Well, at least it’s not on Amazon

Matt Ruff, a juror for the James Tiptree, Jr. Award, recently posted the long list of nominees for the award. On the list is a Harry Potter/CSI fanfic, Emily Brunson’s Arcana. And the cherry on this sundae? It’s Snape/Stokes MPREG. The story didn’t win, or even make the shortlist, but naturally, chaos insues.

Author Elizabeth Bear comments and the posts turns into yet another debate on fanfic legitimacy – and again. More takes from Cathexy, Coffeeandink, and Ruff himself.

From the Blogside

Today is George Lucas’ birthday!

David Louis Edelman follows up the ESB post I linked last week with his tale of going to see Return of the Jedi.

Pandarus writes in defence of fan fiction. Meanwhile, Hal Duncan has some thoughts on how creators and fanfic writers see the phenomenon.

Stella Belli asks who (or what) is Mary Sue?

The Dark Moose considers the curious workings of the Lucas Edit Machine and the OOT release.

Meanwhile, in the realm of VIPs…

Abel G. Pena on the art of naming Darths.

Don Bies meets Tom Cruise.

Another unauthorized Star Wars tee

Why isn’t Lucasfilm snapping these freelancers up? After the whole Lori Jareo brouhaha, I’ve realized that maybe I shouldn’t be quite so nonchalant about this kind of thing, but… These shirts are awesome, far better than anything I’ve actually seen come out officially. (Yes, they’re trying, but I’m not really feeling the graphics at all.) The Urban Outfitter tees are close, but it seems like they’re trying too hard. You don’t need miles of text, or even a brief snappy caption. Just… simplicity.

It’s not like there’s not precedent – how many fan artists has LFL picked up over the years? Honestly, I don’t know. I’m sure there are contracts and exclusivity deals along the line somewhere. I just hate seeing awesome SW tees hovering in limbo.