Thumbs Race as Japan’s Best Sellers Go Cellular

Thumbs Race as Japan’s Best Sellers Go Cellular.

Do mobile phone “novels”, stories written on phone keypads, present a threat to printed novels and books, in the same way as blogs are said to threaten the future of newspapers? This certainly appears to be the case in Japan, where the popularity of mobile phone novels is on the rise.

Of last year’s 10 best-selling novels, five were originally cellphone novels, mostly love stories written in the short sentences characteristic of text messaging but containing little of the plotting or character development found in traditional novels. What is more, the top three spots were occupied by first-time cellphone novelists, touching off debates in the news media and blogosphere.

Some authors do face certain problems “publishing” their novels however, such as phone bills reaching $US1000 each month. Perhaps phone companies could consider sponsoring would-be authors in exchange for a share of the profits once the story (ironically) goes into print.