Chinese online literature – Voices in the wilderness
http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2013/03/chinese-online-literature
Internet writing has been nothing short of a revolution for Chinese literature. It has allowed myriad voices to be heard. The digital landscape and technology have changed since the first wave of authors began to write; readers in China now access novels through smartphones and tablets rather than desktops. Yet the internet remains the "single root" in China today to kick-start a career as a wordsmith, says Jo Lusby, managing director of Penguin China, a publishing house. "There are no authors under the age of 35 who were not discovered on the internet," she adds.
Comments
Given the importance of online literature sites to emerging writers, it will be interesting to see what happens now over at Qidian (起点). Qidian is one of three online literature sites under Shanda Literature, and estimates are that Shanda accounted for more than 70 percent of the online literature market in 2011.
News reports (盛大资方战略失误) say that 27 editing staff recently resigned from Qidian.
It's not clear exactly why, though there are rumors they may wish to set up a competing site.
Either way, anything that would break Shanda's near-monopoly in the world of online literature platforms would probably be a good thing for readers， emerging writers. . .and freedom of expression on the Chinese internet.
Bruce, March 25, 2013, 10:39p.m.