Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggleton
I suppose we could portion off a section of the network for private ramblings and such, but we are talking about writings that the author did mean to be published at some point, even though what we have might be incoherent ramblings, it might still be an interesting read.
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That's not necassarily true. How many authors now have private letters and diaries published posthumosly because the hiers stand to make a buck out of it? No one writing a love letter really contemplates that in 50 years when they are dead and famous that those very personal letters might be published all for the sake of "insight into the author" (read: profit by the heirs).
And as for drafts, until an author has actually sent those drafts out the door, you cannot make claim that they were ever intended for publication. They could have fully finished it and chucked it into the fire after being unhappy with it. I'm not arguing against posthumous publication generally, only where it violates the authors wishes.
I have to agree with Steven here. Its sad that it takes a lawyer and the threat of lawsuits to prevent an authors wishes from being ignored. But if people would show an ounce of consideration for people both before and after death, there would be alot fewer people in my profession.