Yuletide Letter 2025
Oct. 15th, 2025 02:55 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
nomadicwriterHello to any prospective Yuletide writers! My username is Nomad (nomadicwriter) on AO3, and I have pretty broad tastes when it comes to the kinds of fic I read, so definitely don't feel obliged to stick too closely to my prompts. They're more meant to be for vibes and inspiration than specific scenarios that I'm married to.
Treats are also enabled and very welcome! Please always assume that if I asked for something in a previous exchange I would still be delighted to get it even if I didn't specifically repeat that request here.
Some General Likes:
* Casefic, canon-typical adventures, and stories that feel like missing episodes
* Humour, banter, squabbling and back-and-forth bickering
* Conflicts between characters where both sides have good points
* Antagonistic characters being forced to work together
* Tiny but meaningful gestures from characters who don't show their feelings easily
* New romantic feelings developing between characters who always saw each other platonically before
* Late-blooming gay or bi characters who only figure out their sexuality well into adulthood
My fandoms this year all involve at least some degree of comedy, but I'm up for fic anywhere on the spectrum from pure light-hearted silliness to stories with darker and sadder elements. Ship-wise I like to read a variety of pairings rather than having any particular fixed preferences, plus I'm also a big fan of gen. Basically I like variety and can enjoy many different contradictory takes on the characters and their relationships, so please don't assume any idea I suggest here is my one true headcanon I've got my heart set on. I enjoy a lot of different things!
Drop the Dead Donkey
Characters:
- Any (of: Damien Day, Dave Charnley, Helen Cooper, Joy Merryweather)
Request:
I had a hard time narrowing this down to just four characters to nominate, so feel free to include any of the other cast members too. I enjoy both the Alex and the Helen eras of the show, and would love any story that feels like a missing episode, or perhaps a glimpse of what happened next for the characters after they left Globelink. Humour fic would be fantastic, but I'm up for stories with more serious dramatic elements as well.
Some ideas:
* We get to see one office party and one awards show, but what were some of the others like?
* The events around Joy's hiring and how the others first learned to fear her.
* Possible supernatural events. Did Damien's on-air séance really work? Is Dave dating one of the undead?
* Action-adventure silliness. Teambuilding day turned survival story? Damien recruiting the others for a break-in?
* People's post-canon fates. How did Damien get home? Did Helen make some chaotic attempt to marry Amanda?
* The team being reunited in less glamorous jobs at a hobby magazine or niche podcast.
* AUs where they're just as dysfunctional in a different setting. Teaching? Amateur theatre? D&D-style fantasy adventurers?
Shipping:
- Gen shenanigans very welcome, but I can also buy this group of human disasters hooking up in almost any combination, whether among the nominated subset or the wider ensemble. Open to any ships you feel like writing here, and equally happy for it to end badly or turn out surprisingly well. Not really looking for a PWP or a major focus on smut, but some sexual elements as part of a story where there's more than just that going on would be fine.
Do Not Want:
* Real-world politicians or media figures appearing as actual characters in the fic. (Canon-style topical gags and references to interactions the cast have had with them off-screen are fine.)
Additional Notes:
- I haven't seen the recent 'Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening' reunion stage play, but I read a summary, so am equally happy for you to either incorporate canon from that or ignore it entirely.
- If you want to write a crossover, I feel like it would be fun to have the team interview characters from or comment on the events of fictional political canons. Some I'm familiar with are House of Cards UK, The New Statesman, The Thick of It, The West Wing and Yes Minister.
- I also requested this fandom last year, and you're welcome to use any prompts from that letter as well.
- I wrote a canon promo for this fandom here.
Ludwig
Characters:
- John "Ludwig" Taylor
Request:
Just requesting John here because I'm interested in seeing him interact with any or all of the other characters you feel like including. I'd prefer a story that takes place during or after the events of the show rather than one wholly focused on backstory, but including canon-style flashbacks is fine. Both lighter-hearted stories that lean into the humour of the show or ones with darker, more serious elements would work for me here.
Some ideas:
* How would John cope on a stakeout, whether with the police or on a less official one with Lucy or Henry?
* John being wrongly accused of a crime and having to figure out whether James was responsible.
* Lucy and/or Henry dragging John along on a break-in or other reckless information-gathering mission.
* John coping with being invited to the pub by his teammates. What does it mean, and does he really have to go?
* We don't see much of Lucy and John having to act like a convincing couple. What if they had to?
* John is the one with police access now. What if James tried to impersonate him instead? Would he succeed?
* Outsider POVs on the twin swap. What did other police staff make of James's actions, or his twin being hired?
Shipping:
- Gen would be great; canon James/Lucy is fine to include too; I'm also up for any exploration of the hints of John/Lucy feelings, or something that takes John's growing friendship with Carter in a potentially shippy direction. In general I feel like it would take a pretty slow burn for John to get anywhere relationship-wise, though, so even just unresolved tension or subtle hints of feelings would be shippy enough for me in this fandom.
Do Not Want:
* AUs which change the setting. (Canon divergence AUs where characters make different choices and events play out differently are fine.)
* Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
Additional Notes:
- I also requested this fandom in Casefic Exchange, and you're welcome to use any prompts from that letter as well.
- I wrote a canon promo for this fandom here.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
Characters:
- Any (of: Frank Hathaway, Luella Shakespeare, Sebastian Brudenell, Joe Keeler)
Request:
Requesting 'any' for maximum flexibility here; I'd enjoy fic about any subset of these characters interacting, or even an ensemble story that includes other characters from the series as well. A more light-hearted story that captures the tone of the canon would be great, but I'm also up for fic that has the characters dealing with darker and more serious cases.
Some ideas:
* One of the team is injured on a case. Do the others fuss over them too much? Or less than they would like?
* A case where Keeler and the PIs have to reluctantly cooperate on something neither side can solve alone.
* The team stuck on a surveillance or undercover job that requires them to share a tent or caravan.
* A very hungover detective team trying to solve the mystery of what exactly they got up last night.
* Trying to get Keeler off their backs, the team unwittingly send him into danger and then have to rescue him.
* Investigating paranormal events like vampire attacks or UFO sightings, whether it's a hoax or even for real.
* An AU where they're still detectives, but in a different setting like fantasy/sci-fi/historical, etc.
Shipping:
- Gen friendship shenanigans are great by me! I'm also open to Frank/Lu as a ship if you want to write that. I didn't come out of the show really shipping Sebastian with anyone, but wouldn't mind him being paired with minor characters or OCs as a background ship if you like. Or, you know what, if you think you can write fic shipping him with Keeler or even Frank, I am totally here for your vision and very on board to read that.
Do Not Want:
* Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
* Canon characters dying or being revealed as bad guys.
Additional Notes:
- I probably won't get to see any of the new season five episodes before Yuletide arrives. I'm not bothered by spoilers if there are character or backstory details from those you want to include, just bear in mind that I won't have the canon knowledge to follow anything that relies on heavily referencing events from season five.
- I also requested this fandom in Casefic Exchange, and you're welcome to use any prompts from that letter as well.
- I wrote a canon promo for this fandom here.
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Characters:
- Mike Shepherd
- Kristin Sims
Request:
Requesting the central detective duo here, but very happy to have any of the rest of the cast along for the ride too! Both stories set in the Breen or the Chalmers era work for me. I love the laid-back humour and warmth of the show and would be equally happy to get a lighter, more upbeat story or one that delves into more serious themes and darker elements.
Some ideas:
* Kristin taking the lead on a case that Mike has to sit out due to some kind of personal connection.
* The two of them stuck in Mike's car on a stakeout or roadtrip, or a breakdown in the middle of nowhere.
* A hurt/comfort type situation with Kristin injured on a case and Mike being the one to help her out.
* Hanging out together outside work. Maybe they cross paths at a local event where there's no murder for once.
* A slow week at work where they end up investigating only trivial petty crimes. Or is there more to it?
* Mike going missing and Kristin on the case to find him. Is he in trouble, or is there an innocent explanation?
* Supernatural elements! I'd love a story that goes somewhere with Mike's low-key habit of talking to the dead.
Shipping:
- I love Mike and Kristin's growing friendship over the course of the series and would be very happy with gen, but am also open to fic that takes their relationship in a more shippy direction, or even some kind of near-miss situation where they almost go there but choose to back off from it. I would also be up for elements of Mike/Jared Morehu, past or present Mike/Simon Hughes, or Kristin/Kahu Taylor. I'm fine with Gina's crush on Mike featuring as well, but would prefer that it's not used solely for embarrassment-based humour.
Do Not Want:
* AUs which change the setting. (Canon divergence AUs where characters make different choices and events play out differently are fine.)
* Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
Additional Notes:
- I started watching this show right before nominations and fell for it hard enough that I immediately had to add it to my requests. I haven't quite had time to make it through all the seasons, but I've tried to give more general prompts that hopefully shouldn't clash too much with any events from later episodes I haven't seen. In any case I should be caught up long before reveals, so no need to worry about spoilers. (ETA: Now all caught up and loved it all the way through! So please have no worries about including any later-season characters or plotlines if you want.)
- I love the show's small town vibe with all the recurring characters who keep popping up across different cases. I'd be happy to see any of them included if you want, but some particular personal faves are Neil Bloom the gay pharmacist, Dennis Buchanan the ethically questionable lawyer, Mrs Marlowe and her thirst for salacious gossip, and the Ray and Trudy double act.
Treats are also enabled and very welcome! Please always assume that if I asked for something in a previous exchange I would still be delighted to get it even if I didn't specifically repeat that request here.
Some General Likes:
* Casefic, canon-typical adventures, and stories that feel like missing episodes
* Humour, banter, squabbling and back-and-forth bickering
* Conflicts between characters where both sides have good points
* Antagonistic characters being forced to work together
* Tiny but meaningful gestures from characters who don't show their feelings easily
* New romantic feelings developing between characters who always saw each other platonically before
* Late-blooming gay or bi characters who only figure out their sexuality well into adulthood
My fandoms this year all involve at least some degree of comedy, but I'm up for fic anywhere on the spectrum from pure light-hearted silliness to stories with darker and sadder elements. Ship-wise I like to read a variety of pairings rather than having any particular fixed preferences, plus I'm also a big fan of gen. Basically I like variety and can enjoy many different contradictory takes on the characters and their relationships, so please don't assume any idea I suggest here is my one true headcanon I've got my heart set on. I enjoy a lot of different things!
Drop the Dead Donkey
Characters:
- Any (of: Damien Day, Dave Charnley, Helen Cooper, Joy Merryweather)
Request:
I had a hard time narrowing this down to just four characters to nominate, so feel free to include any of the other cast members too. I enjoy both the Alex and the Helen eras of the show, and would love any story that feels like a missing episode, or perhaps a glimpse of what happened next for the characters after they left Globelink. Humour fic would be fantastic, but I'm up for stories with more serious dramatic elements as well.
Some ideas:
* We get to see one office party and one awards show, but what were some of the others like?
* The events around Joy's hiring and how the others first learned to fear her.
* Possible supernatural events. Did Damien's on-air séance really work? Is Dave dating one of the undead?
* Action-adventure silliness. Teambuilding day turned survival story? Damien recruiting the others for a break-in?
* People's post-canon fates. How did Damien get home? Did Helen make some chaotic attempt to marry Amanda?
* The team being reunited in less glamorous jobs at a hobby magazine or niche podcast.
* AUs where they're just as dysfunctional in a different setting. Teaching? Amateur theatre? D&D-style fantasy adventurers?
Shipping:
- Gen shenanigans very welcome, but I can also buy this group of human disasters hooking up in almost any combination, whether among the nominated subset or the wider ensemble. Open to any ships you feel like writing here, and equally happy for it to end badly or turn out surprisingly well. Not really looking for a PWP or a major focus on smut, but some sexual elements as part of a story where there's more than just that going on would be fine.
Do Not Want:
* Real-world politicians or media figures appearing as actual characters in the fic. (Canon-style topical gags and references to interactions the cast have had with them off-screen are fine.)
Additional Notes:
- I haven't seen the recent 'Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening' reunion stage play, but I read a summary, so am equally happy for you to either incorporate canon from that or ignore it entirely.
- If you want to write a crossover, I feel like it would be fun to have the team interview characters from or comment on the events of fictional political canons. Some I'm familiar with are House of Cards UK, The New Statesman, The Thick of It, The West Wing and Yes Minister.
- I also requested this fandom last year, and you're welcome to use any prompts from that letter as well.
- I wrote a canon promo for this fandom here.
Ludwig
Characters:
- John "Ludwig" Taylor
Request:
Just requesting John here because I'm interested in seeing him interact with any or all of the other characters you feel like including. I'd prefer a story that takes place during or after the events of the show rather than one wholly focused on backstory, but including canon-style flashbacks is fine. Both lighter-hearted stories that lean into the humour of the show or ones with darker, more serious elements would work for me here.
Some ideas:
* How would John cope on a stakeout, whether with the police or on a less official one with Lucy or Henry?
* John being wrongly accused of a crime and having to figure out whether James was responsible.
* Lucy and/or Henry dragging John along on a break-in or other reckless information-gathering mission.
* John coping with being invited to the pub by his teammates. What does it mean, and does he really have to go?
* We don't see much of Lucy and John having to act like a convincing couple. What if they had to?
* John is the one with police access now. What if James tried to impersonate him instead? Would he succeed?
* Outsider POVs on the twin swap. What did other police staff make of James's actions, or his twin being hired?
Shipping:
- Gen would be great; canon James/Lucy is fine to include too; I'm also up for any exploration of the hints of John/Lucy feelings, or something that takes John's growing friendship with Carter in a potentially shippy direction. In general I feel like it would take a pretty slow burn for John to get anywhere relationship-wise, though, so even just unresolved tension or subtle hints of feelings would be shippy enough for me in this fandom.
Do Not Want:
* AUs which change the setting. (Canon divergence AUs where characters make different choices and events play out differently are fine.)
* Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
Additional Notes:
- I also requested this fandom in Casefic Exchange, and you're welcome to use any prompts from that letter as well.
- I wrote a canon promo for this fandom here.
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators
Characters:
- Any (of: Frank Hathaway, Luella Shakespeare, Sebastian Brudenell, Joe Keeler)
Request:
Requesting 'any' for maximum flexibility here; I'd enjoy fic about any subset of these characters interacting, or even an ensemble story that includes other characters from the series as well. A more light-hearted story that captures the tone of the canon would be great, but I'm also up for fic that has the characters dealing with darker and more serious cases.
Some ideas:
* One of the team is injured on a case. Do the others fuss over them too much? Or less than they would like?
* A case where Keeler and the PIs have to reluctantly cooperate on something neither side can solve alone.
* The team stuck on a surveillance or undercover job that requires them to share a tent or caravan.
* A very hungover detective team trying to solve the mystery of what exactly they got up last night.
* Trying to get Keeler off their backs, the team unwittingly send him into danger and then have to rescue him.
* Investigating paranormal events like vampire attacks or UFO sightings, whether it's a hoax or even for real.
* An AU where they're still detectives, but in a different setting like fantasy/sci-fi/historical, etc.
Shipping:
- Gen friendship shenanigans are great by me! I'm also open to Frank/Lu as a ship if you want to write that. I didn't come out of the show really shipping Sebastian with anyone, but wouldn't mind him being paired with minor characters or OCs as a background ship if you like. Or, you know what, if you think you can write fic shipping him with Keeler or even Frank, I am totally here for your vision and very on board to read that.
Do Not Want:
* Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
* Canon characters dying or being revealed as bad guys.
Additional Notes:
- I probably won't get to see any of the new season five episodes before Yuletide arrives. I'm not bothered by spoilers if there are character or backstory details from those you want to include, just bear in mind that I won't have the canon knowledge to follow anything that relies on heavily referencing events from season five.
- I also requested this fandom in Casefic Exchange, and you're welcome to use any prompts from that letter as well.
- I wrote a canon promo for this fandom here.
The Brokenwood Mysteries
Characters:
- Mike Shepherd
- Kristin Sims
Request:
Requesting the central detective duo here, but very happy to have any of the rest of the cast along for the ride too! Both stories set in the Breen or the Chalmers era work for me. I love the laid-back humour and warmth of the show and would be equally happy to get a lighter, more upbeat story or one that delves into more serious themes and darker elements.
Some ideas:
* Kristin taking the lead on a case that Mike has to sit out due to some kind of personal connection.
* The two of them stuck in Mike's car on a stakeout or roadtrip, or a breakdown in the middle of nowhere.
* A hurt/comfort type situation with Kristin injured on a case and Mike being the one to help her out.
* Hanging out together outside work. Maybe they cross paths at a local event where there's no murder for once.
* A slow week at work where they end up investigating only trivial petty crimes. Or is there more to it?
* Mike going missing and Kristin on the case to find him. Is he in trouble, or is there an innocent explanation?
* Supernatural elements! I'd love a story that goes somewhere with Mike's low-key habit of talking to the dead.
Shipping:
- I love Mike and Kristin's growing friendship over the course of the series and would be very happy with gen, but am also open to fic that takes their relationship in a more shippy direction, or even some kind of near-miss situation where they almost go there but choose to back off from it. I would also be up for elements of Mike/Jared Morehu, past or present Mike/Simon Hughes, or Kristin/Kahu Taylor. I'm fine with Gina's crush on Mike featuring as well, but would prefer that it's not used solely for embarrassment-based humour.
Do Not Want:
* AUs which change the setting. (Canon divergence AUs where characters make different choices and events play out differently are fine.)
* Soulmates, omegaverse or daemon AUs.
Additional Notes:
- I started watching this show right before nominations and fell for it hard enough that I immediately had to add it to my requests. I haven't quite had time to make it through all the seasons, but I've tried to give more general prompts that hopefully shouldn't clash too much with any events from later episodes I haven't seen. In any case I should be caught up long before reveals, so no need to worry about spoilers. (ETA: Now all caught up and loved it all the way through! So please have no worries about including any later-season characters or plotlines if you want.)
- I love the show's small town vibe with all the recurring characters who keep popping up across different cases. I'd be happy to see any of them included if you want, but some particular personal faves are Neil Bloom the gay pharmacist, Dennis Buchanan the ethically questionable lawyer, Mrs Marlowe and her thirst for salacious gossip, and the Ray and Trudy double act.