Authonomy is a site set up for fiction and non-fiction authors to beat the slush pile and rise to the top of the "unsolicited manuscripts" pile. It is a new creative idea by a large publishing house, to help cut through the clutter of slush manuscripts and flush out the new, fresh, and talented writers.

HOW IT WORKS:

If you are unpublished, self-published or just getting started you can connect with the community. Just sign up, create a profile, upload your manuscript (or a partial) and get ranked by others. As your book gets ranked it rises to the top and gets noticed. Or, that is the hope anyway--right?

Here is my profile:
T.A. Northburg on Authonomy

Within the community, authors read other writers material, give comments and place books they like on their bookshelf. You can have five books on your shelf at any one time and you can have over twenty books on your watch list. When you get your own book on someones bookshelf your book rises in the ranking.

WHAT IS THE GOAL?

The goal is to get your book on as many other people's bookshelves as possible to make it into the top five at the end of the month. Those top five books at the end of the month go to the Editorial Review Board at Harper Collins for a review and a chance to break through the slush pile and get a book contract.

HOW DOES ONE GET HIGHER IN THE RANKINGS?

As an author it is best to be an active participant on the site by reading others material, making friends, participating in the forums. Most of all it is important to have a good story that others like and place on their bookshelf. Well polished material usually moves up in the rankings quicker.

You can view and vote for my book here:
Bacon Finnegan on Authonomy

I have been on Authonomy for almost a year now. My book started out ranked at 4587. Over the first few months my book rose to 563. After participating on the community, commenting on many other books, and shelving the ones I liked, my book rose a bit more to 356. For several months my book floated around the 380 to 350 range. Then it rose once more and broke the 300 barrier going to 287. I took a month off of the site while I re-wrote my WIP and made some major changes. When I returned my book dropped to 578. After a while it rose again and is now hovering around 490.

NOT JUST FOR WRITERS:

Anyone can become a talent spotter. If you are an agent, publisher, blogger or someone who likes to read then this site is for you. Books rise and fall in the charts by those who participate on the site and place books on their shelf. You can become an active participant, without having to upload a book. Just create a profile and get started.

OTHER BENEFITS TO WRITERS:

There are three other benefits to writers, that I have experienced while being on Authonomy. First, it is a good community for support. You can meet other writers that are in the same boat as you. They too, are going through the same things you are, trying to get noticed and published. Second it is a way to get some good feedback on your material. Most of the comments are genuine and helpful. I have had some great comments and suggestions on my story that I did not notice or think about that led to some good changes. Third, it is a good way stay focused on your writing goal. I know there were many days where I was unsure of my writing. Then, a comment popped up in my e-mailbox. After reading a comment where someone liked my book, it validated what I was doing and solidified my dedication to working towards my goals. Some comments fueled my fire to make my story better. Clearly, there are many advantages to joining the Authonomy community.

You too can upload a book or become a talent spotter!

CHECK OUT AUTHONOMY--PARTICIPATE!