Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust

The Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust holds Marion Zimmer Bradley's copyrights and administers the anthologies she edited.
It appears that the "Marion Zimmer Bradley's Living Trust" (cited as the publisher of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine from 1994-2000) is the same organization/corporation.
In 2012, the Trust was the complainant regarding two Darkover pieces of fan fiction called The Women of Darkover and Molly of Darkover. See: Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust and Unauthorized Fanworks.
==Who's In Charge? Who Benefits?==
Sorting out who does what and who benefits is tricky.
In 2008, Elisabeth Waters said that the trustee was Ann Sharp and that she herself was an employee. "I’m not in charge of the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust; Ann Sharp is the Trustee. The Trust hired me to edit S&S 22. I help Ann if she asks for my help, which she sometimes does because a lot of the things I learned working for Marion are still in my head..." -- Elisabeth Waters Interview (2008) Deborah J. Ross, the author who continued to write Darkover books under the eye of Bradley's trust said in 2009 that Ann Sharp was the trustee and Elisabeth Waters was the secretary. "Ann Sharp, the Trustee of the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Trust, and Marion’s secretary, Elisabeth Waters, also furnished invaluable insights into how Marion saw these and other characters." -- (December 29, 2009) 
Differing definitions aside, it appears that Waters is the direct sole beneficiary of Bradley's estate and profits. "MZB’s partner Lisa Waters is the only beneficiary from the sale of MZB’s books..." - Tor.com Yanks MZB Birthday Tribute, comment by Chris S, June 13, 2014 , Jim Hines' blog post, comments by Deirdre Saoirse Moen, Ken, and KeithM (June 23, 2014) 
Two other authors, Deborah J. Ross and Diana L. Paxson, benefit as well, but these are likely due to agreed-upon profits from the contracts they have from the literary trust. "I will not buy anything now put out by the "Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust", the Trustee of which is a Ann Sharp or Elisabeth Waters. They, and such co-authors of newly published Darkover books, Deborah J. Ross and Avalon's Diana L. Paxson -not her children or grandchildren - are the ones now benefiting from sales of her books/books with her name on them. The trustees, according to literary agent Russell Galen are aware of the "allegations" and yet remain silent and do nothing. As to any claim that funds from "Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust" is benefiting abused children, it does not mention such donations or charities at the web site... Serena at Goodreads, Augsut 20, 2014 
One source states that the trust is not listed on California's database of non-profits, and there is no evidence that the trust donates any money. "By all appearances the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Trust, which holds all of MZB's copyrights and is not listed in California's database of nonprofits, is funneling profits from sales of her works to a small group of MZB's friends and enablers. Nothing, so far as I know, goes to her children or to any charity. -- comment by Alessandra Kelley at , June 23, 2014 
In 2014, Russell Galen was the literary agent for the "Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust." "Russell Galen, the literary agent for the Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust, which owns the copyrights to the literary works of Marion Zimmer Bradley and which is administered by an outside trustee, said he and the trustee were "aware of the allegations that have been made"." The allegations are the accusations that Bradley was a child molester and sexual abuser. -- SFF community reeling after Marion Zimmer Bradley's daughter accuses her of abuse, Alison Flood, June 27, 2914 
In 2015, Elisabeth Waters said: "I am currently working on Sword and Sorceress 30. They’re still selling, so Marion’s Trust keeps hiring me to edit them." Elisabeth Waters Interview (July 17, 2015) 
==Trademark==
The Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust registered the trademark for Darkover on March 23, 2010. 
While her first Darkover book was published in 1958, this trademark cites the first use of Darkover ("in commerce" and otherwise) as September 14, 1962. , accessed May 10, 2017 
==The Literary Works Trust and Fanfiction Permission==
A statement regarding Darkover fanworks, updated in 2017: 
==A 2013 Interview==
Two excerpts from an interview with her Trust, see Author Interview: Marion Zimmer Bradley Trust: Ann Sharp and Lisa Waters.
And: 
==Comments Regarding Delegation, The Literary Trust==
==E-Books: Profits and Donations==
On July 1, 2014, Victor Gollancz Ltd wrote: 
On February 16, 2016, Elisabeth Waters posted about MZB's ebooks. She did not mention profits in any way: 
==Further Reading==
* A Tarnished Legacy: The End of Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Sword and Sorceress by Doris V. Sutherland (December 2019)
==Also See==
* Marion Zimmer Bradley
* Marion Zimmer Bradley Fanfiction Controversy
 
* Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust and Unauthorized Fanworks
* Darkover
==References==
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