iPublish releases titles by new authors

AOL Time Warner's book-publishing division iPublish.com says it has unveiled its first novels, written by a group of new authors discovered through its online writer community, dubbed iWrite. iPublish said the novels--written by computer technician Jerry Davis, attorney Kate Donovan and magazine publisher Fred Petrovsky--were selected from more than a thousand submissions to iWrite. The company said the novels include a romantic comedy, a medical thriller and a science-fiction novel--all of which will be published this October in an e-book format as well as a print format. In addition, the titles will have the possibility of a full-scale print distribution sometime next year. iPublish added that it plans to release a list of newly discovered authors each month as well as a contest held each month starting with the October 2001 list.

Launched in April, iPublish's iWrite system provides a venue for aspiring authors. Before they can submit their own work for publishing consideration, the members must review three excerpts by other authors. iPublish said that although its editors review many of the submissions, they rely on member feedback to assist them in finding promising talent.