Quote

[winter]

Neil Gaiman on fanfiction:
As a fledgling writer, I really wouldn't spend too much time worrying that people will write fan fiction with your characters in. If they ever do, take it as a sign that you probably did something right and made some characters that people liked and believed in and wanted to write about. Or wanted to imagine in the nude. Or something.

From the same entry:
(I'm sure there are people out there writing Harry Potter fan fiction that isn't x-rated)

I adore that guy to itty-bitty pieces.

Comments

[spiteful-caddy.livejournal.com]

It's been explained to me that most writers don't allow fanfiction because if you don't exercise your exclusive rights to your own creations the case can be made that you've set aside your rights to them.

I don't think the worry is that some overzealous fangirl will try to claim Harry Potter, I think it's more like this is the kind of thing that'll come back to bite you in the ass if you try to keep some jerk from republishing your works without paying you 50 years from now.

Of course, I have no idea if the above is true, so take that with a grain of salt. :/