fanfic-reading-challenge

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

hiii... im a late participant to the 2025 challenge, since i just found out about it, but i will definitely be participating in more years to come!! i do have a little bit of a weird question, though- i write a lot of fanfic, and i can be really picky about what i read. so, hypothetically speaking, if there's a task that i know i'll be picky about (some of the AU ones are definitely things i know i'll have a hard time finding a fic that i'll like/finish) then can i just... write something that fits? not like "oh character a and character b are mermaids, it's a mermaid au, end of story," like i'll actually put time and effort into writing/posting an actual fic for whatever prompt it is, but can i do that and count it as my entry for a task?

Hello Anon! We are thrilled that you've found us and are enjoying the challenge thus far! Every year, the spreadsheet with the tasks is different, so hopefully there will be more tasks in future that you can read to complete.

To answer your question about this year, though, the general consensus from the moderators is that the majority of the tasks completed need to be from reading a fanfiction written by others. So, only one-third of a category can be fics written by the participant. For every one fic you write, you would need to read 2 written by someone else..

That being said, no moderator comes and double-checks your sheet for accuracy. We're big believers in the honour system, so you can feel free to do whatever you feel comfortable with. No one is policing your work.

And remember, not everyone finishes the whole thing. There are levels of completion (see below). Plus, we have a Discord full of participants (of various levels) who may be able to suggest fics for troublesome tasks, too, and you're welcome to join mid-year. :)

I hope this has answered your question! Have a wonderful day! 🖤

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

🍂 🍃 Hello and welcome to our fifth annual Flufftober 🍂 🍃

Wow, we’re so excited to be back for our mini-anniversary and even more excited to have you here with us!

As has become our tradition: let’s fill the month of October with as much fluff as possible 🥰 since it's our mini-anniversary, we have a little surprise for you aside from the main list of 31 prompts and the alt prompts you're used to...😏

As with all our events, our standard blog rules apply, and you'll find answers to most questions on our FAQ post.

Below the cut, you'll find the necessary posting info and all the prompts in writing. If you have any more questions, please feel free to send us an ask.

Prompt Extras

Once again, we're offering you the option of Prompt Extras. You're more than welcome to replace prompts from the original list if they don't work for you for whatever reason - no explanation needed.

Aside from last year's fan favorites, we once again have a challenge for you: five rather romantic prompts - but make them platonic!

But wait, there's more...

As a little treat for our mini-anniversary, your Modmins got together and voted on their favorite prompts from previous years. We present:

Remember, you can use the Prompt Extras however you like:

to replace a prompt from the original list

to create even more content aside from the original prompts

mixed together to enhance one or more of the other prompts

Whichever way you use them, have fun and go wild 💚

We hope you like these prompts, and now

Happy Creating 🥳

Posting

Posting to tumblr

Our tag is #flufftober2025 Please make sure there is NO SPACE between flufftober and 2025! We will NOT be checking the other tag this year!

Since tags are sometimes wonky, make sure to also mention us with @flufftober in your post

We will try to catch them all, but please don't be mad if we miss a post or if it gets reblogged a bit late

If you're absolutely certain a post has slipped past us, feel free to send an ask with the link to your post

To make reblogging easier for us, make sure to add the following tags: #flufftober2025 #day [xy] #[fandom] #[ship and/or main character(s)]

If you're using a prompt extra tag it as #alt [number]

Posting to ao3

You can add your creation to the collection Flufftober 2025 (either as flufftober2025 or as flufftober_2025)

Late entries are always welcome, on tumblr as well as the ao3 collection! Neither will close - but like always, reblogs will become less regular the more months have passed...

Prompts

1. Anniversary

2. Pet Sitting

3. In Vino Veritas

4. Set in another time

5. Early Morning Walks

6. Late Night Talks

7. Moving Day

8. Cursed

9. Coming Home

10. Set up by Friends

11. “Double or nothing?”

12. Blizzard or Heatwave

13. Hosting a Holiday Event

14. Stuck or Lost Together

15. “This looks fun.” - “Not the word I would use, but okay.”

16. Pillows, Plushies, Piles of Blankets

17. Making or Buying a Costume

18. “Is this seat taken?” - “That depends...”

19. Risky Rescue Mission

20. Fake Relationship

21. Pumpkin Carving

22. Polar Opposites

23. Group Hug

24. Letters

25. Cold Hands

26. Co-Parenting a Pet

27. Meeting in the Middle

28. “Is that my hoodie?” - “... No?”

29. Book Shop AU/Library AU

30. Sharing Earphones

31. “Stay?”

Prompt Extras

Last Year's Favorites

Alt 1. “This is spooky.” - “Really?”

Alt 2. Fantasy AU/Mundane AU

Alt 3. Lost Pet Meet Cute

Alt 4. Hoodie Weather

Alt 5. Only One Bed

Challenge "Make it Platonic!"

Alt 6. First Date

Alt 7. “Can I kiss you?”

Alt 8. Moving in Together

Alt 9. Planning the Perfect Proposal

Alt 10. And They Lived Happily Ever After

Your Modmins’ Favorites

Alt 11. Up Against the Wall Kiss

Alt 12. Keeping someone safe

Alt 13. Caught in the Rain

Alt 14. “You kept this?”

Alt 15. Soulmate AU

Alt 16. Fireplace

Alt 17. x + 1

Alt 18. Swoon

Alt 19. First Dance

Alt 20. “I’ve got you”

Alt 21. Fireman’s Carry

Alt 22. Wearing Each Other’s Clothes

Alt 23. “I hate you” – “I love you too”

Alt 24. Winning a Teddy for the Other

Alt 25. “I’m cold” – “Here, have my jacket”

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

Welcome to the third annual summer fic reading challenge! Sign ups will open the week before, on June 13.

And! New this year, we are introducing podfic-specific traits for your bingo cards. You'll be able to choose only fic, only podfic, or a mix of both. We can't wait to get started!

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

guys this is your friendly reminder to comment on ao3 fics, from a commenter myself. the amount of times authors reply to me saying ive made their day with my comments is honestly insane; and with the way their replies make my day too, its really a win win situation for everybody

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

I wanted to thank you guys, while I'm nawt participating in the challenge (because I typically read slow due to my disability and short attention span), I'm still branching out on what I read because of the fun little challenges and its been making reading fanfiction fun for me again after my burnout. I'm sure with how big this is, this will last me a year or two and it's encouraged me to read more. So, thank you! <3

This makes all of us mods SO happy! I think @juuls created this project mainly just to encourage us whilst also challenging us. We've all faced burnout - so even finishing up one task, or reading one pairing or fandom you haven't read before is a huge thing. We love that for you and we're so happy you're participating with us. 🫶🏻

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

Hello! Looking for suggestions for the May Virtual Book Club task. Ships I enjoy are Loki/Mobius and Clint/Natasha. I also enjoy platonic Thor and Loki, their dynamic as brothers. Thanks, everyone!

Hello, hello 😊

as always, our server was consulted, and we came up with suggestions for all of these:

Loki/Mobius:

Paint Me in a Corner (But My Color Comes Back) by chamel, oneshot with 16,661 words

Loki/Mobius with Loki & Thor:

Chasing Chaos by KiraStrange and nanamishole, WIP with currently 108,192 words

Loki/Toni but with a great Loki & Thor bond:

Across the Rivers of Time by SailorChibi, WIP with currently 77,078 words

Clint/Natasha:

Ships in the Night by BairnSidhe, complete with 14,662 words

Breaking the Surface by red_b_rackham. oneshot with 1,256 words

We hope one of these is to your liking - enjoy 💙

Noxy

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

Another Ted/Trent contender, courtesy of @cuthian and the Ted Lasso discord! Or is it the RoyJamie one? Or the RoyJamieKeeley one? Who knows anymore.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/47622613

hello! I come humbly seeking some fic recs for the "Virtual Book Club" task! For ships: Ted Lasso/Trent Crimm is ideal, or if you don't have any there I'd be happy with any Raven Cycle ships, Cherik, or Davekat. Thank you so much for running this challenge, this is my first year hearing of it and I have been absolutely obsessed with it!!

You're welcome, but it's our pleasure to run it and we are so pleased to hear that you're enjoying it!!

I asked around the server and we came up with 3 in a short time, but a few others say they might have some on open tabs on their work or home pc (which they are not currently on). They may reblog with those additions later!

Ted Lasso/Trent Crimm: Fathers and Sons and Boyfriends (Oh My) by r_n_g_are_dead - A bit long at 91k but comes well-recommended! I may even give it a read. I love those two.

Cherik: 'Tis the Season by ikeracity - 30k

Cherik: with so much of my heart (none is left to protest) by friendlytikek - 3,100

I hope something hits the spot!

Juuls

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

hello! I come humbly seeking some fic recs for the "Virtual Book Club" task! For ships: Ted Lasso/Trent Crimm is ideal, or if you don't have any there I'd be happy with any Raven Cycle ships, Cherik, or Davekat. Thank you so much for running this challenge, this is my first year hearing of it and I have been absolutely obsessed with it!!

You're welcome, but it's our pleasure to run it and we are so pleased to hear that you're enjoying it!!

I asked around the server and we came up with 3 in a short time, but a few others say they might have some on open tabs on their work or home pc (which they are not currently on). They may reblog with those additions later!

Ted Lasso/Trent Crimm: Fathers and Sons and Boyfriends (Oh My) by r_n_g_are_dead - A bit long at 91k but comes well-recommended! I may even give it a read. I love those two.

Cherik: 'Tis the Season by ikeracity - 30k

Cherik: with so much of my heart (none is left to protest) by friendlytikek - 3,100

I hope something hits the spot!

Juuls

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

Sorry for the few non-FRC posts I accidentally reblogged here and only noticed now!!

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

[talking shit about a guy] he could not earn the trust of a horse

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

hi! i’m looking for a rec for the Monthly Motif May “Virtual Book Club”

anything klance 😔 i’ll never be over them

keith/lance from voltron: legendary defender

There are some ships we never get over, never will, that’s for sure!!!

I asked the Discord and I received 3 pretty quick replies for fics under 50k. Hopefully you haven’t read them yet, but if you have, a reread is always fun too!!!

Touch - 38k

At the Bottom of the Ramp - 12k

Hey mom I met a boy - 30k

All the best, and happy reading!

~ Mod Juuls

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

I'm looking for a rec for my Reading Challenge for the Virtual Book Club. I forgot to post my results last year, but this is my second year doing it and I'm having so much fun! As for pairings, I'll take anything slightly queer from the Harry Potter universe please and thank you.

Hello! We're thrilled that you are enjoying the challenge!

I'm sorry about the delay in responding to this ask. I didn't have any recs for you myself, so I asked on our Discord and got some suggestions. Here are some faves that the team over there gave me.

Hopefully, you'll find something here that you like. Enjoy!

🖤Jandy

A Sapphic Fest just posted their collection here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/HP_PEAR_Sapphic_Fest_25

--

The Shoebox Project - Sirius/Remus (Wolfstar) 229k Rated M https://archiveofourown.org/works/58567984/

--

What Pride Doesn't Know by igrockspock - Percy/Oliver fic mainly focused on Percy's complicated relationship with his family. https://archiveofourown.org/works/425509

--

Parasite, n.m. by Skaelds - 13K CoS AU, a retelling where Ginny is a transgirl https://archiveofourown.org/works/37873606

--

About This Place by academicdisaster - 10K Post-DH AU, mostly about a queer bar. Drarry, explicit, trans Harry https://archiveofourown.org/works/47679469

--

Sister Suns by starsailorwrites - 62k Harry/Voldemort, Harry becomes Voldemort's apprentice. https://archiveofourown.org/works/48533368/

--

The Walking Paradox by starsailorwrites - 57k Hermione/Harry/Ron and Daphne/Luna - Time Travel Fix-It https://archiveofourown.org/works/50505910/

--

Sugar and Spice by InLoveWithForever E-rated poly (Theo/Hermione/Draco) HP fic - really well done relationships bloom and then follows them on. https://archiveofourown.org/works/16820299

--

When You Call My Name - It's Like a Little Prayer by BasicHumanWrites - M/M (M, Theo/ Charlie, 1995 words) https://archiveofourown.org/works/63777217

--

the girl who lived (again) by dirgewithoutmusic - G, Harry/Ginny, Major Character Death, trans woman Harry, lesbian relationship https://archiveofourown.org/works/7900501

--

Being Liquid by rotaryphones - M, Teddy Lupin/Victoire Weasley, genderqueer/genderfluid teddyhttps://archiveofourown.org/works/285360

--

One Community Member just gave the links to their favourites:

Marlene/Dorcas - https://archiveofourown.org/works/49982722

Wolfstar - Asexual Remus https://archiveofourown.org/series/3516961

Non-magical AU, everyone's queer - https://archiveofourown.org/works/6358204

Muggle AU, Wolfstar - https://archiveofourown.org/works/14976980

Muggle AU, Wolfstar - https://archiveofourown.org/works/32490913

Muggle AU, Wolfstar - https://archiveofourown.org/works/47948368

Text fic, a well known and loved Wolfstar fic - https://archiveofourown.org/works/1651109

Harry/Draco - https://archiveofourown.org/works/44180329

Harry/Draco - https://archiveofourown.org/collections/thelastreclist/works/7447762

Harry/Blaise - https://archiveofourown.org/works/40907322

Harry/Fred - https://archiveofourown.org/works/43984987

--

Admin Juulna has a number to add as well:

Fleur/Hermione (Fleurmione), Coffeeshop AU - https://archiveofourown.org/collections/FemslashFebruary/works/3410519

Snape/Lupin (Snupin), adopt young Harry - https://archiveofourown.org/works/43355550/chapters/108984825

Snupin - https://archiveofourown.org/works/33547201/chapters/83356693

Theo/Hermione/Draco (Dreomione) - https://archiveofourown.org/works/30302769/chapters/74689641

Bil/Hermione/Charlie, searching for Hermione's parents - https://archiveofourown.org/works/18211508/chapters/43082714

Some great Lunar Harmony (Luna/Harry/Hermione) recs I received from a fellow server-mate and enjoyed: https://www.reddit.com/r/HermioneAndHarry/comments/17fx9vk/triad_harryhermioneluna/

Pansy/Hermione (Pansmione) - https://archiveofourown.org/works/41333007

Dreomione, serial killer investigation (I LOVE THIS FIC) - https://archiveofourown.org/works/50446330/chapters/127461652

Dramionarry (Draco/Harry/Hermione), time travel - https://archiveofourown.org/works/19167781/chapters/45560461

Dramionarry, post-war, amnesia recovery - https://archiveofourown.org/works/17689778/chapters/41726747

Dramionarry, prophecies!! (i mean, it's in the title, but this time it's about Hermione) - https://archiveofourown.org/works/14067228/chapters/32407638

We hope that some of what our server has recommended tickles your fancy! If you want anything more specific then please let us know what you would like in more particular terms! Happy to help.

- Mod Juuls <3

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

TIMELINE

Sign-ups: April 1–28 Discord Server Opening/Orientation: May 1–3 Check In 1: May 2 Round 1: May 4–10 Break 1 and Check In 2: May 11–12 Round 2: May 13–19 Break 2 and Check In 3: May 20–21 Round 3: May 22–28 Break 4: May 29–30 Tiebreaker: May 31 Results: June 1

This is our sixth year running, and it's always a ton of fun! Click through to the linked post for a TON more info, and then, if it sounds like something you'd enjoy, you can sign up to play!

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

It has come to my attention that I should clarify!

If there are multiple lines for a task and you have multiple CC fics that fit that same task, filling, say, 3/10 of the fics required for ONE task… that counts as THREE fics used for the CC. So yay!

I apologize if there was any confusion. 🫶🏻

— Juuls

Hi! First of all thank you so much for hosting this. Second of all, had a question about the challenge category for ships.

SHIPS CC: My OTP Is My Obsession: Pick one ship and read 75 fics with it. Use 50 of those in tasks throughout the entire FRC.

Does this mean that if multiple fics are used for the same task (e.g you use two fics for the same numbers task) you can count both of them towards the 50 fics used in FRC? Or do each of the 50 fics have to come from a unique task?

Thanks :)

Thank you so much for the kind words and for participating!

Ooo sneaky sneaky. smh 😂😁

Simply put, no. If you look closely, it says “read 75, use 50 of THOSE (thus 50 fics) in tasks”. So unfortunately no, using one fic would not count twice if you used it for two tasks hehehe.

I actually tackled the Ship CC first and Tag CC right after because the tag was related to the same fandom. I found it really much easier to read based off of the list I had for the CCs and THEN fit them into tasks in the FRC. The best place to fit random fics into were Numbers, Titles, and Tags (sometimes). Content sometimes. But I had the best luck with the first two.

I hope that both answers your question and helps some!

— Juuls

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

I’d also like to add that you can double, triple, however-many-times-you-like a fic for a task. We usually just call it doubling. Unless the task headers deliberately say that you can only use the fic once for that category, you can even double up within a category.

Some people don’t like to do this, but they don’t look down at people who do it (heck, even I do it)—they simply consider it a personal challenge to get as far as possible using one fic per task!

If you’re joining later, I’d ignore the CCs (category challenges) as they are a bit of a time sink BUT they can all still be used in the FRC so it’s up to you.

I, myself, find the quickest categories to fill are titles, numbers, content, and You. Spread Your wings is easy too. So if you just read what you like, I guarantee that you will find some place to slot it into in those categories. :)

If you want more tasks filled than not, I’d skip trying to fill the 100 ships/X number of fandoms” tasks too. They’re great as a challenge but don’t offer a lot if you’re looking for bang for your buck. But they ARE one of the big things we focus on with this challenge from day one (and are always tweaking—this year seems a little hard) because we want people to expand their awareness. :)

But yes! Discord! Even if you lurk forever, and just read us yammering about fic interspersed with hockey and pets, you’ll pick up a lot of cool things to help you out.

Sorry for adding on to your already great suggestions Jandy! ily 😘

— Juuls

this is such a fun idea! i'm new to this challenge and was wondering if there's any tips or tricks?

Hello! We're thrilled you're having fun with it!

We all participate in the challenge a little differently. We tackle different tasks and choose the fics we read in different ways. The best tip I can give is to read what you love and see where stuff fits. Also, pay attention to tags (there is a whole section on specific tags in the challenge). Also, I'm a huge fan of commenting always, so the comment section of the challenge should be easy peasy if you always comment anyway.

You're always welcome to join the Discord Server. We have channels where you can ask for task suggestions or even just ask for help whittling down your MFL list. It's a very VERY diverse group of folks - so you can branch out and try things you've never tried before too.

Hope that helps! Glad you're here!

🖤Jandy

[fanfic-reading-challenge]

Howdy! I am having so much fun with the challenge! It’s getting me to read more (and more varied) fanfic and also getting me out of my shell regarding commenting.

But can you explain the difference between “destined to meet in every lifetime” and “destined to meet in every universe” under the Tropes category?

Thank you!

Howdy 🤠 we're so happy to hear how much you enjoy this challenge. Getting people out of their shells, broadening their reading horizon - that is exactly what we love to achieve with it!

As for your question:

Destined to meet in every lifetime plays with the trope of characters being reborn and/or living multiple lifetimes, often found in soulmate AUs. I think there's even a soulmate trope that says "soulmates who meet in every lifetime". Sometimes they know they've met before, sometimes not, always depends on the fic. A book example I can think of right now is Fallen (don't quote me on this, it's been a while, but I think he was an angel and she was his great love but would always die as soon as they kissed or something, only to be reborn and he would meet her again 18 or so years later... something like that)

Destined to meet in every universe plays with the trope of multiverses existing. Think Marvel, for example, where you have a multitude of universes - and in every one of those, the ship is destined to find each other. Or it could be mirror-verses, etc. If you're a Supernatural fan, there was this one episode where Sam and Dean met their counterparts from another universe - imagine that but with your ship

Now, these were the original thoughts behind this task but of course we're aware that they do not work for every reader. Therefore, as with all our tasks, we also say that you can interpret these as strictly or as loosely as you like. For example, there are many ships where shippers/the entire fandom unanimously agree "oh, these two are so perfect, they're destined to always meet" - if you have a ship like that, perfect. In that case, consider something simpler, like this:

Destined to meet in every lifetime could also just be a historical AU with your ship, showing that no matter in what lifetime/era they would've existed, they would've found each other

Destined to meet in every universe could also just be a random AU (coffee shop AU, college AU, firefighter AU) - something completely different from the canon setting - or even set on another planet/in space (you know, cause, "universe"), and once again, your ship meets, showing that no matter the universe, they would eventually end up together

I hope this makes sense and helps a bit. If not, feel free to send us another ask, maybe with a few fandoms you like to read, and we'll try to find examples for you. Or you could always join our discord server where we love to help each other, discuss things like this, and help spread our wings to have the most fun during this challenge 😊

💚 Noxy