Real: Direction

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Amazon to start selling fanfic

noellekain:

So, apparently Amazon has decided to start selling fanfic for select fandoms, specifically Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and Vampire Diaries. Kindle Worlds is set to launch next month. Don’t worry, they’ve licensed these fandoms, and you can let them license yours as well.

While Rebecca Pahle at The Mary Sue is optimistic about this, it just doesn’t feel right to me. I don’t disagree that fans put a lot of hard work into their stories, videos, artwork, etc. I’ve written fanfic, I know it takes work.

But I think this comment by Jim Chines sums up my feelings about Amazon better than I ever could, “Finally, Amazon is not pro-author, nor are they pro-reader. They’re pro-Amazon.”

Sentences like this make me nervous: “[Amazon] will also give the World Licensor a license to use your new elements and incorporate them into other works without further compensation to you.”

Most fanfic writers aren’t ready to publish, and I would argue that the majority don’t read widely about the publishing industry. Yet, they’ll be signing contracts without the benefit of agents to provide that industry savvy.

Amazon will become the gatekeepers for what type of fanfic is published. No porn, no crossovers, and nothing offensive, and yes, Amazon will determine what qualifies as offensive and porn.

On benifit they’ll offer is some content editing, though again they’ll determine what content does and doesn’t provide “poor customer experience”.

Chuck Wendig brings up very interesting point about the fuzzy separation between canonical and non-canonical works if the reader is paying for both. Though, I’d like to think most people can keep this straight without too much fuss.

It just doesn’t feel right to me. I can see so many potential problems with this, and very few benefits. It will be an interesting experiment to watch unfold though.

What do you think? Would you publish your fanfic with Amazon Worlds?

Umm…what? Really?!

(via resourcesforthemuse)

Filed under Amazon fanfiction

271 notes

wyvernsdreams:

superpsyguy:

thursdayfilebuzz:

Oklahoma Tornado - This aerial photo shows the remains of homes hit by a massive tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday

American Red CrossThe Red Cross has set up shelters in various communities. You can donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund here, and the organization also suggests giving blood at your local hospital or blood bank.
If you’re searching for a missing relative, check Red Cross Safe & Well’s site. And please register if you’re within the disaster region. The site is designed to make communication easier after a tragedy like this. 
If you want to send a $10 donation to the Disaster Relief fund via text message, you can do so by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. As in the case with other donations via mobile, the donation will show up on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your balance if you have a prepaid phone. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way. (If you change your mind, text the word STOP to 90999.)
Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.
Oklahoma Baptist Disaster ReliefThis organization says donations will “go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters.” 
It is requesting monetary donations (It says clothing is NOT needed). For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief’s website.
You can send checks to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK., 73112.
Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army is organizing disaster response units to serve hard-hit areas in central Oklahoma, including Moore, where it is sending mobile kitchens that can serve meals to 2,500 people a day, and to South Oklahoma City.
Supporters can donate online via the organization’s website, SalvationArmyUSA.org. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation via cellphone.
If you want to send a check, the Salvation Army asks that you put the words “Oklahoma Tornado Relief” on the check, and mail it to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK., 73157.
Phone:  1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).
United Way of Central OklahomaA disaster relief fund is being activated as of May 21 so that individuals can specifically donated to tornado relief-and-recovery efforts, the organization says on its site.
“Financial contributions are the best way to help unless otherwise requested.” Donations can be made online at
United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund is open.  Donations may be made online here. Checks, with a notation of “May Tornado Relief” can also be sent to the United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK , 73101.
Feeding AmericaThrough its network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America, whose mission is to “feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks,” says it will deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need, in Oklahoma, and will also “set up additional emergency food and supply distribution sites as they are needed.” You can donate onlinehere.
Phone: 1-800-910-5524.
Operation USA The international relief group, based in Los Angeles, says it is “readying essential material aid — emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies” to help Oklahoma’s community health organizations and schools recover.
You can donate online here. You can also give a $10 donation by texting the word AID to 50555. Checks should be sent to: Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone: 1-800-678-7255.

Psy, thank you for bringing attention to this… this is my home…

wyvernsdreams:

superpsyguy:

thursdayfilebuzz:

Oklahoma Tornado - This aerial photo shows the remains of homes hit by a massive tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, on Monday

American Red Cross
The Red Cross has set up shelters in various communities. You can donate to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund here, and the organization also suggests giving blood at your local hospital or blood bank.

If you’re searching for a missing relative, check Red Cross Safe & Well’s site. And please register if you’re within the disaster region. The site is designed to make communication easier after a tragedy like this. 

If you want to send a $10 donation to the Disaster Relief fund via text message, you can do so by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. As in the case with other donations via mobile, the donation will show up on your wireless bill, or be deducted from your balance if you have a prepaid phone. You need to be 18 or older, or have parental permission, to donate this way. (If you change your mind, text the word STOP to 90999.)

Phone: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767); for Spanish speakers, 1-800-257-7575; for TDD, 1-800-220-4095.

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
This organization says donations will “go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters.” 

It is requesting monetary donations (It says clothing is NOT needed). For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief’s website.

You can send checks to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK., 73112.

Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is organizing disaster response units to serve hard-hit areas in central Oklahoma, including Moore, where it is sending mobile kitchens that can serve meals to 2,500 people a day, and to South Oklahoma City.

Supporters can donate online via the organization’s website, SalvationArmyUSA.org. You can also text the word STORM to 80888 to make a $10 donation via cellphone.

If you want to send a check, the Salvation Army asks that you put the words “Oklahoma Tornado Relief” on the check, and mail it to: The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK., 73157.

Phone:  1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

United Way of Central Oklahoma
A disaster relief fund is being activated as of May 21 so that individuals can specifically donated to tornado relief-and-recovery efforts, the organization says on its site.

“Financial contributions are the best way to help unless otherwise requested.” Donations can be made online at

United Way of Central Oklahoma’s Disaster Relief Fund is open.  Donations may be made online here. Checks, with a notation of “May Tornado Relief” can also be sent to the United Way of Central Oklahoma, P.O. Box 837, Oklahoma City, OK , 73101.

Feeding America
Through its network of more than 200 food banks, Feeding America, whose mission is to “feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks,” says it will deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need, in Oklahoma, and will also “set up additional emergency food and supply distribution sites as they are needed.” You can donate onlinehere.

Phone: 1-800-910-5524.

Operation USA 
The international relief group, based in Los Angeles, says it is “readying essential material aid — emergency, shelter and cleaning supplies” to help Oklahoma’s community health organizations and schools recover.

You can donate online here. You can also give a $10 donation by texting the word AID to 50555. Checks should be sent to: Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., PH, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Phone: 1-800-678-7255.

Psy, thank you for bringing attention to this… this is my home…

(via animefreak120)

Filed under oklahoma tornado woahhh