Zaragoza-born writer David Lozano delves into literary co-creation with Platform for the first time fiction expresspublished the novel “The Party” and gained 800,000 readers. The initiative, implemented in 50 schools in Aragon and more than 9,000 centers around the world, aims to promote reading habits and improve students’ language skills through interactive reading experiences. According to Lozano, the aim of the initiative is to “encourage young people to read and discover that it can also be fun. We live in a highly networked and highly social world, and reading is usually an intimate experience. This proposal incorporates a communicative and participatory aspect to that experience that allows us to approach texts in a different way.”
The first chapter of the novel was published on the platform on Friday, November 7th. Each week, readers decide how to continue the story from several choices, and the next chapter is published based on the most voted choices. In addition, users can interact directly with Lozano through the forums, commenting on plot developments, answering the author’s questions, and presenting ideas for the story.
For Lozano, the most appealing aspect of writing The Party is the constant dialogue with readers. “This is a different and interesting proposal that departs from the writer’s usual process. The reader takes an active role. After each chapter, I suggest several alternatives, and the most voted choice determines the story. Between one chapter and the next, we interact in a forum. It is strange and complex, but also very beautiful.”
The author emphasizes the playful element of this experience. “It’s about connecting reading with more than academics. We want to encourage them to discover the joy of reading. So that they enjoy the story and want to open the next chapter. This proposal incorporates a participatory and communicative aspect to reading, allowing them to approach texts in a different way.”
The plot of “The Party” combines suspense, mystery, and escape room-like elements. “It’s a story about young people who are invited to a strange party in a lake mansion. They don’t have much information and there’s an air of secrecy… Once inside they find themselves in a dangerous situation. I already have the main plot, but the developments are conditioned by the reader’s decisions, which makes the experience different.”
Writing in a weekly rhythm conditioned by voting is a challenge for Lozano, too. “For writers, this is complicated, and we’re not used to this kind of time trial. But it’s beautiful, because just as reading is intimate, writing is also intimate. This social format opens up that intimacy and creates a contact with the reader that normally doesn’t exist. The response to the first chapter has been very positive. They’re hooked on the story and want to read the rest. That’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
Beyond innovation, Lozano sees this experience as an opportunity to bring young people closer to reading. “Being able to influence history, participate in forums and discuss alternatives makes reading more active, fun and motivating. We want them to discover that reading can be fun, not just a school obligation.”
Methodology and author biographies
David Lozano (Zaragoza, 1974) holds a law degree, master’s degree in communication, and studies in Hispanic linguistics. He combines writing and directing for the Aragón Film Commission, focusing on suspense stories for young people. He has received awards for his career such as the Grand Angular Prize (2006 and 2024), the Edebe Juvenil Prize (2018 and 2025), and most recently the Cervantes Chico Prize. His works include the trilogy “The Dark Door”, “Hyde”, “Red Sky”, “Valkyrie”, “The Minute Thief” and the collection “The Edison Club”. His books have been published in 11 countries and translated into several languages.
methodology fiction expressis entirely digital and based on a creative dialogue between author and reader. Every eight weeks, three different books are published each week, chapter by chapter, and the direction of the story is left to the reader. The platform also includes surveys, comprehension and writing exercises, and projects that address all aspects of language according to LOMLOE requirements.
Since its establishment in 2012, fiction express It is present in over 60 countries and has over 1.6 million users. It publishes nine books every two months, and its library includes more than 400 original works co-created with readers. David Lozano is the second author from Zaragoza to join this initiative, after Africa Vazquez.
About The Author
