Authonomy, YouWriteOn and others

I must have been inspired in some subconscious way by my attendance at the Winchester writers festival because I found myself doing something I have never done before – joining fairly high level writers groups online. But I reckon Authonomy (run by HarperCollins) and YouWriteOn (Arts Council) are probably at the top end of the market in terms of what they are trying to achieve.

Authonomy is effectively the HarperCollins slush pile on line – currently in beta and by invitation only (I believe). HC says it will allow editors to cherry pick material they like and save the executive time it takes editors and others to dip into the slush mountain.

It is truly scary to realise just how many writers there are out there – from all walks of life. One thing the site has shown me is what the world must look like from the editor’s point of view, particularly at a time when editors have become subsumed into the corporate/marketing decision making process that is modern publishing (particularly in the UK). So far only one person has even glimpsed my new book ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ and there is a lot of discussion and debate about all things writing. It just may be that writers who get the most reviews and make the most noise are the ones that might drift up to the surface – funny when you think how many writers spend time debating whether self-promotion is necessary or desirable.

YouWriteOn is similar but open to many more people in the industry. I have already had two reviews and reviewed in turn eight submissions – so in this regard alone it is a more effective model

We will have to wait and see.