Fan fiction has been going strong for a number of years and has spawned numerous writers that hit the big time, such as E.L. James and Cassandra Clare. Amazon started its Kindle Worlds project last month, and is seeking to attract IP properties that will allow indie authors to write and make money. Today, Amazon announced it has secured Neal Stephenson and Hugh Howey’s Silo Saga to the platform.
Kindle Worlds has also secured licenses on Barry Eisler’s John Rain novels, Blake Crouch’s Wayward Pines series, and the Foreworld Saga, written by Neal Stephenson and other writers and published by Amazon’s own 47North imprint. Amazon also announced this morning that it has signed up Valiant Comics for the platform, too.
“Kindle Worlds presents an amazing opportunity to bring Valiant’s wide-ranging universe of characters to a new medium, and empower fans and aspiring creators,” Gavin Cuneo, Valiant’s Chief Financial Officer and head of strategic development, said in a statement. “Comics are well known for their passionate and interactive fan communities, and, through the Kindle Worlds platform, we’re excited to give aspiring authors and fans the opportunity to work within the Valiant Universe, make their stories accessible to a large audience, and earn revenue for their work.”
When Kindle Worlds originally launched, it secured licenses with Warner Bros. Television Group’s Alloy Entertainment division for its Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar, Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard, and Vampire Diaries by L.J. Smith. It seems Amazon is going on a rampage to secure as many popular properties as possible to add a new dimension to its ebook collection.
Kindle Worlds pays royalties to both the authors and the rights holders of each fan-fiction novel sold. The author receives 35% of net revenue for works over 10,000 words. If an ebook is between 5,000 and 10,000 words, Amazon will pay the royalties for the world’s rights holder and pay authors a digital royalty of 20%.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
