podfic_bingo | Welcome to Podfic Bingo! 2023 Rules & FAQ

Welcome to Podfic Bingo: 2023!

What is Podfic Bingo

podfic_bingo was originally the brainchild of

klb. She wanted a challenge for podficcers like fic bingo challenges where, instead of being given subject prompts, we're given reading/podfic style prompts. These days, there are three main types of prompts: reading prompts (e.g. Read Loudly), production prompts (e.g. Record in a New Location), and fic choice prompts (e.g. Angst).

This can be a way for podficcers to try different things when podficcing to hone their art, to get out of a rut, to venture outside their comfort zone, or try something they've always wanted to but maybe didn't have the courage to.

Some things you try may not go exactly as planned, but it's all about learning and doing new things. Don't be afraid!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I interpret the prompts?
Anyway you want. We're open to all kinds of interpretations to prompts. So long as you can present a valid argument for how it's connected to the prompt, that's awesome. If you're really unsure, leave a comment in our Resource Post.

Can I opt out of any prompts?
You can opt out of receiving NSFW prompts. However, the cheats should be your primary source for changing squares you feel uncomfortable with.

Does the prompt have to be incorporated into the entire podfic?
It can be but it doesn't have to. We want to leave this challenge more open than that and allow people to work this challenge around the fics they were already planning on recording.

Can the same fic be used for more than one prompt?
Yes! You could do multiple recordings of the same fic trying out different prompts.
You can also count a single podfic for more than one prompt. If, for example, you had the prompts "read slowly," "add music" and "read sadly" you could incorporate all those prompts into a single podfic. However, we limit this to only 4 squares, so that you have to make at least 2 podfics to get a bingo.

Is there a minimum/maximum length?
Nope! You could do a 30 second podfic or a 30 hour one. However long it takes you to incorporate the prompt(s) is long enough.

How do I post?
Whenever you finish a prompt, you can post it to this comm, using the following (suggested) format:

Title:
Author:
Reader:
Bingo Square(s):
Fandom:
Pairing:
Summary:
`
Link to Podfic:

HTML available here:

You can deviate from the suggested format, but please don’t forget to mention the fandom(s) and bingo square(s) you’re filling! Please tag your post with the fandom(s), square(s) and your podficcer tag. If any of these don't exist, just let us know in your post and we'll create these for you.

You are also free to crosspost your podfic wherever you'd like.

Can I use my Podfic Bingo podfics for other challenges?
Yes! This challenge is designed to fit into your other podfic projects.

What's the timeline for this challenge?
Sign Ups: August 1, 2023 - February, 2024
Cards Go Out: Within a week of your sign up the first month, and then sporadically until closing. (if it takes longer than a week, @ us on twitter)
Deadline: May 31st, 2024 (anywhere in the world)
Amnesty Period: June 1st - July 2nd, 2024

You can start posting as soon as you get your prompts and have until March next year to get through as many of them as you want. Anything you don’t finish before the deadline can be posted during the amnesty period, but you won’t be able to claim bingos with completed squares.

What are the Monthly Challenges?

Each month this year, there will be a Theme Challenge and a Shape Challenge

Theme Challenges
Theme challenges have to do with fic choice. For example, we might put out a theme challenge of time baking! And participants can record stories where someone falls in love with a baker, where characters argue over cupcakes, etc. These challenges are still aimed at helping participants fill out their card but with a little more leeway. If you complete 1 theme challenge, you’ll get a cheat.

Shape Challenges
Square challenges require that you complete specific squares or specific shapes of squares on your card. For example we might challenge people to finish a mini-line of 3 squares in a row, or to complete an X formation.

If your card already has a square formation that fits the monthly challenge before the challenge starts, you can only count that challenge as completed if you fill at least one square on your card within the challenge time period. For example, if the challenge is to get 3 squares in a row, and you already have 3 in a row before the challenge starts, you don’t have to get a whole new set of 3 in a row. You do however have to complete at least one square that month for it to count.

Completing Challenges
At the beginning of each challenge, the mods will make a post announcing the challenge and inviting those who have completed the challenge to show off their bingo cards. Once you’ve posted the podfics required to fulfill the monthly challenge, head over to that post and be sure to let the mods know you’ve completed the challenge.

New this year, you can also earn a cheat by commenting on a podfic! This will operate on the honour roll - we won’t be checking up on you or requiring proof.

What are Cheats?
Cheats are rewards that allow participants to manipulate their cards so that they can be finished more easily. You can earn a cheat through the monthly challenges.

There are 2 kinds of cheats: shifting squares and swapping out squares.

Shifting squares allows participants to swap locations of two squares on their card. For example, if I was one square short of a line, but had completed at least 5 squares on my card, I could move a completed prompt into the last slot to make a line and move the uncompleted prompt to the location of the just moved square.

eg.
This:

Can become this:

Swapping out cheats allow you to discard one of your prompts entirely from your card and replace it with a prompt of your choosing from the prompt list. So if you get a card with a prompt you're not comfortable with or don’t think you can do (or just don’t want to do) you can swap it out with one you prefer more.

I have a podfic I did a while ago that fits one of my prompts, can I use that?
No. Only podfics posted after you get your card will count for this challenge.

What about multivoice podfics?
If it fits the prompt, go for it! Multiple participants can use the same podfic to fill a square on their card.

How do I win?
Like traditional Bingo you can make all kinds of different lines or shapes (- | / \ + L etc.) or you can go for a full blackout of your card and do all the prompts. You don't need to wait until you have a line to post your podfics though, we encourage you to post as you go. If there's a prompt that isn't in your line that you'd like to do anyway, do it, you might be able to work it in using one of the cheats!

What do I do if I complete a Bingo line/the whole card?
Post your bingo/blackout in the most recent Theme Mod post, as this is how we will be keeping track this year.

What do I get if I complete a Bingo line/the whole card?

Per Bingo - one cover art made by the mods for one of your podfics.
Per Blackout - one compiled podbook (m4b) of your podfic/podfic series using new coverart created by the mods and a shout on the podfic_bingo twitter page.
This all sounds awesome, now how do I sign up?
You can sign up at the Sign Up Post, which will open this year on August 1, 2023.

I've finished my card, can I have another one?
Yes, you prolific podficcer! Just leave a request at the Sign Up Post.

How do I contact a mod?
Your mods are

rscreighton, and

night_inscriber . You can leave a comment here or message

podfic_bingo_mod and one of us will get back to you. You can also find us at podficbingo [at] gmail [dot] com and on Twitter