Writers who are building a reader platform, also known as an author platform, may need some ideas on how to build their own reader community. Here is how I Turn Pages can help you get readers to follow you and engage with your book before it's published..
Our Features That Enable Pre-Publishing Growth
- Private Groups (Invite-Only): Perfect for a "Street Team" or a "Beta Group" where you only want trusted readers to see your early drafts. Find out more about creating your own groups or genre groups where readers can follow you.
- File Sharing: Upload character maps, glossaries, or family trees as "Resources" for your readers to download.
- Newsletter or Email Push: Use the "Notify Members" feature to send a direct email to your fans when you finish a milestone (e.g., "Draft 1 is Done!"). This keeps your audience from "forgetting" you during the long writing process.
- Discussion Forums: Create threads for specific characters or theories, allowing your readers to talk to each other about your book while you're busy writing the next chapter.
Writers
Writers — whether unpublished, emerging, or writing outside the traditional book space — have distinct needs around craft development and finding their voice.
Group ideas and what to discuss:
- Craft development groups — Focused discussions on specific skills: dialogue, point of view, show vs tell, pacing, and prose style.
- Short fiction and flash fiction — Share and discuss short stories, flash fiction, and competitions. A great space for writers who aren't yet working on a full manuscript.
- Writing prompt groups — Regular prompts to spark creativity, share responses, and give constructive feedback.
- Genre exploration — Groups for writers trying out a new genre, sharing what they're learning and experimenting with.
- Sensitivity and authenticity reading — Discuss writing outside your own experience, finding sensitivity readers, and handling research responsibly.
- First manuscript groups — Support for writers working on their very first book — normalising the messy first draft, building confidence, and celebrating milestones.