Questions and queries

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

The Supernatural. Had a question how far the non-material can be incorporated into acd_holmesfest works. I've had a think (don't all organise a parade) and reckon that spiritualism, religion in all its guises, ghosts, psychic phenomena, folk myths and legends, fairies and at a stretch vampires (but remember SUSS!) can be included - so long as they aren't the whole story - because all were commonly discussed around Victorian dinner tables - but more "out there" elements which would constitute an AU aren't in the spirit of the fest.

I've made a note in the community profile page, but if unsure about any element you want to include or how far you want to take it, just drop us a line via PM or mods' email and we'll be happy to advise. We want to encourage maximum creativity but also maximum recognisability as ACD-related fanwork.

Comments

[kerravonsen]

(nod nod)
Also consistent with what Doyle himself was interested in, for example, the Cottingley Fairies.

[mistyzeo.livejournal.com]

Mm, I think you will have to define what "out there" means, because I think even a pretty inventive AU can be in the spirit of canon. E.g. Watson is a werewolf, Holmes is a vampire, they fight Victorian crime. Or Watson has a bionic arm. Or Holmes can read minds. I guess those all might technically fall under "myths and legends," but I don't like the notion of limiting how AU something can be before it's "not canon enough for this fest."

I'll stop editing this comment soon.

[stellinia.livejournal.com]

I think that an 'out there' AU would be something that is completely different from the original. For example, do you know Garderhill's pirate AU series? It's where Holmes is the captain of a pirate ship. That wouldn't work because everything is different; the soul is present but nothing else is the same. But then if you take my steampunk story, everything is the same with the addition of technology in the middle Victorian London. Or you could even base the characterization on a different show but in the book verse; for example, writing Holmes the way he's portrayed by Basil Rathbone but without using the movies' events. So altering canon or doing an alternate event would be fine, but completely changing things is not.
I hope this helps. But then again, this is all just my own assumptions; correct me if I'm wrong!

[vernets.livejournal.com]

I kinda agree with Elinor?? Some really heavy and far-fetched AUs can be more faithful to the books through their characterisation and use of canonical elements than in period/universe stories with a clumsy grasp of the characters. I mean, like, how many AUs posted on AO3 are substantially better than “classic” pastiches………… A lot. I would rather read about 221b in space than suffer through a mischaracterised Watson hunting down Sherlock “Jack the Ripper” Holmes. I understand and respect your choice, which does not affect me since I like my H&W flatfooted upon the ground, but I think it is a very thin line which could also be drawn where the supernatural is not in question.

[mistyzeo.livejournal.com]

I just think it's pretty unfair to police what is an acceptable AU. I personally think an Omegaverse canon fic would be fucking amazing and if anyone asked for it I would be shouting the house down to write it for them. Imagine the complications that kind of biological nonsense would do to Victorian sensibilities.

My point is, just because something is an AU doesn't mean it's not true to the spirit of the canon or the fest. You've basically just eliminated all opportunities for sci-fi/fantasy elements, crossovers, or genderswap, to name a few, by demanding that it be only "want of a nail" AUs.

[tweedisgood.livejournal.com]

Have pm'd you.

[capt-facepalm.livejournal.com]

Perhaps we can have one of our sister comms host an ACD-AU Extravaganza fest!

(I'm looking at you, Watson's Woes)