Feedback Post for Summer 2025

[littlefics]

Now that the most recent round has wrapped up, we have a few topics we'd like feedback on. To give feedback, you can reply to this post, privately email us, or leave a screened comment on the Mod Contact Post.

1) Timing of next round
We're thinking of starting the next round in mid to late October, conscious of not overlapping too much with important trickortreatex dates. Let us know if you feel there are other timing considerations for the fall round.

2) PROPOSAL: A year-long beta post
Many exchanges have an optional beta post where people can offer to beta-read others' work. Is this something you would be interested in using, whether as a writer or a reader? We would probably make a new one annually.

3) Regarding our rule that participants can't opt out of requesting or offering single drabbles
This round, we implemented a new rule that stated that while participants are still welcome to request/offer other drabble types, they can no longer exclude single drabbles from their offers or requests. Overall, we are heavily leaning towards keeping this rule as is in future rounds. Some reasons why: we like that the universal minimum for this exchange is now 100 words, it was easy to implement on the modding side, it changed the signup process on the participant side very little, it allows us to still use drabble type as a matching criterion, and it is anecdotally helpful for defaults/pinch hitting. We've considered a couple other approaches (such as making drabble type an entirely optional freeform) but we believe the current approach works best for us.

However, we'd still like to hear if you felt it had a substantial negative impact on your experience, or if you think another approach would be better.

4) Anything else on your mind?
If you have any other comments or ideas not related to the above, those are also welcome!

Comments

[the_paradigm]

I just want to pop in and say that this was my first exchange ever, and while there was definitely a learning curve for a newbie, this was probably the BEST exchange I could have chosen to learn in. Everything felt really well done and left newbie questions (for me) to a minimum so that I could really focus on my assignment and treats. I will definitely be joining this event multiple times in the future!

[littlefics]

Really glad to hear you had a good time! :) Thank you for participating!

[flirtmeister]

Hello! Brilliant round as always, and I'm definitely in favour of not being able to opt out of a single drabble.

My one comment for the exchange would be a longer anon period! I understand it's a short exchange, but maybe 3/5 days would work instead?

[sunsalute]

Seconding everything said here!

[(Anonymous)]

Seconding this as well!

[(Anonymous)]

72hr anon period would work for me!

[zdenka]

I enjoyed the exchange, as always!

Also seconding on both counts.

[littlefics]

Sure, we can definitely try that out! Especially as the exchange has grown overall and there are more drabbles to read.

[lady_ganesh]

Thirding this!

[(Anonymous)]

I really liked the new single-drabble rule! As for timing, while it's less important for this one because drabbles are usually pretty easy to add to the WIP pile, I'd bet mid-October is an easier deadline to meet than the end of the month, knowing how many other writing events tend to take place in October. I wouldn't use the beta post personal, but the structure you propose sounds useful in theory.