Lots of People Make Money on Fanfic. Just Not the Authors

Fan fiction, or fanfic, has grown in popularity over the years with fans of various TV shows, movies, books, and celebrities creating their own stories based on their favorite characters and worlds. While many fans write fanfic purely for the love of the craft and to share their creativity with others, there is a growing trend of individuals and companies profiting off of fanfic without compensating the original authors.

One of the most common ways that fanfic authors are taken advantage of is through websites and platforms that host fan fiction and generate revenue through ads, subscriptions, or merchandise sales. These platforms often do not share any of the profits with the authors whose work is driving traffic to their site.

Additionally, there are instances where fan fiction is turned into officially licensed books, movies, or TV shows without the original author’s permission or compensation. This can lead to legal battles and authors being shut out of the profits made from their own creations.

Despite these challenges, there are still ways for fanfic authors to monetize their work. Some authors choose to self-publish their fan fiction and sell it through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Others offer merchandise, Patreon subscriptions, or commissioned stories to fans who want to support their work.

Ultimately, the issue of fanfic authors not being fairly compensated for their work is a complex one with no easy solution. However, it is important for fans to be aware of the potential pitfalls and to support authors who bring joy and creativity to their fandoms.