Book Country - A free online writer's community to upload your writing...

As writers we are always looking for feedback on our work as well as a public forum to share the stories we've created. Some of us choose to take the traditional publishing route, which we all know is a long, slow process.  There have been stories in the news lately of some big names (Barry Eisler) choosing to leave traditional publishing and take a crack at the self-publishing route. Without a doubt, we are an industry in flux. 
So to whit - Penguin has launched a new venture called Book Country.

 Here's the deets from a recent Publisher's Weekly article:

"Looking to support and develop writers of genre fiction, Penguin is launching a public beta of Book Country, a free online writing community and publishing services venture. In development for more than a year, Book Country offers writers a place to upload new works and receive feedback and criticism from a community of writers and readers; a place for agents and editors to look for new talent; and eventually the venture will offer a suite of self-publishing services that will offer e-book and print publication for a fee. 

 

The Book Country online community is focused on supporting writers of genre fiction—from romance, fantasy, science fiction and thrillers to a range of contemporary hybrid genres like paranormal romance, urban fantasy and Steampunk. The site is free to use and anyone can get an account and begin uploading writing. However, the site is focused on providing feedback and support to developing writers and all Book Country members must first comment and review at least three works by different writers before they can start uploading their own works.

The venture was conceived and developed initially by Molly Barton, director of business development at Penguin and president of Book Country. In a phone interview, Barton acknowledged that while Book Country is focused on developing writers, she expects to find new authors for Penguin through the site as well. But she also emphasized that Book Country will be “publisher agnostic” and encourages editors from Penguin as well as other publishers and literary agents to join the Book Country community. Agents or editors who wish to contact a writer about their work can notify Book Country staff who will then ask the writer if they want to be contacted. The private beta of Book Country has had about 500 members using it."


Part of their user agreement says this:  "You may also arrange with us to self-publish your Work as an ebook and/or in printed form that you may sell via the Website, and, in the future, to make your Work available for purchase via other online booksellers."

For the rest of the article go here.

What do you think of this concept?  The site is well-designed and easy to navigate.  Do you think we will see more publishers trying to walk the middle of the road between traditional publishing and self-publishing?  

I don't think there are any right answers at the moment, but for sure this is a conversation that will go on for the near future.

~Kiki