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Plug Your Book!
15
Introduction
No matter what kind of
book you have, its success
depends on two things: It
must tell a good story, and
you must find an audience
for it. Easier said than done,
but you might take a page
from master storyteller Hans
Christian Andersen.
As legend has it,
schoolchildren in Andersen’s
19th-century Danish town
played hooky from school
just to hear him spin his
tales. Each time he felt like
telling another one, Andersen signaled his desire by flying his kite. When
the kite rose, word spread quickly, and the crowd gathered.
Can it be that simple in today’s world? Can the modern author build
an audience solely through community word of mouth?
Yes, you can, and you don’t even need to leave your backyard.
Today’s authors are launching their kites to potentially huge audiences
by participating in Internet communities. The big difference is, your
online community isn’t limited to your neighborhood—it can span the
globe if you invest in some string.
More than ever, authors and readers are networking, even
collaborating on books as peers. With simple Internet tools, determined
writers—even beginners working on obscure projects—can find their
audience. Using online communities, authors can bond with readers
intimately, inspiring deep loyalty.
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