Five years ago Colin Ross did something extraordinary. He had a couple of successful books set in his Jewel Galaxy universe. The first book had been made into a film, and there were clearly plenty of story lines to come. Then he gave it all away.
He announced that he was giving up the copyright on the texts. He wasn't claming IP rights over the characters. He welcomed people writing their own stories, creating their own merchandise, making their own films. When asked about loss of income he said that he had enough money from the books and the film to keep him going for a while.
Fan fiction and cosplay isn't something new, but with an endorsement like that, there was an explosion of creativity. The difference with what emerged from that compared with fan fiction is that there was very little canonical storyline. We were only just being introduced to the characters, and there were quite a few. So the new fiction went in all different directions. Even if you're not a fan, you've probably seen the memes.
In time though, there was a kind of consensus on the direction of travel with the plot structure. Stories written about the unlikely outcomes weren't so popular. Stories that enhanced or kep close to the agreed plot were well-liked. In time a shorthand was developed so you could orient yourself when starting a new story: Vendova dead, Opalbeen overcome by K'Reet, no Mornington Code.
So that was five years ago, and the outpouring of creativity has slowed now. Maybe this is why Ross has chosen to make his announcement now - "I'm writing a Jewel Galaxy book". Of course he is entitled to do that, he never promised he wouldn't. Maybe the money is running out.
So here's what we know:
It's going to be set within the main storyline, no radical departure. He said he's starting about 80% of the way along the timeline and taking it in an "interesting" direction.
He's not making a film. That means there will be a race to create a film. It could be like a multi-way game of chicken. You don't want to be the fifth film that covers the book, but you don't want to not do it if you can.
Ross has been resistant to interviews over the years, but has granted a small number with this announcement. In a recent one with the BBC he pointed out that "owning" stories was a relatively new concept. No-one owns Robin Hood or The Arabian Nights. It was printing and copyright that meant that authors became used to protecting their storylines.
The big question at this point is, "will others give away their creation?". Even though no-one else has broken
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