Aspie Writer’s on Facebook
Aspie. n. a person with Aspergers Syndrome
Aspergers Syndrome (AS) is a neuro-biological communication discorder affecting key aspects of social awareness and interaction, language usage and sensory integration.
Connecting with one of my favorite Aspie Writers—Rudy Simone, author of Aspergirls: Empowering Femaleswith Asperger’s Syndrome.
“Imagine a world where Asperger’s was the norm, and non-autistics or neurotypicals were the minority. Let’s try it: Those who feel the need to constantly be with a variety of friends are considered fickle. Those with no propensity for computers and science are called geeks. Those with no special interest are thought to be ungrounded and lost. Those without obsessive focus have to take classes to cultivate it.” ~Rudy Simone (author; Asperger’s Syndrome), from help4aspergers.com~
— with Rudy Simone.
A look at Rudy Simone: an analysis of published author Rudy Simone’s Facebookpage as it pertains to its use as a writer’s platform.
According to the New Media: Writing and Publishing class at Southern New Hampshire University, “a writer must have a clear understanding of best practices when using Facebook to promote one’s writing.” (Makhanlall) Some these practices include a willingness to engage readers/fans/followers, be natural in their communication with readers, regularly updating their pages or updating their status several times per week and being diverse by not using their platforms for exclusively for self-promotion.
Rudy Simone fits the bill perfectly. She authored six books in three years, two of which have won national awards. Simone is of particular interest to me because she, like myself is an Aspergirl, a term she coined in her book, Aspergirls: Empowering Females with Asperger’s Syndrome. Simone is also the author of Asperger’s on the Job, 22 Things a Woman with Asperger’s Wants Her Partner to Know, 22 Things a Woman Must Know if She Loves a Man with Asperger’s Syndrome, and The Fool Trilogy (fictional novel series).
Rudy Simone’s Facebook pages are not primarily for promotion. She regularly interacts with her readers discussing a diverse range of topics and personally responds to them. The very nature of her writing is personal. Simone is an open-book and her voice throughout her Facebook pages is natural and authentic.
Although her overall Facebook presence is diverse, and she refers to it as her “everything page,” she has separate pages that are especially for Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) related issues. Each of her books have their own pages, and provides links to her other websites; www.help4aspergers.com; www.RudySimoneComedyJazz.com ; and www.OrsaththeFool.com .
Especially worth mentioning is that Rudy wasted no time in “friending” me and allowing me to follow along and share in her life. This is a writer whose work has special meaning to me, and a woman that I admire.
I have “liked” some of my other authors including Rick Riordan, Terry Goodkind and Frank Peretti. Riordan’s Facebook page was rather bare, Goodkind’s had more to offer but still no personal interaction, and of the three Peretti has plenty to keep me interested in his books, work and life. He updates his page often, offers personal insight, and keeps his fans updated on his work in a very casual manner. I am a huge fan of all of these author’s books, despite these three men’s best-selling author status, their Facebook platforms cannot hold a candle to Rudy’s.
Go Aspergirls!
For anyone interesting in knowing more about Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), or if you are a Female with AS, an Aspergirl, I highly recommend Rudy’s books.
Works Cited:
Makhanlall, David. New Media: Writing and Publishing. English Department. Southern New Hampshire University. N.d. Web. 20 July 2012.
Simone, Rudy. The Rudy Simone. Facebook Profile. n.d. Web. 5 August 2012
I actually was looking at some of her books a few days ago and really really wanted 22 Things a Woman with Asperger’s Wants Her Partner to Know. Then I found yours and like I said I really had to have it, a lot because of the title. BUT one day when I’m able I will for certain get 22 Things a Woman with Asperger’s Wants Her Partner to Know.That will probably the 2nd book to my collection,then for sure The Complete Guide to Asperger’s Syndrome by Tony Attwood! 🙂