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Bebo and Guardian Unlimited join forces for launch of major literary competition
'This doesn't look like a book, it doesn't read like a book. In fact, I'm not even sure we should call it a book. We should call it brilliant.'
The boundaries of storytelling are forever redefined with the launch today of Ziv Navoth's Nanotales: an emotional rollercoaster ride into the trials and tribulations of 146 people. Shorter than a short story, the nanotale is the perfect antidote to modern-day life; designed to transport the reader into another world and back in seven minutes.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Bebo, the UK'S leading social networking website, is joining forces with The Guardian's online newspaper, Guardian Unlimited, to launch the book with a competition encouraging users to write their own nanotales. A nanotale can cover any subject matter; the only criteria being that it must be under 1000 words. For a generation with very little time but lots of ideas, it gives aspiring new writers the opportunity to showcase their work in a new, democratic forum.
Entries will be judged by the general public and a panel comprising Alan Yentob, creative director of the BBC, Caroline Michel, MD, William Morris agency, Sarah Crown, literary editor, Guardian Unlimited, Franc Roddam, film director and founder of Ziji Publishing, Joanna Shields, President of Bebo, International and Ziv Navoth, Nanotales author and concept creator. All entries can be uploaded to either: www.bebo.com, www.guardian.co.uk, or www.nanotales.net
The winning authors will see their stories published next year a new anthology of Nanotales by Ziji Books.
Franc Roddam, publisher, comments:
"Nanotales is a bold attempt to bridge the gap between the traditional and electronic delivery of literature. In this fast-paced world of digital media, there is a danger that a whole generation might think that traditional forms of literature are not for them; this is a generation with Attention Deficit Disorder. Nanotales will give them literature at their pace."
Today also sees the launch of Bebo Authors, which provides authors with a platform to upload video clips, writing tips and chapter extracts, while allowing users to interact with the masterminds behind their favourite books. Ziv Navoth is the first Bebo Author to be showcased and his profile, along with video clips of his stories and writing tips, will be featured on the Bebo home-page.
Joanna Shields, President of Bebo, International adds:
"bebo Authors is a natural fit. Every user on our site is an author - they write a chapter in the story of their lives every day within their blogs, the photos and videos they take, and the comments they make. Bebo Authors can only foster and inspire what is already there".
The closing date for entries is March 16th, 2007, with public voting opening on April 9th 2007. The successful authors will be announced on April 16th during London Book Fair. The anthology of the winning nanotales will be published by Ziji in 2008.
BEBO AND GUARDIAN UNLIMITED JOIN FORCES FOR LAUNCH OF MAJOR LITERARY COMPETITION
February 22, 2007
Nanotales - The New Literary GenreBebo and Guardian Unlimited join forces for launch of major literary competition
'This doesn't look like a book, it doesn't read like a book. In fact, I'm not even sure we should call it a book. We should call it brilliant.'
The boundaries of storytelling are forever redefined with the launch today of Ziv Navoth's Nanotales: an emotional rollercoaster ride into the trials and tribulations of 146 people. Shorter than a short story, the nanotale is the perfect antidote to modern-day life; designed to transport the reader into another world and back in seven minutes.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Bebo, the UK'S leading social networking website, is joining forces with The Guardian's online newspaper, Guardian Unlimited, to launch the book with a competition encouraging users to write their own nanotales. A nanotale can cover any subject matter; the only criteria being that it must be under 1000 words. For a generation with very little time but lots of ideas, it gives aspiring new writers the opportunity to showcase their work in a new, democratic forum.
Entries will be judged by the general public and a panel comprising Alan Yentob, creative director of the BBC, Caroline Michel, MD, William Morris agency, Sarah Crown, literary editor, Guardian Unlimited, Franc Roddam, film director and founder of Ziji Publishing, Joanna Shields, President of Bebo, International and Ziv Navoth, Nanotales author and concept creator. All entries can be uploaded to either: www.bebo.com, www.guardian.co.uk, or www.nanotales.net
The winning authors will see their stories published next year a new anthology of Nanotales by Ziji Books.
Franc Roddam, publisher, comments:
"Nanotales is a bold attempt to bridge the gap between the traditional and electronic delivery of literature. In this fast-paced world of digital media, there is a danger that a whole generation might think that traditional forms of literature are not for them; this is a generation with Attention Deficit Disorder. Nanotales will give them literature at their pace."
Today also sees the launch of Bebo Authors, which provides authors with a platform to upload video clips, writing tips and chapter extracts, while allowing users to interact with the masterminds behind their favourite books. Ziv Navoth is the first Bebo Author to be showcased and his profile, along with video clips of his stories and writing tips, will be featured on the Bebo home-page.
Joanna Shields, President of Bebo, International adds:
"bebo Authors is a natural fit. Every user on our site is an author - they write a chapter in the story of their lives every day within their blogs, the photos and videos they take, and the comments they make. Bebo Authors can only foster and inspire what is already there".
The closing date for entries is March 16th, 2007, with public voting opening on April 9th 2007. The successful authors will be announced on April 16th during London Book Fair. The anthology of the winning nanotales will be published by Ziji in 2008.
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