The PokéPod Project – Rules & Schedule

[peasina]

Welcome to The PokéPod Project, a collaborative, multi-medium project that aims to create a fic about each of the original 151 Pokémon plus a podfic (audiobook version) of each. Once the project is complete, a podfic anthology will be created containing all 151 stories in Pokedex order.

 Schedule

14 Aug: Writer & Podficcer Signups Open
25 Aug: Writer Signups Close

27 Aug: Latest writing assignments go out

17 Sep: Writing Deadline & Podficcer Signups Close 

1 Oct: Podfic deadline (2 weeks creation period)

8 Oct: Anthology + Collection revealed
 

(All times 20:00PM UTC)

 How this works

Writers sign up to create between 1 – 5 stories about a Pokémon from Generation One. Each story should focus on the individual Pokémon they have been assigned to write about, be between 100 – 1000 words, and be posted to the project’s AO3 collection by the deadline. All participating writers must consent to their work being podficced - this means a fellow Pokémon fan will perform a reading of the story and post it as a separate work using AO3's “inspired by” function.

Podficcers sign up to record between 1 – 5 stories written for the PokéPod Project.

Once all stories have been written and podficced, they will be revealed alongside the anthology, unleashing 151 new stories and 151 new podfics into the world for Pokémon lovers to read and/or listen to!

Please read the rules below in full before signing up, even if you're an event veteran. As this is not a traditional AO3 exchange/challenge, there are parts of the creation process that will differ from what you're used to, from sign-ups to posting.

 Writer Sign-Ups

During the sign-up stage, writers complete our Google Form to indicate the number of stories they’re interested in writing (between 1 – 5) and the Pokémon they’re interested in writing about (minimum is 3.) If they’re feeling brave, they can also offer “any Pokémon”!

Assignments will go out via email, and writers will be assigned to write a minimum of one story for one of the Pokémon they selected. Based on how many stories they opted to write, they may be assigned up to five. Writers who selected “any Pokémon” will be assigned surprise Pokémon to write about.

By signing up, writers confirm that they are 18+ and permit the work(s) they create for this event to be podficced. However, your mods strongly encourage adding a podfic permission statement to your AO3 profile if you haven’t already.

 Podficcer Sign-Ups

During the sign-up stage, podficcers complete our Google form to indicate the number of stories created for this project that they’re interested in podficcing (between 1 – 5). Podficcers may be assigned Pokemon randomly, though they have the option to select Pokémon they’d prefer to make podfic for (though this is not guaranteed.)

By signing up, podficcers confirm that they are 18+.

 Assignments - for Writers & Podficcers

The following rules apply to all stories created as part of The PokéPod Project:

✅ Any official Pokémon canons are accepted.
✅ Works should be G – T rated.
✅ Works should be 100 – 1000 words. Your mods recommend setting yourself a soft limit of 500 words. 1k is the absolute maximum.
✅ Any canon characters and original characters, such as original Pokémon trainers, are welcome.
✅ Any ships may be included, but please remember to focus on the Pokémon themselves.
✅ Works should be written/recorded in English.

❌ Works should not include any of AO3’s archive warnings (Graphic Depictions of Violence, Major Character Death, Rape/Non-Con, and Underage.) Canon-typical violence, such as battling, is fine. Canonical themes of death and grief, such as the ghosts of Pokemon Tower or Cubone's deceased mother, are fine.
❌ No crossovers with non-Pokémon canons.
❌ No romantic/sexual relationships between humans and Pokémon.
❌ Stories should not require knowledge of existing AO3 works, such as sequels.
❌ No reader-insert fic.

Assignments will be sent via email. All stories created for this project need to be posted to the project's AO3 Collection.

The following rules apply for all podfic created as part of The PokéPod Project:

✅ Podfics should be posted to AO3 and link to the original work (mods will provide the link while the collection remains unrevealed) using the "Inspired By" function.
✅ Podfics should be an MP3 and/or WAV file and include a download link of some kind in their AO3 submission. This is so your mods can save all the files and edit them together for the anthology.
✅ Podfics should include two seconds of silence at the beginning and end.
✅ Please read the following metadata at the beginning: [Title], by [author], read by [podficcer]. Summary: [original summary, if applicable]. Including "The End" is optional but encouraged.
✅ Please warn somewhere in your post if there are any sudden loud noises in your recording, including shouted lines of dialogue.

❌ Do not use any intro/outro music and keep any sound effects to a minimum.

Podficcer assignments will be sent via email by 18 September, 24 hours after the writing deadline at the latest.

 Defaulting

Should you not be able to complete your assignment(s) for any reason, don't worry - life happens. Please let your mods know as soon as you can (via any of the methods listed on our contact post) so we can assign your Pokemon new writers/podficcers or put them up for adoption (see "Pinch Hits".) There is no need to give a reason for defaulting. Defaulting will not restrict you from taking part again in future.

 Pinch Hits, aka Adopt-a-Pokémon!

If any Pokémon are not initially assigned, they will be added to our Adopt-a-Pokémon thread once signups close, ensuring no Pokémon is left behind! That’s where wonderful pinch hitters come in. After assignments are sent, we’ll open the Adopt-a-Pokémon thread here on our DW, where anyone, even those not signed up, is welcome to volunteer to write a story for that Pokémon. The mods will officially assign these Pokemon to pinch hitters on a first come, first served basis. Writers already participating in the project are welcome to pinch hit also. Each volunteer pinch hitter can claim a maximum of five pinch hits.

 Posting - for Writers

Once your story or stories are complete, please post them to the project's AO3 Collection. The deadline is 17 September, 20:00PM UTC. If you can no longer fulfil your assignment, please let your mods know as soon as you can so we can find a new writer for your Pokemon. No extensions will be given.

Fanfiction should be 100% complete when posted (aka, not something you will continue to edit or expand after the deadline) as your mods will be downloading a copy of the work and passing it on to the podficcer so they can get to work. If you upload before the deadline, your uploaded story may be sent to a podficcer earlier also, so do make sure it's complete.

 Posting - for Podficcers

Once the podficcer creation period begins (no later than 20:00PM UTC on 18 Sep), the mods will share a PDF via email of the stories you are assigned that includes the work's metadata and text. They will also provide the work's URL so you can link your podfic using AO3's "Inspired By" function. All podfics should be posted to the project's AO3 Collection.

After the final deadline, your mods will compile the anthology. This will be posted here on our DW community, on our Tumblr, and linked in the AO3 collection's profile. 

 Reveals

Once all Pokémon have a story and a podfic created for them, the AO3 collection will be revealed. Along with the collection, a chaptered audio anthology of all 151 podfics in Pokedex order will be posted here on our DW community, our Tumblr, and linked in the AO3 collection's profile.

We then celebrate our victory and enjoy all the new works created!

 Trainer Tips - aka FAQ

Why is only the first generation of Pokémon represented in this project?
The thought of organizing 1000+ stories and 1000+ podfics for 1000+ Pokémon(!) is too scary a concept for your mods currently, but if you stick around, and this first project goes well, there’s every chance we’ll move onto further generations of Pokémon in the future.

Can I sign up as both a writer and a podficcer?
Yes. Please do!

If I’m assigned to write multiple stories about multiple Pokemon, can I just put all of them into one story?
Unfortunately not. Each Pokemon needs to have a story created especially for them. Each story also needs to be posted separately to the collection, not included in a chaptered work.

What happens if I can't fulfil my assignment(s)?
If you need to default on one or more of your assignments, please let your mods know as soon as you can using the methods on our contact post or by replying directly to your assignment email. Check the "Defaulting" section above for more information. If you don't post your story/podfic by the deadline, we will find a pinch hitter to write/pod the Pokemon.

Can I write about a particular canon Pokemon, like Erika’s Oddish or Team Rocket’s Meowth?
Absolutely!

If I’m assigned to write two or more stories, can I make them sequential?
No, sorry. Each story should standalone and not require any prior knowledge of another story to be enjoyed.

I only want to write about one particular Pokémon, can I still take part?
The minimum number of Pokémon you can offer to write for during signups is three, so if there’s only one Pokémon you’re interested in writing about, be sure to keep an eye on our Adopt-a-Pokémon post, which will go live after signups close. A Pokémon will require adopting if it was not assigned initially or if their creator drops out.

Can Pokémon from other generations feature in my story?
Yes! As long as your fic centers around the gen one Pokémon you have been assigned, other Pokémon are welcome to feature alongside them.

I don’t enjoy or can’t listen to podfic, can I still take part?
Of course! As long as you’re comfortable having your work podficced, there’s no expectation for you to listen to the podfic version of your work and you can treat this as a writing challenge.



Your mods are peasina and javert, and we hope you have fun taking part! If you need to contact us, click here for our support post. Thank you to the kind mods who looked over our rules and to the podficcers on the Podfichat Discord who provided feedback.