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idficmod ([personal profile] idficmod) wrote in [community profile] idproquo2026-04-06 04:03 pm

Id Pro Quo 2026 Schedule and Rules

Id Pro Quo is a gift exchange for "iddy" fan works: purely self-indulgent creations that make you go zing! in that particular delicious way. Participants will create and receive a completed gift of 2,000+ words of fanfic or a work of individually made fanart.

2026 Links

2026 Characters & Relationships Tagset | Eternal Freeform Tagset | Signups | Collection | Dreamwidth Community | Automagic App

2026 Schedule

Nominations: April 16th - April 24th
Signups: April 26th to May 3rd
Assignments out by: May 5th
Works Due: June 30th
Works Revealed: July 14th
Creators Revealed: July 21st

All deadlines are at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC -5).

FAQ


What does "iddy" mean?

See the Fanlore entry for a definition. In brief, id fic and id art are works that resonate with you on a deep level. This feeling can't be denied or suppressed, even if the thing that really gets you going is also something you feel is morally wrong, ridiculous, or not in keeping with how you see yourself. A feminist may get off on women being degraded; a cat fancier may harbor a fondness for dogpeople AUs. The id wants what it wants, and this is an exchange for giving it what it wants.

Iddy creations do not need to be sexually explicit. Maybe your id is deeply invested in drinking tea while autumn rains fall, rescuing abandoned emu chicks, or surreptitiously holding hands. Works of all ratings are welcome in IPQ. However, regardless of what you plan to request or create, you must be 18 or older to participate.

How do I contact the mods if I have a question?

Your mods this year are westiec and Tavina and can be reached at idficmod@gmail.com. Please do not contact us through discord.

General rules



Even if you have participated in many IPQs in the past, we have made some changes this year, please read our rules in full.

Changelog for 2026:
  • We have removed the need to nominate original work ships with gender configuration prefixes. Please clarify if you have a preferred gender configuration.
  • We have updated the tagset so now we have a stable eternal freeform tagset
  • Clarified mod contact preferences
  • Clarified our stance on AI generated works.
  • Clarified our extension policy

Each participant will produce a complete, original, brand new work that is created specifically to fulfill a request for this exchange and meets the following requirements:
  • Fanfic: Your fic must be a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It must be written in English and at least 2,000 words long.
  • Fanart: Your piece doesn't have to be colored, but it must be a completed work and cannot be drawn on lined paper. Allowed fanart includes digital and real media (e.g., paper and pencil, paint, sculpture). Animated gifs that meet requirements are allowed.
  • Each work must match one of the recipient's requested combinations of fandom + character/relationship + additional tag. It does not have to be for the request you matched on.
  • The work must not contain the recipient's DNWs for that request.
  • The work must be complete and posted to the Id Pro Quo 2026 AO3 collection by the stated deadline.

Gift guarantee

Works will not be revealed until everyone who fulfilled their assignment and requested at least 3 unique fandoms has a gift.

Additional general guidelines

Signups
  • You must be 18 or older to participate in this exchange.
  • Signups with unmatchable offers will have 24 hours after the close of signups to add offers that match existing requests. Please check the requests and make sure you're offering at least one thing that at least one person has requested. Also please make sure that the email address linked to your AO3 account is working, and whitelist email from idficmod@gmail.com.
  • Well-behaved socks are welcome. If you use a sock, please adjust your offers and requests so you don't risk being assigned to create for yourself. You commit to creating one work per signup for someone who is not you. Serial sock-matchers and sock-defaulters will be banned from future exchange rounds.
  • If you're requesting original work or original characters, please note that these will be created by the work's creator. To request work with your OCs, nominate your original work as a fandom.
  • If you're requesting a solo character, you have the option to DNW romantic or sexual ships involving that character. By default, your creator may depict that character being in relationships of any kind, and may include other canon characters in their work.

Creating
  • We're here to have fun. Please do your best to create something your recipient will like, and to leave kudos and appreciative comments on your gift(s).
  • That said, optional details are optional. Prompts may guide your creator, but please be open to getting something gloriously unexpected.
  • If you're creating for a request about a solo character, that character should be the central character of the work. However, you may include other characters in the work, and you may depict the central character in sexual or romantic ships as long as that doesn't contradict a DNW.
  • This is an anonymous gift exchange. Please don't tell anyone which work you created, share snippets of your work anywhere, or put identifying information on your work (such as links to your social media) until creators are revealed. The exceptions: If your recipient has explicitly opted in to sequels, you may put your work in a series with the work it's a sequel to. Art may be watermarked.
  • You must create your work yourself. Your work may not contain computer-generated art or text, graphics from another source (such as photomanips, aesthetics/mood boards, or screen captures), substantial sections of material quoted or copied from canon, or plagiarized material, and must be wholly your own work.
  • If you have a question for your recipient, please ask the mods to pass the question along anonymously. Do not try to contact your recipient directly.

Posting
  • Please make sure your work is posted to the correct collection, Id_Pro_Quo_2026. Checking the assignment fulfillment box should do this automatically. If you're posting a treat, go to the collection profile and click the "Post to Collection" button in the upper right corner.
  • If you do not believe you are able to complete your assignment before deadline, please either contact us at idficmod@gmail.com for an extension, or hit the default button on your assignment on ao3 before the deadline. There is no penalty for defaulting. If you do not complete your assignment, request an extension, or default by the deadline, you may be banned from future exchange rounds.
  • One 48 hour extension will be granted per assignment prior to the works due deadline. No second extensions will be granted.
  • Any work added to the collection must be complete and in sufficiently good shape for your recipient to enjoy it if you are unable to make further changes to it. If you post an incomplete work, a work that does not match your recipient's requests or violates their DNWs, a plagiarized work, or filler, you may be banned from future exchange rounds. The collection is moderated, but moderators are only checking for completeness and minimum word count. Creators are responsible for making sure their works fulfill the recipient's request.
  • Generous treating is encouraged. Please enable treating in your AO3 settings by going to your Preferences, scrolling to the Collections, Challenges and Gifts section, and checking the box for "Allow anyone to gift me works".
  • There is no mod account. If you'd like to gift a work to the exchange as a whole, post it without a recipient and note in your Author's Note that it's meant as a treat to the collection.
  • The only recipient of your work should be the person whose request you are fulfilling. Please do not gift works to multiple recipients, even if they have similar requests and even if your creation is a non-assignment treat.

And most importantly...

Don't be an asshole. This exchange allows for a large variety of different themes and prompts, some of which may be sensitive for some participants. If there is content you don't wish to create, don't offer tags that would necessitate creating that content. If there is content you do not wish to receive, be unambiguous in your DNWs. Don't attempt to subvert a requested tag into something you know the recipient will not want, play "I'm not touching you" with DNWs, or create spite fic or spite art. Harassing a participant or attempting to start drama over their requests is grounds for a permanent ban.

Nominations


You may nominate up to 6 fandoms, 10 relationships or characters (using the relationship slot) per fandom, and 10 additional tags (freeforms).

2026 Tagset | Eternal Freeform Tagset

Fandoms

Any fandom may be nominated. There are no eligibility requirements.

Avoid nominating "All Media Types" when possible. Nominate fandoms with multiple, separate installments as unique fandoms. When in doubt, being more specific is encouraged, to ensure you match on the fandom you want to receive. For example, it's fine to nominate the following:
  • Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars Original Trilogy, and Star Wars Sequel Trilogy as unique fandoms
  • The Witcher (TV) and The Witcher (Video Games) as unique fandoms
  • Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020) and Final Fantasy VII (Video Game 1997) as unique fandoms

"All Media Types" fandoms may be used to nominate crossovers within a broadly shared universe. Please disambiguate with the specific sub-fandoms when possible, otherwise All means All. For example:
  • Luke Skywalker (Star Wars Original Trilogy) / Ahsoka Tano (Ahsoka)
  • Matt Murdock (Netflix Daredevil) / Peter Parker (MCU)

RPF limitations: No non-famous family members of 20th/21st-century famous people. No living people under 18. No 20th/21st-century Nazis, fascists, or white supremacists.

Characters and Relationships

Please disambiguate all nominations with the full or abbreviated canon name.

The following characters and ships may be nominated:
  • / (sexual and/or romantic) and & (non-sexual and non-romantic) ships, including in combination
  • Finite, well-defined groups by group name ("The Beatles" would be accepted because the group only has one configuration, but "Alice in Chains" would need further specification)
  • Solo characters, nominated as 1: Character Name (Fandom)
  • OCs, solo and in relationships, with or without specification (Original Character, Original Nonbinary Character, Original Elf Character, etc.)
  • "Any" with or without specification (Any Character, Any Female Character, Any Villain, etc.)
  • "Reader" with or without specification (Character/Reader, Character/Non-Op Trans Male Reader, etc.)

Please do not use piping or multiple names unless necessary for clarity.

Standard nomination examples:
  • Jean-Luc Picard/Q & Beverly Crusher (ST:TNG)
  • Temeraire/Any Dragon Character (Temeraire)
  • Elsa/Original Female Character (Frozen)
  • 1: Roman Roy (Succession)

There will be one "fandom" called Crossover Fandom. Crossover relationships can be nominated within it. Each individual character should be disambiguated (abbreviated canon names are fine).

Crossover nomination examples:
  • Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal TV) & Edward Hyde (Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde - Stevenson)
  • Andromache of Scythia (The Old Guard Movie)/Any Disney Princess (Disney Princesses)


There will be one "fandom" called Creator's Choice of Fandom. Use this to request "bulletproof" tags that you like so much you truly don't care what fandom your gift is in. Your creator can choose absolutely any fandom, including RPF, Original Work, and fandoms not in the tagset, so if this is what you request, be sure you're open to that. If you request CCOF, you may DNW up to 5 specific fandoms.

CCOF nomination examples:
  • 1: Any Character (CCOF)
  • Any Pair of Codependent Siblings (CCOF)
  • Any Group of Three or More Characters (CCOF)

There will be one "fandom" called Any Fandom I've Requested Before, and one called Any Fandom I've Requested for IPQ Before. Use these to give your creator the choice of fandoms that you've requested in past exchanges. If you request either of these options, it's helpful to link to a letter that lists your past fandoms, in case someone who doesn't know you is assigned to create for you. If you offer either of these options, you may want to use the AO3 Automagic App to search for a recipient's AO3 handle and see what they've requested in exchanges that have been scraped by the app.

If you request either of these, you may DNW up to 5 specific fandoms.

Any Fandom I've Requested Before nomination examples:
  • 1: Any Character I've Requested Before (AFIRB)
  • Any Femslash Ship I've Requested Before (AFIRB)
  • Any Human/Non-Human Ship I've Requested for IPQ (AFIR4IPQ)

Additional Tags

The Additional Tags field is for freeforms. They can be as general or specific as you like. The mods will not attempt to enforce any specific definition of "iddy"; if you nominate something, we assume it's iddy for you.

Very similar tags will be approved as long as they aren't 100% functionally identical (e.g., "Sex while pining" and "Pining while having sex"), and anything even slightly unclear will be queried.

With a few exceptions, there is no need to group or categorize freeforms; you can nominate "Hair brushing" on its own, and don't have to specify "Grooming - Hair brushing." We do ask that AUs be categorized under "Alternate Universe" and fandom-specific tags be categorized under the name of the fandom.

Both very general ("True love") and very specific ("Character eats a good mutton-lettuce-tomato sandwich where the mutton is nice and lean") freeforms are allowed. Fandom-specific freeform tags are allowed.

Additional Tag examples:
  • Wings
  • Alternate Universe - Soulmate AU
  • Spouse of lactating partner discovers unexpected lactation kink
  • MCU - Bucky Barnes needs a hug

Requests


The request section of your sign-up must include:
  • 1 to 10 fandom requests (fandoms can be repeated); you must request a minimum of 3 unique fandoms to be guaranteed a gift
  • 1 to 20 characters/ships in each request
  • 1 to 20 Additional Tags in each request
  • Whether you want art, fic, or both for the request

It may optionally include:
  • likes and/or prompts for each request
  • your DNWs for each request
  • whether you are open to receiving sequels, series works, and/or remixes of your own work
  • a link to an exchange letter or likes list

Prompts may guide your creator, but please remember that optional details are optional and be open to getting something gloriously unexpected.

DNWs

A DNW is a thing you Do Not Want to get in a fic. DNWs can be different from one request to the next, and can be general ("DNW slurs and name-calling") or specific to a canon or request ("DNW Harry/Draco, even as a background ship").

Your DNW list does not need to explain why you don't want something. Please don't use your DNWs to disparage something that someone else may be into.

DNWs that create an impossible request, such as "DNW incest" for an incest ship, and DNWs that are vague or difficult to understand, such as "DNW hard kinks," will be disregarded. DNWs that directly contradict a freeform (such as requesting an omorashi tag and then "DNW watersports") will be disregarded. However, DNWs may be used to specify how freeforms are applied to requested ships ("DNW Bill Nye wetting his pants").

"Any" means any and a DNW that contradicts a requested "Any" character in their canonical form will be disregarded. For example, if you request a ship with Any Disney Princess, we will not enforce DNWs of Ariel, mermaids, or underage. Many "Any" groups are nebulously defined (is Frank-N-Furter a Disney princess now?), so if you have any qualms at all about what you might end up getting from an "Any" request, we strongly recommend requesting more defined ships.

DNWs will only be enforced if they appear in your sign-up on AO3. DNWs solely posted in a linked letter will not be enforced.

Example useful DNWs:
  • "DNW frogs" for a fandom that doesn't have frogs in it
  • "DNW non-canonical character death"

Example non-useful DNWs:
  • "DNW turtles" for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -- makes request impossible
  • "DNW anything triggering" or "DNW dead dove content" -- too vague, different people may have different definitions
  • "DNW gross foods like tomatoes" -- disparaging

Offers


The offer section of your sign-up must include:
  • 1 to 10 fandom offers
  • 1 to 20 characters/ships in each offer, or "Any"
  • 1 to 20 Additional Tags in each offer, or "Any"
  • Whether you're offering art, fic, or both for this offer

If you offer "Any Relationship" or "Any Additional Tag," that refers to any ship or tag in the tagset. Be sure you really are okay with being matched with any request, even one that comes in at the very last minute.

Signups with unmatchable offers will have 24 hours after the close of signups to add offers that match existing requests. Please check the requests and make sure you're offering at least one thing that at least one person has requested. Also please make sure that the email address linked to your AO3 account is working, and whitelist email from idficmod@gmail.com.

Creating, Posting, and Gifting Works


Assignment-fulfilling stories must be complete, made specifically to fulfill this assignment, in English, and at least 2,000 words long.

Assignment-fulfilling art must be finished and made specifically to fulfill this assignment. Your piece doesn't have to be colored, but it must be a completed work and cannot be drawn on lined paper. Allowed fanart includes digital and real media (e.g., paper and pencil/inks, paint, or photographed 3D art). Animated gifs that meet requirements are allowed. Do not post AI-generated art, sketches, WIP images, bases, traces, or graphics (e.g., photomanips, aesthetics/mood boards, or screen captures).

Treats should be complete fics or finished artworks that are made specifically to fulfill a request. There is no wordcount minimum or language requirement for written treats. (Treating in a language your recipient can read is strongly encouraged.)

To fulfill an assignment, find it on your My Assignments page on AO3 and click the Fulfill button. To post a treat, go to the Id Pro Quo 2026 collection page and click Post to Collection, and enter your recipient's exact AO3 username in the "Gift this work to" field (copying it from their request page and pasting it in is safest). There are many collections with similar names, so this is the best way to ensure your work goes in the right place.

The collection is moderated. Your work will stay in the moderation queue until a mod is available to approve it; don't worry if this takes a few days. The mods will email you, if there are any concerns about your work. We only check works for completeness and minimum wordcount. It's up to you to make sure your work fulfills a request, avoids DNWs, and meets all the exchange requirements.

Pinch Hits

Pinch hits will be posted to the Id Pro Quo Dreamwidth community and promoted widely. If you think you might know someone who could create for a pinch hit, feel free to share the links around.

We're grateful to all pinch hitters! We will have a post where pinch hitters who did not sign up to the exchange can post requests. Please consider creating a treat for a pinch hitter—exchanges could not run without them.

Work and Author Reveals, and Comments


There will be two weeks between the initial work deadline and work reveals. Please use this time to make your work as polished and fabulous as it can be, or to pick up a pinch hit or create a treat.

If you receive an inappropriate gift, please immediately contact the mods.

Please leave kudos or a comment on your gift(s). If possible, please do this before authors are revealed. If you aren't sure what to say, a simple "Thank you for this wonderful gift!" is fine.

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