100 sites for fiction writers: #54 - GoodReads

This is an ongoing series looking at websites that can be of help to fiction writers with their craft and career.

GoodReads

A lot of writers online are familiar with Facebook and Twitter. But what about a social network that's just about good reading? There is one. It's called GoodReads.

GoodReads is mainly an online social network for readers, but plenty of authors can be found there because, after all, they are readers, too. And GoodReads is an excellent site for writers to connect with readers and to promote their own material.

For you writers, check out the Author Program. This allows you to set up a GoodReads page with your photo, biographical information, a list of your books, your videos, and whatever other information you would like to make available to readers and potential readers. You can even Advertise if you want another tool for reaching out to readers.

For connecting directly with readers and other writers there are always the forum Groups, but you can also hook up and keep track of Friends, much like you would on any other social networking site.

If you're just wanting to find out about new books or what's hot right now, you can always go and Explore.

With the site promoting itself as having more than 5 million members, writers should seriously considering joining GoodReads and becoming familiar with its workings. There might not be a better online tool for reaching out to readers and fans.