Thousands of original stories are being gathered online at a writers' web site. Brighton-based Tony Cook manages ABCtales .com, where aspiring writers can publish their work for free.
The project was set up by Mr Cook in collaboration with Big Issue co-founder John Bird and Gordon Roddick, co-founder of the Sussex-based Body Shop.
It has placed more than 5,000 literary contributions online.
ABCTales chief executive Mr Cook said: "ABCtales is about empowering people to be able to express themselves and for everyone else to be able to share that expression.
"In many ways, it is the next stage of the Big Issue philosophy.
"The site fosters social literacy to allows everyone an equal opportunity to share their writing, be it a story or a poem.
"We will publish everything we receive so long as it isn't racist, obscene, libellous or criminally offensive.
"We also operate a talecatcher programme where a trained writer offers advice to those who like a bit of help getting their message over to the world."
Short stories and poems are displayed in galleries which can be searched by subject or author.
Work is graded according to content, in the same style as film certification at the cinema.
Most stories are listed as U for universally acceptable and can be read by anyone visiting the site.
To access writing designated as PG, 15 and 18, or to submit copy for publication, visitors can register free by providing email contact details and basic biography information.
Registered users can also access the community section which has a range of bulletin boards where people can post messages to discuss work on the site, how to get published in traditional format and share advice on writing style.
Mr Cook said: "The site is growing rapidly. So far, we have more than 3,000 registered users and most have contributed work.
"We are now taking on up to 100 new items for publication every day and the number of site visitors is rising all the time.
"We have achieved a 25 per cent month-on-month growth rate in every month since our launch at the end of last year, which is phenomenal.
"It just goes to show that there is huge demand for such a site."
The project has been privately funded by Mr Cook and Mr Roddick. Pre-launch costs amounted to more than £100,000.
Mr Cook said: "We are now seeking business backers to help cover running costs as the site grows.
"We are keen to hear from anyone interested in sponsoring the site in order to give their business a social dimension".
Eastbourne-based Roy Bateman has become a prolific writer since retiring from a career in the restaurant trade.
He said: "I have a degree in history and I write about people and their lives in the 20th Century.
"I have sent my work to publishers and often they send rejection slips saying they have no room on their lists, which gives no idea of why they don't want it.
"The web site, by comparison, is a great confidence booster.
"The top 20 per cent of stories are cherry-picked by an independent editorial board and marked with a cherry symbol.
"Of the 23 stories I have submitted, 19 have been cherried.
"Visitors can judge your work and give it a mark out of five and this kind of ongoing feedback really makes a difference."
A junior web site for young readers and writers will be launched in September.
The site is being tested during the summer and children or teachers who would like to get involved can find out more at the main web site.
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