So, here's a question...

[badboy_fangirl]

Hi.

I've been writing fanfic for, yanno, EVER, and recently I've been writing a story that has reminded me how fun it is when it just flows and I wish I could write 24/7. So in celebration of that, I decided to make a compilation of My Top 10 Favorite Fanfics (TVD) That I Wish I'd Written (post to come). When I went to get the links for these

Comments

[bogwitch]

I wouldn't buy them. Partly because I vehemently disagree with the terms of the Amazon deal which are terrible for the authors. Partly because I already save all the fics I like to PDF and have been doing so for years, including a lot of yours. And partly because I don't have a Kindle and I am unlikely to be getting one anytime soon.

I'm broke too, but I would never sell my own fics.

[badboy_fangirl]

I thought about that--the fact that AO3 has the download feature and a lot of people, if they're the re-reading type, would probably already have what they wanted anyway. So, in that case, it wouldn't affect those people like yourself anyway.

I'm broke too, but I would never sell my own fics.
I'm curious about this statement. If you could get paid to write, and you loved writing, wouldn't that be the ultimate? And with fanfic there is absolutely NO profit at present, so even if this isn't a dream contract where you're making lots of money doing it, any money is better than no money. Back in the day I got paid in comments that often led to discussions and friendships, but really those interactions are pretty sparse anymore. That's what got me to thinking about it--the point before with fanfic was the fandom interaction, but since that has steeply declined, at least within the TVD fandom, other benefits might be a better incentive. I've always just written for myself anyway, and if I were making extra money from it, that could be a

[upupa_epops]

I'm so sorry about your problems :(.

I think you should try it. With one story for starters, just to see if it catches -- preferably with a new story. You're a fandom-favorite author, so there's a chance people will buy it, and if not, then well, it's not like you've invested money into this.

Just a suggestion: don't sell any of the already written stories. You'd lose all the rights to them, and you wouldn't have any control over them at all.

Good luck!

[badboy_fangirl]

I don't understand what you mean by 'don't sell any of the already written stories.' Um, they're all already written, how else would I sell them? I get that if I give them over there is a loss of ownership, but I don't see how there's anyway to avoid it; the point would be if it's worth it, monetarily speaking.

Testing the waters with one story is a good idea.

[shipperjunkie]

I've come across stories taken down so that they can be sold on Kindle Worlds, and it mostly just irritates me. I won't pay for a fic that I've already read, and I don't believe I'd pay for a new fic unless I was sure of the author and the story was a significant length. I'm pretty poor these days.

I'm sorry about your financial difficulties. :(

[badboy_fangirl]

I was annoyed when I found that story missing last night, too, and then I went over and looked at Amazon, and had a total attitude adjustment. I mean, it's such a good story that I remember it the way I do and I went back to read it several times, and it suddenly clicked: she does deserve to get paid for it. It was awesome.

But yes, it's not like I could afford to buy everyone's, and I probably wouldn't buy very many without a knowledge and trust of the author. Of course, I've had favorite authors who wrote actual books who I bought all their books until they started disappointing me, so I suppose it's all relative. It can happen with fanfic just as easily.

Pros and cons, pros and cons!

[leobrat]

I'm sorry about your financial difficulties, and that was not a deal I'd heard of. Having been unemployed for the past year, I understand doing things you might not have considered doing in the past (not that there's anything wrong with this, at all). I'd give it a shot. Sounds like an interesting process if nothing else.

[traciaknows]

The way fic fandom works now is changing. I have mixed feelings about fic writers selling their stories. Something really wonderful dims when it becomes big business. It was amazing when no one in the "real world" knew about fic and when there was no profit from it. It was a playground of people who wrote and shared purely on the fact that they loved fictional characters so much they had to keep the stories going. But that said- you need to do what is best for you. I'm sorry that things are hard right now. I'm in the same situation myself. I've recently contemplated doing something similar- but reworking a fic I've been working on for a long time. Hard times make you think about going with what you know you have. You have a gift for writing. You might want to think about length of the pieces, keeping some stories free (at least for those who are already friends with you) or warn people before you take them down. I'd also tell you to consider a street team to help you push your stories- the team would get first look at anything new and

[badboy_fangirl]

I'm not sure what "street team" means? Care to elaborate.

I think even if I'd been really poor a year ago I would never have thought about this, because fanfic for the most part was a huge way that I interacted in fandom, but now that it's all but dead here at LJ, at least in my LJ, I started to contemplate different benefits. It is sad in a way, but the truth is I'm never going to write for anyone but myself--it's not like I'd write for the money and just churn out stuff to churn out stuff. But if I could do what I do and get paid? That could be exciting.

[traciaknows]

A street team is basically a volunteer publicity team. My understanding is that each team is about 5-10 people. They get first dibs on your latest work and then they spread the word about it for you. When you get really going, they'd get some other things, like your promo t-shirts and such.

I hang out with an independent author who helps out lots of other indie folks. Her business is called Author Options. She might be a good resource for you for info on how to get going with this. She's amazing.

Fandom is a totally different than when I started. I miss it. But you're right, LJ is almost gone. Sad but true.

[badboy_fangirl]

Does your friend have a website or something I could look at? Or should I just google Author Options?