Wetellstories.co.uk - Six Stories, Told Online

For a six week period, Penguin Books, the British publishing giant, is redefining the world of literature. This project abandons the traditional channel through which readers experience a book (a printed manuscript) and instead features stories in a variety of web 2.0 formats- Google Maps, LiveJournal, and Twitter, among others TBD. The venture features six authors and six stories in six weeks. In addition, there will be a secret seventh featured story that will have clues spread throughout the web, that readers will have the opportunity to follow, and through detective work help a “lost” girl (as well as to receive prizes from Penguin).

“Starting on 18th March, Penguin UK is launching its most ambitious digital writing project to date. In collaboration with fêted alternate reality game designers Six to Start, Penguin has challenged some of its top authors to create new forms of story - designed specially for the internet.”

There has been a fair amount of press from satisfied and dissatisfied participants of We Tell Stories. What I think makes this project potentially great is the ability to add dimensionality to the stories. For example, the Google Maps application adds a visual and spatial element to a story that takes place in London. Web platforms that make these stories come more alive is what makes this idea innovative.

What is the point of the secret seventh story? They say that the story will refer back to the other six stories, in addition to existing in the virtual and real worlds. Does this detract from the mission of the project?