Comments on: Chatting with Hemingway in your study..?

By: John Bergquist

John Bergquist — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 06:01:00 +0000

Lana, what a great way though to teach them the concepts of community based promotion. Even texting can be a powerful way to connect.

By: John Bergquist

John Bergquist — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 05:58:00 +0000

Mary, I believe it will pay off for you in the long run.

By: LanaVaughan

LanaVaughan — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 23:59:00 +0000

I’m mentoring a new style of collaborative writing. 37 middle school students are co-authoring a novel for NaNoWriMo. We are publishing via Fastpencil the first of December and will have actual books in hand December 15th. Since all of the authors are between the age of 11 and 14 their social networking is restricted to parental controls but there is a growing buzz about the book. Believe me, this is a tech savvy generation of authors coming up.

By: Mary DeMuth

Mary DeMuth — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:43:05 +0000

I wonder if this is a new trend, or simply the desire of the reader to be included in community with an author. Definitely something to ponder and consider. I make it a point to deeply connect with my readers. I try to be very accessible. It's not a quick way to garner sales, but it is satisfying.

By: John Bergquist

John Bergquist — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:36:01 +0000

Thanks for the tip on Laurie King Andy. (http://twitter.com/mary_russell). She is one of my favorite authors. I've read her whole Sherlock series. In fact I found this post all about her engagement with readers. Check it out! http://www.jeffwidmer.com/crossroads/index.php/...

By: andybunch

andybunch — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:03:05 +0000

Good stuff John, I've found that Laurie R. King is highly interactive with her readers as well. I need to learn that trick with the #hastag thing…There is much I need to learn from you Obi-john. I'll be in touch.

By: John Bergquist

John Bergquist — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:06:17 +0000

Jane, Beautifully put. Thanks so much for taking my invitation to speak on this subject. What a great tool to ward off writers block, having your readers co-create with you. You are way ahead of the game. It is an honor to have you here.
Check out Jane's great books here: http://www.jkbooks.com/ and on twitter here: @JaneKirkpatrick

By: John Bergquist

John Bergquist — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:58:47 +0000

Thanks AJ, Speaking of the money in your pocket, I think it greatly increases the value for purchase, when reading experiences take on a whole new life with author and other reader connections. It even amps up more with great tools like Vook.

By: janekirkpatrick

janekirkpatrick — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:56:23 +0000

Hi John, I engage with my readers because I know once the book leaves my hands, a reader will create with the story; I like to see what they do with it, to know if/how it affected them. I learn something for my next book. Facebook (a reader page and a fan page) newsletters, accessible via website, Twitter and I “attend” book group discussions by speaker phone. Madeliene L'Engle says when we create we co-create: we create with spirit and with our audience. I like that.

By: ajleon

ajleon — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:18:49 +0000

Love this. Funny how the world has changed. I bet all the money in my pocket that the great writers would have taken advantage of the new economy of engagement. Great post!