I was just linked to this, and all I have to say is HELL YES. This is an argument that I've made on my own blog several times, to the consernation of some of my authors -- but most of them, like TNH, believe that fanfic is, as things go, pretty good. Authors like PZB, who are vocal about their "hatred" (or whatever) re: fanfic are actually fewer and more far between than is realized, but since PZB et al are more vocal than the others (who are authors like Kassandra Sims and Susan Sizemore), they get more attention and wank.