Archive of Our Own

Springcest Fest is a shipcest (fictional incest) bingo event with a special challenge: to include all 3 squares of your bingo in one work.

The goal is the same as any other bingo: to make a row, column, or diagonal by using each of the prompts, except this time you have to include them all in one work… or if you’re feeling particularly inspired: a full blackout card where you fill every prompt in one work.

This event will run from April 20th to June 20th.

Works do not need to be posted specifically on AO3, they can be posted anywhere. Any type of creation is accepted for this event except those generated by AI. Examples of what you could create: fic, digital art, a painting, a moodboard, a rec post of a book that fits the prompts, a playlist, origami, a sweater, a pie... If you can make it fit the prompt then go for it!

Macrocest is on Tumblr, Bluesky, and Dreamwidth.
Microcest is on Tumblr, Bluesky, and Dreamwidth.

Q: Will it count if I make canonically non-related characters be related in this event? 
A: Absolutely, you can do that! They do NOT need to be related in canon for it to count in this event. You can make them related in any way that you please (including siblings, parent/child, long lost uncle/aunt, or even pseudocest like step-siblings, godparent/godchild, whatever!) You could even make it incest-roleplay (aka fauxcest) between non-related characters.

Q: Can I use each prompt in a different chapter? 
A: Yes, as long as they are all in one single work.

Q: I have two different AO3 accounts, could I do two bingo cards?
A: Yes, you can do multiple bingo cards!

Q: Could I do two bingo cards?
A: Yes, you can do multiple bingo cards!

Q: Can I post the bingo card on social media?
A: Absolutely! And if you want you can tag us too!

Q: Can we write NSFW for a prompt?
A: Absolutely!

Q: Could I make art?
A: YES!!!! PLEASE DO!!!

Q: Is faux-cest allowed? As in people not blood related partaking in roleplay?
A: Yes! Faux-cest, pseudo-incest, step-siblings, incest play, implied incest, etc. are allowed.

Q: If I post a link to my work on Tumblr/BlueSky will you reblog my post?
A: Yes, we will reblog every work that tags our Tumblr/BlueSky account. Give us 72 hours to have it reblogged before reaching out to us about it. If we still have not reposted it in that time, then please feel free to DM or send us an ask about it.

Q: How should I incorporate the prompts into my work?
A: Feel free to use the exact word/phrase in your work, or just use the prompt as a general idea. (Example: if the prompt is ‘not in the swimming pool!’ then you can use that as a quote from one of the characters, or simply write about a scene where something ensues that maybe shouldn’t be done in a swimming pool.)

Q: I don't think I understand this prompt...
A: Do not be afraid you will get the prompt “wrong,” they are all up to your interpretation. However, if you really need a clarification or there is a confusing typo, please email us.

Q: What is the word count requirement?
A: There are no word count requirements! You can go as short or as long as you would like.

Q: Can I change the spelling in my prompt?
A: Yes! You can change the spelling since they are all Americanized, and you may do the in-universe equivalent of the object (e.g. “Family Portrait” instead of “Family Photo”).

Q: One of the prompts says "mom" but my pairing is not with the mom. What should I do?
A: Some of the prompts have suggested family members. These are simply suggestions. You can switch these if they do not fit your fandom, but also remember the mentioned family member does not need to be part of the pairing to be a part of the story/prompt. (e.g. "Mom's favorite" could be a brocest main pairing where one brother is jealous of the other being mom's favorite.)

Q: It's past June 2025. Can I still post a fic/art in this collection?
A: Yes, you can still submit a work after June 2025.

Q: Can we combine a prompt here with another event?
A: Yes! As long as it follows the rules of both/all of the events!

Q: Can I submit the work on AO3 anonymously?
A: You can absolutely submit your work anonymously.

Q: When are these works due?
A: The due date is June 20th, 2025, however the collection will remain open for works indefinitely. If it’s past that date and you want to post, please do!

Q: Can I mix 2 of the bingo cards?
A: Yes, you can mix the prompts into one story and cross off both prompts! However you still need bingo on at least one card to get an official bingo.

Q: Can I write a whole fic with each chapter being about one prompt?
A: Yes, you can definitely write one fic where each chapter is a different prompt! It does not need to be a oneshot.

Q: Do reader-insert fics count?
A: Yes! We accept reader insert fics!

Q: Do you allow RPF (real person fiction)?
A: Yes! We accept RPF works!

Q: I liked a prompt so much I used it for another pairing that's not incest. What should I do?
A: If it is pseudocest or fauxcest or has incest themes then it can still be used in this collection. But, if you use a prompt for a non-incest pairing with no incest themes, just add it to our Oops Not Incest collection instead!

Q: I have another question that wasn’t answered here. Is there somewhere else I can ask?
A: Any other questions can be asked by sending us an ask on Tumblr, emailing us at [email protected], or tagging us on Bluesky.