Andre Norton Forum

Re: Are we alone?

: This message actually concerns everybody, not just : Michael, though it is his message board.

: I have taken part in, let's call it, the "board's social : life" for quite a long time. What I have noticed, is : that there is only very few people posting messages. : Surely there MUST be many others reading them. : I don't believe that they have nothing to say, no : questions, no comments, etc.

Actually, Aetheling, most studies that I've seen reference to suggest that only 1 out of 5 or 1 out of 10 (depends on the source) people post messages on the Usenet, mailing lists, message boards, etc.

Most people are indeed content to just lurk. As you know from the email I sent out when I moved this Message Board, a fair number of people have posted to it since I started it. I've actually received email from more people who have visited the various Andre Norton Web sites and thanked me for my efforts.

And I've found several referrals to this message board on Dejanews from people who haven't posted to it.

It takes time to build up an active discussion group, and Andre Norton though well-liked by many fans is not a controversial author who is likely to generate lots of opinions. She is most often referred to as a good introduction to SF & F. That's true, but those of us who enjoy her work still as long-time fans tend to get involved in other types of fandom, too.

: After all, as I understand the purpose of this board : it exits not only to exchange "dry facts", but also to : share our experiances with Ms. Noton's books (am I : wrong, Michael?).

All things Norton are on topic for the board. :)

: I think that you should give us a sign of life, and I : hope I say that in the name of all of those who have : written messages to the board.

Well, I don't know if very many of the lurkers will speak up. It's always nice to hear from them. But the stats I get for hits on this board and the other Andre Norton sites indicate a steady amount of interest. And, remember, when I started the Witch World Page earlier this year, I hadn't found ANY of you other Norton page owners. It's going to take more time for us all to come together.

It seems like other parts of fandom have exploded, but when you stop to consider just how young the Web is (about 4 years old) and that it really didn't become a major point of focus for fandom until 1995 and 1996, we're still very early involved in the evolution of Web-based fandom.

For my part I'm very pleased with the response we've gotten. You should continue to advertise your Web site on the Usenet and wherever else you find the opportunity. I shall continue to do so for my Web sites. As more Norton fans find us, our community will grow. We actually are seeing more visits for our Web sites than many older fannish sites for other authors that I stumble across because we ARE making an effort to get the word out.

Have faith. People won't forget Andre Norton. It's a rare author indeed who has a forum dedicated to him or her. Even the Usenet doesn't have many author-specific fora.

Michael