We've featured examples of printing on demand for consumers who'd like to publish their own books, through services like Blurb. Instead of letting them print their own work, renowned British publishing house Faber & Faber now lets readers order books that have gone out of print.

Faber Finds is starting off with a selection of 100 titles that have fallen off the backlist, including works by prominent 20th century novelists P.H. Newby and Angus Wilson. The venture uses specially designed software to generate print-ready covers that will be unique for every title, without requiring the (expensive) intervention of graphic designers. For more on the development of their clever design system, read the developer's notes.

Sold at prices comparable to regular trade paperbacks—slightly higher in some cases—Faber Finds titles have a production and delivery time of up to two weeks, and consumers can place orders online or through their local bookstore. Faber Finds will be adding more titles soon, planning to offer as many as 1,000 in four genres: fiction, non-fiction, art and poetry. (In the Telegraph, the list's editor points out: "There will be no room for celebrity memoirs, 'chick lit' or pornography, but, otherwise the watchword is inclusion.")

It's an inspiring example of 'old media' using digital technology and online retail to profit from niche markets. As is, of course, detailed in Chris Anderson's theory of the Long Tail: "In an era without the constraints of physical shelf space and other bottlenecks of distribution, narrowly-targeted goods and services can be as economically attractive as mainstream fare." More publishers to follow Faber & Faber's lead?

Website: www.faberfinds.co.uk

Spotted by: Matthew De Ville

On August 31st, the streets of Shoreditch, London, will be overrun by adults on kids' tricycles as part of a new annual race to benefit local charities and social entrepreneurs.

Thirty teams of up to three adults each will be invited to compete in the Shoreditch Grand Prix, based on the level of sponsorship they can raise by Aug. 14 on behalf of a charity or social project. Using supplied vehicles, they'll then race to be first to complete the 5-lap course through the city streets some two weeks later. In the words of the event's sponsors, "it's a pedal powered race of epic proportions, mixing the glamour of Monaco, the endurance of Le Mans and the idiocy of adults attempting a street race on children's toy tricycles." ;-) The race is the brainchild of UnLtd, a charity that helps nearly 1,000 budding social entrepreneurs each year with a mix of cash, development support and networking, as well as creative agency Thin Martian and UnLtdWorld.com, a social network for social entrepreneurs. The aim is to run the event on a yearly basis in London, and then replicate it across the UK and eventually license the format globally, its organizers say. Corporate entry packages for the race start at GBP 1,000. An additional five trikes designed by artists will also be auctioned on eBay, which is one of the event's sponsors.

Whereas most fundraising events are tailored to established charities, the Shoreditch Grand Prix takes a different twist—and a refreshingly lighthearted approach—by focusing its efforts on diverse social entrepreneurs, social businesses and individuals running community projects. It's a localized way to support the efforts of those working for local social change—one that can be licensed and copied in communities around the world. (Related: New brand for a new sport.)

Website: www.shoreditchgrandprix.com
Contact: www.shoreditchgrandprix.com/contact.aspx

When we wrote about crowdsourcing product-improvement site RedesignMe late last year, we wondered how ideas generated by users of the site would get translated into real-world products. Well, now we have an answer: last week the Dutch company announced a new program by which users of the site get paid for their input on new products.

How it works: product manufacturers pay RedesignMe to establish "RDM Challenges," through which a new product concept is presented and the site's 1,000 or so active members are asked to react to it. Currently on the site, for instance, is one from the international DECT Forum, a group of wireless communications companies that are seeking product ideas based on CAT-iq (short for Cordless Advanced Technology - Internet and Quality). Beginning with an initial proposed concept, users are free to modify the current design or upload their own ideas, using any combination of comments, sketches, pictures, mood-boards, movies, prototypes or total redesigns. In exchange, they are rewarded with RDMs—RedesignMe's online currency, which is convertible into products in the online RDM Shop such as mp3-players, game consoles and gift cards. RDM Challenges can be open to all users or only a select few. Ideas generated on the site are then used as input by the manufacturer's R&D team or professional designers, who decide on the final concept. Ultimately, the companies hope, the result will be products that are better aligned with what consumers really want.

RedesignMe founder Maxim Schram explains: "In response to the launch of our website last year, a lot of manufacturers called us to ask if we could help them get input from consumers. They wanted to ask the community questions and were willing to pay for it. A couple of months later we did a pilot with Vodafone Group where we asked our members to redesign a mobile portal. The results were spectacular. Back then we gave away prizes for the best designs, but now with the RDMs we can reward even the slightest creative input."

This is where Generation C(ontent) becomes Generation C(ash), and it's where crowdsourcing will reach its true potential. Companies benefit from the wisdom of the crowds, the crowds benefit with rewards and better products—and sites like RedesignMe benefit from facilitating it all. One to emulate on a niche or localized basis!

Website: www.redesignme.com
Contact: info@redesignme.com

Last year, we wrote about a Dutch collective of wind turbine owners, mostly farmers, who operate turbines as an extra source of income and sell the energy they produce directly to consumers.

One of our spotters pointed out another venture that has consumers directly involved with farmers and sustainable energy. This time, however, the farmers aren't producing energy to sell to others, but to power their own business. BoerENbuur (FarmerANDneighbour) is a network promoting alliances between farmers and their non-farming neighbours. One of the projects they've recently launched is buurZOEKTbuurvoorZONNEPANELEN—farmer seeks neighbour for solar panels. Since not every farmer can afford to buy a wind turbine, and some believe they would disfigure their part of the Dutch landscape, the project is asking individuals to buy shares of EUR 250 that will help participating farmers install solar panels on their roofs. In return, per share they'll receive EUR 50 worth of produce from the farm, every year for six years. Plus the feelgood dividends of helping a farm become climate-neutral. Fifteen farmers have signed up for the first run, and the solar panels will be installed by the end of 2009.

While it obviously isn't a get-rich-quick scheme for anyone involved, grassroots initiatives like this make for a welcome antidote to corporate greenwashing. One to copy to other agricultural regions? (Related: Neighbourhood approach to renewable energy.)

Website: www.boerenbuur.nl
Contact: anne.stijkel@inclusivescience.org

Spotted by: Bart van der Aa

Last year we wrote about Urban Gentry's specialist tours of London, which included guided expeditions through the city focusing on art, fashion, interiors or shopping. Now recently launched Insider London has added a new niche to the mix with a tour focusing on London's green side.

Insider London's "Cutting-Edge Green Tour" uses walking and public transport to show participants the most exciting and innovative sustainable retail concepts, buildings and designs that London has to offer. From eco-minded shops to futuristic architecture to inspiring communities, the tour aims to highlight the many innovative ways that sustainability can be brought to life. Lasting three hours, the tour costs GBP 12.50, and is "also an excellent opportunity to meet and network with other keen greens," the company notes. Led by green marketing strategist Cate Trotter, the Cutting-Edge Green Tour recently won the Love London Travel Award. Insider London's other tour topics include interior design, architecture, shopping, gay London and the city's quirky side.

With the growing legions of eco-minded consumers out there, focusing a city tour on that niche makes perfect sense. Who will show off other cities' own eco initiatives...? Perhaps more important, what eco company will be first to sponsor one?

Website: www.insider-london.co.uk
Contact: office@insider-london.co.uk