Love it or hate it Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James has had a profound impact on the publishing industry. This controversial book not only triggered an explosion in erotica it also aroused publishers’ interest in fan fiction.
Fan fiction flourishes in online fandoms. These fandoms are niche communities of enthusiastic fans who loyally support a story and its characters. The success of fan fiction is owed to the global visibility granted by the Internet. Supporters are able to connect with each other and share their interest, joining together to create a large audience. This mostly untapped market has been left largely unexplored. This is likely due to the treacherous copyright issues inherent to fan fiction.
Publishing fan fiction requires seeking permission from the original publisher (as it is a publisher’s responsibility to protect the copyright of their authors). This can be a time consuming, expensive and futile process. On the other hand, organising permissions for fan fiction with your own authors is likely to be more successful and may even generate new interest in the original work.
Big Bang Press is a Kickstarter funded publisher who has discovered the benefits of publishing fan fiction writers. They say that, “In many ways, fanfiction authors make ideal first-time novelists: they have already spent months or years honing their writing style, are familiar with constructive criticism and feedback culture, and are familiar with their potential audience.” (Bigbangpress.com, 2014). It can be difficult to find talented authors. However, fan fiction writers, just like published authors, can be analyzed based on their past works and popularity. Some of them will have already developed a loyal following.
Amazon has capitalised on these undernourished markets with Kindle Works. This self-publishing platform was launched in 2013 and is solely dedicated to fan fiction. It has secured licenses for a number of popular stories including, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl and Harbinger (Amazon.com, 2014). Through this service authors, after agreeing to some dictatorial terms and conditions, can make a profit from their fan fiction works. The customary rate is 35% of net revenue (Phx.corporate-ir.net, 2013); in return authors can’t use their characters outside of Kindle Works and the copyright holders can use fan fiction ideas without having to pay the fan fiction author anything (Edidin, 2013).
Fan fiction works aren't easy to publish. Seeking and gaining permissions can be fruitless and resource draining. Therefore copyright issues make this potential market much less attractive. Larger publishers with extensive resources may be able to invest in a fan fiction imprint. Despite the issue fan fiction is still an incredibly worthwhile venture. Popular fan fiction works and authors come with very dedicated readerships. These fandoms are existing markets; hungry for anything and everything that explores their passion. As the Internet lures in more followers it will become impossible to ignore this growing gold mine.
Word Count: 483
Bibliography
Fan fiction flourishes in online fandoms. These fandoms are niche communities of enthusiastic fans who loyally support a story and its characters. The success of fan fiction is owed to the global visibility granted by the Internet. Supporters are able to connect with each other and share their interest, joining together to create a large audience. This mostly untapped market has been left largely unexplored. This is likely due to the treacherous copyright issues inherent to fan fiction.
Publishing fan fiction requires seeking permission from the original publisher (as it is a publisher’s responsibility to protect the copyright of their authors). This can be a time consuming, expensive and futile process. On the other hand, organising permissions for fan fiction with your own authors is likely to be more successful and may even generate new interest in the original work.
Big Bang Press is a Kickstarter funded publisher who has discovered the benefits of publishing fan fiction writers. They say that, “In many ways, fanfiction authors make ideal first-time novelists: they have already spent months or years honing their writing style, are familiar with constructive criticism and feedback culture, and are familiar with their potential audience.” (Bigbangpress.com, 2014). It can be difficult to find talented authors. However, fan fiction writers, just like published authors, can be analyzed based on their past works and popularity. Some of them will have already developed a loyal following.
Amazon has capitalised on these undernourished markets with Kindle Works. This self-publishing platform was launched in 2013 and is solely dedicated to fan fiction. It has secured licenses for a number of popular stories including, The Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Gossip Girl and Harbinger (Amazon.com, 2014). Through this service authors, after agreeing to some dictatorial terms and conditions, can make a profit from their fan fiction works. The customary rate is 35% of net revenue (Phx.corporate-ir.net, 2013); in return authors can’t use their characters outside of Kindle Works and the copyright holders can use fan fiction ideas without having to pay the fan fiction author anything (Edidin, 2013).
Fan fiction works aren't easy to publish. Seeking and gaining permissions can be fruitless and resource draining. Therefore copyright issues make this potential market much less attractive. Larger publishers with extensive resources may be able to invest in a fan fiction imprint. Despite the issue fan fiction is still an incredibly worthwhile venture. Popular fan fiction works and authors come with very dedicated readerships. These fandoms are existing markets; hungry for anything and everything that explores their passion. As the Internet lures in more followers it will become impossible to ignore this growing gold mine.
Word Count: 483
Bibliography
- Amazon.com, (2014). What Is Kindle Worlds?. [Online] Available at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1001197421 [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].
- Bigbangpress.com, (2014). Big Bang Press. [Online] Available at: http://bigbangpress.com/about/index.html [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].
- Chillingeffects.org, (n.d.). Fan Fiction :: Topics :: Chilling Effects. [Online] Available at: https://www.chillingeffects.org/topics/3 [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].
- Edidin, R. (2013). 'Kindle Worlds' Lets Authors Publish Fan Fiction — At Dubious Cost | WIRED. [Online] WIRED. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2013/05/kindle-worlds-fanfic-copyright/ [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].
- Edidin, R. (2014). Publishers Are Warming to Fan Fiction, But Can It Go Mainstream? | WIRED. [Online] WIRED. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2014/02/fanfic-and-publishers/ [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].
- Phx.corporate-ir.net, (2013). Amazon Media Room: Press Releases. [Online] Available at: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?ID=1823219&c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].
- We Heart It, (n.d.). Fandoms Unite. [Online] Available at: http://weheartit.com/Sarah_Rdz/collections/10126746-fandoms-unite [Accessed 16 Nov. 2014].