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hp_yule_balls:A few weeks ago, we announced that we would start sign-ups on September 15th to narrow the gift creating window, which would encourage shorter fics and create a low pressure exchange for the holidays. However, based on some participant feedback and our own vision for the fest, we've reconsidered the idea and have decided against it. Last year, we had so many wonderful long fics, and we would love to have more of them this year too.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO! Not with the more long fics! Do not want! Shorter fics in contrast to the rest of the exchange/fest world these days, it seems would be Right and Good Thing! Having a shorter window doesn't stop anyone from writing a long fic if the inspiration is really there (you've set no upper limit) -- it merely, as you say, encourages slightly shorter work. Augh!
Fortunately this is a multi-pairing fest so there are a number of fics I don't wind up wanting to read, which reduces the workload, but still. It's no news to anyone who has ever lent a long-suffering ear to my complaining that I find it overburdening as a reader and depressing as a writer that long fic is the "done" thing these days. Some days it feels like every fest thinks they are the only one out there and no one could possibly have anything else they're trying to watch -- not to mention even try to write? You're not a "good participant" if you don't keep up, but seriously, am I the only person out there who doesn't have time to read 60,000 words every day?
*grumps*