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Fanfiction just went legit.
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No, I think those are the authors who have been commissioned to write fanfic for the launch of the programme.
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Whoops, you're right! Edited that out so I'm not spreading false info. Huh, seems much more limited that way... but I suppose they'll be expanding soon.
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In a sense, it's a win for these entertainment companies. Most fanfic writers aren't the greatest writers (no offense, I was one in the early days) so nothing is going to outsell the original material. They are receiving proceeds for just being the licensing holder. And fans will only go deeper into their product's worlds by reading fanfic.
Who knows if this'll work out or not.
Who knows if this'll work out or not.
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It doesn't seem right to me either. But it's going to change things. People will want to see if they can make money at it. And even if some fandoms/parts of fandom resist the lure of Amazon, a lot won't.
There's nothing legitimate about Amazon. It's the worst thing that's happened to writers, and readers, in my lifetime.
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Although... the info for authors is pretty clear on no porn, no crossovers and sticking to the guidelines issued for each world, which I guess will mean no AU. So that's a fairly limited sector of the fanfic world.
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So few agents will take on tie-in novels because of the hassle of dealing with the creators, combined with the producers and networks/studios. This might be a win all around for those who are interested in writing unique stories in the worlds. I might just try my hand when I have time. 
Does this mean anyone can take my characters and make money off them, without my permission? Does the author have the option to refuse to allow fanfic?
A friend of mine wants to write a screenplay based on my work, but I am giving him permission to do so. I agree because I have input in the project and the power to change things. But this article makes it seem like that choice has been taken away from authors.
A friend of mine wants to write a screenplay based on my work, but I am giving him permission to do so. I agree because I have input in the project and the power to change things. But this article makes it seem like that choice has been taken away from authors.
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It sounds like Amazon has formally licensed the rights (just like Random or Macmillan or such would do), so it's legit.
But what the terms of those licenses are as to creative control by the copyright holder, I don't know.
But what the terms of those licenses are as to creative control by the copyright holder, I don't know.
eebrown, please read:
Only if you contact Amazon and tell them that their customers have the right to use your work (if you own the rights), that they can allow the writers to publish fanfiction.
Only if you contact Amazon and tell them that their customers have the right to use your work (if you own the rights), that they can allow the writers to publish fanfiction.
Amazon is taking lifetime of the copyright from the fanfic writers. Don't know that matters to anyone. It would to me.
In all honesty, my opinion on this is really a big shrug of my shoulders. If the creators of an original world want to allow others to profit from fanfiction while gaining profits themselves, I suppose I don't really have a problem with that. They want to allow this, fine by them.
I personally would have no interest in doing this with any of my works; I tend to be quite pessimistic about fanfics and how they respect the original work.
I personally would have no interest in doing this with any of my works; I tend to be quite pessimistic about fanfics and how they respect the original work.
So... do you think if Amazon has licensed the rights to sell fanfic on these certain worlds, they'd be tempted to go after (or encourage the original rights holders to go after) places that give it away for free? I mean, why would I buy Vampire Diaries fanfic when there's an endless supply of it available for free elsewhere?
This is interesting to me. Am I reading this correctly? If you publish with them, anyone else can write a story in your "sub-world" as it were, and the original rights holder can use your ideas in their works without compensating you... ?
No, no, no. Not a chance I'd be on board. As I've just said on FB, it takes me so long to write a book that I have no interest in someone getting there first with my characters and selling the rights worldwide forever to Amazon.
I see this going the same way as pricing. Amazon will push and push. Those who don't get inline will be portrayed as party poopers and will come under fan pressure.
I wonder did Amazon come to Hugh Howie with this or did he go and stick the idea in their head? It seems fishy to me that this comes on the tail of his announcement.
I see this going the same way as pricing. Amazon will push and push. Those who don't get inline will be portrayed as party poopers and will come under fan pressure.
I wonder did Amazon come to Hugh Howie with this or did he go and stick the idea in their head? It seems fishy to me that this comes on the tail of his announcement.
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That's an interesting point. Maybe they're counting on their suggestions to help boost along fanfic sales? For example, perhaps someone who doesn't necessarily read fanfiction buys a Vampire Diaries novel and then sees the whole, "Hey, you bought this, you might like this!" and it's a fanfic title. Then they eventually think, "This is kind of cool," (provided the writing is good enough) and looks at other fanfics without ever realizing that he/she could mosey on over to FF.net and read all sorts of things until the cows come home...
Obviously just one tiny example. Or maybe Amazon is banking on all those who currently write for free to come over to their site so they can make money instead...then those free places will diminish so if you want a bigger selection you have to buy it.
OR are you also wondering that at some point Warner Bros might go over to FF.net and essentially say, "You don't have the licenses to do this - take it all down"? Now that would be an uncomfortable day on the internet...
Someone just pointed out the idea Amazon maybe inching toward a ff clause in all works published through them. Maybe then all work sold through them. The pretty invite to the party might just be the first step on a slippery slope for IP.
FWIW -- the universes in question are packaged book universes that are already collective efforts.
You're still going to have a TON of writers, publishers, and otherwise saying NO WAY to this.
You're still going to have a TON of writers, publishers, and otherwise saying NO WAY to this.
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