Young Writers Society

Have any of you guys heard of lean publishing? The interwebs are want for information, so I figured I'd come to you folks. Basically, what I've come to understand, is that you publish an unfinished book, people buy it and tell you what they think, and then you finish it. It sounds like a good idea for the writer. You get to know if your book is worth finishing based on the sales. Then again, who the heck is going to buy an unfinished book? And doesn't that take some of the fun out of writing?

So if any of you have tried lean publishing, please share your experience! I might end up making lean publishing the Sunday after next's Things Every Writer Should Know post, and frankly, I need to know more before I post an article about it.

I don't know. Sounds legit enough (though I'm not familiar enough with copyright or authors rights to really comment) to me? It basically sounds like using strangers as beta readers, who may or may not be truthful with you or understand your interests or goals as a writer.

To me, writing isn't about pleasing an audience. I hope that people will like what I write, but ultimately I aim to please myself with what I write and create what I think is good fiction that attains the goals I have for it. Also, it seems like this sort of model would lead to a lot of "fan servicing"?

I choose beta readers who understand who I am as a writer, and I think I'd personally feel uncomfortable in this form of publishing.

Sounds interesting, but who exactly are these masochists who like to read unfinished books?

But I suppose as an author it sounds pretty good. You get a little encouragement if your book is good, and some effective criticism if it's not.

Here's an example of a book produced via lean publishing.

With that said, I wouldn't be all too eager to feature anything in that series or an interview with that particular writer, as several internet acquaintances of mine have had rather nasty encounters with him both in-person and through the internet due to some unethical marketing practices he's employed.

It's a starting point though, and it does show that such a model can be somewhat successful.

I've just done some more research on the topic and I actually have completely changed my mind. The whole model seems to be predicated not only on bad writing, but reader involvement, where the reader has to pay to be involved.

You are asked to pay for an early edition and then asked to repay after the "final edition" comes out. I'm all for living the dream and everything, but this system seems to prey on those writers (who for whatever reason do not write themselves) who want to have a vested interest in the book, but are not receiving any of its compensatory benefits.

I'm sorry, but it feels like these writers are letting others do their hard work for them. There is such a thing as proofreading and good criticism, but when do we have to pay to do such a thing! It should be the opposite.

And unfortunately, since sci-fi and fantasy are targeted to youths and parents, these are the groups that will be hit with this scheme, not knowing precisely what they are getting into. One expects a finished product if they are paying, and I find this model to be horribly deceptive.

I'm kind of fascinated by the idea of it, but as Trident noted, it ultimately sounds awful.

If you're wondering if your book is worth finishing, just publish the first few chapters on YWS or Wattpad or any of the other myriad of writing communities. And if you think your unfinished book is good enough to justify making people pay to read it, then why not spend a few days to send it to literary agents?