Reading and Social Networking

How has social networking with authors changed your experience as a reader?


This question was posted today by Susan Mallery via Twitter, and it got me thinking about how my reading experiences have changed. Now, I might not be the norm, because I have a tendency to become super obsessive about my passions, and my one true passion in life (besides my husband) is reading. I love getting swept up into the made up worlds of Fantasy novels, the far reaches of space in Science Fiction, and the love between a man and a woman in Romance. Reading allows my imagination to run wild and experience things I might never get the chance to do.

With the boom of the social networking age, there is now so much more information at our fingertips. For me, I began using social media in college; using the popular Facebook site as a way to connect with fellow students in college and keep in touch with old High School Friends who moved away. Nowadays, I’m horribly addicted to Twitter, as it has become for me, the quickest way to disseminate and obtain information.

When I first started my Twitter account, my main goal was to use it to follow authors. So many of my favorite authors are on Twitter; announcing new blog posts, contests, and upcoming releases. Everything I could ever want to know about their writing and their daily lives. Because of that, I feel like I know these authors. Reading their book suddenly becomes more personal, as it feels like I’m reading something a friend wrote.

I can only imagine how busy most authors are, and I know that social networking can take up A LOT of their time, but to me that makes the contact that much more special. Say I took the time to get a book, read it, write an honest review, and post it on my blog.
When I go and post on my social network pages about the new post, I want to do my best to try and get the word out about the book, and help promote sales. When they respond to me, even just to say Thanks or to spread the word, I do a little happy dance each and every time! That small contact and personal experience just reinforces my desires to help promote more of that authors work.

Because of the popularity of these social networking sites, I have had so many more chance to be introduced to new authors. For example, if I’m following Susan, and she is helping her friend promote their new release, it give me the chance to find new authors who write the same genre of what I know I already like. The number of new authors I’ve found through Twitter has increased me TBR pile tenfold. I have more stacks of books than I know what to do with! (NOT that I’m complaining)

As I also have an interest in writing my own stories, the chance to really see how so many different authors spend their time is so helpful and insightful. Many times throughout the day I see authors talking to one another on Twitter about their editing process, their struggles, and celebrating one another’s releases. To me that is inspirational. It helps me strive to be more.

What about you? Anyone else want to share their experience?