No. If someone has named you their fannish next of kin and AO3 Support has already granted you access to their AO3 account, you may import their works originally saved or published elsewhere to AO3 via their AO3 account without needing to notify Open Doors. For more information, refer to the Archive FAQ.
Group: Memorial Archives
What does “fannish next of kin” mean?
Archive of Our Own allows users to designate someone to manage your fanworks in the event that you die or become incapacitated. Open Doors can only honor requests for memorial archives by a deceased creator’s next of kin or fannish next of kin. For more information on fannish next of kin and how to designate someone as your fannish next of kin, please check out the Archive’s FAQ.
I would like to see a deceased creator’s fanworks imported as a memorial collection, but I am not their next of kin, nor have I been designated as their fannish next of kin. Is there anything I can do?
At Open Doors, requests for memorial archives can only be made by a creator’s next of kin or their designated fannish next of kin. However, if you would like to see a creator’s fanworks imported, you can contact us through our contact form and include information about the creator’s next of kin or designated fannish next of kin if you have it.
Is there a way to posthumously create a collection for a creator on AO3?
You can posthumously create a collection for a creator through AO3’s memorial archives. In order to do this, you must be the creator’s next of kin or their designated fannish next of kin. Requests for memorial collections can be sent directly through our contact form. After we receive this form, we can begin the process. This process entails both you and a member of Open Doors signing a Memorandum of Understanding which details the terms of the import, announcing the memorial collection, and creating an archivist account for you from which you will upload the works.
What are AO3 Memorial Archives?
AO3 Memorial Archives are collections of fanworks imported by Open Doors for creators who have passed away. These archives are primarily created by AO3 in collaboration with the deceased creator’s next of kin or designated fannish next of kin. These collections are meant to preserve the legacy of creators after their passing, ensuring their works remain available – please contact the Open Doors committee if you want to honor a deceased creator by creating a dedicated archive collection on AO3.