Introduction
Centre of the Web (COTW), a new alternative online literary platform, is thrilled to announce a booster event in collaboration with Versy Talks, a complete online debating platform, with community participation, professional debate coaching and tons of debate drills.
This debate is titled Did the internet really democratize publishing? It started on 21st May and will finish on 31st May, and Versy is generously sponsoring the debate, offering a $25 prize, divided between 5 debaters with the most votes on their arguments. You can take part for free.
COTW enthusiastically encourages all its contributing writers, subscribers and readers to take part in the debate during the debate period. This will help with COTW`s mission to contribute to a global revitalization of human literature during this crisis-ridden but epic period of human history, encouraging diverse and underrepresented voices from around the world to share their thoughts and stories all in one place, on a dynamic and globally interconnected platform. This aligns with the purpose of Versy Talks to promote structured debates and insightful discussions, where debaters can explore their commonalities and points of difference, to contribute to a more harmonious online culture.
More on the debate
It has been argued that the internet has democratized publishing so that these days, almost anyone in the world has the opportunity to get heard and read. However, inequalities remain, including who really makes it as a writer, who is widely read, and who is really likely to be picked up by the big publishers. In the sponsored Versy debate we ask: Did the internet really democratize publishing?! We invite debaters to consider how far the internet-led democratization of publishing is an illusion, and how far the same old inequalities that existed in the traditional print publishing of the 20th Century, still exist now. Also, how much is the best or most interesting writing published, compared with what sells, and do authors who are already well-connected still have a massive advantage, as well as those who have internet publishing skills? (Not everyone understands how to manage a blog, for example). All printed media and publishing should be considered within this debate, from newspapers, through blogs, to e-books and physical books and everything else.
COTW call for submissions
COTW would also like to announce that they are actively looking for written contributions from around the world. We currently only publish in English, but eventually we intend to publish in several languages. Contributors are welcome to submit writing in their native language, where we can negotiate translation using AI tools. This is not yet a paying market, but it is a chance for you to get your voice heard, and to receive free editing advice. The bigger you can help COTW grow, the quicker we can get to the point where we can start paying contributors! Flash fiction is encouraged, as are diary pieces, giving insights into the daily lives of diverse human beings, especially (but not necessarily) those living in difficult conditions or going through interesting times. Other types of creative writing are also encouraged, but please note: we are not accepting poetry at this time. Short essays, articles, blog-style posts, journalistic pieces and arts reviews will also be considered. For more ideas, please browse the different post categories by navigating from the WRITING tab in the menu at the top of the COTW frontpage. All submissions should be sent to the editors at the email address: epictomorrows@gmail.com Thanks!
Centre of the Web 