JukePop and Avon Books Launch Interactive Fiction Contest

PALO ALTO, CA - Serialized fiction, literature's favorite throwback, is here to stay.

And the welcome back party starts this Friday.

The hosts? Serial crowdfunding platform JukePop and Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. The two have teamed up to offer romance writers the opportunity to participate in Avon FanLit (www.avonfanlit.com), a 12-week contest that encourages participants to submit, rate, and discuss fan-written chapters. In the evolving world of publishing, the two understand that digital, serialized storytelling has become popular with readers and authors alike for their bite-sized stories and quick reads. In other words, everyone needs a serial to snack on.

Storytelling, one chapter at a time.
At its core, JukePop is bringing back the days of romanticized writers forward thinking creatives who paint new worlds with words and unforgettable characters. By arming these cultural wordsmiths with the tools they need, JukePop has created an animated community of readers and writers who are defining the next J.K. Rowling and J.D. Salinger (abbreviated pen names not required). Authors release their works one chapter at a time, collecting feedback, plot point analytics, and fans along the way. When the work is completed, they rally their followers together to crowdfund the work, sharing in the sales royalties. And coming this summer, JukePop is introducing a 1 click publishing tool that pushes stories out to over 100 ebook retailers. Writers can join the wait list now at www.jukepop.com/home/publishyourself.

"Writing has changed. Today, it's a collective experience shared between both readers and writers, in near real-time. Avon FanLit is a celebration of just that."
- Jerry Fan, Founder & CEO @ JukePop

Love at first sight.
On a panel discussing what serial digital fiction is learning from TV at this year's SXSW, Jerry Fan, founder and CEO of JukePop, caught the attention of HarperCollins. The publisher saw in JukePop a partner to bring the company's second annual Avon FanLit contest, offering unprecedented access to mentoring tips from best-selling Avon authors and editors. Entrants will have the chance to write, read, and vote for five chapters of a historical romance. Every two weeks, a winning chapter will be announced, and will set the narrative thread for the next round. Avon will announce 5 chapter winners, who will all win 3 signed Avon romances. The grand prize winner will be announced on July 20, 2015, and will be considered for an Avon Impulse publishing contract and receive signed copies of all of Avon's August 2015 novels.

"This is Avon's second venture into serialized publishing via the fan fiction community. We are the first major publishing house to work with JukePop, and we think they're the perfect partner with whom to relaunch Avon FanLit."
- Liate Stehlik, SVP, Publisher @ HarperCollins

Join the party.
Those interested in joining this year's contest are encouraged to visit www.avonfanlit.com, where they can expect twists, turns, and occasional backflips. And don't forget to become a JukePopper at www.jukepop.com. Now, get ready for the best digital summer block party you've ever attended.

About JukePop
JukePop (www.jukepop.com) is a serial crowdfunding platform for authors, where supporters share in the sales royalties. It's simple: Writers keep readers hooked and tackle their book by releasing it one chapter at a time. Next, they use plot point analytics to see how each twist and turn is impacting readership, so the best possible story gets written. They then use nifty yes, nifty tools to attract and engage fans who want to help them get published. The end. (Great story, huh?)

About HarperCollins Publishers
HarperCollins Publishers is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 18 countries. With nearly two hundred years of history and more than 65 unique imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year, in over 30 languages, and has a print and digital catalog of more than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals and the Man Booker Prize. HarperCollins, headquartered in New York, is a subsidiary of News Corp and can be visited online at corporate.HC.com.