Abstract
Chapter 5 presents a case study of an early multiplatform book-and-integrated-website project called The Amanda Project, on which the publisher, HarperCollins, solicited users’ feedback, comments, and storylines, which would allegedly be incorporated into future books in the series. The Amanda Project study demonstrates how user-generated content could be extended from the type of participation on the RandomBuzzers and TwilightSaga sites by actually having the readers contribute content that would be used in future books in the series.
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Notes
- 1.
Gérard Genette and Marie Maclean (1991) define “epitext” as the exterior presentation of a book, including cover, title, name of author, reviews, interviews, etc. For an updated discussion of epitext and peritext in the digital realm, see McCracken (2013).
- 2.
See Martens (2016) for a broader discussion of reader response theory in the context of digital environments.
- 3.
See Rehak (2005) for more information.</Emphasis>
- 4.
Nia is a character in the book, and one of Amanda’s friends.
- 5.
Fiske (1991).
- 6.
Fiske (1989).
- 7.
A cutter here is one who intentionally harms himself or herself.
- 8.
Italics are mine.
- 9.
The 39 Clues is a series of books by assorted authors. The first book in the series, The Maze of Bones (2008) was written by Rick Riordan and published by Scholastic Press (Amazon.com, 2012).
- 10.
The description of the core audience for The Amanda Project site leads me to make certain assumptions about a particular frequent site visitor.
- 11.
Goodreads, a social book reviewing site, was launched in 2007. For more information, please see: http://www.goodreads.com/about/us
- 12.
Pottermore is J. K. Rowling’s online continuation site for fans of Harry Potter, launched in 2012.
- 13.
The big five publishers are, according to Library Journal (2013): Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster. In the case of books for young people, Scholastic must also be included in this list, making it a big six in children’s publishing. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/09/publishing/now-there-are-5/#
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Martens, M. (2016). Reading The Amanda Project: The Lifecycle of a Pioneering Multiplatform Book (2009–2012). In: Publishers, Readers, and Digital Engagement. New Directions in Book History. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51446-2_6
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