[JohnH]

Not Cannon --*BOOM*

Rather I am refering to those instances where an author creates a world, a set of cultures, a creation. And then allows another to write a book in that world. As a harmless pusher of pen and keyboard, I still cringe at the idea of anyone touching what has burst forth from my fevered imagination. And I am sure there are dozens of opinions from all the budding authors out there.

But this goes beyond the dream of every reader to actually write (odd that not all eaters dream of cooking). this touches on the core of creation of 'art'. After all I would rather WoT sit untouched, unfinished, unfulfilled and unsullied, then have someone else finish the series should Jordan decide to keep the series going past the point of his heart.

I have seen some artists, like Feist, hadn over the keys to the kingdom as it were. Not only does this seem a bit too whorish on an author's part, but it also seems to smack of betrayal to that particular author's craft.

An author speaks not just in words but in a unique language when presenting their own imagination on a platter to be consumed by others. That language, for me, can only be spoken by that one author. It is just not the same. I realize that many authors are in the business to make a living. But selling out your creation is one thing, letting others sell it out is another.

So, whether you are an author with a manuscript just waiting to be discovered (whether by a publisher or the reading public) or you are a diehard fan of at least one author's work, what are your feelings for letting someone else take the reins?

And I am not talking about the cookie cutter franchises like Dragonlance or Legends or such. Rather authors who establish their own creation and _then_ fram it out via underlings or scribes.

[SusF]

What I think is worse is writing sequels to well established books. Some examples are Scarlett, the "sequel" to Gone With the Wind, and the novel that was written as a sequel to Pride and Prejudice. No idea what it's called.

In the Fantasy/SF genre, there's the continued Amber books, even after Zelazny's death. I believe Roger Zelazny did not want people writing Amber novels, but his estate decided it would be a good idea <cha-CHING>.

Then there's the Foundation series (Asimov WAS god, he'd be happy to tell you so http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif )and the continued Dune books. Enough already. Make up some cool worlds of your own. Sigh.

Susan

[Shadowen]

The P&P 'sequel' was called Pemberley and written by Emily Tennant. If you're an Austen fan, don't touch this piece of garbage with a reinforced 10 foot pole. a perfect example of the original posters complaint!

[Caly]

I can't abide other authors picking over someone's "world", stealing their characters, and basically just plagorizing. I know some authors allow this to happen (I can't remember who, but I know one had a fan fic contest and then sponsored the publication of a book of winners), but it seems really twisted in the world of writing.

I know a lot of beginning authors start with fan fic as a way of "practicing" the writing craft, but it is one of my pet peeves. Even if they never try to publish the work out of copy right concerns or whatnot, they are still putting pen to paper in someone's elses creation, thus sullying the creation. I know a lot of writers do this as a way of "honoring" their favorite authors, but it just doesn't make sense to me.

These concerns don't even bring into play the idea that the "fan" authors are shortchanging themselves. I would think creating a unique world would be half the fun of writing a fantasy book. If you are stealing someone else's world, where does that leave you?

Can you tell I have thought about this a bit?

All that said, I must admit I don't mind the idea of a really good author finishing up WoT just so it can be DONE. Of course, I don't much care for the series now so maybe that is why I don't care. I would refuse to buy the rest of the Tawny Man series if someone else wrote it.

Caleyna

[saintjon]

You do realize, of course, that Silmarillion would never have become available if Christopher Tolkien hadn't edited his father's notes. Just thought I should remind you guys of that.

[Rob B]

I think we can make a small exception for the children of writers (i.e. Frank Herbert's son and Christopher Tolkien)

[Dominus]

Sure Christopher edited the notes and compiled them into a book, but he didn't write it, just put it all together. I'd say that's just a little bit different than writing a book from scratch.

Anyway, I totally agree with you John, selling your world to another author except on threat of death should be against the law. That's like saying, "Sure, you can have my brain, I don't think I'm going to use it anymore, so I really don't care if you screw it up with drugs or whatnot." http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Respondi

[JohnH]

The Silmarillion most likely would have existed regardless of Christopher Tolkien as the publication was an estate issue. And as pointed out Christopher Tolkien did not _write_ the Silmarillion else a great fraud has been perpetuated.

As for Herbert fils? No such exemption should be given imo. While I think Dune a marvelous book, the sequels to be horrible letdowns; the efforts of the son to try to claim status as an author solely through the tie of sperm deserve the most strenuous of wet noodle lashing.

I know there are fans out there, but the 'Dune' prequels are rather horrid little nightmares of pretension. I read the first being stuck in the hinterlands of civilization with nothing else to read. I would sew my eyelids shut before reading another word from Herbert Jr and anderson. The first book was one of the worse books exposition wise I have ever read. And yes I did the chapter dealing with the chicken from Goodkind (I had a morbid sense of seeing if it was as bad as everyone said).

Treating an artistic creation as a franchise is bad enough. Treating it like the family cash-cow is a bt insulting. True Herbert fils was doing so solely out of greed and at least the realization that it was the only way to make a living as a writer no doubt.

Anne McCaffrey is a bit more brazen in her approach to franchising her world. She has often said that she is passing the torch to her son. A man in his late thirties I believe who has written nothing that would not have 'son of bestselling author Anne McCaffrey' embalzoned across the cover. I also believe that he has taken his mother's surname. Not early in youth out of love ad respect for clan McCaffrey; but rather making sure that no one mistakes just where he got such talent from. Assuming of course such talent exists. Odd that as she reaches the end of her career, a woman who writes books with just about everyone in the world and yet never with this incredibly talented son, feels that he is more than qualified to take over writing Pern books.

Blood is thicker than water and family comes first. No problems with those sentiments. But this is bit.. well slimey, I guess. And rather sad. That MCCaffrey would consider her own work to be so much a commodity to pass on as an inheritance instead of as a legacy. I guess if I was a bestselling author who wanted to take care of my family I might do the same. But perhaps if I was of the calibre of McCaffrey in terms of sales, I would just make sure that the rights to the works were safely in my heirs hands and they could franchise it to their hearts and pocketbooks content after I was dead.

[Elessar]

Well, I guess it all depends.
For instance, .. I read "House Atreides", the prequel of "Dune". The information contained in the book was interesting. The way it was presented was... well... *shrug*

On the other side, there is the "Utopia/Caliban/Inferno" cycle Roger MacBride Allen wrote, which is based on Asimov's early Foundation/Robot/"settlers/spacers" world/universe. I must say that I greatly enjoyed those books, especially some of the passages that deal with robots/technology and society.

The covers say Asimov meant/wanted MacBride Allen to write these books, for he had already planned them or something, and to continue his work (can't remember exactly).
Asimov has also created some world or universe which he intended to be a platform for other aspiring writers. The term "Robot City" comes to my mind, but I can't remember what it was (a SF magazine?).

Any thoughts? Does anyone know these works? I know they are SF, but they do fit this topic.

-- Elessar

[Mithfânion]

There are Amber books after Prince of Chaos?

Secondly, books like Donnerjack, Jack of Shadows and I believe some others,weren't they written by that co-author of Zelazny, after he died. Or did he have a large part in it as well.