New2theScene
About
The why, the how, and the we.
‘When I was a wrinkle-free (child-free) twenty-year-old, I believed writing a brilliant novel was all that mattered to fulfil my dream of creating stories for a living - for context, Mark Zuckerberg wasn’t a thing, Elon Musk sounded like an aftershave, and people bought books in bookshops. In my attempt to become an author, I entered a national competition for a five-book deal and a window display in a famous high street chain. I won through to the final ten, but didn’t scoop the prize (nothing but a twenty-year scar for second place!). It was then I realised how important window displays, table selections and two-for-ones were. And how bestsellers and celebrities dominated marketing and promotions. It made me re-think my beliefs: did penning a brilliant novel matter if no one knew you existed?
Fast-forward twenty years and the landscape has changed, but the bias towards established authors, celebrities, and social media moguls, hasn’t. We get it: faces from television (and YouTube) guarantee sales. But shouldn’t there be a place for new voices? Hence, I created New2theScene, a platform for talent to be discovered by a community wishing to build relationships with authors they may not be aware of. We can’t beat Amazon’s prices, but people know, with us, they’re part of a community passionate in its support of lesser known authors, and always will be - while ever we exist!'
Richard Howitt
New2theScene creator
What is New2theScene?
New2theScene: a platform for the emergence of talent in literature.
Vision: a website authors launch, grow and/or develop their careers to a community they're connected to.
Culture: be a member of a community supporting new, aspiring and experienced writers (who aren’t household names yet); see the value in diversity and alternatives to bestsellers; strive to grow relationships with like-minded people.
Values: integrity; engagement; support; curiosity.
What does ‘new’ mean?
New: not yet familiar or experienced
An author is New2theScene when they are one of the following:
- Not previously in existence (artistically), having not produced work before – debut book.
- Being introduced or discovered – first three years of career.
- Existing for a while but still being seen, experienced, or discovered – based on a range of factors, including UK sales.
- Not exceeding 50% of sales for a New2theScene field – depending on the number of authors in that field.
Basically, authors are New2theScene as long as they want to have a relationship with our community, helping people discover them, until they’re a well-known figure in the literary world - that the community discovered first!
Why is New2theScene different?
- Other sites sell the book; we sell the author
- You’re interacting with like-minded people
- You're part of a supportive community
- The bookshop feel, with authors in attendance
- You’re allowing the classic of tomorrow to be discovered
All feedback (positively phrased!), recommendations and enquiries welcome at enquiries@new2thescene.co.uk