I am quite comfortable with technology, but it takes me some time to get started. I remember clearly telling my physics teacher that I would never need to use a computer because I was going to work with books...I've got fond of blogs, and like updating my website. (Only after getting blow-by-blow instructions from my web designer. And then another set of instructions after the first ones didn't stay in my brain.)
Twitter remained a mystery. It sounded nervy, I knew Stephen Fry spent a lot of time on there, and I wasn't really sure what the point was.
When my third friend joined, and mentioned some interesting facts she'd discovered, I figured I'd give it a go. How hard can it be?
So I signed up under my professional name, BookAnalyst, and I am following some publishing houses, some interested readers, and a couple of friends.
The Bookseller recently focused on the hash tag #dearpublisher as a tool readers could use to ask questions directly of the publisher. The Bookseller also has a web page of contacts that's worth looking at.
Is anyone else trying out Twitter? What do you make of it?
I'm still not sure I like it - but it looks like it has potential to be either very interesting, or another time-thief.
Best wishes,
Cressida
(editorial consultant)
JJ Beattie on August 26, 2010
Hmmm, I love blogging but I'm really struggling with Twitter. I've got lots of writing friends on there and they all appear to be able to tweet all day, hold down jobs and keep writing. How? There's the added complication for me that I'm in a different time zone so a lot of fun is happening when I'm snoozing. I know actually that that is an excuse because I was no better when I was in the UK for a month in the summer.
I'm at the stage where I need to make my book the best it can be. Building a platform can wait. I guess I'll keep trying if only so that I can have fun 'chatting' with some new and old friends on my down time.
Charlotte on August 26, 2010
Just started tweeting too and am still waiting for the point to hit me. Will go and check you out, Cressida.
Keri on August 26, 2010
I have not been tweeting for that long but I really like it. I find that it is an easy way to interact with book bloggers, aspiring authors, literary agents and published authors. It is also a great way to stay updated on all sorts of opportunities and events.
My first real interaction with Twitter was for the Twitter release party of the novel Linger that was co-hosted by the author herself. I just thought this was brilliant way to bring together book lovers from all over the world who could interact so easily to discuss their love of a book and ask the author questions.
Have to say I was sceptical for a long time. Twitter was something I only heard about on E! when they were talking about what the latest celebrity had tweeted. The great thing about Twitter is that you can use it for whatever you want and I think it is excellent for those on a literary path, whatever that may be.
Christina on August 26, 2010
I use both a blog and twitter. Ok I don't tweet alot but I have done it. I have to admit I enjoy it.
Tom Proffitt on August 27, 2010
Blogs are brilliant, it's a way to procrastinate in general, it's a way to tell people about you so un-interesting life. I also do video blogging which is a different way to procrastinate from writing. Sidenote: I'm still in school, and I do have Facebook, for the basis of keeping in contact with people but Twitter, never really appealed to me. As I said, my life is so un-interesting I doubt anyone would follow it.