Mira Mira off the wall...

Dear Yuletide Author,

Apologies if this message is still here by the time matchups go out; I managed to lose track of the fact signups would be ending while I was traveling, and trying to type this on a phone is not working out so well. I’ll be reunited with my computer the evening of the 22nd (Eastern time), and promise to have the real deal up shortly thereafter. In the interim, please feel free to check out past letters; there should be at least one or two overlaps in fandoms, and my general likes/DNWs remain fairly consistent from year to year and exchange to exchange. Thanks for your patience and understanding, and I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

- Mira

Hi! Thanks for writing for me. I'll try to keep this as simple as possible, so let's dive right in, shall we?

( Likes and Dislikes )

Okay, on to prompts. Please don't get too stressed about trying to fulfill the optional details; I'm more concerned that you enjoy the writing process. (Also, just FYI, if you matched on one of the books and that's not working out, 17776 and Roundtable Rival don't take much time to review.) Good luck, and I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

( 17776: What Football Will Look Like in the Future - Jon Bois )

( The Bone Clocks - David Mitchell )

( The Long Earth Series - Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter )

( Roundtable Rival - Lindsey Stirling )

( Shades of Magic - V.E. Schwab )

( The Years of Rice and Salt - Kim Stanley Robinson )

Hi! Thanks for writing for me (and these prompts are geared toward writers, though if you're treating and see something that you'd like to portray in a different medium, go for it). I'm really excited about the theme for this exchange, and I hope you are, too.

As a general rule for this fest, I'm not looking for fluff in my familial interactions. That's not to say I want angstfests or total dysfunction, either, although certain families and scenarios are definitely further down that end of the spectrum (*cough*Lannisters*cough*). Rather, I reject Tolstoy's axiom that the world consists only of boring happy families and unhappy ones: even the best relationship has its own complexities and challenges and disagreements, and I'd like to see those explored whether they're resolved by the end of the story or not. Or if you're looking for a more positive spin, give the characters a task that will require bringing their individual strengths together to complete.

( Additional Likes and Do Not Wants )

All right! On to prompts, which are listed in alphabetical order, and include any canon-specific notes where appropriate. Please don't take the relative length of my ramblings as evidence of how much I want something; if I have less to say about a canon, that's because I'm just genuinely eager to read anything from it and/or lack the ability to put my own thoughts about it into words (which is why I need you). Have fun, and I'm looking forward to reading!

( Buffy the Vampire Slayer )

( Chronicles of Chrestomanci )

( Chronicles of Narnia )

( Dragon Age )

( Ender's Game series )

( Game of Thrones )

( Little Women )

( Hamilton )

( Harry Potter )

( Steven Universe )

Hi! I hope this letter doesn't come across as too overwhelming and/or picky: I love crossovers (whether of the more traditional kind or fusions), I love this fest, and I'm looking forward to seeing whatever you write.

( General Likes. Do Not Wants, etc. )

Phew. Okay, on to the actual nominations. Please don't take the relative amount of detail or number of prompts for a particular canon or section as a sign of how much I want something, and remember that optional details are optional; I'm brainstorming as much for myself as for you. If you still need additional inspiration, feel free to check out past years' letters. Above all, have fun!

( Buffy, Discworld, Dragon Age, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Young Wizards )

( Doctor Who, MCU, Quantum Leap, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, TNG, and Voyager )

( Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Galavant, Hamilton )

( Avatar: the Last Airbender, Deep Space Nine, Ender Series, Game of Thrones, Hamilton )

Hi! Thanks for writing for me (and sorry for the wait on the letter). I've loved Trick or Treat, and hopefully this will be just as fun.

Things I like in general include plot (whether elaborate or introspective), witty dialogue, humor, worldbuilding, minor characters getting a chance to shine, and situations and choices that aren't always easy or straightforward to navigate. In terms of relationship dynamics, nothing makes me happier than pairings accomplishing stuff together. I'm particularly fond of battle/investigation/training scenarios, but a quieter project or sorting through a relationship problem will do just as well in a pinch. "How we got together" stories are also great, as are opportunities to fill in missing moments or pick up where canon leaves off. And shortfic is great, so please don't feel like you have to write more than the minimum if that seems like a logical stopping point.

In terms of sex, I won't miss it if you want to keep things G-rated; if you do decide to include it, I'd prefer for it to be part of the story as opposed to the story itself. My kinks don't typically go much past light bondage, but I do like seeing magic users getting creative with their powers in terms of restraints or interesting sensations, or couples getting to swap bodies. Awkward first times are also good, whether or not they're followed up with a better second try. I'm really not a fan of noncon (if it's part of a character's canonical backstory, alluding to the fact it happened is fine), bodily fluids not typically associated with sex, or improbable biology like a/b/o or tentacles. And if you need to get a canonical love interest out of the way (which shouldn't be an issue with most of these pairings), please do so respectfully.

My one, absolute do not want is unrelenting darkfic and graphic torture of the kind that systematically breaks a character apart and leaves them broken. People can die, and stories don't have to end happily, but I'd like any suffering the characters go through to have some kind of purpose behind it beyond just watching them suffer.

Okay, on to fandoms and pairing-specific suggestions. Please don't take relative length as a sign of my enthusiasm level; if it's here, I promise I'll love it. Feel free to look through past letters for other ideas and potential crossovers with fandoms not listed here as well. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!

( Dragon Age )

( DC Animated Universe )

( Vorkosigan Saga )

( Young Wizards )

( Chronicles of Chrestomanci )

( Steven Universe )

Hi! Thanks for writing for me. This was a really fun exchange last year, and I'm betting this year will be even better.

I hope the prompts have given you some inspiration already. But if you need more ideas or guidance, my general likes include plot (whether elaborate or introspective), dialogue, humor, worldbuilding, minor characters getting a chance to shine, and situations that aren't always easy or straightforward to navigate. If that feels like too much to cram into 300 words, then pick what speaks to you. I am completely open to Halloween or autumn-themed stories, but if you'd rather not go in that direction, that's equally fine. And please, please do not stress about giving me more than the minimum if that feels like the logical stopping point. Shortfic is awesome. I am very much in favor of there being more of it.

If most of my prompts seem slanted toward gen, it's because that tends to be my default preference, though I've tried to provide a little more guidance on ships in the individual fandom notes. As a general rule, I prefer het and femslash to slash, and awkward sex that helps move the story along in some way to porn without plot. I'm not a fan of noncon (if it's part of a character's canonical backstory, alluding to the fact it happened is fine), bodily fluids not typically associated with sex, or improbable biology like mpreg or tentacles unless it's played for laughs in a mad science-type setting.

My one, absolute do not want is unrelenting darkfic and graphic torture of the kind that systematically breaks a character apart and leaves them broken. People can die, and stories don't have to end happily, but I'd like any suffering the characters go through to have some kind of purpose behind it beyond just watching them suffer.

Okay, enough preamble. On with the fandoms. Please don't take any discrepancy in prompt length or detail as a sign of how much I do or don't want a particular fandom; if it's here, I promise I'll love it. And feel free to look back through other letters for additional ideas, or fandoms that aren't here if you're looking for inspiration for crossovers and cameos. Happy writing, and happy Halloween!

( Dumbing of Age )

( Bad Machinery )

( Gunnerkrigg Court )

( Justice League/Justice League Unlimited )

( Steven Universe )

( Dragon Age: Inquisition )

( Dragon Age II )

( Young Wizards )

( Girl Genius )

( Exchange Mod RPF )

Hi! This should be fun; it's been a while since I did a pairing-focused exchange, and even longer since I did one where I got to pick the pairings.

Normally this is the part where I'd encourage you to take a look at my other letters for likes and dislikes, but most of those lead off with "gen is awesome!" So I figured I'd try something a little different this time:

( Likes, Dislikes, and Do Not Wants )

Okay, that out of the way, on to specific fandoms and ships. Please don't take relative length or number of prompts as a sign of how much I want a particular pairing: if it's here, I promise I'm eager to read about it. Good luck, and I really, really hope I haven't made this too overwhelming. The important thing for me is that you have a good time writing.

( Discworld )

( Dragon Age )

( Gunnerkrigg Court )

( Harry Potter )

( Steven Universe )

Hi! Thanks for writing for me. Feel free to poke around my journal; there are plenty of other letters here to choose from to give you an idea of my likes and dislikes.

As you may have gathered from my song selections, I tend to be drawn to plot and characters over more impressionistic material. I also like dialogue, using humor to lighten the mood, little worldbuilding details, and protagonists who have to make difficult choices. I'm particularly fond of sci-fi and fantasy scenarios, though that's very much an "optional details are optional." I also like crossovers, so if you want to mash up my requests and send the couple from "The Way" to the Hotel California or something like that, go for it. Or not. Entirely your call.

In terms of romance, I will never have a problem with a gen story, and I tend to prefer het or femslash over slash or poly arrangements. If you're going to include any sex scenes, I'd like them to be part of a larger narrative rather than the entire point of the story, and I'll take awkward or imperfect encounters over something that's hot but could feature any two characters banging as opposed to these particular characters any day. I'd also like to keep things between consenting adults, or at least keep any graphic details offscreen and preferably relegated to backstory.

My one firm do not want is graphic description of torture, especially if that torture comprises the bulk of the story. That doesn't mean bad things can't happen, or that there has to be a happy ending, but I'd like there to be a purpose to any suffering the characters go through beyond simply seeing what more you can put them through.

Okay, on to the prompts. Please don't take length as an indication of my relative enthusiasm for these songs: if it's on here, I promise I'm excited to see what you come up with. Have fun, and I look forward to reading!

( prompts )

Dear Yuletide Writer,

Hi!  I may have gotten a tiny bit carried away with the length on this, so let's jump straight in, shall we?

In terms of my general preferences, I like prequels, sequels, and fleshing out anecdotes from canon into fully-fledged stories, or turning quick glimpses of places we don't get to visit into a backdrop for adventure, intrigue, or exploration.  I appreciate humor of both the light and dark variety, particularly when it comes in the form of snarky dialogue.  I enjoy heroes who are forced to make difficult decisions, villains who are utterly convinced their cause is just, and outsiders who aren't afraid to interject a little blue and orange morality.  Above all, I like plot: it can be of the introspective rather than the action-packed variety, but something should change for the characters by the time the story ends.

I'm also fond of crossovers and really interested in connections between a creator's different works, whether they're made explicit or just seem like they'd fit together.  You'll find that several of these prompts contain ideas along those lines, but please don't feel obligated to force those elements into the story or make them a major part of the plot rather than quick allusions if they don't inspire you.  I think (and hope) the fandoms I've picked offer enough to work with on their own.

I will never, ever be disappointed with a gen story, but there are a smattering of shippy ideas in the suggestions below.  Similarly, I won't mind if you decide not to include any sex scenes - but if you do, I'd like them to serve as a means of advancing the plot, or adding layers of characterization, or providing a bit of comic relief, rather than taking up the entire focus of the story.  I prefer to keep canon relationships intact, and unless otherwise noted, am more interested in het or femslash than slash or threesomes/moresomes if you're looking to partner up unattached characters of unspecified sexuality or introduce OC love interests.  My kinks don't extend much past bondage of the sort involving blindfolds and scarves as restraints (unless these are characters who have canonically been known to switch gender just for the fun of it, and even then I'd like them to retain humanoid form), and I ask that all relationships depicted involve enthusiastically consenting adults who are not related to each other.

Apart from the above caveats, my biggest "do not want" in any kind of fic is graphic, drawn-out torture, or anything that results in characters being left as shells of their former selves.  I'm fine with end of the world scenarios, or character death, or less-than-happy endings, but I'd like everyone to go down fighting or for the survivors to soldier on with some hope that things will be better eventually.

I think that covers everything...except fandom details, of course, which are provided below.  If you still have questions or need additional inspiration, feel free to take a look at the many, many other letters lying around this journal, some of which contain repeats for some of these fandoms.  Good luck, and have fun!

( Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell )

( Foreigner Series - C.J. Cherryh )

( The Long Earth Series - Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter )

( Narbonic )

 So I realize I've been terrible about updating about gifts I've received for various exchanges (sorry, pie_is_good; Gabrielle the Potential was a terrific idea!), but my Fic Corner gift's falling victim to the dreaded AO3 indexing issue, and I'd hate for it to get overlooked, because it's great:

Spaceman Spiff and the Redoubtable Scientist, by redsnake05.  Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes) and Susie Derkins gen, but shippable without too much squinting if that's your thing.  Totally quick read, and tons of fun.