Create your own social network -- cool tool!

I heard about Ning last night on a podcast of the Diane Reams Show, and spent an hour or so playing with it. I think this might be just the thing for children's writers and illustrators who have a larger following. (I don't think I'm there yet.) You can add the features you'd like: Do you want a place for discussions? Add it. What about a forum? The only author websites I've seen with these kind of features have been built by publishers. The Ning creator suggested that it's easy to connect a Ning Network to MySpace and FaceBook, so that you're using MySpace and Facebook to funnel traffic to your own social site. (Don't know how this is done, but it's worth checking out.)

Oh -- and all those listserve groups? This is a better tool, I think. All those local SCBWI groups, and writing groups might enjoy this experience much better.

You can also have private groups, and so this also seems like it'd be great for families who want to share photos, etc. but don't want those photos public.

Anyway, something to check into. As I said, I don't think it's quite for me yet. But maybe for the next book. I am actually wondering if this would be better than a website.