Hi folks!

I wanted to amend my statement regarding allowing TMA content in this event:

I did not mean to imply that the racism scandal with TPP was any more meaningful than the ones with TMA; I may not be entirely knowledgeable about the TMA controversies, but I am under no circumstances going to try to compare instances of harm done to minority groups by creators.

However, TMA content will still be allowed in this event while TPP content will not, due to the issue of this harm being ongoing. While all creators do benefit from new and continuing listenership, because TPP is ongoing, more listenership will likely increase the likelihood that they continue the show and, more pressingly, that they continue to keep Ellison Estephan employed. While TMA has harmed people with their content, people creating fan content for it cannot lead directly to the continuation of that harm.

TPP content has been banned from the event because they are currently using their platform to create content that is harmful. Shows like TMA, though they may contain content that is harmful, it is not content that is ongoing and can be worsened by listener support.

This is not a statement on the severity of the harm of either shows, merely an acknowledgment that one is actively in a position to continue perpetuating harmful narratives.

Furthermore, we’d like to make it clear that if you have concerns about any shows allowed in this event that have had any serious controversies and that are continuing to perpetuate harm, we ask that you please feel free to let us know. We will evaluate all shows presented on a case by case basis to determine if we believe it will be harmful to include them in the event, but we will likely use the same criteria that was used to make decisions regarding TPP and TMA.

We want to ensure comfort in all participants and overall, our main goal in this is to prevent contributing to harmful systems while still encouraging artistic expression.

-Mod Saph

Hi anon!

I want to start by stating that I am not a fan of The Magnus Archives and that I think of myself as one of the more actively critical folks of it that I know.

However, I am an advocate for people's self-expression and am not planning to restrict people's content creation anymore than I deem necessary. I cannot actively condone creating content for The Penumbra Podcast as they are currently continuing to harm marginalized communities in their fanbase without apology and many people in those communities have asked that people stop publicly creating content for it, as online content does generate popularity and support for the show.

However, The Magnus Archives is no longer ongoing and so is not benefitting from fan content being made. Moreover, there has not been any widespread pushback by marginalized fans for this effort to be taken. While some of us may have opinions about the show, there is no larger consensus by affected groups on how to respond to the show's controversies. This is why content for other shows that have had controversies will still be allowed; I personally may not create content for them, but I won't stop anyone else.

-Mod Saph

The Penumbra Podcast announced their season 4 official artist sometime in fall 2021 before season 4 was released, and immediately were met with backlash due to examples of the artist's fanart containing racist and transmisogynistic portrayals of the characters. Before they would announce an official apology for this, creator Harley Kaner went on a very long and mean-spirited Twitter rant about being criticized and subsequently deleted it (I don't have screenshots, but I know they exist somewhere on the internet). Though Kevin Vibert later released an official statement on behalf of himself and Kaner, the team ultimately refused to find a different artist. Fans of color have asked that people stop supporting the show, and as small productions depend on fan interaction to generate popularity and support, this includes halting production of fan content.

-Mod Saph

Sapphic Podcast Fanwork Week

When is it?

June 26 - July 2, 2022

What is it?

A week dedicated to creating content of any kind-- fic, art, playlists, edits, etc.-- for Sapphic characters and ships from your favorite fiction podcasts! 

What content is allowed?

The only major rule is that we do not allow anything E-rated. No smut. Otherwise, as long as your work somehow fits the prompt and centers around a character or characters that are Sapphic (canonical or headcanon)! We're specifically choosing to use the label 'Sapphic' rather than 'WLW' in order to account for any WLNB, NBLW, or NBLNB characters and ships who could fall under this label.

Due to recent controversies, this year we will not be allowing content for The Penumbra Podcast.

Our prompts this year are all floral themed!  Each day will be given a flower as well as a concept/word associated with that flower.  Your piece can either incorporate the flower or the word that goes with it.  Feel free to use the prompts very loosely, though, they’re just for fun; any content that fits the other rules above will be accepted.

What are the prompts?

Day 1, June 26:

Day 2, June 27:

Day 3, June 28:

Day 4, June 29

Day 5, June 30:

Day 6, July 1:

Day 7, July 2:

How to participate?

Post your content on the assigned day, tag this blog, and tag your post ‘#spfww 2022′.  Our ao3 collection will be called SapphicPodcastFanworkWeek, if you’re planning to write fic! If you'd like to ask questions, get to know the other participants, or talk about your WIPs, then you can join our discord server!

We look forward to seeing what you create!