@AmyZenunim that reminds me of the sad ways the Darkover world ended up crashing.
For all faults with Marion Zimmer Bradley (I haven't properly read up on her, but I think there was something bad), for a good while she not only encouraged people to work with her world, but actually helped starting some careers through the publication of "fan made" short stories in a few anthologies, until the publisher stepped in and sent lawyers after fans hosting fanpages.