Lord of Mysteries
Big Bang
fandom event for 2026
About
The Lord of Mysteries Big Bang is a fanfic/fanart collaborative event where writers and artists come together to create and finish new projects for the LotM fandom. It's a chance to find fellow fans and both inspire and be inspired by other people who love the same world and same characters as you do!Taken from fanlore.org: "A Big Bang (or "Bang" for short) is a specific type of challenge usually involving long fics and accompanying artwork. This type of challenge is a reprise of the old zine tradition of collaboration between artists and writers for internet fandoms.Most Big Bangs have a similar format: Writers sign up to take part in the challenge and begin writing stories. When the early drafts of the stories are available, each one is assigned one or more artists, or artists might claim stories from posted summaries. Artists create fanart to go along with the story. This art can take the form of illustrations, manips, photo collages, vids, icon sets, etc."However, unlike zine formats, there is no limit on space so the Lord of Mysteries Big Bang welcomes all sign-ups to come play in the fandom sandbox with us! This event will span a half year to allow our writers and artists to get to know each other and create a collaborative project (minimum 6k words for the writer, and one completed art from the artist) to share with the wider fandom at the end of the event.
Rules
1. No bigotry.
Members that express views of racism, sexism/misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, etc, will be warned. Multiple offences may result in a ban.2. Respect your fellow fans.
People will have differing views of fandom! Some people may like a character others hate, or support a ship that someone else can't stand. Remember to adhere to the three laws of fandom: Don't like don't read, Your Kink Is Not My Kink, and Ship and Let Ship. If you prefer not to read or ship something, then feel free to make friends with others of similar mindsets. We are all playing in a fictional sandbox and everyone deserves to have their own little corner.3. Censor NSFW content.
This is an event open to all ages, so we ask that adult content be specifically warned and censored. While this event is a generalized one, you are allowed to write and draw anything you can dream up. But if it's something you would not openly show a minor or your boss, then remember to put it behind a warning here. If something is 18+, then please mark it as such.4. Content warnings.
Similarly, please also warn for common (and uncommon) triggers such as character death, torture, gore, ncs, and anything you think should be included even if that means spoiling your final work. Everyone is here to work together, not to be shocked.5. ABSOLUTELY NO PLAGIARISM OR AI WORKS ALLOWED.
If you need specifications on what is considered plagiarism or generative AI works, then please understand that even you think that it's crossed the line.
FAQ
1. What is a Big Bang?
A Big Bang is usually a fandom event bringing writers and artists together to work on a project alongside an entire supportive online community! In the case of a Big Bang, the writers come up with a story to write (with a minimum word count) and the artists pick which stories they're interested in drawing art for (there is also a Reverse Big Bang, in which the artists create art first and the writers choose which art they want to write a story for!). In many fandoms, this is a yearly event bringing together the creative side of the fandom2. What's the minimum word count for authors?
Traditional Big Bangs used to call for a minimum 50,000 word story that is COMPLETED by the time of posting, but as this is the very first Big Bang for the Lord of Mysteries community and we are still considered fairly small, we're testing out the waters what creatives feel they can handle.
As such, the minimum word count for writers is 6k words and your story does NOT need to be complete by time of posting (it can just be the first completed chapter!), although we would prefer it to be!3. Can we write crossovers and about OCs?
You absolutely can! Although for our first year and for the sake of artists choosing your work, please limit your OCs to side characters or outsider POVs rather than the main character of your work.4. Is NSFW and other things allowed?
It is!! However please state if your story will be 18+ in the pitch idea, as we would like to pair you with an artist that is 18+! Make sure to tag your story and idea properly, even if it is meant to be a surprise / might be spoilers in the final product. While you are allowed to write and draw anything you want, please remember that this is a cooperative project and to communicate with your project partner on what they are willing or not willing to work on! You can write or draw anything your heart desires but tag your dead doves and any other creative idea you might have!5. What type of art/writing is allowed?
If you can come up with it, you can do it. A choose-your-own-adventure? Documentary style? Entirely in poetic prose or iambic pentameter? If you think you can do it, then it's your project! The same goes for art: digital art, physical art, video editing, banners or icons (although we ask the primary art submission be original physical/digital works). We only ask that you be the one who made it. AI is not allowed in this event. Please use your own creativity and enjoy yelling, crying, complaining, and actively creating in this community of like-minded fans!6. When and how do we post this?
There is a full schedule out! The exact posting dates will be worked out as the event goes on, to better support each pair of artist/writer. Closer to the posting date, the LotM Big Bang community will open up a Collection on AO3 where each artist and author will be given an invite link. Don't worry if you can't figure it out, just leave a message on this post and we will request to add your story to the collection when you post it.7. Can we write in languages other than English?
Unfortunately, as of the first LotM Big Bang, we are asking everyone to please submit their stories in English. However, should there be further interest in writing in other languages, we will open up this event to all languages next year!8. Can we sign up for multiple projects?
That is quite the workload! Each person can sign up as either a writer or an artist, or if you are really ambitious: you can sign up as both. We currently hope to match one writer to one artist, although if anyone is interested in taking on multiple projects, please do tell us. If there are more artists than writers, then we would love to allow some writers to tackle multiple projects for this event, and if there are more writers than artists, we would love to have some artists take on multiple projects!
Anyone can sign up as a pitch hitter no matter how many projects you have.9. I'm not an artist or a writer, can I participate?
You can! There are always need for editors/betas and cheerleaders. Editors/betas are fairly self-explanatory, as you would be paired with a writer and/or artist to help look over their work-- depending on agreement between involved parties, this can be from the idea stage all the way to post date or could be only after the creator has finished their entire first draft.
And cheerleaders are equally as important! Should you sign up as a cheerleader, you may be added to one or more pairs of creators to help them keep up general morale and encouragement as well as remind them of upcoming deadlines. You can still be a pivotal part of the event!10. Are the artist/writer pairs supposed to communicate with each other after being assigned or will their final work be a surprise?
You are heavily encouraged to communicate with your partner(s). Of course, if both parties prefer to work alone that is also an option. However, there is a discord server open to all participants who would like to gush about characters, fandom, canon, and find more friends in the community. Feel very free to take advantage of every bit of support we can offer you in this trying time.11. Can we change our ideas after pitching them?
You are definitely allowed to but only if your assigned artist is also okay with the idea. If your pitch is not picked within three days, are you allowed to change your pitch idea, but if your idea is already picked, then please wait until you and your partner can talk about it. We would like for all participants to have as much creative freedom as possible, but please remember that you have a partner working with you and consider their feelings on the matter. If you need to change your idea and this causes tension between you and your assigned partner, the mods would love to help you find a different solution. There is always room to shuffle around and room to change. Therefore, you can change your pitch but it might involve some reassignment if your artist does not agree.
Similarly, if an artist is grouped with an author who now has an idea they do not agree with, they can be reassigned to someone else with a better compatibility!12. What if we find out mid-event that we can't complete it?
While we hope that everyone who signs up will have the time and energy to complete the project they've taken on, we also understand that life works in unexpected ways. Therefore, everyone is allowed up to a certain time to drop out of the LotM Big Bang in case of emergencies.13. How are the artists and writers paired?
After all the writing pitches are submitted, they will be shared anonymously to the artist group, who will choose 3-5 prompts in order of which they like best. That way, the mods will try to assign pairs without overlaps in case multiple artists pick the same prompt. We will try our best to assign every artist their preferred project and work with each group.14. Are participants required to have a Dreamwidth and ArchiveOfOurOwn account?
You are not required to procure a DreamWidth account, although you are certainly welcome to get one! As this is our first year, we do hope to display the end result on AO3, so if any participants need an AO3 account, keys can be distributed.15. Do I need to join the Discord server for this event?
While not necessary, it is highly recommended to help connect you with other people who are also participating. These will be people who you can bounce ideas off, and share woes with, knowing that you are all part of the same fandom and working together for love of the story!
However, this is not mandatory and all you need to do is hit the check-in times and work on your own if you desire.16. What if I'd rather stay anonymous for my story/art?
That is your choice! You may choose to post anonymously (there is the option on AO3), or use an entirely different pseudonym to post your works.17. What about spoilers? Where do we need to read to in the novel to participate?
If you are participating in the fandom event, we will automatically assume you have read to the end of the first book (That means volume 8 of Lord of the Mysteries). You may, of course, participate in this event even if you've only read the first volume, or even half of the first volume. But do understand that the majority of people will likely have finished the story and will talk about the ending. Donghua watchers are also very welcome!
If you are a donghua-only watcher and would like to not be spoiled to the rest of the story, please give the mods a heads up and we will do our best in this event.18. I am an media artist-- do gifs, edits, and amvs count?
They can count as supplementary art, for for the sake of keeping the rules simple, we would like for artists to bring their original works to the table. If you are creating it in a 3D program, then that counts! If you are using pre-existing media, then it doesn't for this round, I'm sorry.Do you have a question not answered on this page? Come ask!
Timeline
TENTATIVE SO FAR
(subject to change)4 March 2026 (Happy Birthday, Klein!)
- Interest CheckApril 2026
- Writer/Artist sign-up
- Cheerleader/Beta/Pitch Hitter sign-upMay 2026
- Writer prompt submission (anonymous)
- Artist claimsJune 2026
- Artist paired with Authors
- Writer check-in (ideally 25% into story)July 2026
- Artist check-in #1 (sketch submission)
- Writer snippet submission (ideally 50% into story)
- Pitch hitter sign-up reopens
- Posting date sign-upAugust 2026
- Last chance to drop out
- Writer check-in (ideally 80% done)
- Artist check-in (WIP submission 30-50% complete)September-October 2026
- FINAL check-in (in case of need for different posting dates)
- Posting dates
- Posting extentions
- Pitch hitter posting dates
Authors
Would you be interested in writing for the Lord of Mysteries Big Bang?Author sign-ups start April 2026 and will span the entire month: we will include the sign-up forms here when it's time!Due to this being LotM Big Bang's first year, we understand that many people would like time to acclimate themselves; therefore the minimum word count necessary to write for this event is 6000 words minimum. If this sounds like a lot to you, please remember that writers will be given nearly half a year to write this! Breaking it down for the slow and steady, this is writing a minimum of 1000 words a month. 250 words a week.Writers will have 3 check-in dates (spread through June/July/August) they must respond to during the event, just to let the mods know you're doing okay! This way, if you need help, we can hopefully assign someone to cheer you on or listen to your plot troubleshoots.
Artists
Are you an artist (of any sort) and would like to help pay tribute to The Fool?Well, you're in the right area! Artist sign-ups for the Lord of Mysteries Big Bang will run from through the month of April 2026, and the form links will be up on this page when the time comes.Let's be fair. Lord of Mysteries artists are amazing and should be told this regularly. For this event, artists will choose the stories they would like to create a work for based on what our hard-working writers come up with. Artists will choose an anonymous story synopsis that will pair them with the writer who is working on that story! There will be two art check-ins: in July and August, to help keep everyone up to speed with each other.Artists are required to submit one piece of art for the fandom event, although you are definitely not limited to that!
• traditional & digital accepted
• still or animated accepted
• must be original work
• must be relevant to the assigned writing
• must be clean/readable quality(Edits, playlists, and others may be submitted as supplementary, but may not be counted as the main art piece required by the event.)