delle, posts by tag: fanlib is stupid - LiveJournal

So the CEO of FanLib agreed to be interviewed by Henry Jenkins. (And btw? Henry Jenkins *rocks* - I'd never read any of his stuff before)

And CEO Chris Williams responds with canned answers. Well, sorta. Considering he responds with this:

Our goal is build a great venue, open to everyone, that allows people to showcase their work, discover great stories, get closer to the talent behind their favorite fandoms and participate in fun events. We think that by building a collaborative model, we will positively impact the fan community and will avoid needless litigation. We believe that we will be seen as an online community that goes to great lengths to protect everyone's rights in a positive, collaborative way.

no less than *4* times. It may be 5. My eyes started to cross.

But yeah. 4-5 times he had to harp on how they're going to "showcase" our work (currently FanLib employee jdsampson is a "featured writer". Isn't that *special*?) (So I've read. I'm not going to their site, nor am I linking to it as I don't want to help increase their hit count); "discover" stories (because we apparently can't find them otherwise) and get closer to the talent. Because that *always* turns out well. And that's really why we all write p0rn fanfic.


Secondly, go here and check who is the *only* receipiant that answered "FanLib is a cool site and exactly what I've been looking for" (hit the "view answers" if the link takes you just to the survey). Why lookee here! It's mimbo - Chris Williams himself! (that's certain - he used that lj log name to post earlier to telesilla's journal.

Poor baby. Apparently he didn't realize that it's possible to see who responded what to a poll on LJ...

If you haven't seen it elsewhere, here is the face of FanLib to the Entertainment Industry. (pdf file, but not too large)

Now, granted, this appears to be a flyer for their contests. But it does make one wonder - given the insistance of coloring in the lines and you control the storyline - exactly *what* FanLib's intention is with housing and encouraging fanfiction.

Just.... wondering.


ETA: OMG. Henry Jenkins weighs in. And almostnever?? He quotes you!!!

I had a thought this morning about FanLib.

I wish I could find my (dog-eared, much loved) copy of Pride and Prejudice so I could do a word-for-word post.

Y'all know P&P though, right? So go with me.

This is Mr. Collins' proposal:

FanLib: My dear fanfic writer, you must know the purpose of my discourse with you.

Writers: Um, no, actually? I really don't see why you're making this proposal to me.

FanLib: First let me tell you why I think my website is the bestestbest thing EVAH for you. I believe that fanfiction's time has come, that the media license-holders are ready to stop fighting their fans and give their stamp of approval.

Writers: Really? Including het, slash, gender-bending, non-con...

FanLib: Sssh. Secondly I think my well-designed, highly public and publicized (due to our large start up cash flow for advertising and press releases) is exactly what you are looking for. I can increase your readership! Make you well known and admired among people that are just discovering this interesting pastime called "fanfiction"! And I have the addition honor of bestowing various prizes, including T-shirts! - on you if you will agree to post your work on my site.

Writers: But I wasn't looking to increase my readership. And I still have this issue with exactly what kind of stories are allowed by the corporate entities that you have this agreement with. And can I get a list of exactly what corporate entities and authors have signed on to this please?

FanLib: Sssh. And lastly, although perhaps I should have mentioned this first, I see this as a wonderful opportunity for me to make some money. So, my dear, sign up here and make me the happiest man in the world.

Writers: Um, no?

FanLib: How can you not see the advantages to you? You must consider that another such offer may never again come your way.

Writers: You have not given me a chance to respond. Please allow me to do so. Your site is ugly, you do not seem to have a good grasp of the LJ fanfiction community as it has been built over the past many years, most of us are female, not male; and many of us are over the age of consent. You have not told us what license holders have signed off on your project, nor if there are any corporate limitations/expectations on what kind of stories will get the corporate stamp of approval and which could leave us dangling out there begging for a C&D. In short, sir, I think you cannot make me happy and I know I cannot make you so. I must ask you to give me leave to go.

FanLib: But... my dear! My connections with the noble house of DeBurgh the corporate license holders!

Writers: I am sorry. I do wish you much success, although I could wish you would pick another playground to try to make your money.

FanLib: Fine. It's not for you anyway.


(And I'm *still* trying to find out how they found me. I'm not that prolific a writer and at the time I got my invite [which I deleted, dammit], LFN wasn't on their list of fandoms. castalianspring suggested they might have sent invites to Yuletide authors. I dunno. I'm just really curious)