Several graduates from UCT's master's programme in creative writing are contributing to a new project, Novel Idea, which will produce fiction written specifically for cellphones.

Writers participating in this unique literary experience include UCT alumni Lauren Beukes, Diane Awebuck, Sarah Lotz and Henrietta Rose-Innes, who are all published authors.

Each will contribute a story written in 28 episodes, none of which will be longer than 1 000 characters. Daily episodes will be sent to subscribers via SMS.

Stories range from a blind-date thriller to an animal smuggler adventure story. Readers will have the opportunity to vote for their top writer, and aspiring student writers will also have the opportunity to contribute.

Novel Idea, which is a project of cellphone content providers Mobfest, is a subscription-based service, and is now open for registration.

To register, SMS the word "novel" to 33879, or go to Mobfest's website, for more information.