Yuletide noms + Podbang

[luzula]

My final Yuletide nominations are:
Hainish Cycle - Ursula K. Le Guin (Laia Odo, Shevek, Takver)
3:10 to Yuma (Ben Wade, Dan Evans, Alice Evans)
Deadwood (Joanie, Jane)

So, to podbang or not to podbang. They've raised the wordcount to 30,000 from 20,000 (at least I remember it as being 20,000 before), and in some fandoms, that's a big limitation. Like, there are only four fandoms I could put on that nominations form, I think, and for some of them, even if there are fics longer than 30,000 words that I like enough to record, there's not much to choose from. I guess it just doesn't fit with the way I like to choose fics to record? I choose a fic because I love it and think I'll do a good job of recording it, and it's harder to do that with a lower limit of 30,000 words. It's a big investment in time and energy, and I think I'd maybe want to spend that time recording fics entirely of my choosing. Or I suppose I could offer just due South if it gets past the nomination stage--choosing a >30,000 word fic there wouldn't be hard compared to, say, in Master and Commander.

I am not in any way criticizing podbang, though! Just trying to figure out if it fits me personally. It wouldn't be as hard to decide about participation if I didn't have so much teaching right now. That limits my voice resources so much. : ( Are other podficcers on my flist doing it? I suspect this is an easier challenge to participate in if you're in multiple big fandoms...

Comments

[helens78]

I was originally going to do it for sure, but I'm really intimidated by the idea of only getting a fandom and maybe-squicks-that-match-my-recipient-maybe-not! (I'm so much happier when I'm either a.) recording something I really want to record, or b.) recording something I know my recipient really wants!) So now I'm on the fence. I would hate to put all the time and effort of something 30,000 words long into something that my recipient might not even be able to listen to because of it featuring the wrong pairing or something. And I have this dread that I'm going to end up getting a random fic from a fandom I've never heard of, although I guess if it got to that point I could just request due South and XMFC and be pretty much guaranteed to like what comes up.

Still thinking about it! I still have a week to think about it...

[luzula]

I actually like the blind matching better than what they did before, which was just matching based on fandom. Because then, if I got someone who really only wanted a pairing that I felt I couldn't read well, I had to make a choice between recording a story they would like but not necessarily feeling like I was doing a good job of it, or making a podfic that I was happy with, but that my recipient wouldn't like. This year, my recipient will know that I had no way of taking their preferences into account, and the only thing I can do is choose something that works for me. But yeah, being careful about what fandoms you request/offer is probably the way to go. I do think your recipient's squicks are definitely in the list that you get, although other people's squicks might be included as well.

I'd participate for sure if I didn't have so much teaching. As it is, I'm still thinking about it, but leaning towards no.

Are you working on any podfics right now?

[andeincascade]

I am on the fence, Luz. It's daunting when I haven't recorded anything over 5000 words before. Add the recipient angst and I'm not sure it's for me. But part of me really wants to. Decisions, decisions...

[luzula]

Oh, hmm. It depends on how you are with deadlines, maybe? I mean, if deadlines work to inspire and spur you on, then it could be a good idea. OTOH, if you've never done something this long before and deadlines stress you out, then it might not be a good idea to do it for an exchange, because other people are affected if you drop out. You could always save your long-podfic ideas for a Big Bang. : )

[riverlight]

OT, but I just wanted to come by and say hi because I added you to my circle after seeing your post on the Due South Seekrit Santa discussion community!

[luzula]

Hi! We seem to have some fandoms in common. : )

[riverlight]

Yeah, we definitely do! Some of my faves, in fact. :)

Actually, I didn't see this till I just checked your profile now, but hey, you're in Sweden! Neat. Jag talar lite svenska, eftersom jag har familj i Uppsala. Var bor du?

AND, I probably also ought to mention that I love your podfics. You've got a great reading voice.

[luzula]

Jag bor i Umeå, fast är från Göteborg från början. Ha, it feels weird to talk Swedish to fannish people--it's like all fandom stuff is automatically in English for me. I did record a podfic in Swedish once, but it felt so strange.

AND, I probably also ought to mention that I love your podfics. You've got a great reading voice.

Oh, thank you! ♥

[riverlight]

Haha, neat! I have never been to Umeå though I know that countryside is beautiful. (And isn't it funny how certain languages rewire the brain somehow? So interesting!)