We Can't Stop Here. This is Book Country.

As we wait for the next edition of the "voice" series, I wanted to share with you this little gem.

Earlier this week, while I was on the phone with someone from New York, Book Country was brought to my attention. Now, don't worry. This isn't really an advertisement. No one is paying me. But if they'd like to, I'd most definitely accept the offer. 

Book Country is this neat little spin-off of Penguin Group, USA. 

From their site: Book Country is a place where readers and writers of genre fiction come together to read original fiction, post work or comments, and make a name for themselves. Our free community is a creative and supportive space where fiction writers and readers can give and receive constructive criticism, discover new and entertaining books, discuss and share tips and experiences, and learn about the publishing industry. Book Country aims to be useful, egalitarian, and merit-based while fostering an atmosphere of encouragement and creativity.Later this year, Book Country will offer a convenient and affordable way to self-publish eBooks and print books. With a variety of services available, we want you to be able to put your book on the map. As Book Country grows, we will continue to offer additional features and services we think you will appreciate.
In short, this group, while a seperate entity from Penguin Group, aims to gain authors and material for agents and publishers to view as they search for new talent. 

Here are the pros and cons I have found:
Pros.

1. This is a community for genre writers and a legitimate one. For far too long there has been a divide in the writers community. Genre writers, on the up-and-coming level, have few venues which could be deemed professional, lucrative, or well-read. This site is especially for genre writers and is a side product some several individuals with or once with Penguin Group, USA. Yes, big deal.
2. With the little Penguin still at the bottom of their page, it seems Book Country could have a real chance at pulling in agents and publishers. Rather than sort through slush pile after slush pile, there is an online database in which they can search for the next big thing. 
3. Connections. (This is also part of the cons, which I will discuss later.) The connections feature of Book Country allows for users to network with other authors and people who can get their work out to the readers. 
4. Industry News. This is by far one of the greatest features of Book Country. Book Country keeps all relevant publishing industry news together, so writers aren't restricted to find obscure links across the vast inter-webs.  
5. It's been mentioned in The New York Times.
6. It offers links for editors to help writers, writers to help writers, and general craft of writing messages, which are all great for any aspiring author.
7. The Genre Map. This allows writers to place their books better. 

Cons.

1. Connections. Although the connections feature certainly has its benefits, it seems as though a writer cannot not simply search for relevant insiders and add them to their list. I know, this would make things far too easy. But one is left to wonder where to begin if he or she doesn't join the site already knowing some people in the industry.
   
2. Copyright Issues. Book Country allows you to publish almost anything on their site - the same way Scribd functions. However, take the following example into consideration. A writer wishes to throw an entire novel online as  a shot in the dark to gain some attention and perhaps a contract. Whenever a writer places their work online, it is legally copyrighted. Even this blog is copyrighted by law, because online writing is considered a form of publication. This may pose a problem for said writer if someone not looking through Book Country offers them a deal. Now of course, there are easy ways around these things. However, I have noticed a lot of literary journals and genre magazines stating, that, if it's online, it's already published. And more entities will not republish a work. 
   
3. In its beta form, Book Country does not allow a facebook or twitter log-in. I've always like these features - on some sites - that allow you to invite friends and followers to join. Instead,  someone new to the site has to really search. This does provide its benefits, though. For instance, with some discipline, one could find insiders and writers within in the community who match up based on content, biography, and professional aims. In short, Book County is turning into the Linked In for writers.

Overall, Book Country has been a very enjoyable experience. If it is fruitful, I'm sure all of you will know before too long. 

So that's that. I just wanted to share this information with you guys, especially any writers out there. I'd advise you not to place entire manuscripts on the site, but throwing a few samples online (as you would to send samples to a publisher) may be beneficial. 

That, and I like how the name feels like an homage to the late Hunter S. Thompson. 

Thanks for reading. See you in the next blog. Oh yeah, and click here.