Potential Glitch

[settiai]

I'm not certain if it's a glitch on the AO3 or simply people clicking the wrong thing (although it's looking like a bug, based on conversations that I've had with some of the creators being affected by this). This is definitely a bug on the AO3. Please check what assignment(s) are checked as being fulfilled when posting fanworks - especially if you're assigned to create for the same person in multiple exchanges, as that seems to be the common denominator. There is an issue where works are being posted as fulfilling multiple assignments.

It may be a good idea to post as a draft and then click Edit to verify exactly which assignment(s) are checked before actually posting the finished work. And then to check again after posting and, if needed, removing any assignments that shouldn't have been added.

There have been three different fanworks posted within the last few days, by three different people, that have been tagged as being part of both Holly Poly and another ongoing exchange. Based on the relationships included in said fanworks, they were intended for the other exchange and not Holly Poly. I've notified all of the creators who I've seen this affecting, and I'll continue to do so in the future if more works are posted that fall under this situation.

ETA: If you're being affected by this issue, please see the comments on this post for for more information and suggestions on fixing the issue.

Comments

[kalloway]

That's an ongoing bug, and frustrating because if editing things from a previous exchange for the same recipient, it'll tag in any open assignments as well, sometimes even after reveals and whatnot. (I think I've been seeing it at least since the summer.)

[settiai]

Thanks for the confirmation that it's definitely a bug! It looks like going in and editing the story to remove additional assignments seems to potentially fix the issue, so hopefully it won't cause any problems as long as people are looking for it.

[kalloway]

I know when I've had it hit, I've had to go in, edit, and post-without-preview, because trying to preview always leads to a blank page. Obviously a crapshoot because of the reveals bug, but the general exchange code is rotting so quickly that some of the workarounds work against each other.

[settiai]

Thanks! I'll add this information to my post.

[fiachairecht]

Yeah, that's a known bug if you have the same recip in more than one active exchange. Save as draft -> edit -> uncheck assignment the fic isn't for -> post should fix it on the author's end, I'm not sure if there's anything mods can do.

[settiai]

Thanks for the confirmation! I've added that information to my post so that creators can edit their works to fix the issue, and I'll continue to notify any creators who I see in the queue with works that shouldn't be tagged with Holly Poly.

[(Anonymous)]

I've said this in a private message already but in case anyone with this issue happens by...

When the collection is set to moderated posting, the fic with the issue hasn't been approved, and a writer tries to update their own fic, AO3 sometimes seems to think the fic is still being posted for the wrong exchange as well as the right one and keeps the box for that assignment checked even though the writer literally just unchecked it.

If this happens, the writer can't fix it but the mod can. If you reject the fic from the moderation queue, that removes it (but it might add back in on subsequent edits and the writer wouldn't necessarily know it ever happened if they're not told, plus it's messy because you can't be 100% sure it's not meant for that exchange and is just mistagged), or you can approve the fic and then get the writer to remove the wrong collection themselves.

I've submitted yet another support request but it's unlike to be fixed anytime soon.