Firefly fanfic by a pro - profanfic?

Author Steven Brust, known for the Vlad Taltos novels (which are very good fantasy novels, and that’s coming from me), has released a Creative Commons licensed Firefly fanfic novel, My Own Kind of Freedom. Why is this important, and not merely geeky?

Because this is the first time I am aware of that a fairly major professional author has openly published a fanfic piece.  Whether it’s good or not remains to be seen (er, read), but its very existence and timing knocks over some walls between amateur and professional.

Is Brust trying to vie for a work-for-hire gig with Joss Whedon? Probably not. I see it more as a promotional effort of a grassroots nature, i.e. “You like Firefly, I like Firefly, let’s geek out together, and perhaps afterwards you’ll come check out my own professional work.” The literary equivalent of popping up at an open mic to strum a few Beatles covers, then heading over to the stadium for your big rock gig.

One thing is for sure: a lot of Firefly fans will now be checking out Brust’s Amazon page and wondering which Vlad Taltos book to try out.

A smart move in light of the digital download culture.