Is Twittering worth it?

[B.R.Stateham]

Just joined Twitter. And although I agree it is another networking site, and since I do want to spread the word out about my books, I guess Twittering is just another tool we all should be using. But I can't see the fascination in this new fad. Brevity is nice--and the requriement to be brief makes for a creative process--but what's the real attraction here? I like it in Crimespace because we can really fire up some discussion--and passions--on occasion. But how do you do that Twittering?

[Clay Morgan]

I am the anti-twitter.

[Seth Harwood]

Don't worry about whether you like twitter or not. The big mistake is thinking of it as a blogging platform. WHen it's really working best, it's just a quick method to make contacts/share messages with people. Like you throw out a statement into the ether, people fire back, and you create a conversation. Try following me at http://twitter.com/sethharwood
Today is the release of my novel and I'm on twitter like crazy because it's where people can tell me they bought my book, tell their friends to buy it, help spread the word about it, and generally talk about what's happening! It's really a lot of fun in an event like this!

Seth

[I. J. Parker]

It sounds as though people who know you are commenting. How do you reach strangers?

[Seth Harwood]

By doing my podcast audiobooks, I developed a fanbase first. I gave them my fiction for free and then they got interested. They started to follow me and I didn't tweet much for a long time. Now I do it off and on when there's something good to say.

But I say above all else that if writers want to attract readers/listeners/followers, we're best off giving away our actual content--our writing. We're crazy not to!

[I. J. Parker]

Thanks. I've heard about this and toyed with the idea. The freebies also need to be advertised somehow, I think. Anyway: Good for you!

[Paul Brazill]

Seth. You have novel out today? ! didn't realise! You shouldn't be so media shy. What's it called?

[Seth Harwood]

Paul, are you serious? I can't tell. Anyway, here's my book, in its various forms.

http://sethharwood.com/jack-wakes-up

[Paul Brazill]

Seth, I wasn't serious. I've enjoyed this media frenzy! the book looks great!

[Seth Harwood]

Cool! Thanks!! Yeah, I'm happy to get the word out. More to come!
(My new project is controlling my use of exclamation points.)

[Toni L.P. Kelner]

Love the cover. I'll check it out.

[B.R.Stateham]

Ah, I.J. that's a good question! On Facebook you find strangers thru contacts of the people who know you. On Twitter you've apparently have to know email addresses.

[Jack Getze]

I have no clue who would want to follow my every move. Mom?