makes popcorn, sits back, prepares to watch things catch on fire

[holli]

Amazon is getting into the fanfic business. Like all previous attempts to monetize fandom, this is probably going to be a glorious trainwreck.

Comments

[ankaret]

OMG. *shares popcorn*

[newredshoes]

Ahahaha, NOOOOOOOOO.

[justice_turtle]

...so, licensed tie-in novellas, basically.

*reads proposed business model* That could actually work, I think, if they can get a few good affirmative-fandom-style authors working on it. I can think of several problems straight off, though: (1) they're going to get more c**p submitted than anyone can imagine or prepare for [at least they seem to have an editorial model planned, so it won't turn into the Pit of Voles straight away]; (2) they're going to get G-rated/teen-rated slashfic and throw a hissy fit - remember the flap a few years back when they temporarily removed "buy" buttons from all their LGBT-classified books? - and transformative fandom will throw a HUGE fit in return, boycott them, and snub any writer known to be involved. So good writers of long plotty canon-esque gen, who are rare enough anyway (item 3: transformative fans write a lot more than affirmative ones), are going to have a good reason to stay well away from involvement...

...quite apart from the copyright issues I'm seeing (you own the copyright to your OCs and new elements but the source's rights holder has an indefinite "license to use" them? Watch how long your "copyright" holds up after the material gets used elsewhere), which will get a few people very angry - for good reason, I'll be one of 'em if that's in the final business model as it stands - but they'll mostly be pr0n or drabble writers. ;-) *is a drabble writer*

I may be a tiiiiny bit snarky here, it's before breakfast. ;P

[holli]

Snark seems reasonable, given how ill-thought-out this appears to be.

[lettered]

Well, this all seems . . . horrible.

[lunarwolfik]

Popcorn will definitely be needed.

It's just a little boggling to think that they think it's a good idea, cause it's basically going against the HEART AND SOUL OF FANDOM ITSELF. Which is just crazy.

[ankaret]

A friend of mine on Twitter also linked to this, where Hugh Howey of sharing his inappropriate fantasies about public crotch-grabbing fame says 'When readers got in touch to ask about fan fiction, I not only gave my blessing, I insisted that they charge for the work.'

Seriously, what's in the water this week?

[crantz]

Already seen some non-fanficcers viewing this like the only reason you'd want to do fanfic was to make money in the first place.

EDIT: Let me cite my source here. From the creator of the comic Chainsawsuit:

i’m not opposed to fanfic as a means of cutting one’s teeth or sharing ideas or exploring a world. but i feel like it’s such a waste of a good idea to couch it in an existing intellectual property, especially one that doesn’t belong to you. “kindle worlds” is a great move on the part of the publishers, because they’ve turned fan enthusiasm into a cheap content mill. the real winners are amazon and warner bros