Each team approaches joint projects in a unique way, depending on the chemistry between the authors and the strengths each brings to the project. One person might be in charge of one theme which runs through the book while the others act a accessories, each contributing minor excerpts to support the main thread. Or the group might become decentralized where every author writes a chapter or section of the book independent of the other parts. Sometimes there are researchers and writers. The researcher finds all the supporting evidence and the writer mashes it, stirs it, and produces a cohesive final book.

Today there are books being written by many people, 144 characters at a time, on Twitter. Brandon Mendelson wrote The Falcon Can Hear the Falconer in Twitter. Instantaneous writing and reading. Ever sit on pins an needles waiting for the next installment of a sequel? Imagine the story is unfolding, tweeting out to your desktop, as your working. And these Twitter novels don’t have a plan, an outline, to speak of. How could thousands of people write to an outline, instantly, in 144 characters? The content reflects real time, it’s certainly not static. Current events make their way into the story as the event occurs. The downside to this is managing the contributors, writing time, and the danger of loosing the main theme.

Collaboration takes another twist in an Agile environment. For those of you who don’t know Agile development, on one foot, it is development to small goals within a limited time frame, usually a week to three weeks long. Certain small goals are set and worked towards. Then the project is reanalyzed and new goals set for the next round or sprint. Writers have to adapt to a new writing cycle between themselves and among the Agile team. Publishing collaborative works follows the general model, if you don’t look too closely. The introduction of writing sprints changes everything. Publication dates become part of a sprint. The piece might be “published” many times before it reached its intended audience.

The next model is slightly more complicated. I’ll be looking a single sourcing information and its relevance to commercial publishing.

Taichii Ohno and Shigeo Shingo of the Toyota company started with the Ford assembly line production model, which was based on Eli Whitney’s model of the cotton gin and gun manufacturing. Toyota focused on producing cars in order to arrive “Just in Time” for the next phase of development. Toyota recognized the benefit of not having car stock standing idle while awaiting the miraculous order placement. Each car was ordered and paid for as needed. Toyota also recognized the value of its employees. By empowering the employee with team development and manufacturing centered in a nuclear cell, Toyota created a synergy that produced cars not only on time, but with the most excellent quality. By reducing the setup time required and keeping groups intact, Toyota created an environment that benefitted its employees and its bottom line.

French Creek Press Ltd made the decision to use print-on-demand technology in order to address several problems in the publishing industry. While our predecessors are quite successful publishing known authors, it is hard for a new author to publish without resorting to self-publishing. Self-publishing has its place, especially for the entrepreneur. However, most authors want to write, not market and distribute. French Creek Press offers authors the traditional pre-print services of major publishing houses while using the “Just in Time” philosophy for print and distribution. Low inventory and pre-paid orders create an environment where both the author and French Creek Press benefit, a win-win solution for everyone.

By compiling a team of the author, editor, layout artist, and book designer, French Creek Press creates the nuclear cell to turn out a quality production. We reduce the amount of time needed to produce the digital book using state of the art computer systems and Adobe Creative Suite software. “Just in Time” production and distribution is through Lightning Source.

A short disclaimer, I am a Toyota fan. I admit that I once owned a Volkswagen, but that was before I met the Toyota. And once, when I moved across the world and had to buy a car, I bought an old beatup Volvo because that’s what I could afford. As soon as I was able to sell the Volvo, I acquired another Toyota. Toyota is so strong in my family that most family members have at least one Toyota in the driveway.