Friday 4 November 2011

Unbound Books the way forward?!


Have you heard of unbound books? The idea of unbound books it that authors and readers decide which books get published. On the Unbound site, authors pitch their ideas directly to readers. If readers like what they read, they can pledge their support to help make the book happen. Everyone who supports an author before they reach 100% of the funding target gets their name printed in every edition of that book.

There are a number of levels against which readers can choose to pledge their support. The level they choose denotes what they receive once the book is completed; i.e. a signed copy of the book, or an invitation to the book launch. Every level includes a digital version of the book and immediate access to the author's shed while they write the book, and supporters of projects that don't reach their target receive a full refund.

Unbound is a new way of connecting with writers. Most of the writers on the site are well known, others will appear there for the first time.

What's different is that instead of waiting for authors to publish their work, Unbound allows readers to listen to their ideas for what they'd like to write before they even start. If you like their idea, you can pledge to support it. If the website hits the target number of supporters, the author can go ahead and start writing (if the target isn't met readers can either get their pledge refunded in full or switch their pledge to another Unbound project).

It is a fantastic idea for readers and writers alike!

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