Buzz
by John Wolf
Can you feel the end coming? I mean the end of the year. Considering the state of the world, maybe the end is not that far away as well; but we should take heart in this having been a remarkable year for the self-published author, or any author for that matter, that published a labor of love - pulp magic. Ah, the smell of fresh ink. Excuse me, I have to wash my hands. Another ink cartridge was consumed by my trusty printer.
With the birth of AuthorNation.com, a new day has arrived. It may not save the world, but it could launch a few careers. NothingBinding.com is coming along as well. We have an outlet in New York City with New Voices Bookstore. I'm stoked. So, how do we keep the momentum going. I have an idea.
It has to do with exposure, and not of your northern face, but letting people know that you exist and have a book that is the "good news" for the day. It has to be something lasting and have a small value or it will hit the circular file as the primevil response. I base it on your authograph. People seem to be awestruck by authors signing things, so lets give them something signed.
Ham radio operators have a thing call a QSL card. It represents a "hit", proving that the operator made a contact with another station. It's captured forever in a postcard size object to be added to a wall display and be proundly expounded upon anytime someone steps into the room. They quickly become valued collectors items. The two operators exchange these custom made cards that provide bragging rights. We can do the same with author cards. I have a QSL from Antarctica obtained in 1964 when scientists were involved with a program called "Operation Deep Freeze", which was the first big study of the South Pole. I just happened to be living in American Samoa when these scientists and journalists came through after the spring thaw. The radio station at the South Pole's QSL card was highly prized among Ham Operators. I was given one in exchange for an interview with a newsman that came to the island. He was gathering stories on his way back to the States. Oh, did I mention he was stuck on the island for a month, because his plane broke down and was despartate to do something before he went mad? Anyway, I still have it and it does provide for stimilating discussions when people see it.
I want the Infinity authors to be the first in the world to provide author-cards, a postcard object that says, "I read your book and thought it was great." On the card would be a promo for your book - a tiny cover picture and the one-liner blurb. Sign the card, put your chop stamp on it, do something cool to make it a collector's item. Send it to the author with a note expressing a wish that he or she read your book and return the favor. For other readers and not just among authors that have read your book, do the same, but make the card a thank you note for reading the book and include the all important original signature, not a printed stamp.
Books get put on shelves and the autographs are hidden away. Valuable books get sold, but an author-card is yours forever - bragging rights. Put it in a scrapbook, show it to everyone that visits. The authors have upped the anti, their book is now a hotter item that it would have been. What are your thoughts about this idea?
There also has been buzz about starting up a book review section in the Fox&Quill. What do you think? How should it be laid out?
John's latest novel is set in India - a modern day mystery
Entitled: "Of Beryl and Alabaster" coming sooooon.
Thanks to all the Fox & Quill readers... John Wolf
