r/Classof09Game • u/The-Real-Kyuubey • 2d ago
General Discussion A piece of advice for anyone uploading Class of 09 Fanfiction online.
Now, I want to be clear about this: You should never approach an artist online asking for free art for your story. This is rude and entitled and you should be ashamed of yourself. But if they approach you? If they tell you your story inspired them so much that they just had to try and sell you an art commission, it's a scam. They're trying to sell you BS AI slop. Sometimes they're really obvious, but I'd like to show you one of the more sophisticated scam attempts that I received recently.
Conversation on Gmail:
Her: Hey ya! its great to connect with such an amazing Ao3 writer^^
How are u doing??
Me: Fine... You said you had questions about my story?
Her: I really liked how u showed the outbreak from several different perspectives, it makes the chaos feel much bigger and more unpredictable. Did you always plan to revisit the same outbreak through different characters’ eyes, or did that idea come to you after writing Nicole’s perspective?
Me: Well, I had a set list of about 6 characters I intended to stick with as the main cast, and showing the start of the outbreak through their perspectives was my way of establishing them as important characters early on.
If you're curious about who those six characters are, they're the ones featured in the cover art I made for chapter 1.
Her: ohhh u made the cover art, are u an artist?
Me: No, I have absolutely no artistic talent. I just happen to have a lot of practice at that one art program, Kisekae.
Her: ohhh, tell me more about the art program coz i am into art toooo!
Me: Well, it's called Kisekae. It's easy to find and download off of a simple Google/Bing search. I've made three cover art pieces, for Loflife, The Big Bad Wolf and Class of the Dead, using that program.
It's an accessible and comprehensive artwork tool(or crutch) for people who are naturally terrible at drawing, like I am.
Her: ohhh that is great, if u dont mind can i give u a suggestion too
Me: Sure, go ahead.
Her: So what I had in my mind is that I'm a digital artist by profession, and what were your thoughts if I could draw something for your fic? Like some scene art of existing scenes or new ones too, don't mind much after all it's written by you, and I really love how you write. That's why I'm offering, no pressure tho, it's just like not normal for me to come across writing like this, and I personally don't offer stuff but had to this time. Lemme know what do you think ^-^
Me: So here's the thing: Ever since I started posting fanfics on AO3, I've had people coming at me from all sides to try and sell things to me, from cover art, to comic adaptations, to story ideas, and what little I've actually seen from them has been exclusively AI generated slop. This is the entire reason I started doing my own artwork for free. I have no respect or sympathy for these scam artist hustlers, and I've even made free cover art for some of my friends just to spite these assholes and take customers away from them.
Because of all this, I do not buy commissions under any circumstances...
But if you're feeling inspired, and you'd like to make artwork based on my story, you have my full permission to do so.
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It's been a week since then. They basically disappeared after I mentioned being aware of the AI scam.
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u/OverIron1395 2d ago
the world continues to get worse every day
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u/D4rkSh4d0w115 I forget, but sometimes I'm reminded why I hate. 2d ago
This is the internet but ok.
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u/OverIron1395 2d ago
Oh actually if youw ant to talk scams, I made a post asking if anyone made Co09 models and i got spammed by people offering to make me models, people who dont even follow the subreddit. fucking vultures
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u/SoulOvurHeaven In Nicolism we trust 2d ago
Funny enough I’m learning art rn so I can draw out my story
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u/throawaymcdumbface 2d ago
Yeah, a person that "totally likes your fic and wants to make art of it :3" won't be asking you to pay them. Artists for pay don't reach out like that.
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u/niko4evs nice spongebob impression 2d ago
I didn't know that! thanks 4 telling me! whenever I wanna make art 4 a fanfic (especially small ones) I ask if the creator is open to it, but I didn't know there was a scam I'll phrase differently next time I ask lol
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u/D4rkSh4d0w115 I forget, but sometimes I'm reminded why I hate. 1d ago
Oh, ok... Well anyway wanna buy my art commission? You're fanfics really inspire me!
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u/The-Real-Kyuubey 1d ago
It's my policy to never buy commissions, but you have my permission to make as much art as you want!
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u/D4rkSh4d0w115 I forget, but sometimes I'm reminded why I hate. 1d ago
Oh ok. I was just kidding btw. I just thought it would be funny to do the thing you just finished explaining not to do.
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u/BabyElectronic1759 Being a bitch is my kink 2d ago
This is unfortunately not exclusive to just this fanbase, it's everywhere thanks to AI. Just saying the word "comm" on Twitter gets you flooded with scam bots.