Figment.com
Sunday, December 5, 2010 | 8:17 pmCame across this article in the New York Times about the new teen literary site, Figment.com. On the surface, it seems like a neat idea, for teens to upload their stories and poems to a wider audience, but I’m a little leery of the way that the site makes its money. Publishers will pay for the privilege of direct-marketing it current teen lit to Figment.com members, as well as potentially study what teens are reading to identify genres that might blossom into the next big YA lit craze. Twilight and its spin-offs have generated a lot of cash, so publishers are eager to identify the next big franchise.
I think popular literature has its place, but I think that we’ve seen what happens when publishers craft series that appeal to teens purely based on profit (Clique series, anyone?). The danger is a dumbing down of teen literature, and the incessant push to buy merchandise associated with the initial product. I guess we’ll have to see if the site takes off, and since libraries have been involved with initial teen recruitment, it will be interesting to see if librarians begin to promote Figment.com to their teen patrons.
A quick read through on the forums show that teens are reading the Bell Jar and Naked Lunch, so perhaps my concerns are unfounded? All in all, it is great to see teens excited about reading, and I hope it continues.
—HeadCardigan | no comments
(posted in Book Reviews | tagged Figment.com)
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