Authonomy

authonomy is a website owned and operated by HarperCollins., designed with a commercial aim in mind: to unearth new talent. authonomy solicits submissions from unpublished and self published authors to, in their words, "[..] post their manuscripts for visitors to read online. Authors create their own personal page on the site to host their project - and must make at least 10,000 words available for the public to read." The site went live in September 2009 after a beta launch in October 2007 and currently has over 24,000 registered members.

While a number of published writers have emerged from their work having been marketed on the site, there is suspicion both within and outside the community that the agenda for HarperCollins in establishing authonomy is actually to service Print on Demand. Conversely, it could be argued that many think that the future of publishing lies exactly in this area. Other titles which have emerged from Authonomy are Steve Dunne's The Reaper and Never Say Die, co-authored by Melanie Davis and Lynne Barrett-Lee. A number of agents and publishers have been circling authonomy and HarperCollins claim that 20 more books have been picked up by other publishers and agents.

Critics of authonomy have labelled it as a “do-it-yourself slush pile” and argue that the recommendation mechanisms for a book making it to the top of this pile for editorial appraisal are problematic.

The site does represent a significant break with the way in which manuscripts are traditionally sourced by publishers and other publishers may have to respond if the site makes headway.