AFTG Mixtape FAQs are updated!
Q. What is Mixtape?
This is a gift exchange for AFTG fan writers and artists - with a twist! Instead of traditional prompts, you submit one song that is meant to be inspiration for your gift. One song and one relationship - that’s it! That’s the prompts! You create a gift, you receive a gift in return.
Q. Can I pick any song?
You can pick any song that you can link to on Spotify. At the end of the event we will make one long playlist and several themed playlists on Spotify.
Q. Who are the mods for this event?
Your friendly neighborhood mods are Zan (justadreamfox) and Mandi (likearecord).
Q. What support is available to creators?
We have a Mixtape discord server! It is a great space to sprint with other creators, find alphas and betas, and to ask Zan and Mandi questions. Mixtape participants will receive a link to join the server in your assignment email.
Q. Why are there only 75 spaces in the exchange?
Short answer: for Zan’s sanity. Long answer: we adore this exchange and all the brilliant art and writing that comes out of it, but the administrative end gets hectic. Humans are gonna human, which means there are inevitably ghosts and withdrawals and pinch-hitters to find. Last year we had upwards of 110 participants, which was fantastic to be a part of but also a lot to keep rolling smoothly alongside full-time jobs and full-time lives. We’re hoping this limit will preserve not only the aforementioned sanity, but participant confidence that they will receive a timely gift in exchange for their efforts.
Q. What if I don’t like the song I get?
You may indeed receive a prompt song that doesn’t align with your taste. Or you may feel like the song dictates a plot that you don’t want to write, or art you don’t want to create.. Or you may feel like the song doesn’t give you enough to work with. These challenges are part and parcel of Mixtape! If listening to the song a bunch and obsessing over the lyrics doesn’t work, reach out to us—we’ll dig into the song and brainstorm with you. We do ask that you sign up for Mixtape with a sense of adventure: not liking your song is not a reason to drop out of the event!
Q. Why was the word count requirement raised to 5k?
We never meant for Mixtape to be a freshman event. It’s a tricky challenge to create a gift for someone based on only one song and only one relationship option. Now that the seasonal AFTG exchange is back up and running twice a year (with lower minimums and wider prompt options), we wanted to set this event somewhat apart as something that creators mindfully take on with excitement to rise to the challenge and create something more substantial.
Q. Why do I have to have posted a work comparable to the minimum in order to participate?
An exchange event with specific deadlines can feel like a lot more pressure than just creating something for fun on your own time. Our ghosts tend to be people who have never written anything to completion or posted their art before, so we’re hoping this qualification will reduce the likelihood that participants buckle under the task.
Q. Who are these ghosts you keep talking about?
The bane of Zan’s existence. Kidding. Mostly. Ghosts are creators who sign up for the event, receive an assignment, and then disappear without any communication and without posting their gift.
Q. Why isn’t there a 5k equivalent for artists?
There are so many variables in art and style and so many possibilities for ways to approach the art that it would be impossible to set parameters in the same way we can with word count. Luckily, fan artists are amazing; we trust that our artists will invest a comparable amount of care in their creations.
Q. Why are kudos and commenting on gifts required? What if I don’t like my gift?
Your writer or artist has put in many hours to craft something custom for you in the hopes that it will scratch your itch. We believe they deserve acknowledgement of their work. Even if you don’t like your gift, it’s good humaning to thank them. You don’t have to leave a long, gushing comment, but some appreciation of their efforts goes a long way.
Q. What is this new b-sides thing?
Some of us participate in fandom in a way other than creating the kinds of things exchanges usually involve. You know the ones who engage with everything and leave beautiful comments and post incredible headcanons? We want to give these much-beloved people the opportunity to receive a gift in appreciation of their appreciation. Thus, these bonus tracks. Creators, you will see a new part of the sign-up form that asks if you’d be interested in being in the pool of possible writers and artists who will take on one of these gifts. Checking this box does not mean you are obligated to create a second gift, but it may mean you are offered the opportunity to create a second gift. The minimum word count for these gifts will be decreased to 2.5k with comparable art investment. Appreciators, for every 10 creations you engage with, you will have the opportunity to submit an entry into a drawing for your very own Mixtape gift. The specific requirements for an “engagement” will be shared before the posting period begins. After the posting period closes, we will draw three names from this pool and match the winners with a creator who will take the new song prompt and turn it into fic or art.
Q. What if my question wasn’t answered here?
Drop us an ASK if you are okay with the answer being posted publicly - this also gives you the opportunity to ask anonymously. Otherwise, slide into our DMs on Twitter (aftgmixtape), tumblr (aftg-mixtape), or send a good old fashioned email ([email protected]).
