Adding a spanking chapter to a published novel

This has maybe come up before, but what are the legalities of writing a chapter involving a spanking as a prequel, insert or epilogue to an existing known novel?

Needless to say it would involve using the established characters and linking it to the existing novel.

Do you mean for publication? If it's at all recent you'd probably be in violation of copyright. Novels that are over a century old are, I believe, considered to be in the public domain, unless they're still in print, so you could modify or insert new material into them (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is an example).

If you're just writing fanfiction you're more likely to get away with it, though some writers and publishers take steps against anyone using their settings and characters, whether they're trying to make money off them or not.

I'm no expert, so you'd better look up the law before you try it!

Thanks myrkassi
I was definitely considering writing an additional chapter to a a well known modern book as an epilogue. It would be a "what if" faux-epilogue using the same two characters and acknowledging the original book and author. It would not take the story any further than this faux-epilogue.

The author in question has never incorporated a spanking in any of his novels and probably never will.

In fact I believe the current limit is 70 years after the death of the author - so in some cases it might be more than 100 years after publication. Might be safer to stick to classic literature; I've done that with my 'missing chapters' from 'Emma', 'Jane Eyre', 'Great Expectations', 'The Importance of Being Earnest', etc.

You are correct Phil. However I believe that you can legally rework part of another author's book as part of satirical piece or in order to place it in a different context for journalistic reasons.

Writing a full prequel or sequel is clearly breach of copyright, but is writing an additional "what if?" chapter of a couple of hundred words?

Yes, I suspect you're right. Wouldn't want to argue it in a court of law, though.....