The Ink-Pot and the Palette

Why I Contribute Cashy Money to the OTW, by DarkEmeralds

An Archive of Our Own, pure and simple.

The AO3 is what I've been waiting for my entire fannish life: a place where fans can post and store their fanworks, without fear of strikethroughs, account terminations, cease-and-desists, or closure based on content*. A multi-fandom treasure-trove of written works, the AO3 might soon be a place for vids, too!

I want the AO3 to grow and endure, so I give them money. Not a lot, but after supporting a big national charity for years through my employer's giving campaign, last year I took a few minutes and arranged to send that same regular, small amount to the OTW instead.

It was easy! It was painless! And every payday I get an email from my credit union saying that a latte-factor's worth of money has gone to an organization that supports, understands and loves something that makes my life a more joyful and creative place.

I've never been happier with a money contribution, never more certain that what I'm supporting with my scarce dollars is genuinely worth my support.

For me it's all about the Archive, but the OTW is active on several important fannish fronts, notably legal advocacy of fanworks, and scholarly work in the area of fanworks and fandom. Besides, they are just plain cool people, responsive to their members, excited and open about what they do.

I hope that fandom people who can spare a few bucks will consider giving them to the OTW. It will make you smile.

*Their terms of service are here. The key bit, for me, is this: "Unless it violates some other policy, we will not remove Content for offensiveness, no matter how awful, repugnant, or badly spelled we may personally find that content to be."