In this post, I will try to make the case that Author Buzz UK is a suitable host for the distributed directory of conversations started on OpenMentions.com.

What is OpenMentions?

OpenMentions is a project to create a distributed directory of conversations on the IndieWeb. OpenMentions is something I started but fully hope that the community takes ownership of.

What makes OpenMentions different from other directories is that it is a directory of topics where posts talking about those topics have mentioned the topic they are talking about. A mention is a sort of ping where you can let another author know that you mentioned them.

With OpenMentions the idea is that as you progress down the directory tree, you find that other sites are hosting topics relevant to them. Rather than being the one place to go for all blog activity, OpenMentions is more like a place to start your search rather than end it.

What is the IndieWeb?

The IndieWeb is a collection of ideas whereby we can enjoy social networking on our own terms in a space you control rather than a walled garden that Elon Musk could buy.

Webmentions – the main technology of OpenMention is a standardised part of that openness.

Where does Author Buzz UK fit in?

In the OpenMentions directory is a section called Books and Reading. I would like to suggest that Books and Reading could extend into individual books. After all, on Author Buzz UK’s long term road map is a directory of all books. Perhaps the two overlap enough that they are, in some regard, the same project?

What do you think?

Should we take on the responsibility of hosting book conversations? Comment below or compose your own post, mention, and ping us.