B5 Centric Fan Fiction

[Von Bruno]

I would love to see a contest much like Star Trek's "Strange New Worlds" for Babylon 5. An official outlet for fan fiction that would be overseen by WB (and hopefully JMS or designated surrogate). Of course the book could be prefaced by a disclaimer that the short stories are definately not "canon" and the individual stories could be prefaced with a paragraph by JMS himself.

What do folks here think?

[Jan]

Re: B5 Centric Fan Fiction

Originally posted by Von Bruno
I would love to see a contest much like Star Trek's "Strange New Worlds" for Babylon 5. An official outlet for fan fiction that would be overseen by WB (and hopefully JMS or designated surrogate). Of course the book could be prefaced by a disclaimer that the short stories are definately not "canon" and the individual stories could be prefaced with a paragraph by JMS himself.

What do folks here think?

I'd probably enjoy well-written fiction in the B5 universe, even if it didn't include characters we know. I know JMS is wary of being exposed to it though, having been hit with plaigiarism suits in the past. Maybe Fiona Avery would be a good overseer since she was continuity editor.

BTW, <waves> Hi, Von Bruno!

Jan

[bakana]

There is no reason such a project couldn't work as Canon if the writers were careful.

The real problem would be getting someone to wade thru the Slushpile to weed out the inevitable Slash and Mary Sue stories.

Last I heard, the Trek people get at least one Unsolicited Trek novel Every Day.


That's a Lot of Wannabees weeping and wailing about Their Story not getting chosen.


As the old Bill Cosby Noah routine asked:
"Have you looked down in the bottom of that Ark?
Who's going to clean out that Mess?"

[Von Bruno]

I'd make it non-canon just so as to not hamper or hinder Joe in anyway as to future stories. And to keep it in the realm of pure fun and fannish release.

As for getting someone to go through the submissions. That could be tough but Simon & Shuster has done it with the annual "Strange New Worlds" contest (the deadline for year eight just passed), therefore, I doubt WB would have any real problems setting something up.

Major franchises have really loosened up over the past few years in terms of fan participation. George Lucas seems to embrace fan made Star Wars films (so long as they stay within certain limits). Even Paramount has eased up on fan sites dedicated to Star Trek (so long as they are not for profit) and created the SNW contest as an outlet for fan fiction. I'd just like to see WB and JMS consider something along the same lines as it would be a win/win for everyone ... in my opinion.