On fair use and the value of Fandom

[red_lasbelin]

Naomi Novik, author of the Temeraire fantasy novels, testified before a Congressional Subcommittee on Tuesday about fair use - specifically the creative communities that make up fandom as we know it. She herself writes fanfic (and other fanworks!) as astolat. I had a chance to read her written testimony and it gave me goosebumps and illustrated how important and impactful fandom can be and how it should be protected. I encourage you to read this: Naomi Novik's testimony

Just - could not have said it better. It choked me up a bit.

Comments

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

That was great. I think she is right that fan fic inevitably can lead to original works. Great post.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

Yes, I appreciated the way she also expressed that creativity for its own sake is also a good thing, whether or not people move onto to original work. There's value in people who just write fanfic happily and sharing stories with their friends. As long as no money's being made off them, it's a playground that should be left up.

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

I liked that too. It felt like a defense of fandoms to me.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I really like her. I love her fanfic and I like her original fiction a lot--it is really creative and original and has a lot of heart. But most of all, I respect what she has done for fandom as a whole and the amount of work and effort she has put into it week after week, year after year. She gives back.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

She is definitely a fandom hero! I love her fanfic - I'll admit I haven't read her original work yet. They are on my to-read list though. She has done so much for fandom, it's amazing.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I have read about half of her dragon series. I've really enjoyed them. I am severely limited as to how books I can buy a month. I am overdue to buy a couple more of hers.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

Due to some unforeseen expenses the past two months, I can't afford too many new books either. But then I've got piles of books on the to-read list that I do have already. My sympathies - there is never enough money for books!

[minuial_nuwing]

Wow. Just - wow. It choked me up, too.

Thanks for posting this, Red.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

No problem, Min dear. She said it so beautifully.

Is the fic going okay?

[minuial_nuwing]

Depends on who you ask. =D

I think it is going to be okay, if a bit abrupt in places. The stars of the episode are Not Amused. I hope they don't get hateful in the home stretch.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

That was awesome. Thanks for posting, Red.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

Not a problem, Agie. She said it so well!

[elfscribe5.livejournal.com]

Good post. Thanks for sharing that. I think I'll post it on my LJ too.

[red-lasbelin.livejournal.com]

You did a lovely post, articulating in ways better than mine about what's going on. Thanks for the signal boost!