Typesetting & Bound Fic Exchange

The aim of this exchange is to typeset a fic as a gift for another member of the bindery to print and bind for their collection (although you can also bind your own version as well). There is a parallel exchange for those who want to typeset and bind (and send) a fic as a gift for another member of the bindery. Either way, when both exchanges conclude, the layouts and photos will be shared with everyone. 

Fandom is a gift economy, and what better way to show it than through an effort of time and love and agonizing over the best possible fonts and ornaments?

PLEASE ask for the exchange participant role in the discord (see pinned post in the event-announcements channel).

2025 Deadlines

Typesetting Exchange

Sign-ups open: Monday, Sept. 1

Sign-ups end: Sunday, Sept. 14

Assignments sent out: Saturday, Sept. 27- Sunday, Sept. 28

Mod check-in #1/Author/artist permission acquisition: Friday, Oct. 17

Mod check-in #2/Bow Out Deadline: Friday, Nov. 14

Final PDF due: Friday, Nov. 21

Fics released: Monday, Dec. 8

Bound Fic Exchange

Sign-ups open: Monday, Sept. 1

Sign-ups end: Sunday, Sept. 14

Assignments sent out: Saturday, Sept. 27- Sunday, Sept. 28

Mod check-in #1/Author/artist permission acquisition: Friday, Oct. 17

Mod check-in #2/Bow Out Deadline: Friday, Nov. 14

Final PDF due: Friday, Nov. 21

Mod check-in #3/Tracking Details Deadline: Friday, Jan. 16

Fics released: Monday, Jan. 26

Rules & Guidelines

  • Final typeset files for both exchanges will be shared with the entire Discord upon completion. Because of this, author AND artist permission is required in accordance with the file sharing rules on the server/the Guild’s mission statement.

  • It’s the Gifter’s job to obtain the author’s permission before beginning to format the work, unless it is an orphaned work. See provided templates below. Author (and artist) permissions must be obtained by Oct. 17 at the latest. (If you don’t receive a response, move to the next fic on the list.)

  • If no authors respond, contact a mod to contact giftee for more fic suggestions.

  • Giftees will provide 3-5 links to possible works on AO3, FFN, LJ, or DW. Orphaned works and public domain works are fine, but no deleted works are permissible. Please be conscientious when providing your links; authors who have an active social media presence within the last three months are more likely to respond than an author who’s been inactive for a length of time. Each of the first three fics must be by different authors; the last two fics can be by one of the first three.

    • At least one of the submitted works must be either public domain, written by the giftee (you), orphaned, or be under a blanket permission from the author, to assist with the permissions effort.

      • Blanket permissions that mention “all transformative works” are acceptable, as are blanket permissions that specify “fanbinds are welcome.” If a blanket permission specifies “podfic and fanart are welcome,” but does not mention fanbinds, you will need to request permission from the author as usual.

  • If the fic comes with fanart, ask the artist before including. Provide a link to the art.

  • Fics cannot exceed 300,000 words for either Exchange.

  • For both exchanges, all fics should be submitted to the mods by Nov. 21 in the form of a straight-paged PDF.

    • Specify the size of paper for which your PDF is designed (letter, A4, etc.).

    • In the case of the Bound Fic exchange, this due date is only between the Gifter & the Mods to make sure work is on track, it will not be shared with anyone until the end of the exchange.

  • You may use a proxy address if you would like!

  • Fics must be hand bound. The use of POD services is not permitted for the exchange.

  • If you have dropped from the exchange in a previous year, participation is permitted at the mods’ discretion.

  • Please do not ship any packages before Dec 29 for the Bound Exchange.

    Betas & Buckets!

  • While we encourage you to sign up as a Pinch Hitter if you are able (we always welcome the support), this year, we are bringing back Betas & Buckets!

  • Betas are volunteers who are willing to look over a typeset and provide advice/help! Your information will be emailed as part of a Beta list to all participants, and you may be contacted to assist at the discretion of the participants. This will allow participants to ask more specific questions without worrying about their giftee seeing the answer in the Discord.

  • Buckets are a system we put in place last year as an option for all Bound Fic participants and will be expanding to Typeset and Bound. Individuals will be automatically assigned to a Bucket group. This will allow all binders to ask questions and workshop ideas without worrying about their Giftee seeing the answer in the Discord.

Moderators

General questions can be addressed via the #exchange-2025 channel in the Renegade Bindery discord.

Mods can be reached as a team at exchange@renegadeguild.org

Please direct questions to the exchange email or the @Exchange Mod role in the Discord,

before approaching mods individually.

Files MUST be handled via submission forms. Mods will not accept files via DM.

Email Us!

Lead Mod

  • Lead Mod | Æther 

    Discord: aetherealpress

    Lead Mod | the six fingered villain

    Discord: thesixfingeredvillain

Exchange Mods

  • Exchange Mod | Robin 

    Discord: mr_mom

    Exchange Mod | spiderverbicles

    Discord: spiderverbicles

Permissions Templates

Due to the fact that the resulting typeset fics (for either/both exchanges) will be shared with the entire Discord at the end of the exchange, Author and Artist permission is explicitly required in accordance with Bindery’s mission statement.

  • Hello! This year I am participating in Renegade Bindery’s Fic Exchange. Renegade Bindery’s Fic Exchange is run by Renegade Bookbinding Guild, a collective of fanfic bookbinders. 

    Part of the bookbinding process involves typesetting/formatting the works we bind, a process which can take a lot of effort and time. To make the process a bit more enjoyable, Renegade Bindery has set up a holiday gift exchange in which we format a fic for another member to bind and add to their personal library.

    The recipient may print and bind a copy for themselves, and the finished PDFs will be available for all exchange participants to download and bind as well. (Copies of the finished PDFs will also be made available to participating authors, for their own files.)

    My giftee listed your fic [x] as one of the ones they would like: Are you okay with having this fic bound? Each person listed 3-5 options, so it's okay if you would prefer not to have your work included in this exchange.
    You can view examples of what we fanfic bookbinders do at www.renegadeguild.org/typesetting-bound-fic-exchange or www.tumblr.com/renegadeguild. If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to reach out to a mod at exchange@renegadeguild.org. Thanks & have a great day!

  • Hello! This year I am participating in Renegade Bindery’s Fic Exchange. Renegade Bindery’s Fic Exchange is run by Renegade Bookbinding Guild, a collective of fanfic bookbinders. 

    Part of the bookbinding process involves typesetting/formatting the works we bind, a process which can take a lot of effort and time. To make the process a bit more enjoyable, Renegade Bindery has set up a holiday gift exchange in which we format a fic for another member to bind and add to their personal library.

    The recipient may print and bind a copy for themselves, and the finished PDFs will be available for all exchange participants to download and bind as well. (Copies of the finished PDFs will also be made available to participating authors, for their own files.)

    My giftee listed a fic [x] that you have illustrated as one of the ones they would like. I have obtained permission to bind the fic, but would like to include your illustrations. Are you okay with having your illustrations in this ficbinding? I respect your decision, and it's okay if you would prefer not to have your work included in this exchange.

    You can view examples of what we fanfic bookbinders do at www.renegadeguild.org/typesetting-bound-fic-exchange or www.tumblr.com/renegadeguild. If you have any questions about this event, please feel free to reach out to a mod at exchange@renegadeguild.org. Thanks & have a great day!

SIGN-UPS

2025 Typesetting Exchange Sign-Ups | Sept. 1 - Sept. 14

2025 Bound Fic Exchange Sign-Ups | Sept. 1 - Sept. 14

2025 Pinch Hitter Sign-Ups | Sept. 1 - Sept. 14

2025 Beta Sign-Ups | Sept. 1 - Sept. 14

Final Survey | Jan. 26

CHECK-INS

Please note check-ins will not open until an announcement has been made.

Check-In #1: Author/Artist Permissions | Sept. 27 - Oct. 17

Check-In #2: Bow-Out Deadline | Nov. 10 - Nov. 14

Final PDF Submission | Nov. 10 - Nov. 14

Check-In #3: Tracking Numbers (Bound Fic Exchange) | Dec. 29 - Jan. 16

Bound Fic Receipt | Dec. 29 - Jan. 16