2026 IllaRook Gift Exchange: Posting Your Assignments
Here is a step by step guide on how to correctly post your assignments to the 2026 IllaRook Gift Exchange once you've finished creating.
When you're happy with the finished product and are ready to post, go to your AO3 dashboard and then scroll to the bottom of the menu on the left side of your page.
The final group of choices on your left dashboard involve exchanges, assignments and gifts.
Click on the Assignments Tab:
It will open a page that lists all of the assignments you've been given from any exchanges you've signed up for. Scroll to where you see 'IllaRook Gift Exchange 2026'. It will list your giftee and two options. Default or Fulfill.
Do not click on Default unless you intend on backing out of the exchange. If you click Default, your assignment will bounce back to the mods and a pinch hitter will be assigned to your giftee.
To actually submit your gift, click on Fulfill.
If you are familiar with using AO3, the normal screen for posting a fic will appear. Fill out the details as you normally would. Title, pairing, additional tags or warnings, and a summary.
When you scroll down, make sure that it says
IllaRookgiftexchangesubcollection2026 under "Collections" and that the Assignment listed on the "Open Assignments" matches the person you are gifting to.
If everything looks good, continue to fill out the rest of your work page with the fic/art and any other details that need entering. Once it's complete, hit POST.
You may also submit your gift through the Collection itself. If you are on the Collection page, scroll down to "My Assignment" and click on that tab. It'll open up to show you the main assignment and any pinch hits you've taken on. Click on Fulfill and continue to do the above to submit your gift.
Your gift will NOT show up in your works on your AO3 page until after Creator Reveals on August 30th. If you need to go back in and find your gift for edits, additions, etc, go back to your Assignments tab (it will now be under completed assignments) or on the main Collection page.
If you are posting art and have never done so on AO3 before, here is a handy guide to do that.
If you need additional help, feel free to reach out.
Note: To those who have never participated in an exchange before, you are creating ONE gift for the person you were assigned. If you want to do more than one, feel free. But remember you are only expected to provide one gift. I will post more about "Treats" or extra gifts soon.
