Celebrated Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami is starting an online advice column. The publicity-shy author of Norwegian Wood and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is hoping to engage with his readers through his new website, the ridiculously cozy and inviting-sounding Mr Murakami’s Place. Fans can submit any question on any topic, (including questions about Murakami himself) and he will provide an answer.
“Murakami will also answer fans’ questions on his likes and dislikes–including cats, a favorite animal of his, and the Yakult Swallows, the Japanese baseball team he supports,” reports the Guardian. Questions on the new website (which is not yet online) will be accepted until the end of January. Answers will appear in February and March. This could be the beginning of a new trend: authors offering advice and helpful tips. Stephen King could help you with your nightmares. Clive Cussler could help budding salvage operators. And Jonathan Franzen could offer useful tips on how to navigate the complex world of social media.
