Keep You Close

SIGN UP POST

It's late September and that means #ITPE sign-ups are OPEN 🎉🎉🎉 Links will be at the end, so please read through the post as we have a lot of new information/procedures this year!

This is the FOURTEENTH year of the exchange, but the FIRST year we will be hosting it on Tumblr, which was far and away the winner in our platform move survey. Happily, this means we get to keep our acronym and branding!

What is #ITPE?

#ITPE is a low-pressure, no-minimums podfic exchange that originated on Twitter. We are now on Tumblr because of Twitter’s…everything, since it was bought by the Muskrat. Everything–sign-ups, communication, assignment/gift distribution–used to be run entirely on Twitter, but as the exchange has grown, we’ve incorporated other platforms to help make our lives as mods easier. Consequently, sign-ups will be on AO3 and submissions of your finished gifts (when it comes time for them) will be via Google form. Otherwise all communication, including announcements, questions, assignment and gift delivery, will be conducted over Tumblr and instant messaging. 

Who are the mods?

Our mod line-up is @blackestglass (blackglass) & @knight-tracer, with flowersforgraves assisting on the backend with data management. 

What is the schedule?

The dates for #ITPE 2024 are:

Sign-ups: SEPTEMBER 21 - SEPTEMBER 29

Assignments go out: No later than OCTOBER 8

Projects due: DECEMBER 17

Distribution: DECEMBER 24

So long as it's still September 29 somewhere in the world, you can still sign-up.

How do I sign up?

We are continuing to run sign-ups through AO3 (without a nominations process, so just write in your fandoms). We are asking for a minimum of 3 unique fandoms and if you want to sign-up to give or receive more than 20 fandoms, pick your TOP 20 for the AO3 and put the rest in your Dear Podficcer Letter. If you have less than 20 fandoms, we encourage you to list all of your primary and secondary fandoms in the sign up form so we have options for matching!

Note: We consider certain RPF fandoms as “umbrella” fandoms. We know we have K-Pop podficcers and sports RPF podficcers who often sign up for our exchange. Individual K-Pop bands and individual sports/sports teams do not count as “unique” fandoms (so for instance, only listing SHINee, BTS, and A-Teez would not count as having 3 unique fandoms for sign-up purposes; for our purposes, they would all fall under the K-Pop umbrella). In addition to listing your favorite bands/sports/teams in the fandom field, we do ask you to help us out for matching by thinking of at least 2 other fandoms which you might be happy to give and receive in. The RPF podficcing pool is small and we try not to repeat matches within a 5-year period, so giving us more fandom options will help us find you a match. 

What is a Dear Podficcer letter?

Your Dear Podficcer letter should include stuff like squicks, triggers, ship and trope preferences, and anything else you think we & your gift giver should know regarding your fandom tastes. Letters are mandatory. They don't have to be long! But if you have extremely specific tastes, it’s better that you let us know upfront in your letter so that we can ensure that you receive a gift you’re happy with. Please don’t worry about seeming “difficult”! We want you to love the gift you receive! Also, do feel free to request your small, obscure fandoms! Just help us out by also including some more popular or “mainstream” fandoms among your options. 

If you’re still uncertain what a letter should look like, here are some examples from 2020: blackglass’s 2020 letter & knight_tracer’s 2020 letter. You can also check out linked letters in the “Requests Summary” on AO3 to see what other people’s letters look like!  

Letters should be hosted on a publicly viewable platform, such as on Dreamwidth, tumblr, carrd, GDrive, Dropbox, etc. 

Please put your Tumblr and AO3 handles (if they don’t already match) in your Dear Podficcer letter. For our sake, ideally somewhere in the title field. Toss a coin to your mod team. 

Also please be kind to your mods & avoid using smushnames or cute fandom ship names in your letter. We're not always in your fandom & sometimes people will use different names to refer to the same pairing & we mistakenly believe you're requesting different pairings (see: the Zimbits/JackBitty/etc. debacle of 2020). Using Char A/Char B(/Char C) would help us out a lot! You don't have to use AO3 levels of disambiguation – just provide us with enough information to figure out who the characters involved in the ship are. 

If you have specific tastes in what you want to RECEIVE in a fandom, but you’re willing to CREATE outside of those preferences (for instance, wanting to receive podfic about a specific pairing, but willing to podfic for other pairings in a fandom), please indicate that in your letter! If you want to offer or receive fandoms that aren’t currently on the AO3, or you’re one of those gutsy people that is willing to offer and create in “any fandom”, message this account and we’ll make sure it’s all recorded. 

In addition, if you’re an adventurous listener who is open to RECEIVING podfic for “any fandom” please ALSO message us so that we’re aware! We still need a minimum of 3 fandoms for your sign up so that it can go through.

If you have any DNWs (“do not wants”)  that you don’t want to post publicly in a letter, concerns about matching, or anything else you’d like to privately let the mods know, there’s a section in the sign up this year that you can fill out. Or you can send us a message!

How should we be communicating with you over Tumblr? We will primarily be using the instant messaging function. Therefore you will need a Tumblr account to sign up, because that’s where all communication and assignment/gift delivery will take place. It’s totally fine to use a placeholder account you only use for this exchange. (We do recommend adding a userpic, filling out your bio, and maybe reblogging a few posts so that you don’t seem like a bot.) All participants should be following the mod account, especially if you have restricted settings so that only people you follow can message you. The instant messaging system, unlike the ask system, allows us to maintain a record of our communications, and is the best way to share information you want to keep private between us or have extended conversations. You may use asks if you have a one-off question or questions you don’t mind getting public answers to. 

(Notifications for new Tumblr messages can be finicky so try to check out the messaging tab semi-regularly throughout the duration of the exchange instead of relying on the blue dot to let you know there’s a new message.) 

In an attempt to avoid tripping spam filters and hitting the Tumblr limit on sending messages to new people, we are asking you to help us out by sending us an instant message to let us know you’ve signed up, rather than us trying to reach out to dozens upon dozens of people (prime spambot behavior)! 

What happens if you get marked as spam?

If we get shadowbanned/tossed in potential spambot purgatory, the mods will reach out to you from our personal accounts/mod sideblogs or via email. During the sign up period, we will reach out to you via messaging to ask you for a reliable email address to reach you at in case all of our attempts to not get flagged as spam fail.

If we are marked as spam, we’ll still be able to post on our own blog and we should still appear on your dash, but we won’t be appearing in the tags most likely, which is another reason why it’s important for you to be following us!

How does matching work? How will I get my assignment?

The mods do hand-matching, meaning rather than just letting the AO3 algorithm run and make arbitrary matches based on fandom, we read all your letters and try to match you with someone with similar tastes and interests. We’ll only be relying on the AO3 algorithm to help us spot tricky matches. 

Another of the ways Tumblr combats spam is to shadowban anyone sending multiple similarly worded messages. We’re going to make an attempt to deliver extremely pared down assignment messages so that we’re mostly sending unique information. If we do get marked as spam, as mentioned earlier, we may reach out to you on sideblogs or via email. 

What kind and how many gifts should I make? Do you really mean “no minimums”? 

Yes, ITPE gifts have NO LENGTH MINIMUMS. Make something as big or as small as you want to commit to! We truly do mean it. This is meant to be a low pressure exchange! Accordingly, please set your expectations that you may receive a short gift. In the past, we have had participants who’ve been extremely generous and made a prolific amount of gifts for their giftee, but they are outliers and there is certainly no expectation that anyone else should strive to those heights. 

I have more questions about making gifts!

We’re sure you do, but we’re not there yet! We will update this FAQ with more information about submitting gifts and treats once assignments go out, so check back!

I’m ready to sign up! What are the next steps? 1. Fill out the sign up form on AO3 here.

2. Follow us @itpemod if you haven’t yet!

3. Send us a message over the chat letting us know you’ve signed up!

4. Optional (but encouraged if you want to talk to people!): join the Tumblr Podfic Community to participate in the friending/following meme!

5. Optional: Track/follow the #itpe or #informal tumblr podfic exchange tags! 

INFO & RULES - FLIGHT EDITION (January)

- Feel free to interpret the prompts however you wish - the world is your oyster! <3 - No restriction to one prompt per fic/chapter. - You can merge this event with others, so long as the other event permits this. - Please mark rating clearly, and use CW where applicable. Posts not adequately marked will not be reblogged. - Use the tag #FandomFreeBingo and tag @fandom-free-bingo on tumblr for a reblog - don't forget to also add in the pairing/characters, the fandom and the warnings in the tags please <3 - The second event (Flight Edition) will run until February 29th. Feel free to post after this date, however - works will be reblogged until January 31st, 2025, and the Ao3 collection will be open indefinitely. - Two cards (at most) of each size for each participant. - All media forms, fandoms and original works are welcome! - You can request square changes twice, for up to a week after the card is issued. - Be respectful to other participants. - Be kind to me!- Ao3 collection can be found here! - This season we are offering BOTH 5x5 and 3x3 cards - please let us know which you would like!

Sign up here! Sign ups will run until January 31st - you can post whenever you're ready!

Why Flight Edition? Well - January 5th is National Bird Day! Why? "National Bird Day is a celebration of the wonder of birds and a time to raise awareness about the many threats that bird species face on a daily basis. Birds have long captured the imagination of humans as they effortlessly soar through the skies. It is no wonder that so many people have become either professional or amateur ornithologists (people who study birds). While birds may seem to live carefree lives, many of their natural habitats are under attack. Additionally, poaching and the illegal wildlife trade threaten many bird species. With these factors in mind we need to do everything that we can to protect our birds and their environments." [1]

Basically.... Because they're beautiful and majestic creatures, and we didn't want to lean into the whole 'winter' theme again, because it's not winter everywhere! So... Take Flight! <3

My favourite bird (uh, today-) is below the cut... Look at this majestic boy-

The resplendent quetzal lives in tropical forests in southern Mexico and Central America - and their population is decreasing. They've been given 'Near Threatened' status. Look at that fuzzy little head, and that MAJESTIC tail!

I like birds.

OH! THEY ARE SO PRETTY!

college mattfoggy uhhh idk i like to think that they tried makeup at least one (or twice your pick)

WIP Warriors Round 5

After a little bit of delay it's time for the next Round.

Let's try something new again: each vote will be worth 200 words.

So, pick whatever you want to read more of first, or just pick something random to make a writer write on their WIPs.

Hello, hello, beautiful people!! The Avocado server has been hard at work to create the Cards Without Fear trading card set (link for the official info post) and I'm so excited to post a preview of my contributions - Mattea Murdock and Sam Chung!

Cards Without Fear is a set of over 30 Daredevil-themed trading cards created in order to highlight our favorite Daredevil characters. They come in both regular and holo versions. Profits are going to the ACLU, so it's for a good cause, too!

The cards are up for pre-order until January 2nd, and you can get your very own set right here!

world's greatest archer

I made it

April Showers bring M-AU Flowers Challenge 2024 - Masterlist

All fills for this Challenge were written around a pairing that had less than 15 works at the time of the Challenge.

Sick Fic : soup and tea and rum and coffee / Clint Barton x Frank Castle / 538 / Teen and Up Audiences

Caught in the Rain : Caught in the Rain / Clint Barton x Foggy Nelson / 2358 / Teen and Up Audiences

Green Magic : Messed up Minds / Clint Barton x Matt Murdock x Natasha Romanov / 456 / Teen and Up Audiences

Hurt/Comfort : Broken / Clint Barton x Danny Rand / 2037 / Mature

Bugs & Insects : Clint Barton and the Stupid Fucking Thing / Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton x Rhodey Rhodes / 1441 / Teen and Up Audiences

Loss : You're allowed to hurt / Luke Cage x Frank Castle / 304 / Mature

Flower Language : What Flowers tell me about you / Frank Castle x Matt Murdock x Foggy Nelson / 1523 / General Audiences

Wedding Guest +1 : Worried and Excited / Clint Barton x Charles Xavier / 739 / Teen and Up Audiences

Picnic : One free Afternoon / Clint Barton x James Rhodes / 1390 / Teen and Up Audiences

Farmer's Market : Not a Date / Karen Page x Marci Stahl / 1425 / Teen and Up Audiences

Stargazing : Let me Show You the Stars / Erik Lehnsherr x Matt Murdock / 2592 / Teen and Up Audiences

Regency Road Trip : Passenger Princess / Clint Barton x James Rhodes x Tony Stark

Fairies/Fair Folk Pretend Relationship : Not the way you think / Bucky Barnes x Pepper Potts, Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark / 1119 / Teen and Up Audiences

Gardening : Gardening... / Clint Barton x Matt Murdock x Foggy Nelson / 652 (WIP) / Teen and Up Audiences

@augustwritingchallenge

it’s just….if Charlie's DD with chest hair

WinterIron Bingo - Masterlist

Jealousy : / / /

Picnic : / / /

Ex-Boyfriend Steve :/ / /

"I got caught doing a piece for vanity fair." Sex by the Fireplace : Birthday sex / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 2708 / Explicit

Coffee Shop : The moon and its secrets / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 9017 / Mature

Stephen Strange : / / /

Vibrator : / / /

Arranged Marriage : / / /

Nightmares : WinterIron (Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark) / Moodboard / Mature

AU: Werewolf : The moon and its secrets / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 9017 / Mature

Meet Cute : / / /

ICU : / / /

FREE SPACE : Saving the World / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 1257 / Teen and Up Audiences

Lotion : / / /

Friends to Lovers : The moon and its secrets / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 9017 / Mature

AU: Nurse : / / /

Forehead kisses : The past, the present and the pain in between / WinterIron (Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark) / 844 / Teen and Up Audiences

"Tell us what you need." : Ninjas ruin everything / WinterIronHawk (Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark x Clint Barton) / 2226 / Teen and Up Audiences / Trans!Clint, NB!Bucky, Serious Injuries

Praise Kink : / / /

Natasha Romanoff : The moon and its secrets / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 9017 / Mature

Sex Work : Tonight you're mine / WinterIron (Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark) / 1556 / Mature / NB!Bucky, Sex Work, Insecurity

"I'm doing it, shut up." : / / /

Dog Tags : WinterIron (Bucky Barnes x Tony Stark) / General Audiences

Sugar Daddy Bucky : More than an exchange / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 538 / Teen and Up Audiences

Kiss it better : The moon and its secrets / WinterIron (Bucky x Tony) / 9017 / Mature

@bingowinteriron