Writers are always looking for new ways to connect with their readers. This is especially so for many children’s writers, who spend much of their time visiting schools and giving readings to students.
In the past, websites have been a great way for readers to learn more about their favourite author. With the arrival of podcasts, some enterprising kids writers are connecting with students in new ways.
Arthur Slade is one of those writers. He is also a writer that I fear. Arthur’s writing is so smart that I cringe each time he releases a book, or develops a new idea. With each new title, I’m like “Hey, I wanted to do that! I just hadn’t thought of it yet.”
So it is with Arthur’s new book Monsterology and his new series of podcasts for young writers.
Using his own material as a springboard and drawing on his own broadcasting roots, Arthur dishes up writing tips and tricks for aspiring writers old and new. With titles like “Rewriting Strikes Back”, “How to Be Hillarious” and “How to Write the Next Harry Potter”, Arthur’s podcasts are at their heart a series of simple writing tips. But they are also much more.
Teachers can play them to their creative writing classes, they’re great sticky content for Arthur’s website and a fresh way for fans of Arthur’s writing to connect with the writer. With a simple 5 minute audio file, Arthur has created an effective promotion tool and a new way to reach readers. As podcasts and videoblogs become easier to create, I predict more writers will add them to their sites (possibly even this writer?)
The people who should really be paying attention to these original ideas of self-promotion are the publishers and possibly booksellers. At the end of the day, these podcasts will result in greater exposure for the authors and that can only mean increased book sales. Ideas like meettheauthor.com are already doing this too.
Maybe in the future, a series of author podcasts will be lumped in with the traditional book tours and signings. Who knows? That would be cool and it would also achieve the perfect marketing balance for hermit writers: book promotion from the comfort of your pajamas. Excellent!
tagged: [podcasts] [writing] [promotion]
