Humanising Language Teaching
Year 6; Issue 3; September 04

Writers needed for WWW readers

Editors: Brian Tomlinson and Alan Maleys

Launch

On November 1st 2004 we intend to launch World Wide Web Readers by publishing ten titles with e-Books (a web publisher based in Germany).

We then intend to publish another ten titles every three months.

The Series

The books are extensive readers aiming to provide enjoyable and engaging reading in English for non-native speakers anywhere in the world. There will be no linguistic grading and no censorship of language or topics. Writers will be encouraged to write intuitively for one of the following three levels:

• Level 1 (Elementary to Lower Intermediate)
• Level 2 (Lower Intermediate to Upper Intermediate)
• Level 3 Upper Intermediate to Advanced

As potential readers will be provided with free samples of the books writers need not be too precise in their level specification as the readers will be able to decide for themselves on appropriacy of level.

Books can be fictional or non-fictional, set anywhere in the world and of any length.

Invitation to Writers

You are invited to submit a proposal for a book in the series by sending e-mail attachments to:

The attachments should contain:

• A specification of target reader (e.g. child; teenager; adult)
• A synopsis of the book
• A draft of the complete book
• Any illustrations intended for inclusion in the book
• A lively biopic to introduce yourself to potential readers

In order to be included in the November 1st publication, books should be submitted to the authors by September 15th. In order to be included in the second publication of February 1st, books should be submitted to the editors by December 15th.

The Editorial Process

• Each book will be read by both the editors, and a joint decision will be made about the potential of the book for publication
• The writer will be notified of the decision of the editors
• The draft manuscript of successful proposals will be first and second edited and the writers may be asked to make revisions
• A final version of the book will agreed by the writer and the editors
• The writer will be asked to nominate three pages from their book to provide samples for potential readers

The Publishing Process

• The book will be published on the web in the week following transmission to the publisher
• Three sample pages will be provided free for each title
• Readers will pay to download each book that they select for reading
• Each book will remain on the list until the writer decides to withdraw it

The Contract

• The contract will be between the publisher and the editors
• Agreements will be signed between the writer and the editors
• The writer will receive 30% of the royalties and the editors will receive 20% between them
• Royalties will be paid quarterly to the editors and then passed on to the writers
• Information on 'hits' for each book will be available to the writers on the web
• The writer will hold copyright for the book and will be able to re-publish it at any time
• The cost of a 'hit' for each book will be determined by the writer with advice from the editors

The Future

The plan is to make easily available to the readers of the world a wide variety of engaging texts and the series will continue to expand indefinitely.