Final Post for BAWRT-2004—Authors in the Age of Digital Reproduction

This week's prompt required a selection of one writer out of a list of four available. The purpose of this discussion is to take a look at the writer chosen via their website and glean information regarding their progress to date. After a quick look over the options my eyes were drawn to a statement on Sean Williams’ website that reads: ‘Bestselling author of over fifty short stories and fifty award winning books.’ Until recently I had not heard of Sean Williams, but with credentials such as those mentioned my curiosity piqued and I simply had to find out more...

 

Websites can contain a treasure trove of information or they can leave a person asking more questions than they started out with. Fortunately the Sean Williams website is a platform rich in detail, replete with vast amounts of tidings in relation to the accomplishments of this author. What seems obvious is that Williams takes his profession seriously as evidenced by such a polished and detail-rich website.

 

Ostensibly Sean Williams writes in the fiction/sci-fi/fantasy genre, but even then he has proven that writing comes in many guises as he is also noted for writing a ‘polished poem’ and a recipe titled Big Bang Brussels Sprouts. Williams truly is a writer who wears many hats! However, something struck me while trawling through his website, and (recipes aside) I got an uncanny feeling the style of this author was reminiscent of John Wyndham, an author of science-fiction stories--long and short--who lived in the 20th century. In the past I enjoyed reading John Wyndham books for the pure fantasy the genre offered. It would be interesting to follow up this post at some latter time after exploring one of Williams’ books. At this point it almost seems fitting to borrow a one-word-saying from a well known, rather 'pointed' character in the world of sci-fi television/movies: ‘fascinating!’

Websites help provide an avenue for readers to explore more information about a writer. Before websites, finding information about a writer was often restricted to the odd condensed review on the back of a book. Writing in a digital world has changed so much. ‘The author website is an increasingly valuable tool for making writers visible as authors in online environments’ (Maguire, 2014). Realistically though, having a website is really just the beginning. In addition, social media platforms also help drive the type of branding the author is trying to achieve. Further investigation of Williams’ website shows this also to be true. His list of social media platforms is vast, to say the least! Kirstie Taylor agrees that ‘[c]reating an established presence on sites like Medium, Twitter, Instagram, etc. allows you to reach a more targeted audience’ (Taylor, n.d.). When it comes to social media platforms, Taylor recommends 1 to 2 platforms. She says ‘You want to focus on one or two platforms at the most. Post on them often. Do those two well’ (Taylor, n.d.). Sean Williams on the other hand uses far more than 2 platforms which the following list attests.

Social media platforms Sean Williams subscribes to:

• Facebook: seanwilliamsauthor
• Instagram: adelaidesean
• Twitter: adelaidesean
• Soundcloud: adelaidesean
• Spotify: adelaidesean
• Bandcamp
• Pinterest: adelaidesean
• Storify: adelaidesean
• Wattpad: adelaidesean
• NaNoWriMo: adelaidesean
• Tumblr: adelaidesean
• LinkedIn: adelaidesean
• Dreamwidth: adelaidesean (a copy of my old LiveJournal)
• academia.edu: SeanWilliams
  

In addition to the above list of social platforms, Williams also has a blog site attached to his website which he interacts with while receiving feedback from readers. This writer is no stranger to automediality but I just wonder where he finds the time to do everything? Some might argue that it’s better to do one or two things really well, rather than spreading yourself too thin. However it also depends on the writer and how much they want to contribute, after all it’s their prerogative. Personally, my favourite author came along by happen chance while rummaging around a second hand book store, but the discovery of that particular author I put down to fatalism--choices some people believe are beyond earthly control. Sean Williams, however, is leaving nothing to chance and appears to have an agenda which clearly rewards effort.

A list of achievements of those efforts along the way puts to rest any suspicion regarding writer credibility. At 53 years of age, the passing of time has been kind to Williams which shows indeed that hard work and dedication to one’s craft pays dividends. The following is a  list of awards this writer has received, courtesy Wikipedia:

 

• Winner, Best Long Fiction, 2001
• Winner, Best Science Fiction Novel, 2001
• Winner, Best Fantasy Novel, 2002
• Winner, Best Australian Novel, 2002
• Winner, Best Novel, 2004 & Winner, Best Fantasy Novel, 2004
• Winner, Best Novel, 2005
• Winner, Best Novel, 2008

The above list is far from complete with a number of other accolades earned but not included here, in which has been so far a prestigious career that arguably still has a long way to go!

If you think this is an author who might be worth looking into, further information can be accessed via the Sean Williams website here: http://seanwilliams.com/

 

 

Works Cited

Maguire, E. (2014). Home, About, Shop, Contact: Constructing an Authorial Persona via the Author Website. Media and Culture, 17(3).

Taylor, K. (n.d.). Why It’s Important To Build A Personal Brand As A Writer. Retrieved from The Writing Cooperative: https://writingcooperative.com/why-its-important-to-build-a-personal-brand-as-a-writer-170c9daa762c