Pitches & Matching

Pitches are how Writers introduce their projects to potential teammates. This guide will break down what the minimum requirements are, what makes a good pitch, and what the subsequent Matching process looks like.

What are Pitches For?

A pitch is an anonymous overview of a fic. It will include sections for main characters and ships, fandoms, rating, tags and content warnings, as well as a summary of the whole project. When artists read the pitch, they should be able to understand what is being written about: the plot (in enough detail to be inspired to join the team, including the ending if known), themes, and tone of the work.

Make a good faith effort to follow the guidelines on this page when writing your pitch. In the history of this large event, every writer has been successfully paired with an artist - as long as you’re thoughtful and enthusiastic about your story when pitching, the mods will have everything we need to match you with a team.

Making a Good Pitch

A pitch is not a summary alone, nor is the goal to hook a potential reader. You are providing an artist (a fellow fan!) with all the information they need to make an informed decision about whether they want to work with this fic or not.

Writers will submit the following information about their story:

Main Characters
Main Pairing
Side Characters
Background Pairings
Main Fandoms
Estimated Rating
Estimated Length
Content Warnings & Additional Tags
Summary (2000 characters max)
Ending Tone

Where to Start

Who are the main players in the cast? What is their involvement with your story and each other?
What are they doing? Include some story beats (and even the ending if you know it) to provide an idea of where the plot will lead and what the purpose of the journey is.
Where is your story set and when is it happening? Dragon Age is a vast timeline and world - what influence does the setting have on the overall piece?
Why are things happening? What is the Event that sets things into motion? What is the problem they are trying to address or the question they are trying to answer?

What are Artists Looking for?

Mood/Tone

What’s the vibe? Is this a fluff piece, a big pile of whump, hurt/comfort, a murder mystery? Words that have visual meaning are also helpful: dreamy, glossy, gritty, dark, moody, etc.

Purpose

What is the overall theme? Is there a lesson or a moral or a purpose to the story you want to tell? Keep in mind that this is not the place to play coy! You’re proud of your story, tell us about it.

Ending

Artists from years’ past have expressed a desire to know where a fic is going before they rank it. This is your teammate who will reach the finish line with you, not a potential reader - the ending should not be a surprise!

Remember! A pitch is an invitation.
The artist is your collaborator, let them in!

How to Avoid Common Pitch Pitfalls

We’ve seen a lot of pitches in the past two years! Learn from our experience and craft a better pitch by considering the guidelines below.

Anonymize your pitch.

If you do not anonymize your pitch, the mods will anonymize it for you without reaching out. OC names will be made generic where possible (“Lavellan” instead of “Ixchel Lavellan”) or removed entirely if no generic version exists. Write your pitches with this in mind and anonymize it from the start!

Disclose sensitive topics clearly.

It should be clear if a fic is going to be primarily smutty, contain lots of graphic violence, contain kinks and non-vanilla smut tropes, or dwell on contentious, triggering, or uncomfortable topics.

Non-explicit sexual themes encompasses sex without using explicit language to describe genitalia or sexual acts, or fade-to-black scenes.

Explicit sexual content involves graphic or detailed sex scenes, including explicit descriptions of genitalia and sexual acts.

If no sexual acts take place or are implied on-screen, you do not need to flag your fic for sexual content. Please check our list of sensitive topics and include any other content warnings that apply.

If a work evolves to include sensitive topics after matching, it must be discussed within your team. If the artist is no longer comfortable with the fic’s content, they must contact the mods and all participants will be assigned to new teams.

Stick to relevant details.

Your pitch should focus on the meat of your story. Be clear about whether a story hinges on a main character or ship, and which relationships and characters are more in the background. If they’re not present in your summary, they are likely a side character. If they’re not driving the plot, they are likely a side pairing.

Stay in scope.

Pitches should focus on the content and themes of your story. If you’re excited about your idea, potential artists will be able to tell! To keep your story at the forefront, do not include specific art requests or information about yourself or your skills as a writer; this is not a query letter.

Your pitch is also not the same as an AO3 summary designed to hook potential readers. Scope here can and should include details that you might hold back to “surprise” readers - those may be the very moments an artist is excited to illustrate!

Do your best.

Try not to worry too much or overthink your pitch - remember, this is all for fun! Just be earnest and enthusiastic about what you’re planning right now. Your story may evolve over time to a different length, rating, or plot, after matches are made, and that is okay! Craft your pitch based on what you have now, and if you switch things up later on, just make sure to communicate that with your team.

Pitch Development Resources

Pitch Workshop (Discord)

If you participate in the discord, there will be spaces to workshop your pitch among your writer peers. This is a safe, encouraging space to ask specific questions about your story, what should or shouldn’t be included in your pitch, and receive feedback on your developing summary. Keep an eye out for this thread in the Discord, or check back here for a link as the event progresses.

These dedicated Discord spaces are the only event-approved place to discuss your stories during the anonymous period. Read more about Anonymity here.

A 2025 participant, Joly, broke down how to take a pitch from first draft to a polished state. Check out the two examples below.

Click here to view.

Pitch #1
Pitch #2

First Draft:
The spymaster of Fen’Harel’s rebellion wrangles with their poor choices and messy hair. Solas sits with them and talks them through their problems, hoping to help them understand that there is still a job to do and a future to fight for.

What it has: there is a who and a bit of a what.

What it lacks: there are few details to provide insight on the feeling of the fic, no clear setting, and no context. From this pitch, it is difficult to know tone or purpose, and the summary doesn’t really invite inspiration or curiosity.

Refined Draft:
When Fen’Harel’s spymaster compromises their position in Mythal’s court, they lose the Rebellion access to valuable intelligence. Lost for what to do next, the spymaster sits themself down for some much-needed TLC and spends time unbraiding their hair while Solas talks them through their current predicament. In the end, they find themself willing to accept what they cannot take back and solidify a plan for moving forward themself while also serving the needs of their People.

Refined Draft:

When Fen’Harel’s spymaster compromises their position in Mythal’s court, they lose the Rebellion access to valuable intelligence. Lost for what to do next, the spymaster sits themself down for some much-needed TLC and spends time unbraiding their hair while Solas talks them through their current predicament. In the end, they find themself willing to accept what they cannot take back and solidify a plan for moving forward themself while also serving the needs of their People.

What it has: we have a who, a what, a when and a little of why. We know more or less what the fic is about and where it is going.

What it lacks: while there is some touch to the tone and purpose of the fic, there is still a bit missing when it comes to hooking the reader and inviting someone to imagine the heart of the piece. This pitch might catch an artist’s interest, but it could be improved.

Polished:
Fen’harel’s friend has spent centuries filling the double role of Rebellion Spymaster and high-ranking servant of Mythal. When their choices compromise their place at court, they return to the Lighthouse in shame. No longer capable of maintaining their long-held position within Mythal’s court, where they were privy to the secret plans of the High Evanruris, the rebellion’s spymaster must re-evaluate how they approach their work, and reckon with the understanding that some mistakes cannot be undone. In the Lighthouse’s meditation room, they welcome Solas’s counsel as they consider their options, their skills, and how to move forward in a way that continues to serve their goals, and the goals of the rebellion. Solas helps them unbind their hair and their frustrations, and they begin to understand that while choices often have consequences, it is rarely the end of all things. So long as they have their skill and their wit, there will always be hope for their future, and for their people.

Polished:

Fen’harel’s friend has spent centuries filling the double role of Rebellion Spymaster and high-ranking servant of Mythal. When their choices compromise their place at court, they return to the Lighthouse in shame. No longer capable of maintaining their long-held position within Mythal’s court, where they were privy to the secret plans of the High Evanruris, the rebellion’s spymaster must re-evaluate how they approach their work, and reckon with the understanding that some mistakes cannot be undone.

In the Lighthouse’s meditation room, they welcome Solas’s counsel as they consider their options, their skills, and how to move forward in a way that continues to serve their goals, and the goals of the rebellion. Solas helps them unbind their hair and their frustrations, and they begin to understand that while choices often have consequences, it is rarely the end of all things. So long as they have their skill and their wit, there will always be hope for their future, and for their people.

What it has: there is a clear setting, cast, and premise. We know why things are happening and what things to expect. Tone is communicated with clear words like “shame” and “frustration” as well as the presentation of a problem to solve. We are also provided with a vision of the resolution.

What it lacks: no pitch is perfect! If clarity is the goal, it could be added by specifying that this is an introspective conversation between two friends, a hurt/comfort piece, and that it is intended to explore some world building and Arlathan lore.

First Draft:
Fen’Harel’s spymaster must brave Elgar’nan’s court to plant eavesdropping devices. It’s dangerous, complicated, and messy. They find themself cornered in their own past, and relive a trauma in order to succeed. In the end, the devices are planted and they have managed to secure a more stable position within Mythal’s court.

What it has: there is a clear ‘what’ presented, and hints of tone. We know a little of what to expect from the resolution of the story.

What it lacks: Who is the spymaster? The introduction of an OC could be strengthened with a little more context. Why Elgar’nan’s court? There is a teaser here about past trauma which may be intended as a hook, but with so little context it isn’t likely to draw attention. Filling this pitch out with more details would strengthen it.

Refined Draft:
In the early days of Fen’Harel’s rebellion, much of the intelligence gathering was left to the Spymaster alone. As the movement grew, the need for more immediate information grew, too. The Spymaster must plant the first of many eavesdropping devices. They begin in the court of Elgar’nan, though matters are complicated by the politics that muddy the waters between courts, their own uncomfortable history with the All-Father and his First, and the negligence of the partner Mythal has assigned them.

Refined Draft:

In the early days of Fen’Harel’s rebellion, much of the intelligence gathering was left to the Spymaster alone. As the movement grew, the need for more immediate information grew, too.

The Spymaster must plant the first of many eavesdropping devices. They begin in the court of Elgar’nan, though matters are complicated by the politics that muddy the waters between courts, their own uncomfortable history with the All-Father and his First, and the negligence of the partner Mythal has assigned them.

What it has: There is a clear setting and premise. We know who is doing what, when they are doing it, and a bit of why. We also are given pieces of tone.

What it lacks: From this pitch alone, it is difficult to tell precisely what to expect beyond planting the eavesdropping devices. We don’t know what the history is, as this is an OC, so the teaser is less effective than it might be for someone whose backstory is well-known. Why has Mythal assigned them a partner? What is their role and how did they fail? This pitch has good bones, but could be strengthened by providing clearer context in order to invite a collaborative partner.

Polished:
In the earliest days of Fen’Harel’s rebellion Solas’s friend and spymaster helps develop magical eavesdropping devices. From their position embedded within Mythal’s court, they must plant the devices and provide the rebellion with access to immediate information. Though the task is risky, they begin at the court of the All-Father. They must make themself vulnerable and endure the pain of their past in order to accomplish their goal, overcoming barriers in the form of political intrigue and their own trauma. In Elgar’nan’s courtroom, they are confronted by his right hand, a spirit of Fear made flesh, only to be rescued by Justice, his counterpart from Mythal’s court. They must be clever and cunning if they want to succeed without compromising their mission. What they must endure from Fear they need not tolerate from Justice. Featuring a cast of high-ranking court members, this fic explores the inner workings of the Evanuris’s reign and the efforts taken to dethrone them.

Polished:

In the earliest days of Fen’Harel’s rebellion Solas’s friend and spymaster helps develop magical eavesdropping devices. From their position embedded within Mythal’s court, they must plant the devices and provide the rebellion with access to immediate information.

Though the task is risky, they begin at the court of the All-Father. They must make themself vulnerable and endure the pain of their past in order to accomplish their goal, overcoming barriers in the form of political intrigue and their own trauma. In Elgar’nan’s courtroom, they are confronted by his right hand, a spirit of Fear made flesh, only to be rescued by Justice, his counterpart from Mythal’s court.

They must be clever and cunning if they want to succeed without compromising their mission. What they must endure from Fear they need not tolerate from Justice. Featuring a cast of high-ranking court members, this fic explores the inner workings of the Evanuris’s reign and the efforts taken to dethrone them.

What it has: A clear indication of who the fic is about, what they are trying to accomplish, and where they will begin. We have a sense of the fic’s conflict and tone, and the indication we will be introduced to some world building during the time of the ancient rebellion.

What it lacks: This pitch could be improved by the addition of a clear hook, as well as information that could clarify the tone of the piece.

Example Full Pitches

These examples are ready for submission.

Click here to view.

Pitch #1
Pitch #2

Target Word Count	25,000
Anticipated Rating	General Audiences
Will there be sexual content?	No
Ending Tone	Happy Ending
Desired Level of Collaboration	Full Tilt

Major Pairing(s)	Charade Amell/Cremisius “Krem” Aclassi
Side Pairing(s)	Charade Amell & Female Hawke & Varric Tethras, Charade Amell & Bull’s Chargers
Major Character(s)	Charade Amell, Cremisius “Krem” Aclassi
Side Character(s)	Female Hawke, Varric Tethras, Bull’s Chargers
Major Fandom(s)	Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age II

Content Warnings & Additional Tags:
Fluff & Humor, Hijinks and Shenanigans, Teasing & Flirting, Slice of Life, Sweet and lighthearted with a hint of meaningfulness, “the real Viscount was the friends we made along the way”

Summary (2,000 characters max):
In the absence of a proper viscount, and with both Hawke and Varric gone from Kirkwall, the city’s nobles have grown intolerable. Fed up at the suffering of her Friends, Charade journeys to Skyhold aiming to convince Hawke to return to her city and take up the mantle of Viscount. When Hawke refuses, Charade moves to Plan B: annoy Varric into going back instead.

Charade relieves a visiting merchant of some goods: a shipment of Varric’s latest Hard in Hightown. Hoping that the mystery of his missing profits will send Varric back to his distributor, Charade begins stashing the books around Skyhold. Unfortunately, when attempting to hide one in the tavern’s rafters, she’s caught out by Krem. But when he learns what she’s doing, he’s delighted and offers to help. Together, they hide the remainder of the books in a series of increasingly ridiculous locations, occasionally enlisting the other Chargers to provide distractions as they do.

In the end, Charade’s plan doesn’t work out the way she’d hoped–neither Hawke nor Varric will leave the Inquisition for Kirkwall. But her antics with Krem are a reminder that sometimes what you’re looking for isn’t what you need. She heads back to Kirkwall with a renewed hope in the Jennies–and a promise from Krem that the Chargers will visit as soon as the Inquisition can spare them.

Pitch Submission

Take your time to craft your pitch. There is no benefit to submitting a pitch early, and there is limited time to implement edits after mods have begun working on the claims process. Post-submission edits will be limited to critical changes, i.e. a missed sensitive topic content warning.

Your first submission should be your final submission!

How to Submit

A form will be emailed to current participants on July 15. Writers will have until July 31 to submit their project pitches. The information will be posted to the DABB Pitch Site for Artists to peruse and rank. After pitch ranking closes, the mods will finalize teams.

Fic Requirement Reminders: By the end of the event, fics must be completed and posted in their entirety on AO3. Fics must be at least 25,000 words when complete and should not be added to after the final deadline. Fics will not be posted chapter-by-chapter. Fics are allowed to be written with a future sequel in mind, but should stand on their own.

The following information is required on the submission form:

Main Characters
Main Pairing
Side Characters
Background Pairings
Major Fandoms
Anticipated Rating
Estimated Final Word Count
Content Warnings & Additional Tags
Sexual Content Notification
Summary (2000 characters max)
Anticipated Ending Tone
Desired Collaboration Level

Submission Form Walkthrough

Below is a step-by-step guide to the Pitch Submission form, including screenshots.

STEP 1: Confirm that you are ready to submit.

Remember:

There is no advantage to submitting your pitch early. All pitches are made available to prospective artists at the same time.
Your first submission should be your final submission. Only critical changes, such as a missed sensitive content warning, will be accepted after you submit.
Do your best! Be excited about your story in the pitch, and the mods will have what they need to find you a match.

STEP 2: Email, Name, Word Count

Email: This is where your confirmation of submission will be sent.
Name: If you don’t remember the name you listed on your writer sign-up, check your sign-up confirmation email.
Current Word Count: This is just a loose/casual check-point for the mods. Your current word count will not be shared with prospective artists, nor will any action be taken based on it.
Estimated Target Word Count: This is a non-binding estimate. It is okay if your fic is longer in the end, as long as it is at least 25,000 words & fully completed.

STEP 3: Anticipated Rating and Sexual Content

Rating: Includes a link to AO3’s explanation of the various ratings. It is okay if your rating changes after matching, but that must be communicated to your artist partner(s).
Sexual Content: This question refers to actual sexual content, not circumstances that may imply sex has occurred at some point in the past. For instance, if a character in the fanfiction is pregnant, but no sex occurs on page, you do not need to flag your fic as having sexual content. Make sure to include any applicable content warnings in the content warnings text box.
- Non-explicit sexual themes: fade-to-black scenes or smut that does not use explicit descriptors
- Explicit sexual content: graphic or detailed sex scenes, including explicit descriptors of genitalia/sexual acts.

It is okay if you add sexual content to your fic after matching, even if you did not indicate that you would. Make sure to communicate this to your artist partner(s).

STEP 4: Major Fandom(s)

Select all fandoms that are primarily relevant to your fic’s plot. Do not select fandoms that are only incidental to the characters/story.

If your story is not centered on any one franchise entry (such as an Arlathan AU), select Dragon Age - All Media Types.
If you select Dragon Age Supplemental Material (novels, comics, etc.), you will be given a text box to list the specific supplemental material.
If you select Crossover: Dragon Age + Another Media, you will be given a text box to list the crossover fandom. Please list in the format “Dragon Age & Crossover Fandom”.

STEP 5: Main and Side Pairing(s)

Main Pairing: The ship that is driving your plot. Who is the story primarily about?
Side Pairing(s): Incidental and/or background ships. Ships that are mentioned or alluded to in your story, but are not primary players in the plot.

Use the full names of canon characters (ex: Carver Hawke, Andarateia Cantori)

Include gender, race, and origin of OCs when applicable (ex: Nonbinary Lavellan, Male Dwarf de Riva)

If a pairing is a polyship, list all members of the ship in line (A/B/C). Do not list them as separate ships (A/B, A/C, B/C).

This event uses AO3’s ship notation. Use / to indicate romantic/sexual/queerplatonic relationships. Use & to indicate familial/platonic relationships. Do not list both if they are not applicable to your fic - this is for artists to make an informaed decision about your fic content, not visibility.

STEP 6: Main and Side Character(s)

Main Characters: Part of the main pairing, the POV character, a character that significantly impacts the plot
Side Characters: Not part of the main pairing, not significantly involved in the plot, mentioned only incidentally or in passing

Use the full names of canon characters (ex: Carver Hawke, Andarateia Cantori)

Include gender, race, and origin of OCs when applicable (ex: Nonbinary Lavellan, Male Dwarf de Riva)

STEP 7: Content Warnings & Additional Tags

List all relevant sensitive content planned for your story. Be kind to prospective artists and respect their right to curate their experience! Withholding sensitive content warnings is against the rules of this event.
Limit additional tags to relevant information. They should supply information significant to the themes and plot of your story. Information that is otherwise conveyed in the character/ship tags does not need to be included - for example, if you indicated your Rook is a Thorne in the ship/character tags, you do not need the Grey Warden Rook additional tag.

It is okay to add sensitive content after matching, but you MUST convey this to your artist partner(s). Likewise, if your fic is put up for a pinch hit, any additional sensitive content must be added to your pitch.

STEP 8: Ending Tone and Story Description

Artists from previous years have expressed significant desire to know the planned ending as part of the pitch. Remember, you do not need to hold back “spoilers” as you might for potential readers - the plot twist at the end of your story might be the very thing that piques an artist’s interest!
- It is okay if your ending tone or details of your story change after matching - just write this based on what you know now, and communicate any changes to your team going forward.
Include the characters involved in your story, the major plot beats, the tone/emotion you’re trying to evoke, and what you have planned for the ending.
Pitches must be anonymized. If you do not remove OC names, the mods will do so for you without reaching out.
This description is only for your pitch. You may summarize your fic however you wish when you post to AO3.

STEP 9: Desired Collaboration Level and Teams of Three

Desired Collaboration Level is informational only. Do not assume that your artist partner is agreeing to this level of collaboration just because you are matched. Talk to them and establish communication expectations at the start!

Hands Off: Both the writer and artist will provide excerpts/WIPs to their partner when requested, but creation will mostly be done independently, with limited back-and-forth conversation or feedback.
Cheerleader: You’re looking for moral support from your team as you create! Both the artist and writer may proactively provide WIPs throughout the creation period so that you can cheer each other on.
Full Tilt: You’re looking to have regular contact with your team. Partners want to give input on each other’s developing works, including brainstorming, helping each other when stuck, and potentially beta reading fics.
Any/no preference: You must set communication expectations with your partner upon matching.

Teams of Three: In this event, a Team of Three consists of two artists and one writer. This is different from one artist collaborating with two separate pitches.

If a fic is matched with a Team of Three, the writer must work equally with both artist partners.

STEP 10: Passcode and Final Confirmation

Passcodes are part of the new method we have this year for sending Match Information. This new method should avoid limitations that Gmail imposes on sending emails.

Passcode Requirements:

lowercase letters only
numbers may be included, but the passcode cannot be ONLY numbers, it must include at least one letter
capital letters and special characters are NOT allowed

You must submit a 7500 word check-in in order to be matched with an artist. If you are not ready to submit this check-in when you submit your pitch, the link will be included in your pitch submission confirmation email.

STEP 11: Confirmation Page & Email

If you see this confirmation page and receive this confirmation email, you have successfully submitted your pitch!
Missed sensitive content warnings are the only edits that will be accepted at this point.
If you don’t see your confirmation email, check your spam folder. Confirmations come from notifications@tally.so and have the subject line: The 2026 Dragon Age Big Bang | Pitch Submission Confirmation

What to Expect in Matching

Sign Ups & Ranking

At sign ups, a website containing each writer’s anonymous, numbered pitch will be made available. This website will have the information described in the previous section: Pitch Submission. Artists will be able to filter pitches based off of fandom/installment, rating, and ship category.

Artists will fill out a form, listing which pitches they are most interested in working with. At minimum, artists will rank three fics, but more rankings may be provided depending on the number of pitches we receive.

Each ranking also includes a place to indicate why the artist is interested in working with that pitch. This is optional, but highly encouraged. In the event multiple artists rank the same pitch, the extra explanation may be used to decide the match.

Artists will also have space to indicate:

If they are open to taking multiple assignments from the start
If they would like to be placed on a list of pinch hitters
General Do Not Wants
If they are open to being matched on a Team of Three (see below)

Matching Process

Once the ranking form has closed, the mods will begin matching. Important, urgent communications may come to you via email.

We may reach out to artists to gauge interest in a fic they did not originally rank. However, we will not show you a pitch that includes your DNWs.
We may clarify entries on your form.
We will NOT match you with a fic that you did not previously rank, without your permission.

Matches Announced

When matches are finalized, a link will go out via email and discord. This link will host all matches, guarded by individual passwords. More instructions will be given in the announcement.

Participants will see their teams after entering this password. Team members will be listed with:

Preferred Name
Email
Discord Handle (if given)
Pitch # (with link)

In the history of this large event, every writer has been successfully paired with an artist. This event has both teams of two and teams of three.

After matches are announced, team mates have 72 hours to get in contact with one another.

If contact is not received in this timeframe, please contact the mods.

Collaboration on Teams of Three

In this event, a Team of Three consists of two artists and one writer. This is different from one artist working on two pitches.

Artists on teams of three may choose to brainstorm with their other artist partner in a “triangle” of inspiration, but some artists may only wish to discuss inspiration with their writer (a “V” with the writer as the vertex). Please clearly establish your preference with your writer and the other artist upon matching. Writers should work equally with their artist partners, regardless of if the artists are working in a “triangle” or “V”.

Artists and writers on teams of three should especially communicate to each other if an extension, or a default, is required. Please see the section on defaults and extensions.