Anti-social media

I just spent a super enjoyable birthday, which was enhanced by many lovely interactions with Facebook friends. Some of whom I know slightly, some of whom I know well. Others I don't know at all but they are fans of the books. Still others wouldn't know me if I tripped over them in the produce aisle. All of them sending me great vibes. Nice.

When I came home between birthday engagements and waved to a neighbor, it struck me that I am living in a strange world. One where my next door neighbor doesn't know when my birthday is, but hundreds of people on Facebook do. It's a new type of community. Not necessarily bad or worse than the old model, just different.

The online community is one I've been thinking a lot about lately as I create a new website. Thoughts about what will be successful fill my days. Design decisions, content decisions. To blog or not to blog. Forum, no forum.

I like to look at Twitter, but don’t post much. Usually just a retweet. I’m on Facebook more often, but not as much as I could be. I like the give and take on Facebook. I love Goodreads, but don’t use it as much as I could. I haven’t given Google + a whirl yet. Have you?

For authors, social media and email means contact with our fans (and a few people who are not so enamored with our work). It’s a real added perk, one that Agatha Christie or Ernest Hemingway could never imagine.

What part of the ‘net do you use the most? I know you’re blog readers, loyal followers of KH. (Much appreciated.) How about forums? Twitter? Other blogs? What’s your favorite part about being connected? What do you look for in an interaction with an author?

Any thing you’d like to see on my new website? I’d love to know if you have a few favorite sites. Or know of an outstanding design. Send along your suggestions.