Radish is a mobile app for reading (and paying for) bite-size chunks of fiction.
This kind of app is already popular in Asia but hasn't yet caught on to the same extent in the US or Europe. The most successful similar site is Wattpad, but it doesn't charge and therefore doesn't pay its authors.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
People who use the app will get to read the first chapters for free and then will use Radish "coins" to purchase additional chapters. The Digital Reader reports that the fee to get early access to additional chapters will be about 36 cents (US).
The revenue is split 50/50 between the site and the author.
The app's founder says that even though the app has just had its formal launch (following a soft launch one year ago) they already have 700 authors on board, and their leading author is making $13,000 per month.
He didn't identify this author but the Radish site says it's working with writers who have massive followings on social media, so I feel secure in saying your income will not be anywhere near that amount.
The app is taking author applications now at their site. You have to provide a link to a site where they can see and assess your writing, and they say it could take a month before you hear back.
IS IT WORTH IT?
Is it worth going for this when there's so much free content available on the web, and when people can read novels on their Kindles and phones?
Well, the company has raised $3 million from author Amy Tan, Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments, and UTA Ventures, so obviously there are people willing to bet that it is.
If you have content available it could be worth getting in early. Be sure to check the terms and conditions--I know that you keep your copyright and are free to publish later in another format but I haven't seen the detailed T&C statement.
If you do get your work on the site, I'd love to hear how it works out for you!
(Need some help polishing your prose? Check out the best advice from the great classic and modern authors in my book, Your Creative Writing Masterclass, available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)
