dad (http://brummell.livejournal.com/2736.html)
Bambi? LOL

[dt8thd.livejournal.com]

Are there going to be separate sign-ups for artists and writers, and is it possible to sign up for both? Obviously, with a limited number of spots it would be better to involve as many people as possible without doubling up, but if there are still spots open after the initial sign-up, will you allow multiple works from the same individual? Or would we be allowed to draw art to accompany a fest fic and have it posted under the same lj-cut?

[gypsyflame.livejournal.com]

As it is now, there will probably be one sign-up post for both artists and writers, but people will only be able to sign up for one or the other. If, as you say, there are still spots open, we'll consider allowing multiple works from the same individual.

However, you may definitely draw art to accompany a fic! That is both allowed and encouraged. :-)

Thanks for bearing with us; the official rules should be up in 2 or 3 days.

[dt8thd.livejournal.com]

Cool, thanks for clarifying! :D I've never participated in a fest before, and I'm really excited; I'm prone to bouts of writers'/artists' block, so I think it'll really help to have prompts and a deadline. Kudos to the mods for taking this on!

[0-alias-0.livejournal.com]

I've never really written a h/d fic but I really wanted to participate in this fest. I am sure there are a lot of other writers too who are not well known but want to participate in this fest.Shouldn't they get a chance to do so?

[dadomz.livejournal.com]

Of course they do! We give an equal amount of slots as those with the ones invited. :) The reason why we invited a few writers to kick start the fest is simply because we wanted to gift the readers with works from their favourite writers and artists. It's not to say we are keeping it purely exclusive for those invited only--as I mentined, there is an equal amount of slots as those with the ones invited. However, we can only showcase the entire month of October hence we will be limiting the slots to 15 writers and 15 artists--for the voluntary sign ups (as with the invited writers and artists).

You have to understand that the limit is imposed not because we don't think everyone ought to be given a fair chance but because it is time-consuming and labor intensive for the mods as well. Rest assured, the first fest is only a precursor to numerous other fests the community is planning on holding so in the event that a few writers may have missed the sign ups, there is always the next bottom!Draco fest.

I hope I've explained to you as comprehensibly as I can, I'm sorry if it wasn't stated as clearly as it should be. I'm also sorry that we couldn't extend ourselves any further to accommodate all your requests--as much as we want to push our foot forward and conduct a year-long fest, it's quite impossible. I hope you understand. :)