I think the discussion you had below with Aucta helped clear things up for me. The problem is that people tend to definte AU a zillion different ways, and may not wait to hear your definition, since they seem to reject it immediately--but then maybe they would--you've got swing! ; )
I think I'm the only person who hates the idea of yet another anonymous fest, though. I like to talk about my fic beforehand and during the games, and discuss stuff with the writers knowing who they are. But that's primarily my poor self-denial talking! I don't like to wait.