When will this stop? When will publishers and readers and the world realize that publishing fanfic is wrong? When will we realize that these stories a...moreWhen will this stop? When will publishers and readers and the world realize that publishing fanfic is wrong? When will we realize that these stories are using the success of another writer to make more money without giving these authors any of what they've earned by creating these characters and creating the popularity that these fanfic stories are capitalizing on?
I have no problem with fan fiction. What I do have a problem with, though, is capitalizing on another author's work and using it to make money for someone other than the author. This story gained fame under the Twilight label. It is now making beaucoups of money based on Stephenie Meyer's work and luck, but what does Stephenie Meyer get out of the deal? Nothing really.
I will not be reading this story. I will not be reading any story that was originally written as a free fan fiction story only to be sold to publishers for hundreds of thousands of dollars, even with the names changed. Why? Because authors have poured their hearts and souls into creating these worlds that they will see nothing back from once things are said and done.
World, it's time to move on and support books that are not capitalizing on another book's fame. Let's support new and original worlds, new and original characters, new and original things that don't have to rest on the laurels of TWILIGHT to be popular.
By all accounts, the Infernal Devices drastically undersold predictions. It was a MILLION copy first printing and sold roughly 90K in 2 weeks with sal...moreBy all accounts, the Infernal Devices drastically undersold predictions. It was a MILLION copy first printing and sold roughly 90K in 2 weeks with sales since then tanking. Yet The Dark Artifices series sold to S&S for high SEVEN figures. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Cassandra Clare is taking home almost $10 million for the publication rights to a THIRD series in this universe. Fourth if you count the fact that three books were added on to the first series.
I have nothing against someone wanting to make some money, but this has reached the point where I must inquire - does Clare have any other ideas? Is writing the same series FIVE times over (yes, she has five series so far either pubbed or planned) really her only clue? How long will her publishers deal with flopping sales until they cut her loose?
So far, predictions for the Mortal Instruments movie are not looking terribly great, with all the fact that YA paranormal is tanking, The Mortal Instruments not having as big of a following as even The Host (I know, I know, different audience), and with August being the month where movies go to die.
And yet with two series down the drain, there are three more planned, plus a short story series, plus an encyclopedia, and not to mention the narcissistic essay collection.
I am ready for the fangirls to come after me, or for anyone who might take offense to my words of annoyance. But let's be honest. Even fans are not liking this cash cow maneuver. Fans want something new, not the same plot done over and over again. The cash cow is skin and bones now, dying in a drought-ridden field while the author is sitting counting her millions.
It's time to move past the same formula. It's time to move past arguing with fans who are genuinely disappointed and want to speak out about it. It's time to move past being the queen bee and forward to stepping out of the box and giving us something new and unique, not something that makes me think, "Ginny Weasley, how could you?!"
I doubt I will ever read anything written by Cassandra Clare, but maybe - MAYBE - I would take a chance if she could show me something new, unique, and exciting, but so far it doesn't seem like I'll ever get that. Until then, I'll take my money and my recommendations elsewhere.