Our group becoming a forum?

[John]

As I'm watching this group grow (61 as of right now!), I can't help but think that it's going to keep on growing and growing.

I have a crazy idea, and I thought I'd make a thread for us to discuss it (either those opposed, in favor, or who have other ideas): what if this group became a forum?

Now, my immediate thought is that Jeremy or Thad are probably watching all this happen and already have something cooking. In my mind, I'm seeing a forum on Inkshares where we continue doing what we're doing here, but as authors in the author group, but where readers can join the forum too. So, when someone becomes a member of Inkshares, they can go on the forum. Us authors can continue doing our thing (perhaps in a prive discussion group?), but we could also be part of the reader/author discussion. What a great way to connect with readers!

It seems to me a natural extension of what we already can do in part with pitching. There are many times I've used the pitch just to try and connect with someone. I don't want to pitch my book, I just want to get their attention (often times because they're a fantasy author and I want them to join this group). What if there was a place Inkshares users -- be they readers or authors -- could all come together to discuss what we all love: books.

That's my crazy idea. I'd love to hear your thoughts and see a conversation on the future of this group goes. Although I'm sure this is going to keep growing and we're going to keep doing great things here, if there's one thing I've learned about author promotion, it's that the equation is always evolving.

Thoughts?

[E]

That would be pretty amazing. Plus it could give a way for readers to ask questions about novels and get more incite.

[John]

KE, that's the golden nugget right there. It reduces the walls and gives us a chance to build more of a community with authors and readers. We can still have our private group for private author discussion. (I request we call it the Speakeasy.)

[A.C.]

(I request we call it the Speakeasy.)

YEEEESSSSSS

Also in general this is a great idea. I hate having to add my own comment on my update wall with no way to indicate I'm replying to another comment.

So, would each book have its own thread in the forum as soon as it's created, for potential readers to comment in?

[C.]

Yep, if there comes time for a vote mine would be a great big YES.

I think it's the one piece of the puzzle that inkshares is currently missing. If the whole goal is to have a community of readers voting via pre-orders, they need to have a place where that community can...commune.

[John]

Cara wrote: "So, would each book have its own thread in the forum as soon as it's created, for potential readers to comment in? "

I think if we pray to the Inkshares gods, they may hear our prayers.

[M.D.]

I am throwing my vote in for it. Love the idea

[Melissa]

Sounds like a great idea!

[Jae]

I'm in for the Speakeasy.

Community relies on interaction. Outside of pitches, which blow up like spam, there are not a lot of options to connect with potential readers on the site.

Also, having a place for writers to go and help each other out is incredibly beneficial as our group here has shown. I mean, I adore you all.

[Elan]

Fantastic idea. It brings to mind some excellent opportunities:

- Book clubs
- Writing groups for authors
- Q&A sessions with Inkshares staff, authors, artists

I'm all about it.

EDIT: Hey, Inkshares folks. When this happens — and we know it should — you're going to need some community managers. Holler at me. ;)

[Rick]

This groups needs to be hosted on the Inkshare Website.

[Yicheng]

Richard wrote: "This groups needs to be hosted on the Inkshare Website."

I agree. It's a vibrant community. Tell everyone else it exist. :)

[John]

I notice there is a notifications feature that's just been added to the Inkshares site. I'm seeing a glimmer of this potential forum coming...but making a forum is a HUGE undertaking.

As far as I'm concerned, we're in excellent hands. The Inkshares folks know what they're doing. So let's keep throwing ideas here. They will know exactly what to do, and meanwhile, let's keep rolling this snowball. Great things are happening!

[Jae]

Succeed or fail, I'm with you all for the long haul. Community is important to grow as a writer, and support when you stumble. The forums will come, eventually, but for now im thankful for this group.

[Susan]

John wrote: "I notice there is a notifications feature that's just been added to the Inkshares site. I'm seeing a glimmer of this potential forum coming...but making a forum is a HUGE undertaking.


Where did you see this? So far, I've only found the pitch and DM on Twitter to connect privately without an email address. Otherwise, it all goes through Inkshares.

[Thomas]

I'm loving everything said here.

[John]

Susan wrote: "John wrote: "I notice there is a notifications feature that's just been added to the Inkshares site. I'm seeing a glimmer of this potential forum coming...but making a forum is a HUGE undertaking.
..."

Susan, I just noticed it on the top of my panel when I log in. It's a small bell-shaped icon next to my avatar on the far right. However, it only shows up when I'm not on my page -- so for example if I'm logging in and browsing other pages. Let me know if you see it.

[Amanda]

Forums aren't that complicated to create (my husband has done it before in a previous job), it's just about allocating resources -- which is something Inkshares would have to decide on their end. I've felt for a while now that this should be added to Inkshares, mostly because there needs to be a way for writers to help support each other and share what's working and what's not (like this group).

[Joe]

One thing that would benefit me if the community was in the Inkshares site rather than here would be the ability to see the poster's book easily. Often a read a comment from someone unfamiliar, want to see what book they are writing, but sometimes that is not an easy task.

It would be easy enough for Inkshares to set up a forum like this with third-party software, but I don't think that would serve the purpose that is beneficial to the community (aside from the clear advantage of discoverability.) A community would benefit with tighter integration into the Inkshares ecosystem, a way to have a bi-direction lookup on from writer's posts to their projects. In a way the personas we display online in our projects and other content help to build the trust and confidence level in the reader's mind. To have a way to add texture to a writer, but highlighting their communications to the community, blog posts, and videos would be highly beneficial.

Considering those requirements would be a considerable undertaking, but Inkshares iterates on features fairly quickly. If it is something valuable to the platform, I would not be surprised to see small features that support this appear in over time.

[Jeremy]

Great idea! We'll look into building something like this. Stay tuned.

[Elan]

Jeremy wrote: "Great idea! We'll look into building something like this. Stay tuned."

*Writers used Idea*

It's super effective!