If you are not already aware, the face of the literary world is rapidly changing and expanding. With the long reaching arm of the internet offering varied forums for posting and electronic readers on the rise Authors have more options when it comes to releasing their work.
Staring boldly in the face of change are a few brave pieces, even if some have been forced into the position. If you haven't heard about the leak of Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun Manuscript, then you must have been living under a rock for the last several years. Eventually she released a rough draft on her website for all her fans. Someday, maybe, she'll finish that piece. Recently she startled fans with The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner which was released in a downloadable version free on her website for a limited time then available in print with all proceeds going to a charity. And now, here comes a 'twitter novel' courtesy of author Kathleen Duey.
Kathleen began with tweeting an experimental novel, her character talks and she types. Eventually, she moved the postings to blogspot and now posts updates at her twitter site. There is a huge cult following for the story. Unfortunately, for those of us hooked she has been on hiatus from this story while working on her projects that "pay the bills" as she says. Though Ms Duey has posted that she will resume installments in January 2011.
This is a, pardon the pun, novel new idea...I can't wait to see what other authors do in response. Will other authors jump on board with more than just excerpts of upcoming novels on their websites? Will more writers post whole manuscripts on their sites? Is this a new advertising angle that could result in readers falling in love with an author and then obsessively purchasing all the stories, series, novels and anthologies? These are exciting times in the writing world.
If you're remotely curious please click on the link and see what Kathleen has to offer.
You must admit, the idea of linking a novel to a friend is enticing and makes it easier on us as readers to share those stories and authors we love. I think I see the next generation of 'going viral'.
This is actually such an interesting idea. It's amazing how Twitter has changed how we can view certain bits of art. A musical I adore (Next to Normal) did something similar a couple years ago...if I recall, they kind of expanded the story a little more. Every so often one of the characters would state what was on their mind at various points in the musical. It was incredibly interesting to follow.
ReplyDelete