Announced back in March and happy to report working quite effectively when used, we are officially posting here for better visibility.  
 
Artists who make series of cards (like age specific, relationship specific, etc.) have long suffered the horrible experience of uploading 100+ cards, only to have each and every one of them Returned for Edits or Declined.  We realize how frustrating this can be to have invested all the time up front, wait the weeks and weeks for review all to no avail.  
 
Now you can submit ONE sample card in the proposed series and Fast Track it.   You must state in the Notes to Reviewer why you’re Fast Tracking the card (ie: “Sample of  proposed series of like images (different relations), please review and let me know if I can proceed”).  By doing this, you save yourself and the review team loads of time and grief.
 
If the sample is Returned for Edits, make your changes and resubmit as usual (it will automatically resubmit as FastTrack).  If it’s declined, go back to the drawing board.  
 
But if it’s approved, feel free to submit the rest of the series INCLUDING a Note to Reviewers sharing something like, “Part of image series based on pre- approved concept PID# 123456 on 8/12/13.” Be absolutely certain to include the PID# and approval date of the approved sample, otherwise you’re back to square one.  
 
Important Note:  after your 1 concept card is approved the balance of the collection should be submitted business as usual, NOT FastTrack.
 
Lastly please note that this is not a blanket approval for all derivative submissions but for the basic image and concept.  All other standards still apply to each submission.  
 
See the original announcement here on the GCU Community BLOG:
http://gcucommunity.com/2013/03/19/gcu-news-design-of-the-month-contest-new-fast -track/
 
Thank you for following this new procedure, it is helping speed up the review times for all artists!  

With all due respect Mindy - I did do this. (Though I didn't fast track - so even more annoying! My misunderstanding.)
The first card was approved (after 8 weeks, bc i was silly). BUT it did specifically say in the Notes to Reviewer, that it was the first of potentially MANY cards.
Once it was approved, I merrily uploaded about 20 cards!  
A couple of weeks later, the ORIGINAL cards were pulled back, put on hold, and I had to revise a "logo" on [a painting of] a car that someone suddenly thought too obvious. (whatever, that's a different discussion.)  
I fixed it, and then that took days to OK.
The problem was that then, I had to spend 3+ hours going back and revising, re-saving, re-uploading 20+ cards before they came up for review. THen had to wait another 8 WEEKS to have them approved.  
 
So, I'm not sooo impressed with the process.
 
Frankly, I think the review should be the other way 'round. The first one should go through the regular review process. Take your time, try to get it right. Then the other 20 cards or 200 cards or whatever the series is should be subject to minimal fast-track review. That would essentially move the process along faster as reviewers wouldn't have to look at evry nook&cranny of all those cards, no one would be behind all those cards. See what I mean?  
 
(Ultimately, for me, my suggestion wouldn't have helped me out, the regular length of time didn't help the quality of the review, but it's a suggestion, none-the-less.)

Quote from Steppeland_231500 on Aug 22^nd, 2013, 9:08pm:

 
You misunderstand - I was GIVEN the go ahead, THEN created and uploaded the subsequent cards.  
THEN the approved card was put on hold.  
Then they told me I had to change to logo. I changed on the one on HOLD, and waited.
When they approved those - I then went back and replaced all the cards (originally approved imaged) with the newly approved image.
I still think it should be the other way around.

Quote from Susan_142450 on Aug 22^nd, 2013, 5:05pm:

 
Hi Susan,
You are correct.  There was a misstep with your submission which required you to do extra work and for that I apologize.  Car / Vehicle logo issues are tricky and we are very conservative in that area.  I'm sorry the review team did not catch the Chevy logo upon first review.
 
(It looks like your original card #1073460 still needs editing)
 
As for the new series concept review process I'd like to make a few points:
1. the quality and thoroughness of the review is the same be it FastTrack or regular
2. the intent of this new allowance, as Steppeland is enjoying, is to expedite the "concept" or sample giving artists the green light to proceed quickly and take advantage of their inspiration / creative flow without risking all their work being returned/declined.
3. there is no urgency for the entire collection to be expedited nor for them to jump in front of other cards patiently awaiting review
 
Hope that helps.

This is the first time I read this and it sounds as though it will be a big help. My question, if you have not already answered it is, a few days ago I submitted a card for Christmas holidays, (I understand this is the right time to design new cards for that season) and want to know if I can RESUBMIT the design through the Concept Design process so that I can do a series (20 or so) with the new design?
 
Thanks for the help!