Hello everyone!! So, this question doesn't strictly have to do with fanfictions, it's more like a thing I've been wondering for a while: Do you know whether it is possible for someone to write a novel (or any kind of book) set in the Labyrinth universe and get it published? Like for example recently a novel has been published and it is set in the "Arrow" world from the tv series. Is it possible to do the same thing for Labyrinth? Provided you recognise the original concept is Jim Henson's.
Hi there, mrsavereen!
I just want to preface this by saying I’m not a lawyer. The below is based on my own personal experience/observations and should not be construed as legal advice.
This is one of the ‘sticky’ and inconsistent aspects of fandom. My knee-jerk reaction is to say, no, but it would really depend on a multitude of factors. Being able to publish works set in an established universe seems to depend largely on the creative property in question (unless the work in question is already in the public domain).
I know Henson isn’t exactly averse to expanding the Labyrinth universe, but they are very slow to actually do so and seem to prefer to do so ‘in house’. I think the biggest hurdle would be getting their permission, and I’m not quite sure how you would go about doing so.
I know amazon was (is still?) piloting a program where people could publish completed fanfiction for certain series, and be paid, but this came with a lot of caveats, and only certain properties were eligible.
If you really want to publish your story, it might be safer, with far fewer legal hurdles, to convert it to an original work (Some of the ‘biggest’ examples of original works that have their original basis in fanfiction are “Shadowhunters” books by Cassandra Clare, and the infamous “50 Shades of Gray” trilogy by E.L. James).
If anyone else has thoughts or suggestions, please reblog or reply to this post!
