The future of reading:
I plan to use the QR codes not only for music but also to link readers with Wikipedia-like pages for creatures, maps, and in-depth history of the novel’s fictional world. These codes will only appear at relevant times when a creature, map, or fictional historical moment is mentioned. This will immerse readers deeper into the literature by showing them drawings and giving them the opportunity, if they so desire, to read more lore without it overshadowing the primary narrative in the novel. Furthermore, I intend to use the QR codes to link readers with quizzes relevant to the book. Imagine if, while reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, you could take a test and be sorted into a house simultaneously with the main character. The QR codes could even take readers via VR headsets to virtual reality settings described in the book. The possibilities produced by merging literature with QR codes are endless.
This is a method not currently presented in the literary world, but one that every author with internet access has the ability to produce. I want to continue with the QR codes and make implementing them into novels a simple process for all upcoming authors. For the music QR codes, I have to perform the calculations manually. However, I am developing a program that will make it easier for writers to score their novels. I aspire to teach people how easy it is to generate QR codes and how anyone can create an independent website where they can display their creatures, maps, and history. Currently, this is patent pending.
William Wordsworth described his romantic poems as experiments that “challenged pre-established codes of decision.” I have found it evident that, throughout time, writers have demonstrated the ability to make long-lasting impacts by introducing innovative and unconventional ideas to the literary sphere.
Through the use of QR codes, I aim to integrate technology into literature and enhance the writing scene as a whole. Listening to music while reading a novel is a significant part of this generation’s and my own reading experience. I intend to use QR codes to direct readers to link trees in my next book (example below). The link tree will enable readers to select their preferred music streaming service (such as Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube) and gain access to a playlist curated specifically for the book. I use average reader speed, particularly of my young-adult audience, and match the reading time to that of the song length. As a result, what one hears correlates to what one reads, much like the score of a movie soundtrack. By placing the QR codes at the beginning of each chapter, I gain more control over the music timing, as it no longer depends on the average reader’s time for the novel’s length, but only a chapter at a time.
The aim of the QR code is not to make it a necessity for enjoying the literature at hand, but rather to offer it as an additional option that would enhance what is already present. Through the popular social media app TikTok, I marketed the QR codes as a potential aspect of my upcoming novel. The excitement for a new idea in the literary world, that will elevate the reading experience and keep literature advancing in modern times, was through the roof. The video garnered 117.6k likes and resulted in 52k new followers. It is evident that readers enjoy what they are comfortable with, but are ready for elements that will upgrade it. It is time for the next step in literature, and it starts with QR codes
To see an example of how the music QR codes work, you can scan the QR code below (or follow the playlist link)—this will take you to a playlist to use while you read the first chapter.
*Shuffle should be off for proper experience