Blook: a portmanteau merging book and blog, in order to create an entirely new concept. It sounds silly, as if a made-up word, but do not assume that it hasn't been making an appearance in the publishing industry for quite some time. Quietly the idea has been establishing itself in both authors and publishers minds, with regards to paving an alternative approach to publishing within the digital age. Blogs have always been a way for writers to express opinions and ideas to others, as well as providing a means for publishers to market-test writers through their publicised content (Clark & Phillips, 2008, p.91). A scheme which has generated a compatible connection between books, blogs, and market-testing alike, is launching next year as they establish an online digital community for book-lovers and book-bloggers.
'Blook' is a crowd-supported project, designed for the development of crowd-written stories (Uservox Ltd, 2014) - the community-esque nature of the concept is the central theme behind the launch and branding of the product. Matt Jones, Blook's creator, attributes his idea behind Blook, to be founded on the history of story-tradition. Blook believes that "stories have for all of human history been something society has wanted to share, something to pass down" (Why Blook, 2014). Their lack of 'shareability' indicates how "eBooks somehow put a stop to an inherently human activity" (Why Blook, 2014). Therefore, it appears evident that Blook is Jones' concept to attempt to answer this call for change; to create a place where online books can be shared and discussed, and co-written with other enthusiasts . Ultimately, the scheme encircles the notion of co-creating new stories, as Blook will be a place where writers can start or pick up from where another blooker left off- the whole essence of the project is to "nurture and evolve a completely new generation of storytelling"(Uservox Ltd, 2014), something alternative to the standards of traditional publishing.
The website pre-empting the launch next year has allocated a number of goals that it intends to follow when it goes live next year:
'Blook' is a crowd-supported project, designed for the development of crowd-written stories (Uservox Ltd, 2014) - the community-esque nature of the concept is the central theme behind the launch and branding of the product. Matt Jones, Blook's creator, attributes his idea behind Blook, to be founded on the history of story-tradition. Blook believes that "stories have for all of human history been something society has wanted to share, something to pass down" (Why Blook, 2014). Their lack of 'shareability' indicates how "eBooks somehow put a stop to an inherently human activity" (Why Blook, 2014). Therefore, it appears evident that Blook is Jones' concept to attempt to answer this call for change; to create a place where online books can be shared and discussed, and co-written with other enthusiasts . Ultimately, the scheme encircles the notion of co-creating new stories, as Blook will be a place where writers can start or pick up from where another blooker left off- the whole essence of the project is to "nurture and evolve a completely new generation of storytelling"(Uservox Ltd, 2014), something alternative to the standards of traditional publishing.
The website pre-empting the launch next year has allocated a number of goals that it intends to follow when it goes live next year:
This directive demonstrates how writing and reading are to be the main focus of Blook when it launches. Publishing is NOT key to this community - but it is possible if the writer so-wishes to submit, something supported by Blook who will help to self-publish "if no publisher does take up the rights to your Blook" (Beginner's Guide, 2014). Ostensibly, the community must not be forgotten if published; in Blook, anyone is given the opportunity to contribute to an idea, offering up a diverse range of perspectives regarding ideas which are shared on the blog. With the permission to both edit and adapt an idea, Blook ensures that SHARING is pivotal to the enterprise. This could be controversial; nonetheless, with regards to traditional publishing, Blook want to make certain that they won't be attempting to unsettle them. Instead Blook projects how "it will help to create a stronger channel for the publishers, as a means to find new works, play with content, develop talent and tap into a primed, impassionate market (RBIC, 2014). Therefore, as a new venture into blogging and book-creating, the 'Blook' combination is merely an alternative path in digital publishing, not one that is trying to subvert the course of publishing as other intimations might be.
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Bibliography
Blook. 2014. About Blook. [Image Online] Available at: <http://www.blook.club/#!about-blook/c23g9> [Accessed 26/11/2014]
Blook. 2014. Beginner's Guide. [Online] Available at: <http://www.blook.club/#!beginners-guide/c1ykz> [Accessed 26/11/2014]
Blook. 2014. Reading Books is Changing (RBIC). [Online] Available at: <http://www.blook.club/#!reading-books-is-changing/c3aj/5CA4A497-2B8B-45F8-AE6D-17A80D9EF6B8> [Accessed 26/11/2014]
Blook. 2014.Why Blook? [online] Available at: <http://www.blook.club/#!why-blook/c1vh4> [Accessed 26/11/2014]
Clark, G., and Phillips, A., 2008. Inside Book Publishing. 4th edn. London: Routledge.
Uservox Ltd, 2014. A Revolution in Writing Starts Now. [press release] 16 October 2014. Available at: <http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/10/16/673915/10103036/en/A-revolution-in-writing-starts-now.html> [Accessed 26/11/2014]