Space Swap is a multimedia exchange for fandoms of all sorts (books to RPF to music videos to etc.). The one criterion for inclusion is that the fandom be related to SPACE.

We run it along typical exchange lines: participants will sign up with requests and offers, will be matched via AO3, and will receive an assignment. By signing up, participants agree to make a fannish creation for their assigned participant. In turn, someone will make a fannish creation for them. You will need an AO3 account to participate. You also need to be 18+ and an adult in your jurisdiction.

We'll kick off the swap with a fandom recruitment phase in which everyone can wax poetic about their favourite space fandoms in the hopes of recruiting new fans. Following that we’ll hold nominations to get a set of fandoms for our swap, and then we'll have sign-ups and be off and running!
Note on treats: They are very welcome, and don't have to to fulfil the minimum creation requirements that main gifts do.

Nominations and Matching

( Read more... )

Fannish Creation Requirements

( Read more... )

Eligibility

( Read more... )

Bans

( Read more... )

Schedule & Contact Info

All times below are given as 24-hour times. CEST/CET is the time zone of Paris. Sign-ups and nominations may start ahead of the given time, but will close when stated.
As always, works are revealed on Yuri's Night, the International Day of Human Space Flight.

All times below are given as 24-hour times. This year, the rocket ship is launching from Paris and the CET/CEST time zone. Sign-ups and nominations may start ahead of the given time, but will close when stated.
Nominations start: Sun 25 Jan 17:00 CET (in your timezone)
Nominations end: Tue 3 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown)
Sign-ups start: Fri 6 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone)
Sign-ups end: Sun 15 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown)
Works due: Sun 5 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown)
Works revealed: Sun 12 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown)
Authors revealed: Sun 19 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown)
If you have any questions or concerns, please comment on this post or contact extrapenguin via DW PM or e-mail at extrapenguin at gmx dot com, and we'll do our best to address them.

Sign-ups are open! Sign-ups end Sun 15 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown)

Note: AO3 has introduced a setting to opt out of non-assignment gifts. If your account was created after 1 Feb 2022, it has been enabled by default. Note that opting out of non-assignment gifts will make it impossible to receive treats, even if they are posted to an exchange you're signed up for, as well as make certain (rare) issues harder for me to resolve. If possible, I highly suggest you enable non-assignment gifts for the duration of the exchange or send me an e-mail (extrapenguin at gmx dot com) if you cannot so that I can do some workarounds. If you have concerns regarding specific potential gifters, please contact me.

Requests

For at least 3 fandoms (and at most 8):

1. Pick the fandom.
2. Choose 1 to 15 tags you'd like to receive. Bear in mind that you will only match on one of these, so don't try to set up combinations.
3. Choose which media type(s) you'd like for the gift to be in – fic, art, vid, IF, or pod format. (This can be different for each fandom.)

Fandoms must be unique.

Prompts are useful for giving your assigned creator somewhere to start from. We recommend writing prompts for each type of fanwork you requested, either into the box provided by AO3, or into a linked "Dear Spacer" letter. (Tips on prompting for art.)

If you have DNWs that would ruin a gift for you, please state them in the optional details box in the sign-up on AO3. DNWs will not be enforced if:

• They aren't indicated in the optional details box


• They contradict the requested tags (e.g. requesting character A but DNWing character A)


• They contradict each other


• Avoiding them would require a logic puzzle


• They are hidden behind a summary/details HTML tag

If you are requesting podfic, please tell the potential podficcers whether you would be okay with your own works being podficced.

If you are given a gift that contains a DNW listed in your sign-up, you are eligible for a replacement. Gifts will be randomly spot-checked as they come in and dealt with if necessary, but should a DNW-containing gift make its way to you, please contact the mod at extrapenguin at gmx dot com. You may also contact me if you suspect (through e.g. tag shaking) that your gift will contain a DNW. In cases where a gift contains a DNW due to unclear phrasing of the DNW, we will err on the side of the author. DNWs apply to the gift, not its metadata. A creator is free to tag as they best think describes the work.

Offers

For at least 3 fandoms (and at most 10):

1. Pick the fandom.
2. Choose 1 to 20 tags you'd be willing to create a gift in. As with offers, please remember that you will only match on one tag.
3. Choose which media type(s) you'd be willing to create in – fic, art, vid, IF, or pod format. (This can be different for each fandom.)

Fandoms must be unique.

If you have matching concerns – e.g. you absolutely do not want to match with another participant – please contact me at extrapenguin at gmx dot com during sign-ups and state whether you do not want to create for the person, do not want that person to create for you, or both.

Less than 24h left! Nominations end Tue 3 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown) – get your noms and edits in before that!

Archer (Cartoon)
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Please nominate according to the instructions. Thank you! Your noms will be rejected unless you comply with the instructions.

For All Mankind (TV 2019)
Please disambiguate your nominations! This means adding the fandom in (brackets) to the end, e.g. Character: Aleida Rosales (FAM)

The Lost Fleet - Jack Campbell
Worldbuilding: Getting used to peace (The Lost Fleet)
This is not a worldbuilding nom and thus will not be accepted.

Crossover Fandom
Worldbuilding: Cultural Differences (SGA)
Worldbuilding: Languages & Linguistics (SGA)
Are you sure you meant to nom these under Crossover Fandom, instead of SGA?

Star Wars Crossovers
Relationship: Bo-Katan Kryze & Din Djarin (Mandalorian & BoBF)
Relationship: Fennec Shand & Boba Fett (Mandalotian & BoBF)
This isn't a crossover! Please nominate under the appropriate canon.

Relationship: Bo-Katan Kryze & Ahsoka Tano (SW Crossovers)
Relationship: Fennec Shand & Asajj Ventress (SW Crossovers)
Do you want to specify which Bo-Katan, Ahsoka, etc you want? Please do it at this junction by editing your noms to e.g. Relationship: Bo-Katan Kryze (The Mandalorian) & Ahsoka Tano (SW Rebels)

Nominations end Tue 3 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown) – get your noms and edits in before that!

Archer (Cartoon)
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Please nominate according to the instructions. Thank you! Your noms will not be approved unless you comply with the instructions.

For All Mankind (TV 2019)
Please disambiguate your nominations! This means adding the fandom in (brackets) to the end, e.g. Character: Aleida Rosales (FAM)

Worldbuilding: Arthelais/Canonical Unnamed Military Lover (Rebel Moon)
Worldbuilding: Getting used to peace (The Lost Fleet)
Neither of these is a worldbuilding nom and thus will not be accepted.

Crossover Fandom
Archer (Cartoon)
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Please nominate according to the instructions. Thank you! Your fandom/remaining noms will not be approved unless you comply with the instructions.

Mass Effect Trilogy
Mugen Kouro | Infinite Space
Phantasy Star
For All Mankind (TV 2019)
Mass Effect: Andromeda
The Outer Worlds (Video Game)
Please disambiguate your nominations! This means adding the fandom in (brackets) to the end, e.g. Character: Alis Landale (Phantasy Star)

Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series (Movies)
We already have the fandom Star Trek: The Original Series in the tagset. Nominator of plain Star Trek, Kirk and Spock already exist there. TOS Movies nominator, would you mind being merged into regular TOS, as they're the same cast and continuity, or is there some big division I'm unaware of?

Dune (Movies - Villeneuve)
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Sparrow - Mary Doria Russell
Please nominate according to the instructions. Thank you! Your fandom/remaining noms will not be approved unless you comply with the instructions.

Mugen Kouro | Infinite Space
Original Work
Phantasy Star
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (TV 2026)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (TV)
Star Trek: The Original Series
Please disambiguate your nominations! This means adding the fandom in (brackets) to the end, e.g. Character: Alis Landale (Phantasy Star)

Star Trek
Star Trek: The Original Series (Movies)
We already have the fandom Star Trek: The Original Series in the tagset. Nominator of plain Star Trek, Kirk and Spock already exist there. TOS Movies nominator, would you mind being merged into regular TOS, as they're the same cast and continuity, or is there some big division I'm unaware of?

Noms are OPEN and run until Tue 3 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown)

Tags that do not conform to these instructions will not be approved.

Please disregard everything AO3 says on the "nominate" page. Do NOT choose the canonical versions (offered by the dropdown) of whatever tag you're nominating. Tags are NOT restricted to characters only. Thank you. (AO3 doesn't let mods adjust what's on the nominations page.) If you have questions, please ask!


Please check what was agreed for your fandom on the franchise wrangling post. Write the fandom's name based on what was decided there. If your fandom has not been discussed on the franchise wrangling post, use the AO3 canonical. Please do not use "- All Media Types" tags unless decided on the franchise wrangling post. Please add the fandom name (or easily understandable abbreviation thereof) in (brackets) after the tag you are nominating. If nominating a crossover between two space canons, that is allowed; nom it under Crossover Fandom. (Allowed kinds of crossover tags for 2026: Relationship: Shmi Skywalker (SWPT) & Aeryn Sun (Farscape), Character: Jean-Luc Picard (TNG) in Mass Effect: Andromeda)

( instructions )

As always, works are revealed on Yuri's Night, the International Day of Human Space Flight. This year, I'm scheduling noms around a work trip! :'D

All times below are given as 24-hour times. This year, the rocket ship is launching from Paris and the CET/CEST time zone. Sign-ups and nominations may start ahead of the given time, but will close when stated.
Nominations start: Sun 25 Jan 17:00 CET (in your timezone)
Nominations end: Tue 3 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown)
Sign-ups start: Fri 6 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone)
Sign-ups end: Sun 15 Feb 17:00 CET (in your timezone | countdown)
Works due: Sun 5 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown)
Works revealed: Sun 12 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown)
Authors revealed: Sun 19 Apr 17:00 CEST (in your timezone | countdown)

For vidders and podficcers here from elsewhere: Space Swap is a multimedia fanworks exchange for all fandoms related to space. We currently allow gift works to be fanfiction, fanart, podfic, fanvids, or interactive fiction.

This is also an event where works must be made by humans, not AI. Currently, the rules simply state that

"AI" works produced using a large language model (such as ChatGPT) or "art generators" (such as Midjourney) are prohibited.

I plan on adding a line that states that works must be produced by the person signing up. Additionally, I want to ban usage of any and all generative AI (so pressing "create vid" on a hypothetical VidGPT is not allowed, for instance). However, as "AI" is the new, trendy way of saying "computer program", and it's possible that e.g. someone's word processor has a spell checker that's built on AI for AI hype reasons, I don't think I can actually blanket ban AI with satisfactory results. Thus, my questions:

1) If I phrase the ban as "By participating, you guarantee that the works produced are made by you alone. Usage of generative AI (for instance, ChatGPT or DALL-E) is strictly prohibited", will people understand this?
2) Are there any other ethical issues related to AI in vidding/podficcing that you would like an official ruling on? I know vidding communities are discussing things like the ethics of AI-based scene extension; I would like to hear about any such discussions going on in the podfic community and also any community consensuses that might have been reached, in addition to discussion and debate.

Slightly belatedly, the feedback post!

This year, I moved internationally during the exchange (pro tip: don't do this), with the actual moving date being the day sign-ups ended so I handled noms and sign-ups while packing (pro tip: super don't do this), and essentially felt like I was juggling about three balls too many at any given time. Hopefully this feeling of complete chaos did not reach you, but if it did, don't worry, I will not be moving, internationally or otherwise, next year!

With the above disclaimed, if you have any feedback, I'd be happy to hear it! (Even if it's "you sure seemed more disorganized than usual this year" or whatnot.) Requests on where to advertise? Wishes for a clearer FAQ/instructions?

Creators have been revealed! Thank you to all participants and pinch hitters. Feedback post will go up later today/tomorrow.

Works have been revealed! Go forth and dive in! (And please leave a comment on your gift!)

Thank you to all our participants and pinch hitters for another successful year! This is the tenth Space Swap I've modded (I took over in 2016) and I love everyone in this bar ♥

Works will be revealed Sat 12 Apr 17:00 EEST! (in your timezone | countdown)

Works will be revealed Sat 12 Apr 17:00 EEST! (in your timezone | countdown) Now is a good time to make a final check for any typos, borked HTML, embeds not working, etc. (All done? Consider making a quick treat!)

The deadline has passed! We have two new pinch hits. These are due after the regular assignments, at Tues 8 Apr 17:00 EEST (in your timezone | countdown) (negotiable)

PH 8: ( Claimed! )

PH 9: ( Claimed! )

This one is due after the regular assignments, at Sun 6 Apr 17:00 EEST (in your timezone | countdown) (negotiable)

( Claimed! )

Works are due in 48 hours, on Sat 5 Apr 17:00 EEST (in your timezone | countdown)

Already done? Now is a good time to check that any embeds (images, video, audio, etc) you may have work, and ensure you don't have any typos or copypaste oopsies in your text. We also have one pinch hit coming up soon!

These pinch hits are due with regular assignments on Sat 5 Apr 17:00 EEST (in your timezone | countdown) To claim, please comment with your AO3 username and which PH you are taking.

PH4: ( Claimed! )

PH 6: ( Claimed! )

These pinch hits are due with regular assignments on Sat 5 Apr 17:00 EEST (in your timezone | countdown) To claim, please comment with your AO3 username and which PH you are taking.

PH4: ( The Lost Fleet, Sins of a Solar Empire, Mass Effect (variable) )

PH 5: ( Claimed! )

These pinch hits are due with regular assignments on Sat 5 Apr 17:00 EEST (in your timezone | countdown) To claim, please comment with your AO3 username and which PH you are taking.

PH 1: ( claimed )

PH 2: ( claimed! )

PH 3: ( claimed! )

PH4: ( The Lost Fleet, Sins of a Solar Empire, Mass Effect (variable) )

Welcome to the final stretch of sign-ups! Sign-ups end Sun 16 Feb 17:00 EET (in your timezone | countdown) Sign up here!

Today I was asked whether animatics are a valid fill for a vid request. As it's the middle of sign-ups, my ruling is that animatics are opt-in for vid requests this round. (We will revisit this in the feedback post.) So if you're requesting vids and think animatics are cool, make a note in your sign-up that animatics are welcome!