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First South African online book
– dispatch.co.za, 19 August 2000
IN A South African Internet first, Pieter-Dirk Uys will be publishing his latest novel, Trekking To Teema, on-line as a free "cybernovel". The novel is a joint project undertaken by Uys, computer retailer, Incredible Connection which will act as sponsor, Independent On-Line, the on-line publication of the Independent Newspaper Group and Cape Town-based design agency, Radarboy.
Says Cheryl Shone, marketing executive for Incredible Connection, "As the leading South African computer retailer, we have always made innovation a business philosophy and were therefore excited at the opportunity to be involved with the country's leading actor-satirist-playwright in a project that could only be described as unique. His decision to publish his new novel on the Internet and allow it to be accessed for free by anyone, reinforces his image as somebody who has always been prepared to push the boundary in whatever he does."
Trekking To Teema tells the story of a successful South African-born Hollywood producer who decides to trace his roots back to the country of his birth. He is particularly anxious to find his family's former maid who raised him almost single-handedly and whom he remembers only as Teema. The story describes his journey back to South Africa and his search for Teema, who could be anywhere in the country — if, in fact, she is still alive.
Comments Pieter-Dirk Uys, "The reality of publishing costs weighs heavily here. Why should so much money be spent publishing a mere story? And often by people who don't either know how or bother to sell it? And then over a hundred Rand for the potential reader to have to fork out? For a book that is so heavy it could take out three striking nurses with one throw? What did I want with my story? It to end up on a shelf with all the other big fat expensive flops? Or could we manage to subvert the system and slip two pages a day into the lives of people who love a good story? So that's what's happening now."
Says Shone, "Uys is making South African Internet history with his novel which will see two pages being released per day from August 22 until the end of the year. Designed by Radarboy and using the latest Shockwave technology, the cybernovel will not only feature an easy to read format but also features functions such as bookmarking, chapter summaries, a glossary of typical South African terminology for those of us who have no idea how the other half lives, a biography of characters, discussion forum and more. It will be hosted by IOL."
"It's true that cybernovels are not new to the Internet, with recent entries such as Russian president, Vladimir Putin, publishing his translated memoirs and Stephen King's new horror novel, The Plant, making an appearance.
However, this is a novel to which all South Africans, regardless of colour, will be able to relate. Incredible Connection will also be running a competition at the end of chapter one of Trekking To Teema. Readers will be asked to design the cover of the novel which will be printed and bound in a special limited edition. The winning entry will be chosen by Pieter-Dirk Uys himself and the printed versions auctioned with the proceeds going to charity."
"This is a truly South Africa endeavour," adds Shone. "Incredible Connection is proud to be associated with such a project and it promises to be a milestone in South African publishing."
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