AU Generator
Alternate universe ideas for your ship: a setting, a role for each character, a hook and a twist. Instant, and endlessly rerollable.
Character A is the barista who spells names wrong on purpose. Character B is the regular with a ridiculous order.
One works the counter; the other orders something absurd every day just to see them.
Twist: but one of them is hiding an injury.
Alternate universe ideas
| AU | Hook | Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Shop AU | One works the counter; the other orders something absurd every day just to see them. | the barista who spells names wrong on purpose × the regular with a ridiculous order |
| Soulmate AU | The first words your soulmate will say to you are written on your wrist. Theirs were an insult. | the one whose mark is an insult × the one who said it |
| Fantasy AU | A kingdom, a quest, and a companion nobody asked for. | the knight sworn to a lost cause × the thief hired to guide them |
| College AU | Assigned roommates with opposite sleep schedules and one shared thesis deadline. | the 6am runner × the 3am essay writer |
| Royalty AU | An heir with a wedding in three weeks and the one person who can stop it. | the reluctant heir × the new royal guard |
| Mafia AU | Two rival families, one neutral restaurant, and a truce that's about to break. | the heir who wants out × the enforcer sent to keep them in |
| Space AU | A salvage ship picks up an escape pod with one very unwelcome passenger. | the captain with debts × the stowaway with a bounty |
| Hogwarts AU | Sorted into rival houses and paired for a year-long potions project. | the rule-follower × the one who blows up cauldrons |
| Florist × Tattoo Artist AU | Neighbouring shops, a shared wall, and a customer who wants the same flower in both. | the florist × the tattoo artist next door |
| Mythology AU | A god bound to answer one mortal's prayers — and the mortal keeps praying for small, silly things. | the minor god × the persistent mortal |
| Zombie Apocalypse AU | Strangers sharing one safehouse, one car and one working radio. | the medic × the scavenger |
| Regency AU | A season of balls, a scandalous rumour, and a fake engagement to survive it. | the wallflower with a sharp tongue × the heir everyone is chasing |
| Band AU | Rival bands booked on the same tour bus for six weeks. | the lead singer × the rival band's bassist |
| Detective AU | A cold case reopens, and the only witness is the detective's ex-partner. | the detective × the witness who knows too much |
| Ghost AU | One of them moves into a flat already occupied by the other — who has been dead for a century. | the new tenant × the ghost |
More tools in the kit
- Fanfic generatorDraft a full scene for any fandom and ship.
- Headcanon generatorCharacter-specific headcanons with reasons.
- Relationship headcanonsHow your ship acts together, with scene sparks.
- Scenario generator"How would they react if…" for any cast.
- Ship name generatorBlend two names into a portmanteau.
- Prompt generatorTrope + setting + twist, plus a daily prompt.
- Incorrect quotesChaotic Tumblr-style quotes for 1–6 characters.
- Dialogue studioVoice-true dialogue scenes on demand.
- Ship dynamicsThe classic dynamics and a ship analyser.
- OC generatorOriginal characters without Mary Sue traits.
- Backstory generatorThe wound, the lie and the secrets.
- OTP & angst prompt listsOTP, angst, fluff, dialogue and enemies-to-lovers prompts.
- Trope glossaryWhat the AO3 tags actually mean.
- Title generatorTitles that sound like fic, not a textbook.
- AO3 formatterPaste your draft, get clean AO3 HTML.
Questions writers ask
What does AU mean in fanfiction?
AU stands for alternate universe: a fic that takes canon characters and puts them in a different setting or circumstances — a coffee shop, a fantasy kingdom, a world where they never met. "Canon divergence" is a lighter AU where only one event changes.
What are the most popular AUs?
Coffee shop, soulmate, modern, college, royalty and fantasy AUs are long-standing favourites across fandoms, and "Alternate Universe - Coffee Shops & Cafés" is one of AO3's best-known tags.
How do I tag an AU on AO3?
AO3 has canonical tags in the form "Alternate Universe - [Setting]", such as "Alternate Universe - Modern Setting" or "Alternate Universe - Soulmates". Start typing "Alternate Universe" in the Additional Tags box and pick the closest match.
How do I keep characters in character in an AU?
Translate, don't transplant. Ask what each character's canon role would be in the new world — the strategist becomes the café manager, the rival becomes the shop across the street — and keep their core wants and flaws.