From Writer to Reader
Change in the last 25 years is phenomenal.
Wired magazine celebrates 25 years of being the voice of the digital age.
It seems incredible that 25 years ago we didn't have email, search engines, virtual reality and social media and that's just the start of the list.
Today, our interconnectedness is changing lives, making us aware of global issues, delivering education to remote places ... The only thing likely to reverse this trend is some kind of cataclysmic event. It might happen in novels but I can’t see it happening in reality.
What this means to writers.
For writers at all stages of their journey the interconnected world is a great thing. They can share their ideas and talent with like-minded people not just in their neighborhood but also around the world. The possibilities are unlimited.
While the big challenge continues to be finding a publisher the next is definitely finding a way to reach readers. Readers are spoilt for choice. Everywhere they turn there are books crying out to be bought and the final choice by a reader could well come down to whether or not the reader recognises the writer’s name and associates that memory with pleasure.
Know your reader.
Every writer’s challenge is to know his or her reader, not intimately but well enough to know what he or she is looking for in a good read.
It helps the reader to stay with a writer if the book offers:
- Quality storytelling
- Quality editing, and
- a stand out character - heroic or anti hero but one which stirs readers emotions and makes them want to find out what happens to him or her.
A writer has control over all these things but that is not where it ends any more.
The challenge of getting what we write into the hands of the reader.
Once published, the writer is faced with the challenge of getting the story into the hands of readers ... as many readers as possible.
Technology has given writers the means to disseminate their writing but just putting it out there on a website and hoping someone will click on the BUY NOW icon is misplaced optimism. Huge effort is required to bring a book to the reader’s notice.
Relationship building is the key.
Building a relationship based on trust and respect is key in this new environment and this can only be built up over time and using multiple platforms - blogs, speaking engagements, article writing. It does not bring instant results but it does make your name familiar and the reader curious.
That it is a slow process seems almost counter-intuitive in a world where information flies around the world at great speed and instant gratification is the catch-cry of consumers. However, a reader will remain loyal if mutual trust and respect is the cornerstone of the relationship. This means consistent delivery of quality, delivering to a reader's expectations and delivering on promises.
Although the process of getting a book into readers hands appears straight forward, it is, in fact, complex. Building strong relationships always are.
However, Wired has shown it can be done. In a world where magazines come and go, Wired continues to have a solid readership. It has remained true to its original intent and has built up a loyal readership.
Happy Birthday Wired magazine!
If building a relationship with readers is the key to success what can writers do to build relationships? Is it necessary even?
Suraya Dewing is a speaker at Breaking the Code: from writer to best-selling author on 6-7 October at The Belgian Beer Café, Melbourne, Australia
Suraya Dewing blogs at https://www.thestorymint.com/blog
For other information go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-the-code-from-published-to-best-selling-author-tickets-45261228553
Creator & Founder Stylefit and The Story Mint
6 年A lot is loaded on to writers when they are starting out. How do they get into bookshops for staff to write reviews for example? Most bookshops stock books from the larger, more established publishers. What happens to the authors who have boutique publishers who don't have access to bookshop shelves?
Post graduate Uni Student, Dunedin
6 年As a person who considers himself more of a reader than a writer, how do you get to develop a relationship with me, out of the millions of other writers.? The thing that gets me to look at a new book the quickest is bookstores who get staff to do a very brief review of the book. A good review from someone in a bookstore gives me confidence, but how do you get to that point, and many bookstores don't even offer this service.? There is a huge challenge to get your work in front of a reader, and I am glad this is being debated at the symposium.