Online Writing Aliases

[Thunderstorm]

Dear fellow AWs,

How are you?

Today, I would like to ask your opinions on online writing aliases for the purpose of fan-fiction.

In my spare time when I'm not doing original work, I like to work on fan-fiction. While I'll drop this when I receive my first professional gig, one major plus is I am doing it in script format to hone my craft. It's mainly for fun during down-time, plus I don't have the pressure of original specs. The style isn't anything I can really submit for writing samples, although I am working on a number of specs in various genres to show my writing capabilities.

I would like to post these online to entertain fellow fans, but considering I want to be a screenwriter, would it be wise to write under an alias? I would like to go for a job on a currently running show, but would I be less likely to get an assignment if the Producers see I write fan-fiction based on the show? Would a future employer frown on me if they found out that I previously wrote fan-fiction? Can any good come of posting it under my real name? I mean, I take pride in my work and I want people to know I created these scripts. By the same token, however, I can understand the other side of the argument.

I know it sounds like a stupid question, but I'm genuinely curious on protocol.

Thank you for your time and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,
Thunderstorm

[rainsmom]

I would write fan fiction under an alias.

You do realize, though, that TV-writing jobs are gained via spec scripts of shows currently on the air, not original specs? (Although, annoyingly, you submit specs for shows OTHER than the one you want to work on.)

[clockwork]

Unless your spec script is incredible, no producer is going to go Googling you - they're too busy reading all the other specs that get sent to them. But if your script is incredible, and they Google you and then find your fan fiction... well, the bottom line is that your script is still incredible so you'd have to be noticeably unhinged to put someone off. Everyone has hobbies and as long as you can do the work on time, and to a consistently high quality, nobody's going to care about what you do in your spare time.

Having said that, I'd still probably go with an alias purely because fan fiction can be a touchy subject. Some people encourage it, some people consider it an illegal derivative work. For that reason (as unlikely an issue as I actually think it would be), I'd still play it safe and use an alias.

[veinglory]

Writing under an alias is only wise. But also limiting your fan works to fandoms that are out of copyright or known to be tolerant.

[Enzo]

Use an alias by all means.
Even though I think writing fanfiction is not a crime - as long as you're not trying to make money out of it - you're better safe than sorry.

[veinglory]

Use an alias by all means.
Even though I think writing fanfiction is not a crime - as long as you're not trying to make money out of it - you're better safe than sorry.

The idea that copyright and trademark infringement is only a crime when you profit from it is simply not true. The problem occurs at the point of distribution, which may be for free or at cost.