Anne McCaffrey, who created the Dragonriders of Pern series beginning in 1968 and spent decades building one of the most beloved science fiction and fantasy universes in the genre’s history, published an explicit set of fan fiction guidelines that included one rule stated without apology or hedge:
A woman ahead of her time, and keeping an eye out for the well-being of her amazing series(s').
Bully for her. This is a message that needs to go out more widely to anyone who creates new fiction, whether it "takes off" or not. This message needs to proceed any digital or physical publishing efforts.
Some have complained about the initial sex scene in Dragon Flight being non-consensual. That said, it is very much "off camera" and not described in any detail let alone graphically. I just did a quick check, 15 hardbacks and 8 paperbacks of her writing currently sit on my shelves. Most are set in Pern and her talent and stewardship are the reasons that those books have remained on my shelves despite the occasional culling.
I'd guess that most writers don't understand what Ms. McCaffrey did; fanfiction will happen whether you accept it or not. So why not get out in front of the avalanche and impose guidelines? Many fanfiction writers will adhere to them because they love her and the IP.
In the interest of research, I got "Fifty Shades" from the library years ago (bought with my tax dollars!). It was unreadable. I can't understand how it sold like it did. Bad writing, bad characters, bad dialog, and bad sex.
I also got "Alchemised" from the library (more tax dollars). It was, if anything, worse than "Fifty Shades." Utterly unreadable and I read -- and mostly enjoyed -- the two other big rewrites of Dramione fanfiction from last year, "The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy" and "Rose in Chains." They were often dopey but were also readable. "Alchemised" is not.
A woman ahead of her time, and keeping an eye out for the well-being of her amazing series(s').
Bully for her. This is a message that needs to go out more widely to anyone who creates new fiction, whether it "takes off" or not. This message needs to proceed any digital or physical publishing efforts.
Enforcing it, now... different problem.
Some have complained about the initial sex scene in Dragon Flight being non-consensual. That said, it is very much "off camera" and not described in any detail let alone graphically. I just did a quick check, 15 hardbacks and 8 paperbacks of her writing currently sit on my shelves. Most are set in Pern and her talent and stewardship are the reasons that those books have remained on my shelves despite the occasional culling.
I'd guess that most writers don't understand what Ms. McCaffrey did; fanfiction will happen whether you accept it or not. So why not get out in front of the avalanche and impose guidelines? Many fanfiction writers will adhere to them because they love her and the IP.
In the interest of research, I got "Fifty Shades" from the library years ago (bought with my tax dollars!). It was unreadable. I can't understand how it sold like it did. Bad writing, bad characters, bad dialog, and bad sex.
I also got "Alchemised" from the library (more tax dollars). It was, if anything, worse than "Fifty Shades." Utterly unreadable and I read -- and mostly enjoyed -- the two other big rewrites of Dramione fanfiction from last year, "The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy" and "Rose in Chains." They were often dopey but were also readable. "Alchemised" is not.