Author, Cat Bennett shares her views about social media for book reviews

I've worked with Cat Bennett for all of 2010. She is a Findhorn Press author and is an artist/illustrator based in Boston, USA. Cat is author of The Confident Creative - drawing to free the hand and mind. I've waxed lyrical about Cat's book many times this year and have experienced the methodology first hand. I really rate Cat as an author, artist and teacher and commend her for the ways she has embraced social media and profile raising this year.

I was pleased to receive this endorsement for my social media book club today from Cat:

When Sue announced her social media book club late Spring, I was excited to dive in, explore the books and meet some of the authors. The books focus on positive ways to explore and enhance our lives so it became a real pleasure to explore. And it gave me, as a new author, a chance to hear what my peers think of my own offering then look at theirs and join that conversation too.

It makes me think about the way our brave new internet age is changing our lives in radical ways. The blogosphere, having given everyone a public voice, is a fantastic tool to create interest in our work and even build community.

In the past, we relied on mainstream media and a small number of book reviewers to spread the word about our books. Reviewers, being human, have biases and were often judgmental, even harsh. A writer’s work could be curtailed by a negative review and too often was

Internet reviewers sometimes have negative opinions too but there are multiple voices chiming in to make clear what a book is offering. It’s this multiplicity of voices that is so heartening and helpful as it opens up dialogue and gives real perspective. And, of course, it hands the power back to the people, all of us, where it ought to reside. The old hierarchical paradigm is collapsing and, in its wake, a new kind of world democracy is taking hold with thoughtful discussion from people with all sorts of perspectives. It feels so healthy and part of a new vision for our world.

Sue's social media book club offers us the gift of meeting each other, chatting about our work and making connections that may, indeed, bring the work to a wider audience and even further the ideas we’re exploring. Not all of the books will be of interest to each of us. I don’t have time to read everything, alas, but when something truly intrigues me or is in an area in which I have some knowledge I know I’ll jump right in. I hope others will do the same. It’s wonderful forum in which to build community and share our work. Thanks to Sue for hosting it!

The Sue Blake Media Online Book Club is within www.linkedin.com. You will need to have at least a basic FREE profile on the site to join the book club. Search on the tool bar in Groups Directories for 'book club' and you will find it.

All the books in the book club have been selected. My company is or has promoted these titles and really rate them. There are some books in the list that we haven't promoted yet really rate too and in all cases we have access to the authors.

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It's been great working with you, Sue!! And I've learned so much from you and your energetic forays into social and print media! If I'd known marketing a book is such fun, I'd have written one sooner!! :-)

Posted by: Cat B | 20/10/2010 at 06:42 PM