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FAQs
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Q: What is the Nanase Haruka Birthday Exchange?
A: This is a fandom-based gift exchange to celebrate the birthday of Nanase Haruka 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 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
#nanaseharukabirthdayexchange2023 and #七瀬遙誕生日交換イベント2023
(If you are posting on Tumblr, please be sure to put these as the first two tags! )
Please also tag:
♦️ @nharukabirthday (on twitter)
♦️ @nanaseharukabirthdayexchange (on tumblr)
♦️ @nanaseharuka_birthdayexchange (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! 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 Haru 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 Haru 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 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 or similar, as Tumblr/Instagram both have no NSFW policies in place.
If you are posting NSFW on Twitter we recommend that you use something like Privatter, or set the tweet options to flag the image as NSFW.
NSFW fics should ideally 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, fanfic, and moodboards 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 in 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, this gift 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 1 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: Mod Schnooglepuffs (@schnooglepuffs on Tumblr, Twitter and Instagram) has a few available Ao3 instant invite codes. Please contact her for assistance. First come, first served.
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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 outwith 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 "Nanase Haruka Birthday Exchange 2023" collection will be opened.
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 also 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/ig (whichever is most appropriate) and notify your giftee.
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Q: What if the fic I'm writing has multiple parts?
Is it okay to post one part before the deadline and post the rest after?
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 1k words requirement ready to post during the posting period.
Please only do this if you genuinely intend to add to the fic at a later date!
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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 one-shots 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: Assignments will be sent via the email you provide with everything your giftee put on their form. 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. Message one of the event's social media pages with your question/request, email us or DM in the Discord channel and 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 neccessary!
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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 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!