MODLY NOTE: Co-mods, please don't merge this INTO another thread. Pls. retain this thread's topic ID # 7914 as it's been linked in the Fanfic FAQs. Thanks! -gal-texter Jun2008

Basically, is there anything wrong with another author picking up a fanfic that someone else had abandoned?


I'm considering picking up this one story that seems to have been paused indefinitely by the original author and I've worked with the author before. I'm just wondering though what ethics might be involved with such a possible venture. And I am planning on asking the original author first, of course, what he/she thinks of my venture.

(I wasn't entirely sure if this was supposed to be in Polishing the Quill or General FFF Discussion. Feel free to move as necessary.)

Thoughts, anyone?

As long as you have the original author's permission, then there shouldn't be any problems. I imagine the original author might want to discuss character and plot development issues.

In RL, don't ghost writers continue storylines started by deceased writers? Like those people who write new V.C. Andrews stories?

I personally have a lot of favorite fanfics that have been abandoned. I generally avoid new WIPs (works in progress) now.

Btw, our PK-mate J herself encouraged everyone to continue a story that she was forced to abandon. It's called Drown My Sorrow.

Yo MDiezel

You need to contact the author of the abandoned story first, get that person's permission and approval and chat with that person about the story.

How did the author want that story to be like?

How is the ending gonna be like?

Why he or she abandoned the story?

Asked for permission to do some changes that suits the story?

You're the first guy to do this thread and asked us fellow PK to do this, you are brave.

Here's a philosophy in my life, we must end everything that has a beginning.

So you must do what you thing is right, go for it.

MDiezeL - FYI, it's in the right forum.

As for continuing an abandoned story that someone else has written - as people have said already, you have to get the author's permission and discuss your plans with the story/story in general. But personally, there's nothing wrong with writing a story that someone has abandoned. Although it won't be the same, but what the hey. We all need to see a variety of people's writing.

MOD NOTE: merging this with a related thread.
~gal-texter / Pen Jun2008


Is it considered okay if, hypothetically, a person were to take another person's fanfiction that isn't complete and hasn't been worked on since january 17 of last year and rewrite it. While the original author has made no official statement about discontinuing it, said person would like to see the story continued. That person has already asked the original author if he/she will be continuing the story but no reply has been sent and is wondering if he/she could start the fic over and write it again in his/her own style but still keep the original plot. The hypothetical person would like to know

Only if you have full permission from the original author. Otherwise, it is plagiarism.

Adam, Portkey.Org Fic Mod Team.

Alternate ways of contacting authors?
Say, for permission to translate their stories?


hello ev'ryone, I'm new here

I'm a die-hard H/Hr shipper in China, I want to translate a fanfiction into Chinese, but the author didn't leave any info at "Contact Information" or "Bio" , what and how can I do? could u tell me?

thx a lot~

Hi and welcome to the forums! You must be either thrilled or tired with the Olympics-mania!

Okay, first, I'm assuming you could see the author's blank contact info fields after you've logged in? If that's the case, then I suggest you contact the author through their story's review board. That is, leave your request as a "review". Authors normally enable the option for them to get emailed alerts of new reviews.

You can also search for that author's name in our fic rec-engine (fanfic recommendations search engine). Check the results for alternate story URLs or author URLs. Often, the authors post in the threads that are listed as "Link to Discussion Forum." Their forum username might be different from their pen name, so best for you to read every post in those threads.

If they don't reply after some time, then you'd have to presume they've lost interest in the fandom. In that case, you have to let it go.

So fast...
Thanks for the reply, I'm now trying


wel, sort of it...I should say, as alwsys, "Welcome to Beijing"...