I love to read.  Heck, I spent three years working in a bookstore just for the discount.  And every time I read a great book, set in a creative and fun world, I get depressed at the end, because that world has now ceased to exist (okay, so maybe that’s a bit dramatic, but no one ever accused me of being subtle).  Then, about five years ago I stumbled onto a new author.  His name is Jasper Fforde.  His books are intertwined, brilliant, literate, hilarious…I could spend years trying to describe them accurately.  He is clearly passionate about literature and stories.   And if you’ve read any of them, you know how easy it is to get lost for a few hours in Swindon and Jurisfiction (the world INSIDE the books, where you meet literature’s greatest characters…the Cheshire Cat is the official Librarian).

And his books are loaded with Special Features.

That’s right…special features, just like a DVD.  Once you’ve read one of his books, you can go to the website, answer a very simple trivia question about the book, and you’re let into the “special features” section of his website.  Once inside, you are treated to a “Making of Wordamentary”, deleted scenes, etc.  Now, true to form, his website and the special features are an extension of the alternate world he has set up, so you’ll hear from the characters themselves about how the book was made.  Also on his website, you can see advertisements for the products and companies that make up his alternate universe.

It is a true extension of the experience (and it’s free).  Even though he’s taken a year off because he has a new baby, the experience of his books still lives on.  And his fans definitely appreciate it.  Go check out the forums on his website.  They’re active, even though his last book was released over a year ago, and his new book won’t be out for another year.

Hopefully, you’ll go pick up his books now.  Or even better…hopefully, you’ll learn from Jasper Fforde about how to fascinate, inspire, reward and engage your fans…even when you don’t have something shiny and new to offer them.  Sometimes, all they want is an extension of what they already have.

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