The Great British Novel

[Paul_C]

Hi everyone

I am new to these forums but would like the opinion of members on a new publishing project I am launching.

It’s a world record breaking attempt to bring 5,000 people together to write one book, The Great British Novel.

Each contributor gets to add one paragraph to the book and when the book is published their name will appear next to their paragraph and also in the index at the rear of the book. To make it a bit more fun, you only get to see a small selection of the previous paragraphs so it really requires some creativity to continue the story.

We are charging £10 to each contributor to cover the costs of running the project and also to cover all the associated costs of publishing the completed novel. In return, as well as appearing in the book we are hoping to offer all contributors discounted advance copies of the novel.

The idea came about whilst I was having a few pints with a good friend of mine who owns a web design company. I was talking about my frustration at having attempted to write my own book several times but due to work and family commitments never managing to complete, or frankly get near to completing any of these attempts. By the end of the night we had come up with the idea of The Great British Novel and my friend Steve had agreed to help develop the website www.thegreatbritishnovel.com needed to launch the idea.

I know The Great British Novel is a far cry from having your own book published but I’m hoping it’s a stepping stone for frustrated authors, albeit a rather fun and simple one.

I would value the feedback from members of this forum on the idea. The site has only just launched so we still have time to make changes if enough people feel it will help to improve the project.

Thanks

Paul

[mattsterrr]

My opinion is that £50,000 adds up to a hell of a lot of admin.

If you're asking authors to contribute to the publishing of the book AND charging THEM a fee for providing this work, then you must also offer them a percentage of the profit.

As it stands, you're asking authors to pay £10 to write a portion of a book that could potentially make YOU a profit.

Also, if you only get 500 writers to contribute and the book, therefore, doesn't get completed, will you be giving a refund to those writers who do contribute?

[J. A. Young]

As a lover of British novels--and frankly--it's unbelievable the work that comes out off that island and the little island to its side as well.

I personally don't believe in paying for publication--I've paid enough! It's called school.

Your idea does sound fun, however, but something of a novelty. Good luck--I just think collecting the money will be difficult. --J