Dear Author_Yuletide 2025

[claire_cz]

Dear Author, thank you so much for writing a story for me.

You can find me as Claire_cz on AO3.

Here’s a list of my general likes, DNWs, some prompts for individual requests and finally, I talk about the mini-challenges I participate in ;)

The first thing I’d like to point out is: I love the atmosphere of the requested shows/books. I love them and I want to have moooore of it, so I usually prefer the canon-verse or some smaller (or bigger) canon divergence over a totally alternate universe (unless stated otherwise).

I went all in with crime novels and crime series this year and I do love casefics but I also love friendship fics, fluff, humor, future fics and hurt/comfort… I really love hurt/comfort and will squeal in joy at whatever mention of it ;)

I have to admit that I’m not really much into romance - as the main focus of the fic. But please don’t worry ‘I can’t mention A’s parents because they are married’ or ‘Can I say that after solving the case they’ll finally enjoy the date night?’ - Yes, absolutely, that’s fine. Background romance is fine. I just prefer the fic to be also about something else.

Under every request I’ve added my favourite friendships (and relationships), sometimes even including characters who are not in the tagset so feel free to ignore them.

Though there are some romantic ships and I’d like to clarify that I don’t need romance and kisses in every paragraph of the fic. I’d love to know that my beloved characters are in a relationship or are trying to get together but feel free to focus more on my other general likes and genres and tropes and just add this new layer of two characters being in a relationship in smaller measures.

Treats are enabled and welcome ;)

I never see it as a problem in letters of other people so I have never mentioned it but the varying length dedicated to individual requests and the varying number of prompts do not mean I like some fandoms less. I love them all. These are the eight most favourite ones that made it on the list! ;) For some it’s just easy to say: I love canon, please give me more; and elsewhere I have lots of thoughts (looking at you, SEAL Team producers).

General likes:

In case you’d like to dive really deep into alllll my likes, here’s a Master List I’ve compiled. It’s really really long though, feel free to read just some sections of it or skip it altogether.

Otherwise here is a shorter version of my general likes:

• 
  canon verse
• missing scenes
• prequel/sequel of a canon scene
• fix-it

• 5 + 1
• case fics
• character studies
• domestic fics
• epistolary
• fluff
• friends to lovers
• friendship fics
• future fics (future of the respective show/book)
• gen fics
• getting together
• humour
• hurt/comfort (mostly physical hurt – preferably from injuries)
• slowburn

• cooking together
• dancing together
• dark academia
• late night walks
• lazy mornings
• linguistics
• massage (nothing s*xual, just a massage)
• road trips
• slice of life
• taking care of cats together
• trapped in an elevator together

• happy endings
• open endings
• second and third person POV
• unusual narrator
• lots of descriptions of the surroundings and atmosphere
• multiple timelines

DNWs:

• Alzheimer’s, cancer and coronavirus related themes
• death of any requested character (even if it's canon, unless stated otherwise)
• downright unhappy endings
• E rated fics
• excessive unnecessary violence (i.e. way over what is usual for a given show/book)
• kid fics (i.e. focus on an original or canon child character, pregnancy and parenthood - doesn’t apply to Enola Holmes Series and Murder Most Unladylike Series, the requested characters are teenagers)
• mentioning body parts typically involved in sexual activities, especially c**k (mentioning “butt” or “breasts” in non-sexual context is ok)
• omegaverse and mpreg
• permanent brain damage
• purely emotional hurt/comfort
• romantic relationships involving three or more people (even in case I request A/B and A/C I really don't want A/B/C. Please pick only one relationship unless the prompts and/or freeforms suggest I am ok with one of the characters cheating or one couple [A/B] breaking up and establishing of another couple [A/C]. Even in these cases, though, no threesomes)
• royal/high school/historic/sci-fi AUs
• sexual content (cuddling and kissing “on screen” is ok)
• supernatural elements, magical realism, fairies, ghosts and anything connected to magic in real world canons especially in casefics
  (these are real world canons for a reason ;) I LOVE casefics where the reader can play along and where it’s possible to find out/guess the solution based on presented evidence, dialogues, common sense and knowledge of the real world without resorting to some magical happenings)

1) Columbo

Requested characters: Lieutenant Columbo

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags (if 0: any from tag set)

Feel free to add other canon or original characters.

Favourite constellations:

Solo: Lieutenant Columbo

—----------

Columbo & Original Male Character, Columbo & Original Female Character, Columbo/OMC, Columbo/OFC, Columbo/Mrs. Columbo

What I love about the series:

I like the slow pace, the fact that there’s usually only one murder to investigate and it’s not a bloodbath. I love the first half an hour when the criminal prepares the crime. And then of course I love everything about Columbo - the “just one more thing”, the way he so casually talks with the suspects and collects more pieces of information than he lets on, the Dog, his unseen wife…

Prompts:

• A case-fic - up to you if it will be a classical whodunit or more in style of Columbo where we’ll know from the start who did it and will follow Columbo who’ll have to discover it, too.
• Something about Columbo’s Italian heritage. Maybe he’s in Italy on vacation. Maybe, something happens there wink wink (Also, I absolutely love Italy and Italian language and culture and just everything Italian.)
• We are used to the fact that in TV series there are usually two detectives (and a whole team) investigating together. For Columbo in canon it wouldn’t work that well as the focus is on his discussions with the murderers buuuut I’d love to see Columbo with a colleague. Maybe they are new and Columbo is explaining to them his methods or maybe it’s someone Columbo met years ago…
• Mrs. Columbo. I’d love to get to know more about her. Maybe about the time she and Columbo met. Or maybe she’s involved in a case now, maybe investigating it along with Columbo.
• It could be also interesting to get Columbo a new love interest because we’ve heard so much about her even though we haven’t seen her, so it would be interesting to follow another relationship (up to you what you do with Mrs. Columbo)

2) Enola Holmes Series - Nancy Springer

Requested characters: Enola Holmes, Sherlock Holmes

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags (if 0: any from tag set)

Feel free to add other canon or original characters.

My DNW about kidfic doesn’t apply here.

Fandom specific DNW: focus on Cecily Alistair

Favourite constellations:

Enola & Sherlock

—----------

Enola & Sherlock & Mycroft, Enola & Sherlock & Watson, Enola & Sherlock & Mycroft & Watson, Enola & Sherlock/Watson

What I love about the books:

I love YA detective books with clever girls who just want to solve mysteries and annoying adults who think that maybe they shouldn’t ;) It’s not only Enola, it’s Flavia de Luce series, W + W: The Murder Most Unladylike series, Myrtle Hardcastle mysteries… I love the descriptions of London back at the time, the real personalities Enola met, and of course Sherlock. I like the books where she didn’t have to hide from him anymore and they even tentatively cooperated.

Prompts:

• Case fic! I have to admit that some of the mysteries felt a bit too easy (as in, they focused on ‘how can I as a child do this thing that adults would do in five minutes’ instead of ‘real’ investigation. And I’d love to see Enola investigating without these hurdles. Maybe it’s easier now because she can cooperate with Sherlock.
• Sherlock and Enola are both masters of disguise. Why are they doing it now? Are they investigating or is it a game?
• In case you’ve read some Sherlock Holmes mysteries - what if Enola were involved in the investigation, too?
• Enola preparing a lecture for the ladies from the Professional Women’s Club
• Enola and Sherlock travelling in Europe (and maybe investigating a case)

3) Judge Dee Mysteries - Robert van Gulik

Requested characters: Dee Jen-djieh; Tao Gan; Ma Joong; Chiao Tai

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags; or it may use exceptions I explain in the form: I’d like the fic to feature Judge Dee and if possible at least one of the other nominated characters.

Feel free to add other canon or original characters.

If mentioned or featured I'd prefer Sergeant Hoong Liang to be alive.

Fandom specific DNW: romantic relationships between any of the nominated characters (ie. background Dee/his wives is ok, Ma Joong/OC etc. is ok)

What I love about the books:

I really like these classical, old-school crime novels (Poirot, Miss Marple, Maigret…). The plot is calmer, it doesn’t mean that nothing happens though; Judge Dee books are quite full of action, but the narration is calmer, the plot is cleverly thought-through. In addition, in these books there is a lot of information about Chinese culture, history, way of life, art and objects of everyday life. I especially like all the information about tea drinking.

Prompts:

• I’ve read all the books (and I mean books by Robert van Gulik not “books” written by Frederick Lenormand) so any prequel/sequel/missing scene/continuation would be great.
• Case fic! These books are so clearly focused on crime solving that I can’t come up with any other prompt...
• A story told from one of the nominated character’s POV (or the First Lady’s POV)
• I don’t have any deep knowledge about Chinese culture (so don’t worry too much about absolute accuracy) but I’m always happy to learn new things, so anything with Judge Dee and Chinese culture, habits, art, history… would be great!
• A story where Judge Dee goes on vacation (with his family?) or just travels somewhere and surprisingly no crime happens. What does he do when he’s not investigating?
• Ma Joong, Tao Gan and Chiao Tai save the day thanks to the unique knowledge and capabilities of each of them. I especially like the clever conman Tao Gan.
• Ma Joong & Chiao Tai’s strong friendship. Will it help them while solving a case? Will we learn something interesting about them?

4) Murder Most Unladylike Series - Robin Stevens

Requested characters: Daisy Wells, Hazel Wong

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags (if 0: any from tag set)

Feel free to add other canon or original characters, I love them aaaaaalllll! Bertie, George, Alex, Kitty, Lavinia, Beanie, May, Lucy, Felix…

My DNWs about kidfic and parenthood don’t apply here.

Fandom specific DNW: focus on Hazel's romantic relationships (background Daisy/Amina or Daisy/OFC are welcome.)

What I love about the books:

I may not be the target audience but I love it anyway! I love Agatha Christie, I love Enid Blyton and I love murder mysteries and this series feels like reading Agatha Christie’s and Enid Blyton’s books combined! Agatha’s clever mysteries, murder investigations but with Enid Blyton’s children detectives and their problems with annoying grown-ups who don’t want to listen to them :) I love the cozy feelings, the friendship, the atmosphere of the 1930s, the descriptions of a boarding school… The W+W universe is so lovely and I want to teletransport there. It’s the best series I’ve ever read. And I’ve also started reading the following series (that concentrates on Hazel’s sister), so far I’ve read the first book.

Prompts:

• Murder mystery. That’s what the young ladies do the best.
• Future fic: what are they doing in their grown-up life? (there are some hints in the following series, The Ministry of Unladylike Activity, feel free to imagine whatever you want whether you’ve read this book or not)
• Friendship fic - with or without including the Young Pinkertons.
• Just in case you’ve read some of Agatha Christie’s books (Marple, Poirot, Tommy & Tuppence) or Enid Blyton’s books about the Five Find-outers with Fatty: I’d love to see any crossover with either of the books.
• Hazel and Daisy (and other characters) solving a case somewhere during their travels. I’d also love to know why they are in this or that city/country. (Did Mr. Wong take them to Italy because they should get to know the art or are they somewhere with the whole class or are they a bit more grown-up and travelling by themselves?)
• Anything in style of the canon because I love the canon as it is so so so much and I just want mooooore.
• Daisy and Hazel writing letters to each other; sneak peek into their “mission reports”

5) SEAL Team (TV)

Requested characters: Clay Spenser; Jason Hayes; Sonny Quinn; Brian Armstrong

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags; or it may use exceptions I explain in the form: I'd like the fic to feature Clay and if possible at least one of the other three characters (Sonny, Brian, Jason).

Feel free to add other canon characters like Stella, Blackburn, Davis, Omar, Brock, Trent, Naima… or OCs.

Favourite constellations:

Clay & Sonny; Clay & Jason; Clay & Brian; Clay/Brian; Clay/Sonny; Clay/Jason; Clay & Sonny & Jason; Clay/Sonny & Jason; Clay/Jason & Sonny….

In case of Sonny/Clay, Brian/Clay and Jason/Clay, I wouldn’t want Clay to be cheating on Stella. I’d prefer Stella just out of the picture altogether or Stella just being friends with Clay and never dating him or being a friendly ex-girlfriend

Fandom specific DNW: Clay's death, any references to Clay's death; mentioning the vet centre; focus on canon storylines about traumatic brain injury; focus on Full Metal, Vic, Emma, Rebecca; making Ash more of a negative character than in canon

For Brian: I’d prefer the fic to be either set before his death or canon divergence ignoring his death or fix-it where he survives but is injured…

What I love about the series:

I love the brotherhood, the absolute trust, the unbreakable bond between the SEALs. The way they are so dedicated to the job and can forget all the troubles and just get the things done.

I love watching these confident men who can just do anything anywhere anytime they want. I like the way they face their problems. I love it when they plan the missions. Everyone weighs in their opinion, they quickly form plans, always have a plan B.

I love Sonny & Clay’s friendship. They are so different and at the first sight, it’s an improbable friendship - and yet they are battle boos.

Season 6 episode 8 never happened T_T. Please use canon up to S06E07. (In case you choose some fix-it scenario then references to 06x08 are ok). I have to admit that I haven’t watched season 7…

Prompts:

• The feeling of brotherhood.
• Clay & Sonny’s friendship. They are so different and at the first sight, it’s an improbable friendship - and yet they are best friends.
• Brian and Clay being in Bravo team together
• The classics: case fic, mission fic, undercover work. I love it when they plan the missions. Everyone weighs in their opinion, they quickly form plans, always have a plan B.
• Or it could be more fluffy and light-hearted here - cooking together, moving in together…
• SEAL Team is more focused on action and executing the orders but how would they fare with investigating a murder mystery?
• And of course so many many hurt/comfort opportunities. What happened? Are they stranded somewhere? Will they get the help needed? (Unsurprisingly, I’d prefer hurt!Clay)
• Injuries from a mission are the most expected but I’d be interested also in other ways how the poor boys could get hurt. In training? Or a “normal” car crash?
• If you’d like to go the Clay/Sonny route, I’m in! Or Clay/Jason route. These fics are so rare T_T
• I loved everything about Manila and Clay’s injury. What if Bravo returned from the Philippines after the bombing and was there for Clay instead of Swanny? Would this bring Clay and Sonny or Clay and Jason closer?
• What if “the very real possibility that your operating days will be over” the doctors kept talking about in 2x18 did happen and Clay couldn’t return to the field?
• Or maybe the Manila injuries are acting up now, on top of everything else.
• What if Brian survived the parachute accident?
• What if Brian’s injury was so severe that he couldn’t return to Bravo? I’d love to see the dynamics now that Clay is injured (after Manila or after Mali).

For Season 6:

• Any of the relationships/friendships under these hard circumstances.
• Clay instructing the Green Team and…. Clay is such an intelligent and capable person that I can’t imagine he’ll be happy yelling at Green team members and ramping up their fitness in the long run. Can you please find something more for him to do? He speaks nine languages wink wink
• Could he be accompanying Bravo on some mission because of his unique language skills? What will this trip cause? Increase his (and Jason’s) desire for him to return to Bravo or will he make his peace with never coming back? What is Sonny's opinion?
• Clay returning to Bravo.
• I have to admit that I have a pretty developed fix-it AU in my mind (and in a WIP series) where Clay returns to Bravo even with a prosthetic leg. It’s the only way I’m able to deal with season 6… and I totally do get it that you might not share this view. So in this case could you please concentrate more on the earlier stages of the rehab and coming to terms with the amputation (like episode 6x2, 6x3, 6x4) instead of long-term career and life plans? (I would prefer fics that wouldn't directly contradict my head-canon in this case)
• Though if you do share this view that Clay returns, I need to know everything about how it goes! I’m all for canon divergence and fix-it fics! I’d LOVE to see Clay become Bravo 1 one day.

6) The Residence (US TV 2025)

Requested characters: Cordelia Cupp

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags (if 0: any from tag set)

Feel free to add other canon or original characters.

What I love about the series:

It’s a rollercoaster of an investigation, such a wild ride. I loved the sneak peeks into the White House. And I loved Cordelia, she’s quirky, she's a genius, she’s independent and doesn’t let anyone tell her what to do. I liked the development of her cooperation with Agent Park.

Prompts:

• Case fic - Cordelia is investigating a new crime (with or without Park)
• Case fic - something has happened in the White House again
• What if A. B. Winter contacted the police before the murder because he felt something wasn’t right. Would Cordelia manage to save him?
• I’d love to know more about Cordelia’s past, family…
• I loved the sneak peeks into Cordelia’s notebooks. What is she writing about now?
• Cordelia is invited into the White House. Why? Is there an event? Does somebody need her help?
• We know she loves birds. What if she has other hobbies she’s equally passionate about? Do they help her somehow while investigating?

7) The Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie

You can find a free e-book on Project Gutenberg.

Requested characters: Anthony Cade, Virginia Revel, Superintendent Battle, Lord Caterham

My gift must feature all of my chosen character tags; or it may use exceptions I explain in the form: I'd like the fic to feature Anthony [and if it fits the story also at least one of the other three characters (Virginia, Battle, Lord Caterham)].

Feel free to add other canon or original characters, eg. Bundle, Jimmy McGrath, George Lomax, Hiram Fish, King Victor, Baron Lolopretjzyl...

Favourite constellations: Solo: Anthony, Anthony/Virginia, Anthony & Virginia & Battle, Anthony & Battle, Anthony/Virginia & Lord Caterham…

What I love about the book:
It's Agatha! ;) I love everything Agatha Christie wrote, this is one of the crime novels without a famous detective and it's - in my opinion - even more exciting. I love novels where a young gentleman accidentally becomes a detective. I also love the way it's narrated, you can't be certain about anything. The suspense! And there are great descriptions of the nobility and the way of life back then.

And the non-existent country of Herzoslovakia (of course borrowing its name a bit from Czechoslovakia) I love it! ;)

Prompts:

• anything in the style of the book - prequel, sequel, missing scene, alternative investigation
• just anything about Anthony ;)
• fic set in the past: What did Anthony exactly do with James in Africa? What adventures was he involved in? Was he involved in some investigations or murder mysteries already in Africa?!
• or, on the other hand, future fic: How's his life with Virginia in Herzoslovakia? Maybe the King and Queen are investigating undercover. Or are they somehow involved with diplomacy, espionage…?
• What if Anthony did in fact know King Victor more closely than presented in the book? Was he trying to catch him in the past or did he work for him? Alongside him?
• Maybe Anthony got quickly bored in Herzoslovakia and is now helping out Mr. Fish. What cases are they working on?
• Or is Anthony helping superintendent Battle? Maybe he’s undercover. Maybe he has to do some favour to Battle so that he lets him go (as not all of Anthony’s actions were strictly by the law, right?)
• Some sort of improbable disaster happened, to Lord Caterham, of course. What is Anthony doing?
• hurt!Anthony, I just love h/c

8) They came to Baghdad - Agatha Christie

Requested characters: Victoria Jones; Mr. Dakin; Henry Carmichael

My gift must feature one or more of my chosen character tags (giver's choice)

Feel free to add other canon or original characters (like Marcus Tio, Crosbie, Anna Scheel, Dr. Pauncefoot Jones, Mrs. Cardew Trench, Richard Baker…)

Fandom specific DNW: Victoria/Richard (feel free to include Richard, Victoria & Richard is very welcome, I just don't want to focus on a romantic relationship).

Note about DNWs: my DNW about death of any requested character doesn’t apply to Carmichael in case you want to follow canon in this aspect, though canon divergence where Carmichael lives is also very welcome ;)

Favourite constellations:

Any requested character solo or any possible & between two or all three requested characters

What I love about the book:
That there are spies! And that it's Agatha! ;) I love everything Agatha Christie wrote, this is one of the crime novels without a famous detective and that makes it even more exciting. I also like the atmosphere of the Middle East. I like the subtle hints through the story, the plot twists, uncertainty, and suspense.

Prompts:

• Casefic, spies, undercover work
• I loved the atmosphere, the mystery and the descriptions of the Middle East in the book and would love the fic to include some descriptions of the locality where your plot takes place. Feel free to set it anywhere in the world! I’m so curious what the characters would do and where!
• Hurt/comfort while undercover (I’d prefer hurt!Carmichael)
• What if Carmichael survived? Maybe the whole story is completely different and he was warned before entering the Tio hotel! Or maybe he’s injured. Canon divergence or AUs are very welcome here.
• Maybe Carmichael gets to recount his dangerous journey through China to discover the evidence in his own words or Mr. Dakin sends him immediately on another mission - with Dakin and/or Victoria at his side.
• Story set in the past. I'd like to know more about Carmichael's life. All the languages he spoke…
• Victoria and Mr. Dakin working together for the second time. What is happening? Are they still in Baghdad or somewhere else?
• Future fic. Twenty years after the events in Baghdad happened Victoria is talking about her adventures since then. What is true and what is her masterful lie? Did she become a spy?

Mini-challenges

MultiLingYule

I've joined MultiLingYule and would be interested in fics in German, Czech or Italian for any requested fandom. I’m aware that all these fandoms are predominantly English but someone might still be inspired by this.

It could be interesting to transport the plot into Czech/German/Italian speaking environment.

It would be so cool to find fellow Czech fan/s. I've just dived directly into English fandoms and fanfic places so I haven't met many Czech fans.

German is my first foreign language, I use it all the time at work and really like the language (especially its structure, word-building possibilities and looooong attributes).
And about Italian ... I'm still learning so some complicated deep thoughts or wordplays could be a bit tricky for me to understand but I'll do my best! I love everything Italian.

Queering the tide

And also, we have Queering the Tide here. I have some M/M prompts in SEAL Team (TV).

Someday my fic will come

I’ve requested SEAL Team three times, this year is the fourth time and haven’t received a gift in this fandom so I’m promoting it in the Someday my fic will come mini-challenge.

Thank you so much for writing a fic for me.