Interview with MySpace Writer

MySpace. It’s a very large company, but pinning an interview down on a single individual took time. I had to pick someone interesting. I finally decided upon Jon Merz. He’s a writer for MySpace, but not just any old writer. Jon was the first ever hired by the company, and I’m pleased to reveal this interview with him.

So Jon. Tell me. How did you first become a writer for MySpace?

Well, I contacted MySpace and after many months of back-and-forth communication, we came to an arrangement that I would write a month-long serialized adventure based on my supernatural action Lawson Vampire series. 

THE COURIER: a Lawson Vampire mini-mission ran during October and was featured on the MySpace books page for the entire month. As a result, thousands of people read the daily installments, gave some incredibly positive feedback, and have joined the ranks as fans of Lawson.

My experience working with MySpace on this project was outstanding and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m proud to have been the first author who worked with MySpace to bring the event off so successfully.

Will you be expanding further into the Internet? You’ve recently been very energetic in various Web 2.0 activities, including social networking. Do you think that MySpace is a potentially strong advertising stronghold? Should others follow in your wake?

Well, my Lawson Vampire series is going to be relaunched (the first four books along with four new installments) and I’ve been in awe of the MySpace phenomena for a while now. 111 million people and all of them are potentially new fans - why not try to get at them somehow? So I thought about it for a little while and came up with the idea for serializing a mini-mission. That way, people get to know Lawson and decide if he’s their cup of tea, so to speak. Judging by the response, a lot of people are really happy to meet him. I’m hoping that translates into big sales when the books come out. Yes. MySpace is a potentially strong sales generator.

Can you give us some more information about how you got involved with the Internet in the first place?

As for the net, I’ve been online since about 1994 or so, when I got out of the military. I taught myself HTML, DHTML, CSS, that sort of thing. I’ve always designed my own website (which is currently being redone, although the URL is http://www.jonfmerz.com/) and as a result, I’ve really enjoyed watching it grow into what it is today. I’m also always looking for new ways to reach new fans with my writing, so anything that will help spread the word is what I’m after. MySpace was one way of doing that and I have several other ideas percolating.

That’s pretty impressive! But how did you decide in the first place, that MySpace was the right network for you? Was it the sheer size, or did you see potential behind the company?

I think that covers it really! The MySpace page has covers of the four books previously published if you’d like to have a look and see the graphics. My MySpace page has all the information that might interest you. I chose MySpace because of the 111 million people I want buying my books. Ha ha! Even if I get 1% of 1% of that, I reckon I’m doing incredibly well.

So here you are Jon! You certainly know your stuff. It’s been great to have you here on Profy. Good luck with your future net adventures, and all the best! That was Jon Merz, writer and publisher at MySpace.com.