The previously posted rules mostly referred to sign-ups and entries. But now, as the party begins, the time has come to remind you of the few basic, but firm, rules we've put in place for these communities that apply to everyone:
All participants and readers must be over 18. If you aren't 18 yet and can read this, you lied about your age!
While this fest is rather easy going, there are two strict rules: no shipping wars and no concrit, as well meaning as it might be.
--People like their ships, and this is a multi-ship/gen event. Please be respectful of other people’s tastes. Ship bashing will not be tolerated.
--Concrit can be helpful but only if the author/artist welcomes it and asks for it. A fest like the Birthday Bash is not the right place for it, and we cannot monitor the levels of concrit different authors might invite. Should you read/review content you don't like, then the back button is your best friend.
The review challenge is supposed to make you want to read/view out of your normal comfort zone and to find and appreciate authors and artists from other areas of the fandom. Looking beyond our own little fandom corners can help us interpret characters better and maybe even rethink situations and interpretations we've always taken for granted because they have become strict fanon in our ships/areas of the fandom.
We invite and encourage you to look outside your comfort zone; however, we are aware that this can create potential trouble. Therefore, we would ask you to remain relaxed, even when you see/read something that might not be to your taste. Tastes differ, as do fandom expectations. It doesn't help anyone to attack an author or artist because they like things you don't. They may write the characters you're used to in a very different way, as well. No one's characterisation in fan-fiction is completely correct, by default. Complaining about ooc or unlikely situations, therefore, isn't helpful. If you think you can help writers or artists to improve, then look around for beta-forums and offer your services. If you want to discuss a particular story or image, approach the author or artist privately and ask them if they are willing to discuss it with you. Some will take these discussions to their journals, some will reject the idea, but in any case, the fest is not the right place for it. Most authors and artists work with beta readers and cheerleaders, anyway, and have already gone through a process of concrit and careful editing before submitting their entries. Most of us here are amateurs who are providing your entertainment freely and willingly. Please respect this fact and don't act as an overcritical, pseudo-professional editor.
And if you think you must review every story and piece of art and craft because you want to win the prizes in the review challenge, there are always things that can be commented positively on. Look at the style, characterization, magic used, imagination, plot, originality, technique… and if nothing else helps, remember: the back button is your best friend.
Positively yours,
sylvanawood and the mod squad of the Severus Big Bang Birthday Bash