The way the SOTM works is the person designated swap master for the month announces the theme on the first day of the month (some times a day or two early [or late]). The flies are "due" by the last day of the month. They are distributed as soon as they all arrive. SOTM is something of a tradition and I have been participating for about three years. Some have participated longer. Some are new this year and there are open slots. The limit on participants is twelve. Due to the long running nature we have an "administrator" (Gigmaster right now) who coordinates everything. We have some international participants so someone in the US volunteers to handle the mail when they are the swap master. Also, due to the long running nature and, I suppose, because we have all been tying together for so long we don't get too excited about extensions on the deadline due to health, finding materials, or any reason at all. I've lost one set of flies in three years (when the swap master had family issues and dropped out.) We also tie sets for those who participated for a long time and are now unable due to health or family issues. It's a fly swap. NOT a job. We all deal with deadlines, lousy bosses, and bad customers at work. We don't do that to each other. We respect each other regardless of skill level. We respect each other regardless of how long it takes to tie twelve flies. We respect each other regardless how long it takes the various postal services to deliver them. We respect each other regardless of situations that may come up in our lives. Contact Gigmaster and join if you can commit to being a friend to some other people you have never met. There are open slots. I hope this answers your questions, Allan.