Writers have been flocking in droves during the last few years to display sites to be seen and improve their skills. This online world has become a place where writers feel empowered, but unfortunately, in many instances, they have unintentionally become marginalized.

Publishers have always known that writing is often a collaborative effort when friends and associates help each other to improve the quality of their writing and its marketability. However, the very public nature of these display sites has publishers and agents concerned about the potential liabilities associated with doing business with individuals who participate in these forums.

What publishers have told INKUBATE is that they are more concerned than ever with authorship and ownership and issues involving plagiarism. When a writer solicits, in a relatively public forum, critique and criticism of their manuscript, and incorporates shared suggestions in a work in progress, the literary landscape becomes very cloudy.

Writers should understand the difference between a display site, where their work in progress may be viewed by a large public membership, and INKUBATE, which does not allow viewing, critiquing or collaboration among its member writers.

This is one very large and significant reason why publishers and agents have expressed interest and delight over the rich library of content that continues to amass during our BETA trials.

So, while INKUBATE recognizes the value and importance of display sites to the writer community, INKUBATE also believes that it is important for writers to understand the potential pitfalls inherent in such a public creative process, particularly if they are seeking publication.

At INKUBATE, our focus is to provide an inherently safe marketplace, where writers can showcase their very best works for the vetted publishers and agents who are serious about transitioning from a passive Discovery model to a highly proactive one.

We are proud to welcome so many talented writers from such diverse backgrounds, offering a compelling range of non-fiction and fiction. From scientific studies in Antarctica and well-researched biographies to children’s books and YA novels, INKUBATE’S inventory reflects the vibrant and imaginative world of its writers.

We will keep you posted on our developments this month and want you to know that our Terms of Use have been updated.

Warm regards,

Stacy Clark stacy@inkubate.com

Jay Gale     jdgale@inkubate.com