Tachibana Makoto
Birthday Exchange 2023!

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ENGLISH ♦️ 日本語

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FAQs

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Q: What is the Tachibana Makoto Birthday Exchange?

A: This is a fandom-based gift exchange to celebrate the birthday of Tachibana Makoto from the anime Free! Other characters may serve as supporting/background characters and/or ship partners.

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Q: How does it all work?

A: You will be assigned someone to make a gift for and someone will be assigned to make a gift for you.

Everybody posts their gift online during the posting period via Twitter/Tumblr/Instagram/AO3 and tags their giftee (if they use the same platform) or tells the mods so they can cross-platform link it on your behalf. Do not tell anyone (your giftee, your friends, anyone) who or what you were assigned. We want you to keep it a secret until posting! Half the fun of this gift exchange is the anticipation and surprise!

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Q: Are the giftees reciprocal? Am I the giftee of my giftee or of someone else?

A: Your giftee and the person you receive a gift from are two different people. It’s like a chain of gifts.

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Q: How should I tag my work?

A: Be sure to tag your completed gift with both
#tachibanamakotobirthdayexchange2023 and #橘真琴誕生日交換イベント2023
(If you use Tumblr, please be sure to put these as the first two tags!)

Please also tag:

♦️ @tmakotobirthday (on twitter)
♦️ @tachibanamakotobirthdayexchange (on tumblr)
♦️ @makotobirthdayexchange (on instagram)

This helps us find gifts easily to retweet/reblog/share IG URL for it! If your giftee uses the same social media platform as you, please tag them so they can find their gift easily as well! If you have written a fic and your giftee has an Ao3 handle, you can tag them there via the gift option as well.

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Q: Is any Makoto pairing allowed?

A: Yes, as long as it is a pairing your giftee mentioned being alright with. We try our best to match up people who like the same pairings.

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Q: Can I do a gen-related gift instead?

A: Yes, you may create/receive general Makoto content if you so wish! It does not need to be shippy or in an AU.
The application form specifically asks about which type of relationships you would like, if any.

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Q: Can I make a NSFW gift?

A: Only if you are 18+, your giftee is 18+, and they are comfortable receiving NSFW content. Any characters involved in sexual acts MUST BE 18+ as well. NSFW artworks will need to be posted either on Twitter, DeviantArt, Pixiv or similar as Tumblr/Instagram both have no NSFW policies in place. If you are posting NSFW on Twitter: we recommend that you use Privatter or similar, or have your account set to auto-blur anything you post. NSFW fics should be posted on Ao3. Please tag your fic as NSFW and use all other appropriate tags for your fic's content.

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Q: What kinds of gifts are accepted?

A: Fanart and fanfic only; please see the requirements page if you need more info!

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Q: What kinds of ratings are accepted?

A: All ratings are accepted if you are 18 and over. If you are a minor, you will not be able to receive/make NSFW.

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Q: What’s the schedule?

A: Please see the schedule page for all the event dates/times!

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Q: Are there going to be pinch hitters?

A: We understand that life happens. If a participant is unable to complete their assignment, we will need pinch hitters.
An announcement and form will be posted if the need arises.

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Q: Would it be okay if I were to change my stance on what possible gifts I’d be willing to give?
E.g. if I became more confident with drawing or editing in the near future?

A: No, because we are basing match-ups on what you can do right now and not what you can do in the future. If this event is held next year then please do add your extra creative abilities. For now, please create media types you feel confident in.

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Q: If I end up illustrating my fic, would that count as a fanart and should I note that, or is it just an add-on?

A: Illustrating your fic is fine, it would count as "fic with bonus illustration(s)". If you want to add fanart to your 'I can make these gift types', let the mods know. You will only be required to do one type of gift, but extras (such as fic illustrations) are allowed as bonus gifts if you have the time/ability/desire to do it.

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Q: I want to post a fic but I don’t have an Ao3 account!

A: Please contact the mods to see if there are any instant invites available (First come, first served).
If not, you will have to sign up the normal way, it usually takes a few days for the invite to come through.

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Q: Is a beta reader required?

A: No, it’s not required. Do your best to spellcheck and find your mistakes on your own, if you can. If you REALLY feel that it needs to be proofread, you can ask ONE person from outside the event to beta it, provided they are not told who the work is for.

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Q: Will there be an Ao3 collection? How do I add my work to it?

A: Yes, there is an Ao3 collection! Before the posting period begins, the collection will be closed and no works will be able to be added.
Once posting begins, the "Tachibana_Makoto_Birthday_Exchange_2023" collection will be opened and you can add to it by:

♦️ Using the "Post to Collection" button on the collection page
♦️ Entering the collection name in "Post to Collections/Challenges"
♦️ While you are still in the "Post New Work" form
♦️ Editing your already posted work and adding the collection name in "Post to Collections/Challenges"

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Q: I’d like to post my gift anonymously for my giftee. Is that okay?

A: Yes, this is okay. If it is a fic on Ao3, you can add it to the event’s collection and then 'orphan' it. Of course, you need to tell the mods so we can link it in a post for you and so that we know you have completed your gift. If it is fanart or a moodboard set, send it to us and we can post it on the event tumblr/twitter/instagram (whichever is most appropriate) and notify your giftee.

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Q: What if the gift fic I'm writing has multiple parts?
Is it okay to post one part before the deadline and post the rest after?

A: Yes, as long as you have at least one chapter that meets the 1000 word requirement ready to post during the posting period.

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Q: Can my gift fic be a new chapter of a personal project I have already posted?
What if that project is a number of oneshots in a single work? 

A: Gifted fics should be stand-alone works that do not require extra reading beyond what is included in the gift. Even if your personal project is a number of oneshots in a single work, you will still need to create a separate, stand-alone work for your gift. You are free to then add the gift to your own series or collection for personal organizational purposes. 

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Q: Can I submit my gift as a series or subcollection? 

A: No. Unfortunately, Ao3 does not allow entire series to be added as a single addition to collections. Subcollections require the author to the be owner of the parent collection, so this option is also not available. If a giftee wishes to create a gift with several parts, we suggest they make a work that contains chapters rather than a collection/series that contains several works.

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Q: I can't tag my giftee on Tumblr, what do I do?

A: Sometimes Tumblr bugs and doesn't allow you to @ another user. If this happens (on PC) sometimes clicking on the @username that you previously typed fixes it. If this doesn't work, please double check that your giftee isn't on a different social media site.

If they are, post the gift as usual but instead of tagging a person, just type @/username on <social media site they are on>.

We will cross post a link to your gift.

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Q: I don’t think I put enough information about what I would like on my sign-up form/I don’t think I have enough information about what my giftee wants – what should I do?

A: Your assignment with everything your giftee put on their form will be sent to you via the email you provided. If you are not satisfied with what you have to work with, need further info, or remember something you didn't include on your own form, please contact the mods. We will contact your giftee for you, plus relay the answer back (if you require an answer).

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Q: Is it okay that I'm new at this?
I haven't participated in something like this before and I've never posted any of my stuff online.
I just don't know if that was a prerequisite of some kind?

A: This is fine! It's a fun event for fans. We know you have confidence in your work (or you wouldn't have applied) and there is no 'portfolio check'. All we ask is that you do your best and have fun!

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Q: Is it really ok to not have a birthday theme for the gift I create?

A: Yes, as long as it adheres to the 'likes' that were provided!

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Q: Am I allowed to add text to an artwork?

A: Yes you can, but it isn't necessary! 

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Q: If it fits the requirements of the request we receive, are we allowed to write a fic based on a song? 

A: If you aren't directly using the lyrics at any point in the fic, this is fine. You can credit it by saying u were inspired by the song, or that you recommend the song for listening to while reading. If you are using any lyrics at all in the fic, you will need to state which song and state which lines in the fic are from it.

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Q: What if I still have a question?

A: Contact us (the mods) via the event accounts on twitter/tumblr/instagram, via email, or in the #ask-us channel on our Discord server.

We will be glad to help you and will reply as soon as possible!

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