Fan fiction about your world is a sign that readers care enough to build on it, and it raises a question you'll be asked publicly at some point. Deciding in advance means answering calmly and consistently; deciding in the moment means answering about one specific piece of writing, which is not a policy.
The positions
| Position | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Welcoming | Encouragement, and usually a statement of boundaries |
| Tolerant, and not reading | The commonest professional position |
| Discouraging | Legally available, and it costs goodwill |
| Silent | Ambiguous, which readers will interpret variously |
The second row is where most working authors settle, and the reason is the not-reading part rather than the tolerance. Declining to read fan work removes any later question about influence, which protects both parties.
The boundaries usually stated
- Non-commercial, which is the standard expectation.
- Clearly labelled as unofficial.
- Not sent to the author, for the reason above.
- Not using your published text wholesale.
- Anything about real people in your work handled with care.
Point three is worth stating explicitly and kindly, because writers sending you their work mean it as a compliment, and a clear standing policy prevents an awkward individual refusal.
Where to put the position
A short page on your website, linked from your contact page, answers it once for everyone. Two or three sentences is enough, and having it written down is what makes it a policy rather than a mood.
The Novel Kit has nothing to do with this question. It appears in this cluster because authors thinking about the boundaries of their world reach these topics together.
A practical next step
Write two sentences stating your position and put them on your site. You'll be asked, and you'll be glad to have decided in advance.
Sources checked
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to decide?
No, and having no position means responding in the moment, usually to a specific piece you have read, which is the worst basis for a general policy.
What are the usual positions?
Broadly welcoming, tolerant but not reading it, or discouraging. All three are held by successful authors and all three are workable.
Why not read it?
Because of the risk, real or perceived, of later being said to have taken an idea from it. Many authors decline to read for that reason alone.