Why yes, I AM procrastinating, why do you ask?

avacado_love asked "Is it ethical to world-build off of what is essentially not yours to begin with?" in a completely different context, and I've been thinking lately about a project I've been meaning to do for years.

My mom wrote a fantasy novel, unpublished but finished. My mom has been dead for almost twenty years. I have several drafts, including the final one, and it's pretty good. I've always meant to type it up (it was written on an Apple II, back when floppy disks were actually floppy) and submit it for publication.

Here's my question: is it ethical for me to change it? There are weaknesses to the story. One is that it was written in the '80s, with many of the fantasy elements of the '80s. The characterization is not strong, but the plot is interesting. There are parts that I think were gacked from Pern, though never having read Pern I'm not sure.

Who is the copyright holder? I would assume my dad owns the copyright. If I change it, do I become partial copyright holder? My dad once said he would never have the emotional strength to be able to read the manuscript. Years later, I don't know if that's still true.

I also don't know whether this would be a good idea for me, emotionally. Trying to get to know my dead mother through her writing, then changing that writing, feels like it might bring up a lot of stuff. Especially since, well, I haven't read the manuscript in 10 years. What if, upon re-read, I discover that it wasn't as good as I'd remembered? Will I be able to handle that?

And I'm still stuck on the "is it ethical to change somebody's work without their permission?" And if I did, and I by some miracle was able to publish it... I realize that I would need to work these details out with my dad beforehand, however painful it might be for him.

Back to work! Or at least, back to procrastinating from work!

(no subject)

Awwww....

Apparently it is Administrative Professionals Day, because my office brought me flowers and brownies!

I have awesome coworkers (even if they never can remember I can't eat brownies).