Rare Male Slash Exchange 2023: Dear Author Letter

Dear Author, 

 

I’m so happy we matched on one of my requested fandoms (or that you are writing me a treat)! 
 

In general, I am open to everything from G-rated to E-rated stories, and I will specify preferences and DNWs within each fandom below. 

 

David Blaize: Frank / OC or Frank / Hugh 

 

I adore Frank’s enthusiasm for his academic interests and his whimsical sense of humor, and I really felt for him as he struggled with feelings of guilt and shame over his sexual urges. I was disappointed that he ultimately decides to renounce the physical aspects of his queer desire after learning about Hugh’s expulsion.

I like to imagine a future where he finds happiness with someone who accepts and shares his need for physical intimacy. So I’d love to read a post-canon story about Frank moving on from David and finding a fulfilling romantic relationship with someone new. In general, I love stories about characters learning to love and accept themselves as they learn to love their partners. As for who this new partner is, I am open to Frank / Original Character or Frank/Hugh! This prompt kind of lends itself to a classic meet-cute & getting-together fic, but I will be equally excited and intrigued if you decide to start with an established Frank/OC or Frank/Hugh relationship and go from there!

 

DNW: Focusing on relationships that are not the Frank / OC or Frank / Hugh. Character death for Frank and his new partner.

 

The Charioteer: Laurie / Ralph

 

I am in love with their love ❤️. For this pairing, I’m most interested in stories that explore Ralph and Laurie’s lives after the novel. I’d love to see Laurie “take the lead” in their relationship in some way, take care of Ralph, dote on him, and make him feel loved. 

I’m also a big fan of canon-divergent AUs, magical realism, and the incorporation of fantasy and fairy tale elements into stories set in the “real” world, so if that also strikes your fancy, I’d love to read it! 

And finally, I really enjoy the way Ralph and Laurie work together as a team, and I’d love to see that dynamic explored in the context of them navigating the queer scene as a couple.

 

DNW: Fics that primarily focus on other characters and ships besides Ralph and Laurie, breaking up Ralph and Laurie, post-canon fics where Laurie wavers in his commitment to Ralph, post-canon fics where Laurie is less enthusiastic about their relationship than Ralph. 

 

Peter Pan: Peter Pan / Captain Hook

I am fascinated by the idea that Captain Hook became Peter Pan's enemy because Peter allowed it, because he wanted it this way. I am interested in stories that explore the the darker, inhuman aspects of Pan’s character and his role in Neverland. I am intrigued by this line from the novel: 

“The boys on the island vary, of course, in numbers, according as they get killed and so on; and when they seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter thins them out” 

Grown ups are not allowed in Neverland, and Pan has quite some power over this realm. Perhaps he lets Hook stay in Neverland because he loves him, in his own way? Perhaps Hook was a former lost boy? And perhaps Hook chooses to remain in Neverland because he loves Pan? 

 

DNW: Fics that primarily focus on other characters and ships besides Peter Pan and Captain Hook, character death for Peter Pan and Captain Hook. 

 

Dancing with the Lion: Alexandros / Hephaestion 

Jeanne Reames’ two part series stops just after Philippos is assassinated and Alexandros is declared king. I would love to read fanfic that takes place anytime in the period between the end of the second novel and Alexandros’ invasion of Persia. (But if you are itching to write something that takes place post Persia invasion, go head! I will still be excited and eager to read it!) 

I particularly adore the characterization of Hephaestion in this series —aloof, cat-like temperament, deeply loyal to his loved ones, but stings like a scorpion when crossed. I also enjoy his atheism and his nonconforming attitudes towards sexuality and romantic partnership. I’d love to read a story about the way Hephaestion and Alexandros navigate their relationship and personal identities as they enter their 20s and age out of the “socially appropriate” age-group for having a romantic relationship with each other. 

 

DNW: Fics that primarily focus on other characters and ships besides Alexandros and Hephaestion. I know the characters are canonically polyamorous in the novel, but I prefer to read stories that focus on Hephaestion and Alexandros, with very minimal mention of their other lovers. 

 

Arthurian Mythology: Galehaut / Lancelot

This couple is near and dear to my heart! Feel free to draw from any of the source texts for Arthurian mythology. The source text with the most material for this ship is the Lancelot-Grail Cycle. For a more succinct retelling of the Galehaut/Lancelot story, I highly recommend Lancelot and the Lord of the Distant Isles by Patricia Terry and Samuel N. Rosenberg. 

I was deeply moved by Galehaut’s devotion to Lancelot, and the Lancelot-Grail Cycle makes it clear that Lancelot returned his love, mourned him terribly after he died, and wished to be buried next to him in the same grave. Their love was ultimately doomed by Lancelot’s inability to let go of his love and chivalric devotion to Guinevere. Therefore, I would love to read a “fix-it” retelling where Lancelot chooses Galehaut instead of Guinevere. A retelling where Lancelot stays with Galehaut in Sorelais instead of leaving to defend Guinevere's honor. Or a retelling where Lancelot finds Galehaut just in time, just before he drowns in the lake, and they go on to have many adventures together. 

 

DNW: Fics that primarily focus on other characters and ships besides Galehaut / Lancelot. Focusing on Lancelot’s feelings for Guinevere (brief mentions are alright, but the primary focus should be on Lancelot and Galehaut).