Blanket Permissions: what they are and why should you should add one
I am stealing from this very helpful twitter thread by my favorite podficcer @flowerparrish and joining the crusade.
The website in the last tweet is truly incredible. https://www.fpslist.org/ is a database that, as stated above, links to permission statements of various fan creators. If you're someone interested in creating podfics or fan art of written works, knowing who allows these transformative works ahead of time gives you a leg up.
But what exactly is a blanket statement?
Blanket or policy statements about a creator's fanworks are often found in the user profile of their ao3 page/social media account, at an "about" or FAQ page of their website or in a pinned post on twitter/tumblr/journal/etc.
Okay, but why should I include them on my ao3/tumblr/twitter/fanfic.net/etc.? you might ask.
Well, for one, if you're open to receiving these lovely little gifts (pod fics, fan arts)... It makes it so much easier for you to receive them! Instead of folks having to constantly ask for the permission, they can make something to show their appreciation for you and your work!
Okay but I want more information.
Great! Here's a few resources for you!
This lovely resource on Fanlore covers what blanket statements are, the various types of works you might like to specifically allow, and more!
This resource on Fanlore specifically dives into blanket permissions for podfics
@spiritthatdenies made a helpful post here about this already, but I am just continuing the crusade because I know I've never seen it on my dash!
What I like about that last resource is that the OP delves into some reasons that it's easier to include these statements. It takes away some of the anxiety and is more time-effective.
And remember! You don't have to say yes to everything. I have seen a whole range of blanket permissions since starting my (so far) brief journey into podcasting. I have seen statements that:
Specifically state that locked fics cannot be used
Specifically state that locked fics must be requested
Ask to always be given a link to the work after it is done
Specifically state that certain fandoms cannot be used/must be requested
Specifically ask that you do not re-pod anything already podded
So, seriously, your blanket statement can be anything!
Okay, so I added the blanket statement. But how will people know?
Well the best way is by submitting to the FPS archive I linked! Here is the page that has details on just how to do that. You can insert a link into the Google Sheet above, or register on the site and use the My Authors page.
Plus, there's a super wonderful extension I have downloaded that allows you to specifically view who has blanket permissions on ao3! It highlights those authors for you.
I will often check a creator's profile just to see if maybe they have a blanket permission but just aren't on the archive yet. It is rarely the case but I am hopeful nonetheless!
A final little resource, this one specifically for folks creating podfics, but that I think might ease the minds of folks worried about their works not being properly linked to: This browser extension is a podfic posting helper. Basically, it does all of the heavy lifting for you. It adds all the tags, content warnings, ships, you name it. It makes sure you have filled out the transformative works section correctly. It ensures that everything is exactly the way you need to it be (and you can customize it as well).
So... hopefully that covers it! I'm personally tagging just... a lot of fandoms here in hopes this reaches enough corners of the internet and gets reblogged enough that folks begin to add more blanket permission statements!
If you'd like a simple statement to post, feel free to copy this one down:
I give blanket permission for anyone to podfic, remix, or otherwise create derivative works of my fics! All I ask is that you link back to my work as the inspiration. If you would like to additionally link me to the finished work, especially if it is not posted to ao3, please send it along.
That one is the one I have on my ao3!
















