A quick little update to my Fandom Permission Statements post, which asks authors to put a permission statement in their ao3 bio!
It makes sense that podficcers aren't allowed to post works without being given permission onto ao3, but DID YOU KNOW that this counts for Anonymous and orphaned works as well?
So here's my new plea to authors: if you anonymize or orphan your work, and you're okay with it being podficced:
Please put blanket permission for podfic in the author's notes before orphaning or anonymizing!
Would you be delighted to have your fics recorded into podfics (aka audio versions of your words)?
You can tell us in a permission statement!
Does the idea of your words being turned into a pod churn your stomach and make you want to hide in the forest (ie you DON’T give permission)?
You can tell us in a permission statement!
Do you have boundaries, are some works a yes and some a no? Do you like the idea of art but no pods or pods but no translations?
You can tell us in a permission statement!
Who is ‘Us’?
We’re like the cool weird aunts (gn) at your family reunion that few people listen to and even fewer respond to, but we continue to be cool and weird despite the radio silence because we know that there are other cool, weird aunts around that get excited about the same things we do.
We’re pocket friends who are deep in your fandoms and already enamoured with your words; and we’re internet randos who go squirrelling for food, fandom blind, so that we can record it for team challenges. We’re fans who wish our favourite fics were audiobooks so we could listen to them over and over on our daily commute, or in the bath, or when we’re hiding from the world under a weighted blanket.
We’re people who want to turn eyeball cake into earball cake, and we need to know if your bakery is open. (Not a euphemism. Unless…?)
Okay, weird aunt, so what IS a permission statement?
It’s a sentence or three in your ao3 (or other) profile that tells other creatives where you stand about related works.
Here is a great post with more detail and here is an example of mine:
I love podfics, fan art and translations, and I’d die of happy if one of my fics has moved you to create.
It’s a blanket yes from me for art and podfics - but I like to be asked on a case-by-case basis for translations (unless we know each other outside of ao3 then go forth and do your thing). Please ask in a comment on the fic! I read all my comments and will respond.
(And PLEASE, whether we know each other or not, share your creation w me so I can die of happy, as per above, and so I can share your work in kind!)
If creating your own seems too hard, and my bakery matches your bakery, feel free to copy and paste.
That’s it!
If I’ve encouraged you to make a permission statement regarding your own works please let me know in the next *checks watch* three days so I can get some extra cool weird aunty points for a cool, weird team challenge xx
Do you have a statement that lets people know what kinds of transformative works you allow, under which circumstances? If not, have you considered adding one? :D For more info, see for example this fanlore article, but the long and short of it is this: Such a statement clarifies what you allow other people to do with you work, for example whether they can record your stories as podfics, or translate them, or remix them, or write sequels or prequel, or draw fanart...
Putting that info in a prominent public place (for example your AO3 profile, or a pinned tumblr post) lets people who are interested in transforming your work know what you are a cool with and what not. Or where to contact you to ask further questions. If you're unsure about what to put in your statement, the fanwork permission statement builder can be helpful :)
Now, if seeing this makes you write your own statement, yay, that's great! But also please let me know so I can add you to the list of authors who allow podfics (if that is indeed something you allow). And also so I can get extra points for Voiceteam. I am but a little points gremlin, after all.
Fandom PSA: Fanworks Permission Statements and why you should make one if you’re a fic writer!
At some point, most of us fanfic writers have probably thought, “I wish someone would make fanart/podfic/fanvid/translation/etc. about my fanfic.”
For this to happen, first there must be a reader who enjoys the fic enough that they feel compelled to make a derivative fanwork. This is a necessary condition—but not a sufficient one!
Most of the time, this potential podficcer or translator will also seek permission from the fic writer to make their derivative fanwork. As a writer, you might think, “Of course I’ll give permission! Why wouldn’t I? I would LOVE to have a podfic/translation/whatever.”
However, this fact is not actually obvious to others. Some writers don’t want people to make derivative works based on their writing. Some writers have certain conditions that they require. The podficcer/translator/whoever has no idea of knowing what these conditions are unless they:
ask the writer for permission, or
can find the writer’s permission statement.
You might think, “Option A sounds simple. If someone is interested, they can just ask me for permission, and I’ll tell them any conditions I might have.”
Well…that might be simple for you, but it isn’t as simple for the person approaching you.
Consider the POV of a hypothetical podficcer. They read your fic. They love it! They want to make a podfic of it! But when they check the notes on your fic and your AO3 profile, they find nothing indicating whether you would even be receptive to a podfic.
They have several options, depending on what means of communication you have made available:
Comment directly on the fic asking for permission to make a podfic. Wait and hope that you respond quickly enough that the podficcer still has the requisite enthusiasm to record the podfic. (Enthusiasm can wane the longer they wait.)
Send you a message on another website, like Tumblr or Reddit, assuming that you’ve shared your username somewhere easily accessible on AO3/the fanfic website. Again, wait and hope that you respond quickly enough.
Decide they would rather not bother with the hassle of waiting and hoping, so they move on to another fanfic whose writer DOES have a permission statement.
If the podficcer had known upfront that you would be OK with a podfic, they could have just recorded the podfic ASAP while they were at the height of their enthusiasm. If the podficcer reallyyyy loves your fic, they might be willing to do Option A/B and wait anyway. But sometimes, Option C is just simpler, especially if there are other fics that the podficcer is interested in recording.
Hopefully you are now thinking, “A permission statement makes sense, so I can maximize the odds that someone will make a podfic/translation/etc. But how do I write a permission statement? What do I include? Does it have to be a blanket permission statement, or can I add conditions?”
There are resources that can help you! One that I’ve seen recommended is this Fanworks Permission Statement Builder, which helps you create a personalized permission statement in just a few steps. You can edit the output with whatever additional conditions you might have. There is also a Directory of Fanwork Creators with Permission Statements if you want to consult it for examples or other resources. I have a permission statement on my AO3 profile.
You should, of course, be comfortable with your permission statement. If you would not be comfortable with a blanket permission statement, then include the conditions that you would like to request/require.
Keep in mind that more conditions/obstacles might lower someone’s enthusiasm to make a derivative work. For example, let’s say a podficcer is deliberating which of two fics they want to record.
Fic 1: The writer has a blanket permission statement on their AO3 profile allowing fanworks like podfics. They just ask that the podficcer use the “Inspired By” feature upon posting on AO3. The podfic can be posted elsewhere, but the writer would like for it to also be posted on AO3.
Fic 2: The writer has a permission statement on their AO3 profile which requires that the podficcer reach out beforehand to explicitly confirm permission to record whatever fic the podficcer is interested in. The podfic can ONLY be posted on AO3 and cannot be posted anywhere else.
Based on what I’ve heard from several podficcers, if all other things are equal, they would prefer Fic 1 over Fic 2. Fic 1’s permission statement is straightforward: just make sure to appropriately credit the original writer, and post the podfic on AO3.
Fic 2 is more complicated. The podficcer has to take the extra step of reaching out to the writer, with no guarantee that the writer will respond promptly. The waiting time means that the podficcer might lose the spark of inspiration for “spontaneous podding,” as one person called it.
Also, the requirement to only post on AO3 can be confusing. AO3 cannot host audio files. The podficcer must host the audio file elsewhere, and then they link to that file when they publish on AO3. Does the writer understand the difference between hosting and posting? Will the podficcer need to clarify what the writer intends? This also means that if the podficcer wants to post on another website, they no longer have that option.
If the podficcer has to jump through several hoops to record Fic 2, they might just move on to a simpler option, like Fic 1.
This does not mean that you, the writer, must write a blanket permission statement! As stated above, you should make sure you’re comfortable with your own permission statement. Include all the conditions that you would be satisfied with. Just keep in mind what the potential artist/podficcer/translator/etc. might be considering on their end.
As an example of a multivoice collaborative podfic, check out MG101: Intro to Other Magics, a Merlin x HOTD crossover that I helped create!
If this post inspires you to make your own permission statement, please let me know! I am participating in a podfic event called Voiceteam 2025, and I get bonus points for every person whom I inspire to make a permission statement. 😊 You can just let me know in a reblog, comment, or DM whether you’ve made a permission statement.
Wish to know more about blanket statements, podfics, etc? Check out this page!
Image text under the cut!
Lady Whistledown’s Guide to Permission Statements
Dearest Gentle Reader,
Some of the most spectacular works of art are inspired by others. In fact, the art we in fandom create every day is inspired by and based on work not truly our own. This author is certain you are well acquainted with writing fanfiction, however, she wishes to take this moment to educate you on the wonders of Permission Statements.
A permission statement is a public statement that declares whether you, the author, accepts transformative works made using your personal work! These include, but are not limited to, podfics, translations, fanart, remixes and recursive works, fanbinds, etc. Your statement can specify which transformative works you allow and which you do not. If you wish to allow all transformative works, you may even opt for a Blanket Permission Statement.
For instance, this author gives blanket permission for most fanworks, such as podfics, translations, and fanart so long as my work is properly attributed; though I do not allow remixes and recursive works and require a creator ask before creating a fanbind. This author’s blanket permission statement also prohibits the use of generative AI in transformative works made from my creations.
When it comes to matters such as these, a common question may be: why? Why should an author have a permission statement?
Permission statements make the lives of other creators easier by far! Some podficcers, translators, or fanartists may be shy, anxious, or otherwise hesitant to approach authors on their own, and these statements help make it easier for creators to find authors who are willing to allow these works to be made. Though these statements cannot guarantee such gifts, they do make it more likely that a kind, gentle soul will bring new life to your incredible work through work of their own
Reader, if you are an author who is even remotely willing to have their works podficced, or fanart created of your work, or your work translated, etc., I cannot recommend these statements enough.
It is simple, dear reader. Update your Ao3 profile and make your preferences known. Podficcers, fanartists, and translators will give you their thanks.
Hi!
I saw your tags about interaction and community and I wondered if you had a permission statement somewhere? I didn't find anything on your profile.
I mean something like " I welcome transformative works based on my writing like remixes but I abhor interpretative dances of them."
I've heard of a few podficcers who were lovely enough to make podfics of my fics that these dramatically increase the likelihood of something being made and interactions both.
Have a nice day!
YOU KNOW, I KEEP SEEING THAT POST ABOUT THEM AND GOING "oh man I should totally add one" AND THEN, YOU'LL NEVER GUESS-
Anyway, thank you SO MUCH for the reminder, I finally went ahead and made one just now!
Please note, blanket permission can be YES or NO, and that’s cool. We just need to know.
Orphaned works have been brilliant, too. Thanks to writers who do so instead of deleting!
Spend my weekend with a spreadsheet emailing writers asking permission to podfic. Some haven’t posted since 2014/15 so me sending these letters might be an exercise of hope over experience, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get. In the same breath, I’m asking them to just put a note on their profiles if they are opened to their work being open to Transformative Works or not, just to save everyone time.
I’m trying to stack up all the fic to podfic,because as soon as autumn comes around, things will be simultaneously quieter (no birds or building works) and simultaneously busy (irl shenanigans) and the hope is when I have a pocket of space to record, I can record and edit and post without having to wait on permission (or none).
With the orphaned works, I’ve found a couple that I like, in that there’s space to fiddle around with sound effects and mix downs without it coming across as weird. There is a fic I’d like to podfic because it’s pretty funny, and I want to see if my voice/style lends itself to being funny than not, but that’s the fic I’m asking permission to do.
On the writing side, I’m still writing, but there’s a flaw in my plot, and we’re on the outs for a minute.
