The Signpost

WikiProject report

Writers wanted! The WikiProject Novels interviews

Since (almost!) everyone reads novels, one would expect WikiProject Novels to be one of the more successful projects on the encyclopedia but, surprisingly, the history of the project has been relatively low-key. Started in October 2002 (making it one of the earliest WikiProjects), it never really took off until early 2006 when Kevinalewis, the current lead coordinator, became active member #3 with the plaintive is this project active?. Since then, the project has moved forward fitfully to its current level of 147 members, 29 featured articles, 4 featured lists, and 75 good articles. While this is a respectable record, it is far less than one would expect from an area in which there are upward of 40,000 articles categorized as novels (according to the toolserver).

This week, the Signpost interviews Kevinalewis, the project lead-coordinator, and Alan16, a project coordinator, to explore the pitfalls in this everyman's area, and to identify what you can do to strengthen this neglected continent of Wikipedia.


Let's get right into it. Everybody has a favorite novel (and almost everyone wants to write one!). Yet, the number of listed wikipedians on this project is a dismal 147 with active members probably numbering in the low double digits. Why does this project have a hard time getting members and in keeping them engaged?


That's interesting. From what you're saying, it would appear that the scope of the project is too large to hold the interest of individual editors. But shouldn't the task forces, and I see that there are quite a few, help concentrate the minds of editors? Does that make sense and are there plans to expand the reach of these task forces?


I should think that articles on novels are rarely contentious given that the articles revolve largely around the plot and reviews. But, of course, some novels may have been contentious or controversial in the past (Lady Chatterley's Lover and Madame Bovary come to mind!). Have there been any novel articles that have escalated into major disputes in your knowledge?


What help can the project give an editor who creates an article on a novel? For example, I've just created the article on the novel Losing Nelson by Barry Unsworth. Could you direct me to various project resources that I can use in building my article?


I notice that the project has a collaboration department. How well does this work? Are there any success stories you'd like to share with the community?


Could you give our readers some tips on what they can do to get involved with the project? Things like receiving updates, areas where you could use some help, that sort of thing.


Thank you Kevinalewis and Alan16 for taking the time to talk to the Signpost. Readers, if there is a novel that you have more than a passing acquaintance with, please visit WikiProject Novels and see what you can do to send the novel's article on the way to featured status!

Next week, the WikiProject Report will dig into a prehistoric project. Until then, feel free to peruse the archives, newly updated with lost articles from a previous revival.


















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