Fiction Express seeks interaction from readers for digital series
15.04.11 | Caroline Horn An e-fiction venture aimed at tweens and teenagers is being launched by packager Discovery Books in May. Called Fiction Express, it will invite teenagers to buy books in installments and to vote to decide the direction of the plot.
The list will launch with four titles on 6th May. Each new episode will be released weekly, on Friday at 3.30pm, and readers will have until 10am the following Monday to cast their vote, giving the author four days to write the next installment.
Editor Laura Durman said: "We talked to a lot of youngsters aged 12 to 15 years who were often not that interested in reading, but they loved the idea of being able to vote on how the plot develops, and reading a book in 'real time'."
The company has bought serialized e-book rights to each title so other publishers may be approached to print the finished books in partnership with Discovery Books. Authors are paid an advance and royalties on sales.
The first episode can be downloaded for free and subsequent installments cost 70p, or at 59p if all 10 episodes are paid for. The fiction can be read online at http://www.fictionexpress.co.uk/ but will not be downloadable.
The company will market Fiction Express through schools and magazines. Durman said: "If we get 1,000 readers on board, we'd be thrilled, but we think it is going to take time to build a word of mouth
following."
Press Release from The BookSeller.com
The four novels are:
Diary of a Mall Girl by Luisa Plaja
Synopsis: The mall is the heart of fifteen-year-old Molly’s suburban town. Most teens hang around with friends there, get their first job there, experience their first kiss there. And Molly? She actually lives there, in the complex’s residential wing. She has hundreds of the best shops and amenities right on her doorstep. But is living in a massive shopping centre as much fun as it sounds? Well, yes... and no. Find out the whole truth in Molly’s private diary...
(The Chronosphere)
Synopsis: Sent to a cottage in the middle of nowhere as part of her therapy, Estelle is immediately aware of a strange presence about the place. There is a dark shadow surrounding the nearby wood that seems suspicious. At first, the silence is oppressive, but then she begins to hear strange noises. Are they real or just part of her overactive imagination? In her fear and panic she calls her friend Sandor - someone she thinks she can trust. Is there something sinister lurking in the shadows? And will Sandor be able to offer her the protection she craves?
Synopsis: Miko Agnosta lives in a world where 13 year-olds' futures are determined by a government machine. When his best friend Lok is banished, Miko begins to question the system under which he lives. His eyes are abruptly opened when he next meets Lok and discovers a forbidden world that he never knew existed. With his mind full of questions, which path will Miko choose to take? Who can be trusted? Is anyone telling Miko the truth?
The Soterion Mission by Stewart Ross
Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic world where no-one lives beyond their teenage years, the Constant residents of Della Tallis are surprised and fearful when stranger Roxanne appears in their midst, pursued by the barbaric Zeds. She carries the Zed tattoo on her forehead, but claims to be a Constant. When she explains that she has come to save them, and tells them the story of the Soterion, the Constant council must decide whether to trust her or kill her as a spy. Will Roxanne survive long enough to find the legendary Soterion, or will it be left to Cyrus and the other Constants to continue the mission? And there is every chance that the Zeds will get there first…
How brilliant do these sound. I am desperately wracking my brains to find a way to incorporate them into the library lessons. If you have any suggestions I would be grateful.
WAIT THERE IS MORE:
Not only is Luisa Plaja an awesome author she is also editor of the fabulous Chicklish amongst other things (I really don't know how she does it) To celebrate the launch of Fiction Express - Chicklish are giving away 10 credits for Fiction Express to 5 lucky winners. The equivalent of a whole novel - how awesome is that. So what are you waiting for go follow Chicklish and enter the give-away HERE GOOD LUCK
Emma, this is really kind of you - thank you for this post! I'm really sorry to say that the competition on Chicklish is closed now and the winners have been contacted. More huge thanks, though, I so appreciate it! xxx
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