FSBC Library - Don't Paywall Your Fanfiction

The Librarian talks to ThisOneSatellite & Rhyshka in the Vigilant Garden about the recent increase in fanfiction authors paywalling their work behind patreons and why it could ruin fandom spaces for everyone.

This episode of the FSB Library Podcast delves into topics related to fan fiction, intellectual property, and monetization within these creative communities. The discussion focuses on how fan fiction, although a legitimate art form, cannot be monetized due to copyright laws since it uses intellectual properties created by others. It is emphasized that the “payoff” for fan fiction authors is comments, “kudos,” and community interaction, as they offer instant feedback and validation.

The conversation also touches on the impact of famous authors, such as Anne Rice, on the fan fiction community, who take aggressive legal action against fanfics based on their works, sometimes affecting young creators. Despite these challenges, platforms like AO3 establish themselves as safe havens for fan fiction writers due to their donation-based funding structure and legal teams that protect the archive as a censorship-free space.

The session also discusses the differences between fan art and fan fiction in terms of intellectual property rights, suggesting that artists have more freedom because they transform characters from their written form into distinct visual representations. However, it is mentioned that some artists face challenges due to restrictive platform policies regarding unsafe content for minors, sometimes forcing them to use services like Patreon that involve a paywall.