A Midlands company is helping budding authors get the chance to see their work in print in an X-Factor style scheme backed by the Arts Council.
Rugby-based technology company Zarr Internet Services has developed website youwriteon.com which is aimed at publishing a book by a new writer and distributing it through major booksellers.
New authors join the site for free to review and rate the opening chapters of each others work before randomly sending them on to other members. Each month the three highest rated writers will enter the site's best seller chart and receive a free critique from literary professionals, who include established authors and a leading London literary agent.
The completed book of the highest rated opening chapters will win the site's Book of the Year Publishing Award and be published and distributed.
The project is Zarr's biggest to date and managing director Mark Reynolds said it was a very worthwhile one to be involved in.
"Developing youwriteon.com has been a considerable undertaking for Zarr but, like all of our projects, one we are proud to be associated with," he said.
"Not only does it help bring new writers to the readership but the site also caters for print on demand which allows for books to be printed as and when they are requested by readers. It is a very exciting project and one we feel will be a resounding success."
Edward Smith, the brains behind youwriteon.com, also said: "The website is a wonderful way for new authors to develop as writers with the help of their peers and guidance from expert literary professionals.
"And as youwriteon.com members can also self-publish through the site it really is a win, win operation for new authors. I have been very impressed with Zarr's work on the project and helping to bring my idea to life."
