Lin Anderson has published seven novels in the highly successful forensic thriller series featuring Dr Rhona MacLeod, which have been translated into several languages. The series is currently being developed for television. THE REBORN is out in paperback in May 2011. PICTURE HER DEAD is due out in August in hardback. Her short stories have appeared in a number of collections. Most recently DEAD CLOSE was chosen for the Best of British Crime 2011 and is shortly to be made into a film. Also a screenwriter, her film RIVER CHILD won a student BAFTA and the Celtic Film Festival best fiction award.
Lin’s website is here, her eBooks blog is here, and you’ll find her on Twitter here and on Amazon here.
How digitally aware are you generally?
I used to teach Computing Science so pretty aware. I use online banking, Trip Advisor. Order from Amazon. Do a lot of research via the internet and love my Kindle.
Do you use Facebook and/or Twitter professionally and/or personally? If both, how do you distinguish between them?
Don’t use Facebook much although am in touch with friends that way. Use Twitter extensively. People who follow me usually do because of the books.
Do you have a blog? If so, why – and what do you blog about?
I blog about ebooks. They seem to me to be the biggest thing in accessing books since the advent of the public libraries. I also believe they even the playing field more between publisher and author. And they’re going to get much bigger.
In your online networking, how much time do you spend talking to other authors/publishers and how much time with readers/fans? Do you get any tangible benefits from either?
I spend a little time each morning and maybe later in the day online. I don’t tweet when working or when out. More people know about my books than did before and I’ve had bookings because of my presence on Twitter.
Do you enjoy interacting with your readers in the real world and/or online? Any significant differences between the two?
I like both, although author evenings at libraries or festivals are the best. However online allows you to meet with readers from further afield.
Do you respond to reviews, good and/or bad?
I’ve been lucky in the main with very positive reviews. I tweeted a bad one once and was inundated by replies from angry fans. I don’t respond unless a query comes in from a fan/reader.
Have you ever actively marketed to a target demographic based on the genre of your writing or the theme of a particular book?
No, but maybe I should.
How clearly defined is the reader in your mind when writing? Would you know where to find them online?
They are a mixed bunch and of all ages who love thrillers with an edge but a heart. They like to get emotionally involved with the protagonist. I have male and female fans. Not sure where to find them online, but I believe Kindle allows people to cross genres in their reading habits more so than paper books because they can try a book out.
How satisfied are you with your current publisher’s marketing efforts on your behalf (if relevant?).
Not very. I promote myself more than they do.
What’s the Grand Marketing Plan for your next book?
I’d like to do a run in to PICTURE HER DEAD. Not sure quite how yet but the background of old Glasgow cinemas is fascinating and I should play with that.
To what extent do you buy into the concept that as an author you are a brand?
Not sure. I rather like my freedom. Hence why I’m working on a number of quite distinct projects including a movie and none of them involve with forensics.
To what extent do you believe that it’s up to you to find your audience and ultimately sell your books?
If publishers pay bookshops money for shelf space the book sells. I could name a few where that has happened. Authors can’t do that, but they can raise their profile on line.
What would your advice be to a debut novelist hoping for… well, a publishing deal, or at any rate readers?
A good way in is a small indie publisher if you want a paper copy. Having a book published is good. However don’t hand over your erights casually. In Scotland, small publishers sell into Europe more easily than into England. I know because my first three books were published in numerous languages, but you wouldn’t have been able to find them south of the border.
So where’s it all going, this publishing business?
Hopefully the authors’ way. Big publishing houses take a huge chunk of the profits on a book. The author only a small proportion unless you’re very famous. The balance has to change.
Do you have any experiences of doing your own marketing, digitally or otherwise, that you could share with other authors?
A little through eBooks. Getting the word out on Twitter. Taking part in book groups via Amazon. Having an interesting website that draws readers. Content being all!
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