In today’s digital era, the world of literature is undergoing a transformation that is breaking barriers, and connecting authors and readers in unprecedented ways. The convergence of literature and social media offers both challenges and opportunities for readers and writers alike; and this is a journey worth exploring.
The intersection of literature and social media has given rise to vibrant online literary communities, which have become indispensable in this evolution. These communities are thriving, offering readers and writers a haven for shared passion and discussion. Platforms like Goodreads stand out, providing a hub for English content and book recommendations — as per Statista, in July 2019, Goodreads had 90 million members. This indicates that a large and every-growing community of individuals share a passion for reading, writing and engaging in literary discussions.
Beyond Goodreads, there are many websites and platforms that bring together book enthusiasts and budding authors writing in different languages. These communities serve a dual purpose. Not only do they enrich the reading experience for booklovers, but they also bridge the gap between authors and their audience. Authors find themselves closer to their readers, gaining valuable insights and feedback.
What is intriguing is that each literary platform caters to different reader demographics, offering unique experiences. And for those seeking literary discussions in languages other than English, YouTube emerges as a great option. As of June 2022, more than 500 hours of video were uploaded on YouTube every minute. This equates to approximately 30,000 hours—and all this is newly uploaded content every hour!
YouTube is a blend of community and literature; it is self-built and self-promoting, offering a place to learn and engage. In this digital renaissance, Pratilipi is like YouTube, or maybe Facebook — it creates content, connects readers and authors and everyone is free to give feedback. This fosters creativity and connection among writers and readers alike.
Role of Social Media
Beyond traditional literary platforms, social media plays a pivotal role in promoting digital literary communities. It functions in three crucial ways:
First, it builds author-reader connectivity. It acts as a bridge between writers and readers, facilitating direct communication, feedback and the evolution of stories. Authors use social media to gather feedback, refine their writing, and some authors even offer readers insights into their work, thus creating a deeper connection.
Second, readers benefit from social media by discovering new stories and recommendations directly from the authors they like and new authors. This enriches their literary journey.
Third, social media helps authors build fan communities, leading to greater popularity and engagement, thus expanding their reach and influence.
Social media also democratises the literary world. Unlike the traditional publishing model where niche genres struggled for recognition, social media provides a platform for all voices to be heard. Writers no longer need permission to share their work; they can freely discuss it across platforms.
Evolution of Media
The term ‘media’ has expanded its horizons. It is no longer limited to printed or written work. Instead, it encompasses a vast array of mediums, each capable of telling compelling stories.
Social media is more than just a promotional channel. It is a dynamic space where writers can evolve into ‘creators’ through transmedia storytelling. I like to call these writers ‘creators’ because they are creating content that goes beyond the traditional format of a book. Stories written today transcend from printed books to becoming audiobooks, games, comics, television or OTT series, and even merchandise. Once we find a good story, it should be leveraged into other formats, because the content produced will somewhat vary across formats and unique pieces can be created on each platform.
Writers and creators traverse these platforms, with social media serving as a key connector. A good example I like to use is of the Iron Man, a mainstay of Marvel Comics. Iron Man began as an English comic in the US but evolved into movies, television series, games and merchandise — it is now a multimedia franchise with a total revenue of $2.89 billion. Interestingly, the value of the first Iron Man comic in mint condition is $20,000 — its cover price is 12 cents ($0.12)!
Similarly, movies like Oppenheimer and even Barbie resonate globally, transcending language barriers. It is the essence of these stories that matters, attracting audiences across the world. In the digital era, a good story transcends language barriers and reaches readers worldwide.
Navigating Social Media
For someone who wants to use social media to promote themselves and their work, be it a seasoned or a new author or reviewer, they should take care of these three points:
Authenticity — Be yourself. Don’t polish yourself. Being authentic makes you relatable and fosters genuine connections and trust with readers, going beyond mere promotion.
Two-Way Interaction — Don’t see social media as a loudspeaker; it is not just a promotional tool, but a conversational platform. See social media as a two-way street. Authors and readers should engage in meaningful conversations, adding value to both sides.
Consistency — Whatever social media platform you choose, maintain a consistent presence. Frequent updates resonate better with the audience. Choose a single platform wisely and be active on that one platform than spreading thin across many.
In conclusion, the age of social media has redefined literature, turning authors into creators and enabling stories to transcend traditional boundaries. This is the time to embrace this literary revolution and let stories flourish across diverse media, connecting readers and writers around the world.
As more and more digital innovations are happening, and will happen, one thing we should remember is that compelling stories, regardless of their form, will always shine.
—The author, Ranjeet Pratap Singh, is CEO and co-founder of Pratilipi. The views expressed are personal.
(Edited by : C H Unnikrishnan)
First Published: Oct 15, 2023 12:51 PM IST
