#FollowReader May 7: Heather McCormack from Library Journal

On today’s #FollowReader Twittersation, we’ll be joined by Heather McCormack (@HMcCormack), Book Review Editor of Library Journal. Heather’s article (“Patrons Are Consumers, and Consumers Are Patrons; or, How Publishers Can Learn To Stop Worrying and Love Libraries Again”) on the Tools of Change blog has become a jumping off point for a larger discussion about [...]

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Building Reader Communities with Jesse McDougall – Part Two

When it comes to building online communities around books, authors and publishing imprints, what are the top social media platforms and analytical tools? To what extent can the results of these online efforts be tied to increased book sales? And which independent publishers are ahead of the game, and what obstacles do they face? These are some [...]

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Recap: #FollowReader Nov. 20, 2009: Angela James and Carina Press

  Good question about formats @bradmacl Epub and PDF (DRM-free of course) are the ones we know. Still working out the rest. #followreaderPosted by angelajames Last Friday we had a lovely TwitChat with Angela James, editorial director of Harlequin’s new digital press, Carina. You can read through the full transcript by clicking here (archived TwitChat). [...]

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Poisoned Pen’s WebCon

Taking place this Saturday, October 24, 2009 PPWebCon is described as the world’s first major virtual mystery and crime convention bringing authors and readers together online from all over the world. Pretty cool, eh? And, if anyone can deliver the goods on such a cool premise, it’s the folks at Poisoned Pen. I sent a few questions to Robert Rosenwald, who kindly (and promptly) returned some answers. So, for those who want to know more about what is likely the coolest (and premiere) virtual event for mystery lovers EVER, please read on!

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Reaching Out to Readers: ECW Press Recruits Shelf Monkeys!

Follow the Reader loves hearing about publishers who love connecting with readers. One such publisher is ECW Press. Their innovative (and adorably named) Shelf Monkey program allow for direct (and very personal) interaction with, and feedback from their readers.

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Rich Rennicks on Helping Booksellers Expand Their Influence Beyond the Neighborhood, Great Reads, and More.

“We’re at a pivotal moment right now. The taste-making power of newspaper review sections is dwindling, and the discussion is shifting online and diversifying. Part of the risk in this is everyone may talk about the same, few over-hyped titles and ignore the small presses, the artistically challenging books and the new authors. Bookstores have this great opportunity to seize a piece of this online cultural taste-maker role and expand their influence beyond their neighborhood. My role is to encourage, cajole and persuade booksellers on the leading edge of this change to ensure our books remain part of the conversation.” – Rich Rennicks

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Free Sony Readers for Book Reviewers

Word has it that a consortium of big publishers are brewing a new strategy for distributing Sony Readers to book reviewers. There are a lot of good reasons for publishers to do this– and some signficant obstacles. What we want to know is, how do reviewers feel about the idea?

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