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Bethesda Start-Up Makes Writing a Little Less Lonely
Some of the Bethesda-based staff of start-up WEbook.
(By Michael Temchine For The Washington Post)
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"Through their contributions, not only do authors get input for the book but they also build up an enthusiastic community to promote the book through word of mouth," said Blossom, president of Shore Communications, a consulting and research firm. "Communities then develop a more perfect rough draft . . . and identify content that is more valuable when it is converted into mass media."
Lorraine Shanley, principal at Market Partners International, a publishing consulting firm, said online publishing models can help break down the barriers involved with entering the traditional publishing world.
"But I would worry that 17 cooks stirring the pot could result in either the lowest common denominator or just a mismatched potpourri of conflicting genres," she said.
Heilbronner said a flurry of different perspectives is exactly what WEbook hopes for. Members can help one another overcome writer's block or add an unexpected twist in the plot.
And on WEbook, writers who don't want everyone to be able to read and contribute to their work can control who has access.
Melissa Jones contributed two chapters to the site's first published book and got so involved with the editing process that WEbook hired her to oversee the site's content. She sometimes makes the final call in disagreements between writers or helps moderate brainstorming sessions.
"There is definitely a lot of back and forth, and a lot more voices involved," she said. "But that's how good ideas come up that wouldn't have come up if it was just me writing."
