ratherastory | A question in the form of a poll

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A question in the form of a poll

I've been thinking about this topic a fair bit lately, for reasons. ¬_¬

A few people here and there sometimes offer fiction commissions, and it gets met with very mixed reactions. Some people are happy to jump on the bandwagon, and others wag judgmental fingers for it, whereas fan artists never seem to meet with the same kind of disapproval. It seems to be acceptable to produce visual arts for profit, even if the work is fan-based, but not written works.

So, I'm curious. What do people on my flist think? I've made the poll anonymous, so you don't have to worry about your answers being recorded for posterity.

If you don't mind your name appearing in the comments, I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about why it seems to be okay to pay for fanart but not fanfiction. Is there some legal aspect to this with which I'm not familiar? Or is it something else? A combination?

[Poll #1966603]

You will also note that I was sneaky and included a second question about original fiction. I don't know many people who do this, but I'm also curious about people's habits when it comes to original fiction. If fanfic authors link to their original works, are you less likely or more likely to seek out what they're producing? Are you in it for the fandom stuff only, or are you inclined to take a chance on original fiction? Inquiring minds want to know!

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I actually think a third way would be great--if people were able to offer FANFICTION for sale, not on a commission basis because those can't possibly lead to the best stories. I liked the concept of Kindle worlds but the terms were really bad for fic writers and the no porn rule automatically diminished my interest LOL.

Obviously people should be able to offer original fiction for sale. Not sure why you included that...?

I'm just trying to gauge what people's interest is for original work by fanfiction authors, not whether or not it's okay to do so. I'm curious, basically. :)

Well wouldn't it entirely depend on the content? A lot of authors nowadays are fic writers...

If I really like that fanfic writer, I have no problem kicking them money in exchange for a prompt I want.

For the most part I am not interested in paying for fanworks with the exception of when the funds are going to a cause I think needs it.
As for original fiction? I would and have paid for the original works of fanfic writers that I love. To me it's a natural and much more comfortable progression.

On a sidenote about fan artists I would not and have not ever paid for a piece of fanart that was selling for the sole purpose of the artist making a buck. I have no idea why but I have always found that practice a little skeevy.

Yeah, I agree with all of this. I'm not saying that taking payment for fanfic is the Worst Thing Ever, but it's not something that I would want to see become commonplace, and the idea just feels uncomfortable. :\

I get the impression that a lot of the current culture of fan-art is more influenced by the Japanese model of people paying for fan-drawn manga and whatnot than it is by traditional western live-action media fandom. (I am very, very far from knowledgeable about this, it's just my conclusions from what I've seen.)

Yes it is that unconfortableness that bothers me. Not enugh , mind you, to tell someone/anyone they shouldn't do it. But enough that I couldn't ever see myself doing it just to raise some cash.

What do you find skeevy about fanartists selling work for simple profit? Is it because of the copyright/intellectual property issue?

To be honest I am not entirely sure, and it's not just artwork fic as well. It just makes me uncomfortable. The idea of selling fanfic or fanart outside of a charity drive. Been thinking about why all day now that the question has been asked, and if i figure it out I'll let you know. lol

Fair enough! I mean, I kinda get it: we are in fandom for the love of it all. For the love of Buffy or SPN or hockey or what have you. Once you start charging for it, other constraints come into play. More mercenary considerations, I guess?

I've heard tell of writers asking for pay to consider writing chapters of their longer fanfic works and THAT made me go "Ewwww." But I don't think one-off commissions are quite so "ewwwwie." In fact, know of many professional big time scifi-fantasy artists who do the odd fanart commission on the side.

Anywho, let me know if you figure it out; I'm interested!

we are in fandom for the love of it all
You know I think that is the biggest part of it for me. The idea that money might somehow 'sully' that love.
And I have to say now that I am thinking of it that one of the occurrences, low these many years ago, that helped me formulate that opinion was exactly like the one you just sited: a fanfic author offering to write a chapter in their long standing WIP for money. I will admit to being disgusted at being held hostage like that.

My comment for the "other" on the first question is this... it's a free country, offer commissions if you want, no one is forced to take you up on it.

In the past, I donated to a person here on LJ who was having financial difficulties, and a friend of theirs wrote me a story, but I would have donated anyway. Getting the story was just a fun bonus.

I'd be much more inclined to pay for a commissioned story if it benefitted a known charity, otherwise, I have too many things bookmarked to read for free... i don't need to add to my "to read" list with things I have to pay for.

So in other words, I wouldn't judge someone if they offered commissioned stories, but I would not be likely to order a commission.

As far as original fic goes.... YAY! Get paid for those suckers!

:)

As a fanartist who's never charged for it (I can't speak for digital folk, but conventional art supplies are hella expensive), I'll just say that I do fanart for fun, not money.

On the other hand, we have some terrifically talented creators in his fandom. Great fic (and art!) take time, talent, and yes, a part of the person who creates it. If the pro-level writers and artists want to charge for their time and talent, and others are willing to pay for said talents . . . more power to them. :)

I started reading fanfic some time ago and have since followed people who have gone from fanfic to publishing their own work (under different names of course)
I've actually got the story Redemption both in the Supernatural Fanfic version and the published non-fanfic version.
Maybe I am the exception to the rule but I tend to think that if someone has the balls to write a story and then change the names (probably for legal reason) I have no problem with it.
To be honest I didn't realise that people paid for artwork!!!!
M

I never even considered that people might have a problem with this sort of thing (but maybe I'm just naive). After all, there are a lot of novels published based on popular series (different anime, dramas, even Supernatural has got a few) that weren't written by people who wrote/worked on the original series... so wouldn't that be considered fanfiction? And physical copies of those are sold in stores!

I believe freelancers should be paid for their work. Taking work on commission is the same as freelancing, isn't it? My opinion is that considering it tacky to accept money devalues fanfiction and the writer's talent. (Fanfic aside, I admit I get the shakes because "I can get that free anywhere" is what's killing my industry.)

What's your industry? (Freelancer, here ...)

I'm a copy editor at a metro daily and freelance myself (as an editor and writer) at a community monthly.

I'm a copy editor at a metro daily. So much respect for people who manage to make a living freelancing.

Why hello! I didn't realise you followed this LJ too!

Not always. But I'm a fan.

Also, apparently, I kind of suck at replying technology. Sorry for the weird anonymous posts and things.

I don't see anyone asking about this, so maybe it was already clear to everyone but me, but I'll clarify for myself anyway.

I see a definite issue writing Supernatural fic and profiting by it. If a story deals with Sam and/or Dean Winchester or other characters created by Kripke, etc. then it's wrong to make money from it unless the original creative folks approve it and get their share.

But a J2AU? (Which in my mind is usually no different from original fic, unless it's a meanttobe or spn_cinema or some other retelling.) An original story (whether cast with JA and/or JP or not) is fair game. Commission, self-publish... whatever.

Re: fanfic authors writing original fiction -- I absolutely would buy their works if their books shared the same qualities I loved in their fanfic. Case in point: Deadroads, which I've bought and then pimped on LJ, Facebook, Goodreads, and amazon.

Delurking to say I pretty much only consume free content (for entertainment), and that it feels a bit weird to charge commission for fan works, whether written or visual arts (but if someone wants to charge and someone's willing to pay, more power to 'em). OTOH, it feels perfectly reasonable for any fan-content-creator to have tip jar, and I'm happy to give money to show my appreciation/to enable the creation of more content.

First off, I see no difference between fanart and fanfic when it comes to commissions. Both are fair game. The fact there are spots where you can offer prompts and possibly get them filled, or events where you're almost assured to get a prompt filled, perhaps gives people the impression that actually paying for a fill is thumbing your nose at the spirit of fandom.

Generally, I will not pay for fanfic or fanart I don't commission. (T-shirts are the one exception. I will buy SPN t-shirts if they're super-cute and original, like the ones offered by unicornempire.com.) I do think a large part of the joy of fandom is the free and easy exchange of ideas and the love of the property, but if someone is offering commissions (be they art or fic) and I enjoy the work of the writer/artist, I'll probably bite if there's mad money in my Paypal. I don't care why they're offering commissions. If they need the money, they need the money: for a charity, for school debt, for vacation ... it's irrelevant to me. AS LONG AS IT'S A ONE-OFF COMMISSION CREATED JUST FOR ME.

When folks open stores chock full of someone else's intellectual property or try to publish fanfic for profit (with the exception of Amazon Worlds), then it can get dicey in terms of copyright.

Regarding original fiction from fanfic authors, well, it depends. I usually divide the fanfic authors I read into three categories: those who tickle my id, those who are brilliant wordsmiths, and that slender intersection of the two groups.

I will surely buy original fic from the Slender Intersection.

I will look at original fic by my favorite wordsmiths, and more than likely buy their work if it is in a genre I enjoy reading.

I will almost certainly not buy original fic from the id ticklers. I don't pay for porn-for-porn's sake. Just don't. *shrug*

Oh, and I may or may not buy "original" fic if it is fanfic that's been stripped of its serial number. I just haven't seen many instances of this succeeding. The RPF stuff could conceivably fly, but the thing with writing in a shared universe is that sometimes the world building and characterization falls by the wayside. If the RPF is solidly AU and can stand on its own, hey, that just might work! Or ... without the benefit of that shared love of the universe, its flaws may become painfully obvious and it'll flop. (Also, it would totally suck to buy a book, only to discover you've read it before in fanfic.)

Yes, I have feeeeeeelings about this.

Happy to pay fifteen dollars for a novel if it's from an author I know I like. I mean, if it's a big name like Mercedes Lackey, no, waiting for the mass-market paperback, but someone like Anne Walsh who the trade paperback is all we're getting (and the library's probably not getting it at all, so reading the library copy while waiting for the mass-market release won't work) and also she's an awesome author? I'll pay fifteen dollars. Have, in fact, paid fifteen dollars. I have to be honest and say that Fusionverse doesn't have quite the place in my heart that Anne's Dangerverse does, but you're a good enough author that if your summary on your fifteen-dollar novel sounds even vaguely like something I'd like, I'd be happy to pay fifteen dollars.

I've paid for a fan fic for a charity but I'm not sure of the legality of getting finances for fan fic. That is something that I don't know how it works - I assumed when it's for charity that there is a loop hole there but then again that is an assumption.

Original fic I don't see a problem with getting donations or being paid - there should be no legalities on the part of an original idea - like paying for a Kindle book on Amazon.

Any labor of love is time consuming. If you are so fortunate to be skilled at it, then if it is something that people will pay for, get paid for it! There are authors that I follow that are not fanfiction that have their own websites and post their books in e-formats and accept donations as payment. Enough that they make a living off of it--the level of taking care of families. Rather than a set price, this lets a fan give what they can, which changes at different stages of your life. What I would be able to give in college is SO different than what I will pay for something I value with 20 years of job experience and pay increases. There is no pressure to pay, just enough have that they can continue to write and make a living at it. Whether it is crafts, quilting, writing, painting (and all of these are "art"), accepting money for it means you have the time and means to continue.

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A question in the form of a poll

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Poll on commission