For my first post I want to discuss the success of two emerging Young Adult Authors, Jessica Townsend and Lynette Noni. Both authors are Australian and writing for one of the hardest literacy categories to break into, Young Adult Fantasy. Both of these authors have been on the Books + Publishing Australian Best sellers list, and Townsend has won countless awards for her debut novel, Nevermore the trial of Morrigan Crow (a fantasy novel about Morrigan Crow). Lynette Noni’s series the Medoran Chronicles, centered on a fantasy world gripped in turmoil. While both have found success it its their dedication to their audience that got my attention. I follow both of these authors on social media, (mostly Instagram, I am not really into Twitter) and I noticed how much they post and update their followers. Both are deeply invested in connecting with others through the use of social media.
Social Media has become a powerful tool and is being used by different people in different ways. Both authors have social media accounts, on different platforms and are using them to be proactive about their literacy projects, events and even personal lives. Recently both were featured authors in the annual Australian Reading Hour event run through a school Library on the Sunshine Coast. While the posts from both authors were almost identical, they used the platforms to not only promote the event, but to help promote the national Australia Reading Hour. These authors have seemingly grasped the fact that the digital word is changing how young people interact with their favourite authors and celebrities. Townsend and Noni encourage their audiences with social media, offering drawing competitions and post fan art and meme pictures and updates on new projects and sequels. Not only do they share information about their work they also give a small look into their lives. This kind of participatory culture with authors and their text should be encourages as they are assisting students in fostering their creatives skills. This kind of participatory culture (using the simplest definition of creating content for the internet and engaging with others) is encouraged by academics such as Henry Jenkins. He writes on the importance of professionals developing practices to engage young adults in new way. As we are currently facing a changing world, we all need to learn to adapt and change alongside it. While these authors are finding success communicating with audiences through social media, it is also hard to tell how much of their success can be accredited to their use of social media. What is clear is that both authors have been able to develop and maintain a solid and committed fan based, while being mentors and influencers to their audiences. Australian Authors simply do not get enough of the limelight in my opinion and the way in which Lynette Noni and Jessica Townsend use social media to engage others shows the sense of community that could be fostered.
2 Comments
Mrs J
10/16/2018 09:32:26 pm
I really enjoyed reading this post. Indeed it certainly gives you food for thought. I agree that the nature of being connected willl certainly make or brake the modern author and that I t is very smart to engage with your clientele, a tactic that game makers frequently use. I wonder what you think of crowd sourcing? my TL refused to buy a book for our library because it was crowd sourced, as the “quality would be questionable”. The social support for a book created via crowd sourcing is very similar to using social media to your advantage. I’d love to hear your thoughts on that. Mrs J
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Miss McCarthy
10/17/2018 12:55:42 am
Hi Mrs J,
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AuthorI am Miss McCarthy a Multimedia, ITS and History Teacher. I am also an aspiring Teacher Librarian. Archives |