QUILLBLOG

The advent of WikiLit

The ghost of Roland Barthes must be happy these days, as we move just a little closer to his wished-for “death of the author.” As The Guardian reports, publisher Penguin is teaming up with De Montfort University to produce a Wiki novel.

Based on the principles of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, the novel, called A Million Penguins, is open to anyone to join in, write and edit. None of the words, characters or plot twists will be attributed to any individual and – and this is the element of the project most likely to bruise delicate egos – participants are free to edit, chop and change other writers’ work.

If Quillblog were to join in, our first move would be to change the title of this future masterpiece to Too Many Cooks. Alas, the Guardian story notes that a team of De Montfort students will act as “moderators,” and we’re willing to bet that the principles of open, collaborative improvisation don’t extend to ditching the product placement.

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