What makes a book…a book? We imagine words that are read or listened to, perused on screen or on a shelf, and—most importantly—a completed work that never changes after release. But multimedia storytelling is helping authors reach new audiences in innovative ways, right where they already are: online.
And here’s the exciting part: any writer can explore this frontier.
After working in book publicity for nearly two decades at one of the leading literary PR firms in the US, Books Forward, I love seeing our authors experiment and innovate with the vast array of creative digital storytelling tools that are now readily available. Here are just a few of my favorite examples.
Today's article is by Marissa DeCuir, the president of Books Forward, a veteran author publicity and book marketing firm that has rewritten the rules of book promotion for decades. Welcome, Marissa!
1. An Interactive Online Scavenger Hunt
One of our authors, Tony-nominated stage producer Michael Wolk, didn’t want to just write a thriller; he wanted to immerse readers in a story the same way he captures audiences with the stage.
So he created DevilsGame, a cyberthriller designed entirely for the internet. Readers follow a maze of linked files, hidden websites, multimedia clues, texts, and interactive puzzles. At every twist, you’re forced to wonder: Is this story fiction? Or did you just stumble onto something real?
A high-stakes narrative told via an interactive scavenger hunt, Wolk cleverly created an online “rabbit hole” that turned internet sleuths into readers.
2. An Audiovisual Substack Series
And if you’re worried you’re “too old” to try multimedia storytelling, think again: at 77, design-legend-turned novelist Marty Neumeier released his fiction debut OCTAVO in serialized form on Substack (now available in gorgeous hardcover).
Framed as “episodes” instead of “chapters”, OCTAVO’s story unfolds through a series of emails and audio messages between researchers Scarlett and Artie, and an editor they’ve approached about publishing a mysterious book: they lost journal of Da Vinci’s star pupil, recounting Da Vinci’s involvement in a murder.
Scarlett and Artie must transmit the journal in pieces to the editor via emails and voice messages because they have stolen the book from a dangerous collector and are on the run.
The novel’s two storylines—the Renaissance-era journal narrating Da Vinci’s murder mystery in the past, and Scarlett and Artie’s thrilling race across Italy in the present—unfold simultaneously, in an innovative format that seamlessly matches the story’s premise.
Multimedia storytelling is helping authors reach new audiences in innovative ways, right where they already are: online. And here’s the exciting part: any writer can explore this frontier./share-quote]3. A Serialized Podcast
Speaking of serialized storytelling, our author Liz Whitehurst wrote her novel Messenger in 2019, but shelved it after struggling to publish. Then, when the pandemic began, something clicked: suddenly, her novel about strangers connecting through mysterious messages across NYC felt particularly timely, as thousands were isolated at home.
Liz decided to release the story as a serialized podcast.
And listeners not only tuned in but wrote back, sharing their own experiences of serendipitous connection. Liz turned those responses into two bonus episodes. Her story about strangers connecting actually connected strangers in real life. And her podcast helped her land a publishing deal and release the book in print in 2021.
Podcasts are perfect for serialized audio storytelling. And both Liz and Marty are great examples of how building your audience online before you go to print can really pay off.
4. A Musical Audiobook
Several of our authors have discovered that audio storytelling becomes more immersive with music.
Jennifer Schwed and Doug Bradshaw, the creators of the American suffrage story “19:The Musical”, were headed for a Broadway investor showcase in 2020 when the world shut down. Instead of stalling, they re-imagined.
They released “19” as an immersive hybrid of audiobook and musical that’s staged in your imagination, no actual stage required. The compelling narrative of suffragettes sharing their history is interwoven with jazz, spoken word, gospel, and dance rhythms, exuberantly bringing the story to life.
Similarly, Jeff Flaster has reimagined O. Henry’s classic short story, “A Retrieved Reformation,” as a jazz noir musical audiobook starring West End icons Kerry Ellis, David Hunter, Hadley Fraser, and more.
Never staged on the West End or Broadway, Flaster’s musical audiobook, “Following Jimmy Valentine,” is the premiere.
Imagine “Beyond the Page”
I want writers everywhere to understand that their stories can take shape beyond the “traditional book”—and reach new audiences, directly, in the digital world where we all already spend so much of our leisure time.
The question for writers today isn’t: “What’s the best format for my book?”
It’s: “What’s the best way for readers to experience my story?”
Have you ever experienced multimedia storytelling? What was it like and what did you think of it? Share your multimedia storytelling experience in the comments!
PRACTICE
Imagine turning a story (either your own, or one you enjoy) into a multimedia format that an audience could see and hear, not just read. If you serialized the story, how would you divide it up? Or, if you released it as a podcast, what kind of sound effects, music, or even voice actors would you use? If your story could have visual elements as well as text (photos, drawings, maps, puzzles, etc), what would you include?
Jot down a brief list of ideas for how you could enrich your story with audio elements, visuals, or other interactive features. Write for fifteen minutes. When you finish, Write Practice Pro members can post in The Write Practice Pro workshops here.
Not a member yet? Join us here.
Happy writing!
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