PODCAST

So do you know what that is? I didn't. A marketing tool for writers. Tess Gerritsen uses it on her website. Check it out at www.tessgerritsen.com

Are you acquainted with Gerritsen's novels? Lot of gore--she writes medical thrillers. The scalpel is used a lot! Imagine this. Me, reading her books with one hand over my eyes, the slasher cut-'em-up stuff too much to bear. (It's happened, believe me.)

The point of my post? Pamela brought up the subject about having music to accompany one's book. I investigated having a trailer (film style) made for my novels to put on my website. (Haven't gotten to it yet. Indeed, my website needs updating, and I haven't got to THAT yet! Well, come on, guys, I have to finish this third book of mine and I'm behind.)

Anyhow, seems the effort of all the above is to get a television/film/music audience to "come on down, "test the waters," and pick up a book. Of course, after the potential reader is enticed to pick up the book or even buy it, he or she has to take the final plunge--read the dang thing!

One thing I've noticed--that even among people I've absolutely counted as good friends--I've found out that you can bring a horse to water, but you can't always make them drink. Which is another way of saying, some good buddies of mine bought my book--to support my endeavors--but have never gotten around to reading my book. I haven't taken it personally--I've just had to accept--they don't read! Well, maybe they'll read a newspaper.

So ipods, peapods, weepods, podcast, trailers, music, music videos--is that what it's going to take to get some people to READ?

But seriously, that's why I like New York. There are readers here. The trains and buses are full of them. Young, old--quite a few teenagers too. I make a game out of matching people to reading material. I'm never right, of course. No, I take that back. Most times I can spot the women who read romance novels. No, no, amend that. Sometimes I can. All right, once or twice I've guessed correctly.

Re: the above? Just asking.

Gammy L. Singer