Another way to interact

Authors, editors and librarians have learned the value of live chat sessions, Facebook postings and other Web 2.0 formats for publicizing books, but Publishers Weekly reports on yet another avenue--Twitter. It's beginning to be clear that Twitter is a format that hasn't reached its full potential yet. Comedians still poke fun at the twittering habits of famous people, and columnists love to report that most people drop twittering after only one or two posts. But for those who can adapt and take advantage of the quick-moving give and take of a twitter session, the medium does offer possibilities. This account of an author and editor talking about a newly published book about Neil Armstrong suggests that tweets can arouse interest in a book, or presumably another product, and even spark sales. Children would surely be a good audience for a fast-moving exchange, a suggestion of a title or author to investigate, a quick answer to a question. More librarians ought to try it out.