Disclaimer: Individual images do not belong to Story Addict.
There exist many ways to reach out to readers. Sadly, none of them are easy (to start). But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try as many as you can until you find one that you’re comfortable with and you feel like you can stick with for a long time. Or, like, forever. Hey, if you commit, you commit. Even when you’re a ridiculously famous author like John Green, you still have to interact with your fan base on some level. And sometimes that might include channeling your inner nerd.
One way to do that is to join a fandom. An already established and thriving fan base which shares elements of what you write about. Here are a few fandoms that are classic representations of certain genres:
If you write epic fantasy, you might join the Lord of the Rings or the Game of Thrones fandom. Just quote the movies a lot and catch every episode. Poke fun of it because you’re a fan and you can.
If you write sci fi, you might join the Star Wars fandom. Better start packing for those comic conventions.
If you write paranormal romance, you might join the Twilight fandom. This one’s already taken by E. L. James. Sorry.
If you write middle grade fantasy, you might join the Harry Potter or the Percy Jackson fandom. Prepare to write fan fiction. Lots of it.
If you write urban fantasy, you might join The Vampire Diaries fandom. Just kick back and relax. This is the easy going crowd.
If you write dystopia, you might join The Hunger Games fandom. Brace yourself for hyped up teenagers who all want to “volunteer.” Remember those seagulls from Finding Nemo? Yeah, seagulls : bread as fan girls : Peeta.
And so on.
The key is that the fandom is based on books and therefore has readers. If you join a TV or movie only fandom, that’s not going to work because you might get watchers, not readers.
You also want to avoid temporary or seasonal fandoms. Something you can pretty much tell won’t last very long, or is soon to end.
For instance, above, I’m not sure how long The Vampire Diaries or The Hunger Games fandoms will last. It could be many years before they fade out, or just a year or two. Still, by the time it disappears, something else in the genre might pop up, so you might want to ride that puppy while it’s available.
Poll: If you could join any fandom (or have already), what would it be? You don’t have to be an author/writer to vote!
-The Story Addict
LMAO, on the E.L. James quip
I know I should be out there promoting myself and branching out to readers with Twitter, and Facebook, and maybe even a Fandom, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. And if I had to pick a Fandom it would be Star Wars even though I don’t think Science Fiction is a genre I’ll dabble in much. Although, Steampunk sounds fun too.
Thanks, Michael
It think it’s important to do what you’re comfortable with. If you force it, you’ll just torture yourself and everyone else, lol.
Harry Potter and Hunger Games. I’ve written lengthy fanfictions for both of them. And they’re actually pretty popular, for some bizarre reason, lol. Being part of a fandom is fun. I highly recommend it.
Neat! That’s pretty cool
I think fanfiction is a great way to exercise your writing. Thanks for the thoughts, Michelle!
Twilight & The Vampire Diaries. Where vampires go, I go.
Lol, knew you would say that
In that, there was supposed to be a “thanks for this post”! *grin* I was thinking…It was painful for me. I need more coffee. *shuffling off to get more coffee*
Hmmmmm…I NEVER looked at it this way, but this is gooooooooood! Hmm…Now I just have to figure out how to make that work for me. My romance, I just have to tap into the Once Upon A Time crowd. Yeah. For my steampunk…uh…that might require some additional thought.
Yeah steampunk has its own little niche, I’m sure. Maybe Sherlock? Anything historical should work
Oh! Right! I should have known that! *head desk* My head is OBVIOUSLY somewhere else! Good grief! Thanks!!