The Internet has done more than make each of us more visible - it has made each of us more accessible. I don’t want to talk about how much of my personal information is out on the web, whether I want it there or not; I want to talk about the way cyberspace has made it easier for us to meet people outside our usual circle of friends. It is nothing now to chat up a mystery fan living in Sydney as easily as someone I meet locally on the 93A commuter bus.
Last year we heard the frightening health news about Elaine Viets almost instantly via listserv emails and blogs. Honestly, at the time, my reaction was ‘That’s a shame but what can I do about it?” and then I saw an amazing thing happen: writers used the Internet not just to market their latest material but to support one of their own. Crackling across cyberspace, the word went out, and writers across the country offered to take Elaine’s place at book-signings or to act as her proxy at author events. Within days, the idea snowballed into something huge. I attended one event, The Festival of Mystery in Oakmont, PA, and I can remember thinking, “I’m seeing something new here. This is a cyber-community, and people are stepping up to help.” There was a generous, swelling upsurge, and I wondered if I was seeing a one-time event.
I got my answer, because here it comes again. Earlier this month, word went out that Patry Francis, author of The Liar’s Diary, needed our support. What impressed me this time is the speed and agility of the cyber response: instead of ‘How do we do this?’ I see: ‘Of course we can do this. What can I do to help?’ Folks, if we carry on this way, things might actually improve for the outside world. What an idea!
Today we blog to support the paperback release of Patry Francis’ The Liar’s Diary, a thriller involving a mysterious stranger, an unlikely friendship, a murder, and two conflicting versions of the truth. Click this link for the YouTube video:
Of course, the easiest way to show your support is to buy a copy of Patry's book!
