The Twitterbug and the publishing business

The world is changing with all of the new networking strategies going around.  Whether it’s Facebook or Twitter or any other of the others, it’s also changing the way in which authors promote their books.  Twitter has become not just a way for publishers to talk to the readers, but a way to hook them and gain readership. Imagine coming to Twitter to watch the interaction among characters of your favourite author?  Though it may not be ideal for some, others, those dedicated fans who can’t wait until the next book comes out, may enjoy reading these tantalizing snippets from characters themselves.

Take YA author Jennifer Banash, for instance has created 3 microblogs on Twitter for three of her characters.  These characters interact with one another, even making reference to the read world.  Not only from authors, publishers are also finding use for Twitter by highlighting their frontlists.  Among these publishers are Bantam, Random House and even Thompson Nelson.  It’s a great way for those in the publishing world to get out there and interact with the readers, talking about the books and the writers.

Would you do it?  What other ways do you promote your book and characters?  Writing groups?  Character based blogs?  Do you create facebook accounts for your characters?  What line is too far?

Are you a twittering?

(http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/web_tech/ya_author_sets_her_characters_atwittering_90157.asp)