“Widbook” Writing Network Encourages Author-Reader Collaboration

Part self-publishing platform, part social media network, part digital library — Widbook has been referred to as the “Youtube of Books.” Anyone familiar with similar sites such as Figment might find even more features in Widbook, making it a rising force in the self-publishing industry after having gained over 50,000 members all over the world in a matter of eight months.

Created by Flavio Aguiar, Joseph Bregeiro, and André Campelo, Widbook was started as a tool that would allow professors and students to work together on projects. Now Widbook has drawn old authors, new authors, readers and book lovers, journalists, and even songwriters to its multimedia platform.

A free account allows members to publish their work, gain followers and recognition, and even collaborate with other authors; members can also follow ongoing works and bookmark their favorites to compile a personal library (a Bookcase) of free ebooks made available by a growing network of generous writers. Widbook is great for any reader looking to expand their bookshelf and any writer looking to hone their skills and expand their audience.

It’s no secret that technology has been turning the publishing industry on its head – anyone with a keyboard and words to string together can self-publish, making opportunities once heavily selective now widely available to the general public. Although this means the occasional unremarkable works are bound to become more frequently discovered in one’s search for good enjoyable literature, it also means publishers can use the website to scout for new authors with budding talent and a pre-established following.

Widbook’s ultimate objective is to promote collaboration that often results in a stronger dialogue between authors and their readers. Writers can write what they want and can draw directly from collective outcry to meet the requests of readers worldwide. It allows authors to avoid having to rely exclusively on publishing houses; this way, writers can find their target audience and improve their writing using the social network’s feedback and constructive criticism. Widbook makes social possibilities easily accessible to the expanding technovel culture.