Ellen Kuhfeld wrote:That's my take on the situation, too. When you play with somebody else's situations and characters, you've no complaint if a third party comes along and plays respectfully with your story. It's not like you're going to lose sales.
I have one story on my computer that was personally sent to me by the author. As far as I know, it's not available anywhere else. Pity, it's a very good story. But I'm not going to spread it around, because the author doesn't want that.
On the other hand, some authors simply get in a snit and pull everything off the net, including some very good stories. If it's on my drive, I have no compunctions about sending it to somebody; and if enough people come by asking, no compunctions about putting it up on my web site. And there are even fewer worries if it was on a, say, Geocities site that disappeared without descendants.
Sometimes a kick in the fanny is needed for the author to make something available. Back when Lord of the Rings was a pup, Tolkien and his publishers showed no interest in making it available in the USA. Nor had they copyrighted it here. Ace Books put out an unauthorized edition, Tolkien kicked and screamed, and soon enough there were authorized editions.
Frankly, I admire Ace's gall. That behavior isn't needed often, but sometimes it is.
I've no issue with people keeping stuff they've acquired on-line on their Hard drive... I'd be incredibly hipocritical if I did, since I have literally thousands of such stories and other media on my local hard drive... and hundreds that have been either removed from the internet or can no longer be found. I view it as if it was made available for reading or public consumption, it is free game.
I further have no issue of those finding alternate links to said material if not at original locations, again I would be exceedingly two faced if I did.
However, to just up and suddenly hosting it yourself with out even asking or otherwise letting them know I personally feel to be a bit rude. I know for sure some authors certainly would feel that way.
As I said, not my site, not my problem or call to make. I have no vested interest either way.