We had a podfic gathering on Wincon Sunday and while most of the attendees were readers, we had two writers sit in on at least a part of the discussion and recording. We talked a little bit around some of these issues, but what really struck me most about that conversation was when one of the writers chimed in and asked what she, as a writer, could do for us as podficcers. I think we were all really pleasantly surprised and touched, because it was putting the ownership back in our hands, or at the very least, making it a collaborative effort, rather than just a format shift.

I've also had mixed bag reactions to permission asking. I've had one or two authors reply cautiously or even suspiciously, but even when they're enthusiastic, I often get the sense that they feel like I'm doing it for them... which, yes, I'm thrilled that it makes writers happy and that they enjoy the work we do - I want my authors to enjoy the readings, of enthusiasm - but I wish there was a way to reconcile the conflict between "This is my fanwork" and "This is your version of my fanwork".