BestOfTheRest.org: a call for editors, content curators and non-mainstream authors to participate in a new editorial project on cultural identity

Introduction

Tris has kindly offered my the opportunity to post a piece here at Munguin's Republic on an editorial project called BestOfTheRest.org, which I'm working on at the moment.

Most of you will have never heard of me, so if you want to find out more you can go to21stCenturyFix.org, which is where I blog. In particular, this post which tris kindly and productively engaged with, and which relates to this initial post on the subject of BestOfTheRest.org itself.

Proposal

BestOfTheRest.org is looking to generate interest in the sharpest non-mainstream media writing which is currently produced in England, Scotland, Wales and, if possible, the two Irelands. In order to do so, I am looking for people in each geographical area to take on the responsibility of curating the writing in their area, and producing short (maximum 300 to 900-word) engaging and quirky daily overviews which pull together, link to and quote from non-mainstream authors. This content would then be distributed via an open website with comments facility as well as a single RSS feed, to Kindle and KindleApps to begin with, but hopefully other pay-for-subscription systems in the future.

Any income so generated would be split between the editor/curators. Meanwhile, the project is open to the idea of micro-payments to authors who are linked to and quoted from, and who in any case would benefit from increased visibility and supported with an author-specific intranet/website containing editorial guidance and input. This intranet would also contain information on how to monetise content using parallel channels, for those authors interested in such options.

It's a new untested market, so it's probably quite a tall order - but, even so, the start-up costs are pretty small, so "all" we would be spending (often not negligible, mind) is our own free time.

Ideology

If I am inclined to prescribe the ideology of BestOfTheRest.org - apart from serving to make visible new writing and ideas - then it would be something along the lines of the following: "Cultural dissonance, that frontier between identities and ways of doing, where channelled constructively, is where all progress lies. If we want to progress in remaking our politics for the benefit of all identities, we need to be clear of the importance of understanding that all political DNA is connected; ideas which may attract or repulse have a historical set of links which tie them together. That is what we must remember - and act accordingly."

The Spanish have a saying pertinent to the argument: "Hablando se entiende la gente" ("By speaking we understand people"). From my little contact with Munguin's Republic and its team of editors/writers and commenters, it's easy to see that the blog demonstrates the value of such positions, as well as such editorial approaches.

BestOfTheRest.org can only hope to be equally editorially coherent.

Conclusion

In the meantime, the request for help and support is now out there. From around England, Scotland, Wales and the two Irelands, we need the sharpest writing, sharpest writers and sharpest editors from non-mainstream media to want to collaborate in this proposal and shape its future.

Finally, apologies for the extension of this piece - all I can say in my favour is that I did run it past tris prior to its appearing on the web. Any comments online are most welcome, whatever their nature. And any comments you'd like to send me offline, please do me the favour of emailing to mil@bestoftherest.org, and if possible CC-ing tris into the conversation.

An even longer version of this article will be available shortly at 21stCenturyFix.org!!!