elrhiarhodan

Apparently, Amazon is teaming up with rights holder Alloy Entertainment, to allow fan fic writers to sell their works through the Amazon website as part of a new program called Kindle Worlds. Properties that will be part of the initial launch include The Vampire Diaries and Pretty Little Liars.

But all is not sunshine and roses...

1 - Alloy may use anything you publish and not compensate you.
2 - Amazon will have rights to your works for the entire term of copyright
3 - Pornography will not be permitted. (Whether that means that non-canon LGBTQ stories without a sexual component are prohibited has not be determined.)

John Scalzi has a terrific overview of the new program on his blog, Whatever: Amazon’s Kindle Worlds: Instant Thoughts. The comments are as interesting (and in some cases, rage-provoking) as the article itself.

I find the timing of this particularly interesting in light of this article: An Unforbidden Love: In fan fiction, your favorite characters can do … whatever you want them to, which explores the new popularity of fan fiction in the mainstream. Including slash fic. The graphic at the top of the article is worth looking at, particularly for K/S 'shippers.

Sometimes, I just can't figure Amazon out. About a year ago, my Canon 50mm f1.8 lens literally fell apart. I just had taken it out of my lens case and the whole thing disintegrated into its component pieces - like it had been hit with entropy. (Research into the issue showed that this was a common failing with this super-cheap lens).

So, after struggling without a good medium distance prime lens in my kit for a while, and not willing to repurchase the f1.8 cheap piece of crap, I broked down yesterday and ordered the Canon 50mm f1.4 - which is fast and quiet.  I also wanted it in my hands as soon as possible.  Why?  To play with it a bit before the Paley Center event on Tuesday night...just thinking about getting pictures of Tim and Matt with all that lovely bokeah surrounding them makes me, well, squishy.

So anyway, I have an Amazon Prime account, and the first thing I look for is the lens listed as a Prime item.  It is...and I order it.  And it isn't Prime, but the shipping's free.  I click "BUY" and when the confirmation comes through, the delivery date (from Adorama in midtown Manhattan) is late next week.  WTF????

I cancelled the order immediately, and went  back to the item.  Strange, it IS available as Prime, but it's $10 more.  Okay, I can deal with that.  I placed the order, and spring for the $3.99 for next day delivery.  And guess what, kiddies...the darn thing is still cheaper than the one I originally ordered.  That one, Amazon charged sales tax.  This one, they didn't.  Who know why, and at this point, I don't even care.  The order status page tells me the box is out of delivery, so I'll have it when I get home tonight.

I know people like to describe Amazon as the Wal-Mart of the Internet, but I still love it to bits.  Got a boxload of awesome in today:

( Stuff )