Destiel LifeMark Bang

This is seriously the cheesiest shit ever. We take made for TV holiday movies and make 'em Destiel.

[destiellifemark]

What is the Destiel LifeMark Bang?

Every Christmas season we’re subjected to 24/7 marathons of Hallmark and Lifetime direct-to-TV Christmas films comprised of a few consistent tropes, Christmas spirit, and remarkably identical heterosexual couples.

This winter, the Destiel LifeMark Bang is gathering fanfic authors to reinvent the Lifetime/Hallmark, AKA LifeMark, experience: but with Dean and Cas!

The idea is simple:

Pick an existing low-budget, cheesy holiday film...

Rewrite the premise with Dean and Cas!

And the details are even simpler:

Hallmark and Lifetime holiday films are the reference point, but if you find one on Netflix or elsewhere, those are also acceptable.

Your fic does not have to be Christmas themed: you can take any movie, even if it’s originally about Christmas, and make your fic secular winter, New Years, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, or solstice themed. Or any winter holiday or event beyond that.

Feel free to tweak the tone or plot details, just make sure the premise is the same.

Don’t repeat films which were used last year.

The format of this bang will be familiar to you if you follow the @spn-mediabigbang​ or @destielharlequinchallenge​. Typically this type of fanfic is called a fusion AU.

We were excited enough to launch this idea despite how close we are to December of 2020 (it’s the end of August at time of writing), so for the first round the wordcount minimum is low enough to welcome quick oneshots. 

Our main goal is to have fun with the mediocre and mass-produced movies that mark the upcoming season by transforming them into Destiel fanfic that either sticks to the silliness or rewrites them into something Cas would call profound.

Authors: the wordcount minimum is: 3,000 words

Artists: you can submit 1 (one) piece of art

Or, you know. More if you want.

Join us for a profound holiday season!

Above fanart by @winchester-reload​ (reblog)

Rules and the fiddly fine print forthcoming. Follow us for updates and sign ups.

[rdjpwns]

Please do not repost! 🙂 Twitter · Instagram · Twitch · Society6 · Redbubble

[spndystopiabang]

SPN Dystopia Bang 2022 sign ups now open!

The 2022 edition of the SPN Dystopia Bang (our sixth round) is now open for author, artist and beta reader sign ups.

NEW lower word count! For this bang, authors are expected to write a dystopian themed story of at least 3,000 words or more.

Artists are expected to complete at least one piece of accompanying art.

We have a detailed schedule for this round, making it easy for authors and artists to complete their creations.

We have a clear set of rules and FAQ for this round, to ensure you know what’s expected of you.

To sign up, please use the forms below

Authors sign up here - closes February 1st 2022

Artists sign up here - closes March 6th 2022

Beta readers sign up here

Any questions, please send us an ask.

~ hit_the_books and enoliel

P.S. If you want to check out the stories and art from 2021, head on over to our masterpost here.

[destiellifemark]

Writers and artists, it’s go time!

We’ve eliminated the sign up form to better live into the relaxed and flexible nature of this bang. There will be forms for submitting promos and finished fic or art instead, no prior sign up required. Who wants more paperwork at the end of the year anyway?!

All info will be posted to this blog, but also join us in the Discord server! You can chat with other participants, look for ideas, and partner with another writer or artist. We release announcements and post core bang guidelines there as well.

Join the Discord here!

See you soon!

[destiellifemark]

Writers and artists, it’s go time!

We’ve eliminated the sign up form to better live into the relaxed and flexible nature of this bang. There will be forms for submitting promos and finished fic or art instead, no prior sign up required. Who wants more paperwork at the end of the year anyway?!

All info will be posted to this blog, but also join us in the Discord server! You can chat with other participants, look for ideas, and partner with another writer or artist. We release announcements and post core bang guidelines there as well.

Join the Discord here!

See you soon!

[destiellifemark]

Is it beginning to look a lot like Christmas???

No? Well you can get a head start on your winter holiday of choice if you’re a Destiel fan. Sign ups for the Destiel LifeMark Bang open soon! Follow the blog and read last year’s materials to keep updated.

Here’s the low down: You’re all aware that every “Christmas season” TV stations play low-budget extremely heterosexual Christmas films, often from Lifetime or Hallmark. So much that it’s become a meme and an expected cultural phenomenon like Elf on the Shelf (creepy) and mall Santas (honestly just as creepy). Make one of these films into a Destiel alternate universe fanfiction or fanart and post during our open posting period in December. They can be funny, or serious, you can rewrite the plot to actually make sense, you can have them celebrate Yule instead of Christmas, or a solstice ceremony, anything you want. Just keep the core of the crazy lazy LifeMark plot!

See this post for more deets: https://destiellifemark.tumblr.com/post/627569291950227456/what-is-the-destiel-lifemark-bang

What is the Destiel LifeMark Bang?

Every Christmas season we’re subjected to 24/7 marathons of Hallmark and Lifetime direct-to-TV Christmas films comprised of a few consistent

See you soon! ❄️⛄️

[destiellifemark]

Soon

[destiellifemark]

2020 Masterlist

A Veteran’s Christmas by Wargurl83

Honorably discharged from the Marines, Captain Dean Winchester is on his way to Cincinnati when he falls asleep and crashes the Impala right outside River’s Crossing. Castiel Novak offers Dean the use of his guesthouse for as long as it takes to get the Impala fixed. As Dean spends time with Cas and the town, he finds himself falling in love. But will Cas’ ex keep Dean from what he really wants?

Written on the Page by Andromache_42

Several years ago, a freak Kansas Christmas Eve snowstorm trapped Castiel in the idyllic prairie town of Holly Bough where he met charming bookstore owner Dean. Every year since, Castiel has made an excuse to spend the holidays in Holly Bough. This year, though, a once-in-a-century flood dampened the town’s Christmas spirit. Together with the town, Castiel has helped rebuild the town’s traditions and now, finally, he’ll get to show Dean the (candied) fruits of his labors.

Holiday in Handcuffs by lovemuppet

In order to avoid telling his family the truth about his love life (or lack thereof) Castiel Novak kidnaps a handsome stranger (Dean Winchester) to take home for the holidays.

The Most Pun-derful Time of the Year by SoloArcana

Castiel makes ornaments for the new residents of his neighborhood as a welcome gift. When someone moves into the unit next door, of course he makes one for his new neighbor. He’s not expecting to start a pun battle with his unfairly handsome neighbor.

Dean’s just moved into his new duplex when he finds a handmade ornament in his mailbox. Charmed by it, he makes one of his own and puts it in his neighbor’s mailbox. What follows is a Christmas ornament exchange like none other. What started as a friendly gesture quickly becomes something more.

Breaking Rules by ncdover1285

Based on the movie Grounded for Christmas. Dean is a bus driver who avoids going home for the holidays. He likes being able to see somewhere new every year and the holiday pay is nice, at least that’s what he tells himself.

This year however winter storm Gabriel has other plans, leaving Dean and his new tour attendant Cas needing somewhere to stay. They are just outside of the town that his brother and sister in law live in when the roads are closed.

Deciding that it would be better if they pretend they are together, they must navigate the holiday and the past and make it through the other side. Come along for the ride, we are breaking rules.

A Crowning Christmas by KindredIsa

When the small kingdom of Haven needs a new omega governess for the princess no one expected that the right choice would be so unconventional. Dean Winchester never expected to find love so far away from home with a stunning alpha king.

A Destiel Snowed Inn Christmas by darkwings17

Dean Winchester, a writer in New York, hates Christmas. He spends most of his time ignoring both the holiday and his family. When an opportunity to go to a luxury resort in Aspen, Colorado over the holidays to write the magazines new top article, he jumps on it.

Castiel Novak, a writer in New York and recently broken up with by his boyfriend, tries his hardest to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Instead of going to his boyfriends house to meet his family like planned, Castiel is craving the distraction of going to a luxury resort for the holidays to write the magazines new top article.

When an unexpected change of plans lands them in a little town known as Santa Claus, Indiana the two men find themselves snowed in at a historic inn where they may just find the Christmas miracle they have been looking for.

Based off of the movie Snowed Inn Christmas.

Gingerbread Alpha by KindredIsa

When Castiel Novak entered the National Gingerbread Championship, the omega never expected to reconnect with his highschool Alpha, Dean Winchester. As the gingerbread bakes, sparks begin to fly...Is that just the ginger or is their love in the air?

Home for the Holidays by one_more_offbeat_anthem

When his best friend Castiel’s brother passes and Cas becomes the guardian of his nephew Jack, Dean’s invited to help put on the perfect Christmas for the kiddo. The only problem? Dean’s kinda-sorta secretly in love with Cas.

Holidate by Kitmistry

Dean and Castiel hate the holidays! Their enduring singledom leaves them subject to the judgment of their meddling family members or stuck with clingy, awkward dates on each festive occasion. When these two meet, they pledge to be each other’s plus-ones for each holiday celebration over the course of the year.

The Christmas Angel by TessAlyn

Single father Dean Winchester and his twin sons take in a mysterious stranger who crashes into their lives a few days before Christmas. The man calls himself Castiel, and there’s something about him that’s not… quite human. Will Dean ever discover Castiel’s true identity? More importantly, will he be able to open his mind (and heart) to new possibilities?

[destiellifemark]

Maybe I'm missing something obvious here, but for every single fic I've seen you promote? No link to the fic.

Hi nonny! Thats because they are just promos! Sneak peeks if you will. As the fics get posted, we'll do another round with the links, and then a masterpost right after everyone is done posting.

[unforth]

What are people's favorite fics in the Destiel fandom, based on a survey of people currently active in the fandom? Let's find out!

Want to tell the world what your favorite Destiel fics are?

Then take this survey! In the vast pool of Destiel stories on AO3 and elsewhere (92,500 works and counting) there are many fantastic works that don’t get as much love as they deserve, authors who are wonderful but never seem to make the “standard” rec lists, or stories that have been overlooked.

Everyone is someone’s favorite. The Destiel Fan Favorites Survey is your opportunity to share your love of your favorite authors and stories - up to 5 writers and up to 10 tales featuring Dean, Cas, and their love!

You can see the AO3 collection that is home to all currently included works here.

Write Destiel fanfic and want to submit your own work? There’s a collection for that - fill out this survey and tell me what your favorite story you’ve written is, and I’ll add it to the Destiel Favs Self Rec Collection!

This survey is not a popularity contest! The purpose of the Destiel Fan Favorites Survey is to highlight the wide variety of amazing works created by the remarkable people in this fandom. I ask that everyone who completes this survey does so with that in mind!

The 2021 edition of the Survey will remain open until December 31st, 2020.

Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions!

Please signal boost to spread the word!

[destiellifemark]

Title: Gingerbread Alpha Author: @kindredisa Warnings: See tags Tags: Omega/Alpha Verse, Knotting, Pups, Malepreg. Rating: Explicit Word Count: 17097 Summary: When Castiel Novak entered the National Gingerbread Championship, the omega never expected to reconnect with his highschool Alpha, Dean Winchester. As the gingerbread bakes, sparks begin to fly...Is that just the ginger or is their love in the air?

[destiellifemark]

Title: Holidate Author: @kitmistry Warnings: None! Tags: strangers to friends to lovers, fake dating, mutual pining, slow burn, love confessions Rating: Teen Word Count: 35k Summary: Dean and Castiel hate the holidays! Their enduring singledom leaves them subject to the judgment of their meddling family members or stuck with clingy, awkward dates on each festive occasion. When these two meet, they pledge to be each other's plus-ones for each holiday celebration over the course of the year.

[destiellifemark]

Title: Written on the Page Author: Andromache_42 Warnings: None Tags: Fluff, Mild sexual content, Love confessions, Bookstore Owner Dean, Executive Castiel Ratings: Mature Word Count: 3500 Summary: Several years ago, a freak Kansas Christmas Eve snowstorm trapped Castiel in the idyllic prairie town of Holly Bough where he met charming bookstore owner Dean. Every year since, Castiel has made an excuse to spend the holidays in Holly Bough. This year, though, a once-in-a-century flood dampened the town’s Christmas spirit. Together with the town, Castiel has helped rebuild the town’s traditions and now, finally, he’ll get to show Dean the candied sugarplum fruits of his labor.

[destiellifemark]

Title: A Veteran’s Christmas Author: @wargurl83 Warnings: None! Tags: Military situations, Veteran Dean, Teacher Cas, christmas fluff, Gabe’s a dog, and a really cute one too, dogs, misunderstandings, pining Rating: Teen Word Count: 23K Summary: Honorably discharged from the Marines, Captain Dean Winchester is on his way to Cincinnati when he falls asleep and crashes the Impala right outside River’s Crossing. Castiel Novak offers Dean the use of his guesthouse for as long as it takes to get the Impala fixed. As Dean spends time with Cas and the town, he finds himself falling in love. But will Cas’ ex keep Dean from what he really wants?

[destiellifemark]

Title: A Crowning Christmas Author: @kindredisa  Warnings: None Tags: Omega/Alpha Verse, Knotting, Pups, Malepreg, Mating Bites Rating: Explicit Word Count: 21104 Summary:  When the small kingdom of Haven needs a new omega governess for the princess no one expected that the right choice would be so unconventional. Dean Winchester never expected to find love so far away from home with a stunning alpha king.

[destiellifemark]

Title: Home for the Holidays Author: @one-more-offbeat-anthem Warnings: None! Tags: fluff, slight angst with a happy ending, first kiss, friends to lovers Rating: Teen (language!) Word Count: 3031 Summary: When his best friend Castiel's brother passes and Cas becomes the guardian of his nephew Jack, Dean's invited to help put on the perfect Christmas for the kiddo. The only problem? Dean's kinda-sorta secretly in love with Cas.

[destiellifemark]

Title: The Most Pun-derful Time of the Year Author: SoloArcana Archive Warnings: None Tags: Christmas fic, Teacher Castiel, Firefighter Dean, Dean is a Little Shit, Dean is a Brat, Copious Amounts of Crafting Supplies, Dean is a Pinterest Addict, Crafter Castiel, Crafter Dean, They Were Neighbors, Sass Master Castiel, Confident Castiel, Confident Dean, Ornament Exchange, Blow jobs, Casturbation, Castiel is Sometimes an Asshole, But He’s Okay With That, Beers Burgers and Boys, Come Marking, Author Is A Card-Carrying Member of Team Switch, Shower Shenanigans Rating: Mature Word Count: 3770

Summary:

Castiel makes ornaments for the new residents of his neighborhood as a welcome gift. When someone moves into the unit next door, of course he makes one for his new neighbor. He’s not expecting to start a pun battle with his unfairly handsome neighbor.

  Dean’s just moved into his new duplex when he finds a handmade ornament in his mailbox. Charmed by it, he makes one of his own and puts it in his neighbor’s mailbox. What follows is a Christmas ornament exchange like none other. What started as a friendly gesture quickly becomes something more.