Do you allow fan fiction of your works?

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by AgentBEATS

I think that is being a little too generous. Although I am sure a great deal of fanfic authors do disagree with out of character interpretations, it doesn't stop it from happening.

But saying they are universally opposed, I just don't see that. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but as most commonly found at the utter mess of fanfiction.net there are just as many OOC stories, overpowered OC inserts and more that plague the realm.

I said almost universally. I believe (but could be argued against) that most fanfic authors promote in-character fanfic--but a lot of them are *atrocious* judges of character.

On second thought, I think you're right. I think I could claim that "most" oppose OOC fic, but that's not the same as "almost all." And among that "most" are a great many authors who are trying, and failing badly, to write in-character stories.

I probably have a skewed perception because I don't spend much time at FF.net (or the places that are worse); their rules prevent the fanfic I'm most interested in reading. I have a large circle of friends who recommend *good* fanfic, so I tend to forget how much bad fanfic exists.

[Steven Lake]

Elfwreck, I actually like "what if" stories. AKA, those "alternate universe" kind of envisionings. Those are really good and lots of fun to read. But there is still a certain degree of cannon that applies even to those kind of stories. Like the Kirk and Spock example. Starfleet would still exist and be pretty much the same way we'd remember it, even if those two weren't part of it.

[AgentBEATS]

Originally Posted by Steven Lake

Elfwreck, I actually like "what if" stories. AKA, those "alternate universe" kind of envisionings. Those are really good and lots of fun to read. But there is still a certain degree of cannon that applies even to those kind of stories. Like the Kirk and Spock example. Starfleet would still exist and be pretty much the same way we'd remember it, even if those two weren't part of it.

Is that true though? Can you say with absolute certainty that if one thing was different that it wouldn't change it entirely. I know next to nothing about Star Trek, so I can't even begin to fathom that particular example, but isn't part of a "what if" story that if something was different it has a certain effect?

I'm not saying your wrong in any sort, but I'm just suggesting that part of a fanfic's idea of "what if" is that they are writing an interpretation that is, well, not yours or whatever author's work they are writing on.

I get this canon thing you are trying to stress. You are saying that there are certain facets of the world a writer has created that no matter the circumstances, should very well exist in that universe. And that in altering those things it becomes something that isn't what was originally envisioned. But part of the appeal of fanfiction is that a different writer is taking another's work under their reins. If they decide that a certain change does indeed change that, then that is their decision.

I myself just dislike when that change isn't backed up with a concrete reasoning.

[CathrynLouis]

I didn't realize that an author could stop fan fiction. Though if I were that fortunate to have readers that wanted to do it, I would leave them to it.

[AgentBEATS]

Originally Posted by CathrynLouis

I didn't realize that an author could stop fan fiction. Though if I were that fortunate to have readers that wanted to do it, I would leave them to it.

I think an author can force someone to stop writing a fanfiction through legal action, like a cease and desist. Or just asking them nicely. I've heard of cases where some authors are adamant that writing fanfiction inflicts on their legal writes and try to discourage it by all means.

I agree with you though, if I were fortunate to have readers who liked my ideas enough to write about it, I would be honored and let them.

[Steven Lake]

AgentBeats: The recommendation to stick within the known cannon actually gives no benefit nor detriment to the author themselves. It's really there as a guide to help the fan fiction writers to create a good piece of fiction based on an already established world. Think of it as a good way to help armchair authors (aka fan fiction writers) get better at their hobby. And in turn, their hobby will at some point benefit the original author.

Take Star Wars for example. Several fan fiction characters, Mara Jade being one of the most popular, actually found their way into Star Wars cannon because they became so popular within the community. In turn, the creators of the character benefited in several ways themselves, one of the biggest being that their character ended up in the expanded universe. That's a huge honor. And all because they wrote their character inside of existing cannon.

[AgentBEATS]

Oh, I never meant sticking to canon as a bad thing. Just from what I interpreted from what you were saying was that you seemed to be stuck to this idea that fanfiction writers absolutely need to stick to this canon and that if they don't you were against them writing it.

I agree with you completely on saying that the canon works to help them write a good piece of fiction. I wish more fanfic writers would stick to the canon and again not plague it with so many outside influences.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by CathrynLouis

I didn't realize that an author could stop fan fiction. Though if I were that fortunate to have readers that wanted to do it, I would leave them to it.

It's debatable whether fanfiction can be legally stopped. Certainly some authors have sent out C&D letters; as far as anyone's been able to track down, nobody's actually filed lawsuits for copyright infringement over free fanfic.

Most sites will pull content if the author objects to fanfic, regardless of whether it's legal to publicize. Most fanfic authors will not post fic if the author objects--but some just move to more hidden archives. Anne Rice fanfic is part of the darknets.

The Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) takes the position that most fanfic falls within fair use guidelines, and isn't copyright infringement, and therefore authors have no legal recourse against it. (They can, of course, still object, and many fanfic authors won't write fic that upsets the original author.)

[Jasmine Giacomo]

My first book is just coming out, so I haven't encountered fanfic yet, though my book is geared toward older teens and up, so it's a possibility at some point. I'd be okay with pretty much anything people wrote, except things like erotica or yaoi.

[BVLarson]

I'd let them do it, hasn't happened yet tho. Looks to me like we are going to see more authors of more works with fewer fans each in the future. That will make fanfic just another source of advertising for us.

[TulagiHotel-HH]

I would love for someone to make a steampunk version of my book

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

The Organization for Transformative Works (OTW) takes the position that most fanfic falls within fair use guidelines, and isn't copyright infringement, and therefore authors have no legal recourse against it. (They can, of course, still object, and many fanfic authors won't write fic that upsets the original author.)

This position taken by this "organization" is pure nonsense. FanFiction involve the creation of "derivative works" and, as such, is a violation of copyright law if done without the copyright holder's permission. The overwhelming majority of FanFiction is not written for purposes of parady, which is permitted as fair use.

Of course, most authors are only too pleased to have FanFiction written using their characters; it's a compliment of highest order than your readers enjoy your work so much that they want to read more.

[MV64]

I'm not sure I'd ever write anything that fanfiction could be based on, but if I did I'd be flattered and I'd support it. My only exception would be making money off of their work without getting approval from me. But even that could probably be gotten. I usually begrudge no one trying to make a living. I'd just ask that I get proper recognition.

[jaxx6166]

I can see where some authors could take offense at this, see GRRM.

But, for the most part it is complimentary and kind of endearing. The whole Star Wars and Star Trek extended universe have sprung up from a form of fanfic. I'm a big fan of the feedbooks versions of the parallel universe DC/Marvel comics that are out there. I have friends that write and read extensively in their favorite series. They prefer Supernatural and one used to play in Anne Rice's vampire worlds.

If done right and properly executed, some may add to the actual original work that it is derivative of. Should I become some big wig, I'd probably let a couple of my sandboxes out in the open under CC for derivative / non commercial. I think there are a couple of other guys here that feel the same way.

Or, you could take the Grantville Gazette way and have everything be approved by the original creators, which could be pretty cool...

I used to read and write some fanfic when I was much younger. It's kind of like the proving grounds of writing. I don't know if I'd want anyone to FF my main universe though, they'd probably do a better job than me.

[Moejoe]

I'll never understand fan fiction as long as I live. ALL fiction to me,is fan fiction, it comes from the author mimicking and being inspired by other works, it cannot exist in a cultural vacuum. Marlowe begat Spenser begat Bosch. Seems pointless wasting hours and hours of writing time on already invented characters, when with a quick name change and some details altered, you have your very own fiction.

Not that it bothers me though. Each to their own and if they're having fun doing it, well who am I to say they shouldn't?