trektober-challenge
TREKTOBER 2023
The official tumblr of the Trektober 2023 October Fanwork Event.
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Signal boosting this one for anyone who might be interested in contributing to a star trek zine!
We've always had some incredible creations for our Mirror Universe prompts! In fact I'm not sure we've ever had a prompt list without that ultimate classic.
~Mod Aisha
Dark Reflections is now accepting submissions!
Dark Reflections is an all-Trek zine focusing on the Mirror Universe and other dark universes. We welcome the dark, the macabre, the unsavoury and the morally dubious.
Please read the FAQ under the cut before submitting anything. Feel free to join our Discord server for quick answers to questions, hanging out with other submitters, beta reader requests, and work reminders.
Submissions close October 10th. Send submissions to [email protected]
FAQ
What counts as a mirror universe?
According to Fanlore, a mirror universe is any alternate universe which is a dark reflection (pun intended) of the original. Whether this is the mirror universe we see in the shows or in beta canon, or a completely new universe that is simply not as kind to our characters as the original is up to you. Keep in mind that this zine focuses on and embraces the more "evil" aspects of those universes.
What can I submit to the zine?
Writing (fic and poetry) and art (traditional or digital, including comics) can all be submitted. We don't accept manips, meta essays (essays written in-universe may be allowed), mood boards, or anything that can't be printed, such as vids and podfics.
Fics must not exceed 25,000 words, though depending on quality and number of submissions we may choose more, shorter works over fewer, longer ones. There is no lower limit for writing. Art must be completed, which means no sketches. Traditional art should be scanned, 300p. Written files should be .docx or .pdf, and art files should be .png, .jpg or .tiff. Links to Google Docs are also accepted.
Is there anything I can't write about?
Despite this zine embracing and encouraging potentially controversial subject matters, there are a few things we won't accept. Generally speaking, though, unless you're writing nazi roleplay erotica (for example) we're not likely to reject your fic on subject matter alone.
What show/ship/characters does the zine focus on?
Ideally, all of them. We'd like for this to be an all-Trek zine. However, if we get an overwhelming majority of one series we may end up rejecting a single work from a different one, even if it normally would have gotten in, just to keep everything cohesive. Either way, we will not accept OC-centric works.
Can I submit a work that has been published somewhere else? e.g. AO3, another zine, ect.
No. We only accept new works.
Does my work need to be beta read before submission?
Preferably, yes. We will edit works which have been accepted and which require it. All works in the zine will match in editing style, though we'll try to keep the author's style intact.
If I submit multiple works, how many are likely to get in?
We would prefer to give as many creators an opportunity to participate as possible, but if there is room or your works are particularly fitting, we will include multiple.
Do I need experience to submit works?
No. We will gladly accept works from new creators.
Do I need to join the discord server to participate?
No. The server gives you easier access to the editor, granting quicker answers to any questions you may have, as well as general accountability and greater sense of community, but that is all.
How do you match fic and art?
Ideally, we will have some solid matches from the get-go. If necessary, we will ask submitters who have volunteered to pinch hit for fics with no art. Art with no matches will separate poems or end up on one of the covers.
Will there be merch?
Possibly.
After the zine is published, can I post my work to AO3/social media?
We reserve printing rights for six months after publication (the day printed zines will be shipped). After that, you may do with your work as you wish.
How much will the zine cost?
This depends on a number of factors. However, we will endeavour to keep the zine as cheap as possible. We cannot legally make money off of fanworks, nor do we wish to.
A free pdf copy of the zine will be sent to everyone who has purchased a physical copy, and these digital copies will be available to purchase at a much discounted price.
I have another question that isn't listed here.
Shoot us an ask! All asks are tagged #qna to make finding them easier. Please check if we have answered your question there before sending a new one.
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Hey, I just found this. Is it too late for me to join?
I'm so sorry because I just found this!
You can join whenever you like! You can do last year's prompts if you want! Feel free to create exactly as it works for you.
~ Mod Aisha
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HECK IT'S TIME
Create, have fun and be kind to each other this October, we're rooting for you!
~Mods Aisha and Demi
TREKTOBER 2023!!!
We're back!!!
For the fifth year in a row, Aisha and I are kicking off the first phase of Trektober with release of the official 2023 prompt lists. Releasing the lists now gives everyone participating plenty of time to plan ahead before posting starts in October.
As in previous years, there are three lists, each with their own theme.
As always, the third (spicy) prompt list can be found below the cut, for those who prefer to avoid.
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Looking for a bit of clarification on the "Other Trek Crossover" prompt. What does this mean? Like, a crossover between two Trek series? Or just a crossover involving the Trek series I'd be writing about?
It is entirely up to you!
All of the prompts in Trektober are open to the interpretation of the person filling them, so however you want to read and fill it is completely fine.
- Mod Demi
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So I’m planning on using my trek ocs for the challenge, would it be okay to use the trektober hashtag?
Of course it is!
- Mod Demi
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Hiyo, thinking of trying for some of the gen &/or Trek prompts this year...this may have been mentioned before, but do they need to be written on the day of, or can they be pre-prepared and just posted on the day of? Thx. ^-^
You can absolutely pre-write your prompt fills, that's part of the reason we like to release the lists so early, it gives people some flexibility if (like at least one of our mods) they have a hectic life, or write a little slower.
- Mod Demi
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hihi!! i’m not sure if this has been asked already but is the event open to artists as well? :D
thank you!!
Absolutely it is!
If you can create it, you can create it for Trektober! Writing! Art! Meta! Edits! Interpretive dance (strangely, no-one has taken us up on that one)!
The only rule is that you tag your work (especially if whatever you've created has something that might be triggering/upsetting).
- Mod Demi
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If none of the prompts for one day work for me but two from the same day do, is it okay to use, say, both day two prompts instead of either of the day one prompts?
Absolutely you can!
Everyone has three wildcards that they can use at any time to switch out a prompt if they’re not feeling that day’s options (or even make up your own).
- Mod Demi
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Do we have to use prompts from the spicy list? I'm really, incredibly, remarkably bad at writing sex.
Not at all! You can use a prompt for any of the three lists, we wanted to make sure people had plenty of options. You can even go back and forth between different lists for each day (eg. day 1 from the trek list, day 2 from the general list, etc).
- Mod Demi
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What a wonderful overlapping challenge! Honestly you hit all the right buttons for the trektober mods with this one.
Sharing for anyone who loves Admiral Katrina Cornwell as much as Demi and I do, and might want to take part or find inspiration in this
Remember the trektober prompt list allows for three wildcards, three days where you can write anything you want if they help you complete the challenge!
~Mod Aisha
Katoberfest 2023!
This year’s Katoberfest will be held October 22-29, 2023.
There are seven days of prompts + a free day:
Sunday October 22: Only One Bed or Kat Survives AU
Monday October 23: First Kiss or OTP
Tuesday October 24: Cuddling for Warmth or Cold Space
Wednesday October 25: Mirror Universe or "I knew you were trouble"
Thursday October 26: Academy Era or Kat in the 32nd Century
Friday October 27: Accidental Child Acquisition or Mission Fic
Saturday October 28: Where is Katrina Cornwell right now?
Sunday October 29: Free Day
There are extra challenges:
1. The Katrina: post every day
2. The Cornwell: combine both of the day's prompts into one work
3. The Vice Admiral: set this playlist to shuffle and create a work inspired by the first song that plays
4. The Admiral: create one work that includes at least five of the fifteen available prompts.
There are no requirements or limits to any medium (e.g. word count, art style, length of vid or pod, etc.).
You may answer as many, or as few, as you like and there is no specific format. The prompts are jumping off points and may be considered in universe or meta. Answers may take the form of essay, discussion, fiction, artwork, bulleted lists, gifsets, vids, vlogs, comics, whatever! It is also fine to answer prompts on a different day than that which corresponds with the prompt (if you miss it, or it is simply easier for you). There is no right or wrong way to participate! The purpose of Katoberfest is to celebrate Admiral Cornwell, not create work or drama.
When sharing on social media, tag your posts #Katoberfest2023. We will reblog and retweet all tagged posts.
The AO3 Collection is available here.
Any questions, do not hesitate to ask!
-Anika (@pixiedane) and Liz (@liz-squids)
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What is a proshipper? I've been out of fandom too long to understand your last post.
Okay, here we go.
Pro-shipper and Anti-shipper are both terms that have evolved significantly over time, and they mean different things to different people. As such it's probably best for you to do your own research using a variety of trusted sources.
Being a proshipper means allowing people to create and enjoy whatever fictional works they want without judgment, policing or censorship, regardless of the perceived moral value of that creation. This is because fiction does not equal reality, and consuming content deemed problematic does not equal approval of morally wrong acts occurring in real life.
As always, we ask that creators tag works appropriately so those responsibly avoiding specific content may do so.
~ Mod Aisha
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Message for double-down anon: DO IT! More stuff to enjoy is always amazing. - DoubleDip Anon
Wholeheartedly agree!
Whatever works best for you is always the best choice with Trektober
~ Mod Aisha
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Can we do more than one work for a particular day? There are a few days where I would love to do both prompts but I'm not sure how to combine them.
Honestly if you can manage that I will be filled with deep admiration for your ability to create, and it would be awesome!
~ Mod Aisha
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Thank you for your beautiful response to the question about “anti-pro shipping”! You really hit on what I think are the important points in a really eloquent way. Also, thank you for running the event!! I can’t wait to see everyone’s work!
Thank you so much! It's really important to us that people have the freedom to create whatever they want.
We are so happy to be here again and to see how many wonderful creative people are engaging with the event. It really means a lot.
And of course we are also very excited to see what everyone creates!
~ Mod Aisha
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Hi! My friends and I want to do this event, but we're a little but uncomfortable that nothing on your about says anything about being a safe space and being against proshippers. Can you make a statement about not allowing any gross content in the challenge so that it's safe for us to join in? Thank youuuuuu~!
I think you might have come to the wrong place.
Because, if you think either of the mods are going to denounce proshippers on this blog, you are beyond mistaken. Trektober, its creators, and its moderators stand behind fans’ right to create whatever content they want. We acknowledge that what people choose to create and/or consume in fiction does not reflect what they enjoy or condone in real life. We recognise that creating or consuming works seen by some as “taboo” is a legitimate coping strategy used by many people suffering from a range of traumas, and can be a valuable tool in healing.
So no, we’re not going to tell people what types of content to create. We will, as we do every year, recommend that people tag their works appropriately so that others can choose what types of content they personally want to experience.
This challenge is a safe space, but not for people like you.
- Mod Demi & Mod Aisha
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Greetings! :D
May I ask whether it's allowed to publish for the challenge on AO3 anonymously (if that's even technically possible)? I've never taken part in a challenge, be it on AO3 or anywhere else, so sorry if this is a very silly question.
Just stumbled across your challenge yesterday and got so excited I squealed, so wanted to also say thank you for doing this very cool thing! :D
I hope you have a nice day and wish you a nice Trektober later!
Hey friend!
Anonymous works are absolutely fine by us, if you can work out how to post them anonymously on AO3, go right ahead!
Just remember, if they're not in the Trektober2023 tag on tumblr, or in the Trektober 2023 AO3 collection, we have no way of finding them as part of the event, and neither does anyone else.
- Mod Demi
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Hello. I was wondering if trektober would also be on AO3 or if it's tumblr exclusive
Hi there, thanks for asking!
Trektober is on AO3 as well as tumblr. If you are on desktop, you can find the link to our 2023 Trektober AO3 Collection (all set up and ready for posting) at the top of the blog. If you are on mobile, the name of the collection is also in our header (but it's just "Trektober 2023").
Hope this helps!
- Mod Demi
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