[Zsinj16]

I'm asking this because one person that was doing a book review on this site said that when he asked Feist to give him some ideas to create a mud based on his Riftwar novels, Feist about bit his head off!! Now I, myself don't really believe that because Raymond E. Feist looks to me like he would be a very nice & polite guy. So does anyone know of any snobby fantasy authors?

[wolfshead]

Mud? I won't name any names but I do know one author who has a large fan-base and who goes doolally if fans write amateur fan fic starring the author's characters. This wouldn't in itself be so bad--ok, they are copyright characters-- but this writer, on the other hand, encourages fans to make costumes (including adding long boring description in novels for the benefit of these costumers), join the official fanclub and buy the author's own merchandise. I don't know why this author's so scared of a bit of fanfic...imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right? It's not as if fanfic writers make money from their hobby! Marion Zimmer bradley wrote the odd piece tolkien fanfic (yes!) and the Tolkien estate didn't raise the roof!I heard the writer mentioned above acted rather badly at a recent con too.

[Aleya]

I thought it was just me that had a crappy experience with Feist. heh.

He was my favourite ever author. Ever.

Let's just say that now I think his writing is ok, but I have other favourites.

It made me realise that how you feel about the person can really taint your reading experience, for better or worse.

On his side however, he is going through a crappy time lately with a divorce and stuff, so if he's a bit sharpish it's probably natural.

*cough*

On the question of FanFic....well I used to think authors were a bit silly about that but then I heard a story.

Apparently MZB was very encouraging on FanFic in her earlier days. However once when she was in the middle of a novel she discovered a story by a fan that was very very similar to it. She wrote to the fan to say what a good theme it was and that she had been writing along the same lines, and would love to incorporate some of the fan's ideas in the book. The fan wrote back to DEMAND co-authorship rights and 50% royalties, stating that she would sue if the book was published without the above, as it would clearly be a breech of copyright.

MZB, in ailing health at the time, and not having the energy or inclination to battle it all out in the courts, trashed months of work, just because of one piece of FanFic.

Authors don't like it because it means trouble.

People often say that they spend hours creating a fantasy world only to have people come and take it over, and that annoys them, but personally I never got that because I think I would be flattered.

Again, just my 2 pence http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Aleya - feeling much happier now that she doesn't feel like the only GrumpyFeist victim ;D
http://silver-oak.com

[Aleya]

And oh, oh, I meant to ask...

Does anyone know what happened to the original Riftwar mush? The one that was officially endorsed by Feist?

Did it move servers? Coz I can't connect to it anymore.

Aleya - http://silver-oak.com

[Rob B]

Generally, I think authors respect thier fans and appreciate

I can completely understand authors not endorsing, in fact DISCOURAGING, fan-fic or anything derivative like MUDS and MUSHs, because of copyright laws and such.

Fans have to RESPECT their favorite authors as well, and not infringe upon the author's rights.

[Zsinj16]

I agree with you, Fitz Flagg. Good point!!

[FitzChivalry]

Umm.. Wolfshead, who is that author?
Why do you hide the name?

[Cellandros]

I've met quite a few authors, and most of them are very nice people. I've never had a truely bad experience with any of them.

I'd say Robert Jordan is about the 'worst' of the ones I have met. He's pretty full of himself, but still tried to be nice.

I'm suprised to hear someone had a bad experience with Feist. I met him about 5 years ago, and aside from Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman, he was the coolest one I ever met. Of course, that was before he started having the problems with his marriage falling apart.

All in all, I think they're all human like us and have their good and bad days.

[ethanx]

Jordan is way to stuck on himself. Goodkind actually gave me an idea for a new tat. Weis is great to actually talk to. Will finally meet Martin in September. Hopefully he is as great as Weis and Goodkind.

[Erebus]

Well, I love my fans and would never be rude to them...and...I can still count them all on the various digits of my body... http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif