'Co-authoring' is something I had never heard of until I stumbled upon Hall's prediction of 'new authoring approaches'; an idea where different authors can collaborate in real-time taking over different viewpoints of elements of a story, even possibly in response to reader's reactions. (2013, p: 132). It seemed quite a strange concept to me, with people reading at their leisure all over the world, would the authors have to be constantly manipulating content? How would their reactions be monitored? And with the book being edited in real-time, would it only be available at certain days and times?
I tried to further research the concept but it seems the digital software for this kind of creation is yet to be perfected. What I did find, was that co-authoring software – an online software where multiple people can edit or write a document in real-time – does already exist (one of the articles mentioning co-authoring products is from 2012) and is increasingly being used for different purposes. With Microsoft Offices' newest product, they use real-time co-authoring to allow family, friends and colleagues to contribute and edit documents simultaneously through their online Word Web App. (Lefebvre, 2013). This seems to be targeted at students doing group projects, or for an office environment where more than one person needs to work on a text document. However, I believe this kind of digital software could be useful for the publisher too.
I tried to further research the concept but it seems the digital software for this kind of creation is yet to be perfected. What I did find, was that co-authoring software – an online software where multiple people can edit or write a document in real-time – does already exist (one of the articles mentioning co-authoring products is from 2012) and is increasingly being used for different purposes. With Microsoft Offices' newest product, they use real-time co-authoring to allow family, friends and colleagues to contribute and edit documents simultaneously through their online Word Web App. (Lefebvre, 2013). This seems to be targeted at students doing group projects, or for an office environment where more than one person needs to work on a text document. However, I believe this kind of digital software could be useful for the publisher too.
For example, instead of sending emails or documents back and forth to authors or colleagues, editors can arrange a time for all relevant parties to be online and manipulate or change content together. It would also be time saving for publishers who freelance or have staff in separate locations. Lefebvre (2013) states that because it works in real-time, others can see which section you are working on to avoid confusion and it saves as you go. It is also available on a whole host of devices including tablets and mobile phones both online and offline.
Importantly, publishers can also compete with the 'impersonal' services from online proofreaders offering quick turnaround times and reasonable rates (Palmer, 2013), by providing an equally efficient turn around time with an impressive unique service included.
However, as with most emerging digital products there are some drawbacks too. Firstly, all users need to have access to the same software, which could be costly. Also, the document that is going to be worked on needs to be in a digital format and uploaded to the relevant software platform. It could also be frustrating having no face to face interaction, or cross-wired when simultaneously making changes together.
Overall I believe co-authoring in real-time software is something publishers could make use of to 'co-edit' or proofread rather than author. By being available on multiple devices and offline, it makes the document portable and easily accessed at any time. And, perhaps most usefully, it could be time saving in the editorial stages of producing content saving dozens of back and forth emails and letters, while enabling publishers to offer a unique service to authors and colleagues.
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References:
GoProofreading.com. (2014). Services for Authors and Writers. [online] Go ProofReading. Available at: http://www.goproofreading.com/authors/ (accessed 14.10.14)
Hall, F. (2013). The Business of Publishing in a Digital Age: An Introduction to the Digital Book and Journal Industries. Routledge: London & New York
Kowalsky, D. (2012). Collaborative Authoring and Communication Tools Help Writers, Editors, SMEs Work Together. [online] The Content Wrangler.com. Available at: http://thecontentwrangler.com/2012/02/07/collaborative-authoring-and-communication-tools-help-writers-editors-smes-work-together/ (accessed 12.10.14)
Lefebvre, A. (2012). Collaboration just got easier: Real-time co-authoring now available in Office Web Apps. [online] Microsoft Office. Available at: http://blogs.office.com/2013/11/06/collaboration-just-got-easier-real-time-co-authoring-now-available-in-office-web-apps/ (accessed 12.10.14)
Palmer, A. (2013). DIY: How to Polish Your Manuscript with Editing and Art Services. [online] Publishers Weekly. Available at: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/58955-diy-how-to-polish-your-manuscript-with-editing-and-art-services.html (accessed 14.10.14)