New York Times writer to publish novel via Twitter

by Staff, Brand Republic 04-Sep-08, 09:30

NEW YORK - A writer working for the New York Times has begun publishing his novel by micro blogging site Twitter, 140 characters at a time.

The modern thriller that New York Times technology journalist Matt Richtel has dubbed "the Twiller" has so far attracted around 400 readers with more joining every day.

Blogging about his experiment on the New York Times website Richtel said that the appearance of his story on this new medium has apparently confused some people.

"But many of my newspaper colleagues write novels. I've already published one. This is just an experiment in a new medium. Plus, it's a short story with a proverbial long tail -- albeit a short, long tail.

"Only about 400 people are reading the story -- a few get added every few days. It's whatever is the opposite of mass market.

"I don't know if the story will catch much attention, but, then again, it doesn't require much attention at all."

Richtel describes the story as being about a man who wakes up in the mountains of Colorado, suffering from amnesia, with a haunted feeling that he is a murderer.

"In possession of only a cellphone that lets him Twitter, he uses the phone to tell his story of self-discovery, 140 characters at a time. Think Memento on a mobile phone, with the occasional emoticon."

Richtel's first novel was called 'Hooked: A Thriller About Love and Other Addictions' and was published in June 2007.

Comments

Dan Plant - 04/09/2008

Finally, something that has got me excited about Twittering. Until now twitter has just been another thing that I have to try to keep up with rather than something that I actually get anything out of. This is different though. A compelling new reason to get involved with an emerging medium. Somehow I don't think it will stay at 400 readers for long