Writer Presence in the Digital World

Rebecca Skloot is present in various digital forms discussing her work and making her writing available on the internet. She uses social networking like Facebook and Twitter to update and invite her readers to new works and current events in the writing world. These two social networking sites are extremely effective in capturing an audience. First, Facebook allows inquirers to see Skloot's pictures, write on her fan page's wall, and posts links to other sites (her website, the Henrietta Lacks Foundation, and her Twitter account). In comparison, her Twitter account works in the same way, but I think Twitter allows users to gain a bigger perspective on what is current in the writing field. By simply following Skloot's account and looking at her profile readers can find out who she follows and what interests her at this time in her life. I think both of these social networking tools are extremely effective to reach an audience. They allow readers to feel personally connected to an author they admire and can find up-to-date information about what the author has going on.

I also found a blog of hers called Culture Dish on Scienceblogs.com. It appears to have moved to a different site as stated in the last post on July 8, 2010, but I also think this is a great digital platform she used to interest those in the science world about her book and what in science interests her. "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" has a heavy grounding in science and the medical world that would interest avid readers of the science genre and those who are studying medicine. I think by having this type of blog is an excellent way to reach out to that part of her audience.

Rebecca Skloot also appeared on an episode of "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert. I watched the video on his website of his interview with her and it provided more of a light-hearted discussion of the book. This is another great way to capture readers from other areas. Maybe a viewer of "The Colbert Report" doesn't read much but was inspired to read this book based upon this episode of the show? Even television interviews and watching those things online can grab the attention of future readers. In this interview clip, she was in good spirits laughing at Colbert's jokes and I think this shows an enthusiastic tone/personality of her digital presence. Even her Twitter and Facebook pages show pictures of her and her interactions with fans and it makes a viewer think "Wow, she's very friendly and very involved with her followers." That is extremely important for a writer in the digital age. Since we rely so heavily on impressions over the internet it's extremely important that it paints a good picture of the author.