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 fantasy historical moment is mentioned. Thus, readers can see maps and drawings of creatures without spoiling the story, as would be the case if an index was included in the tangible book. This will immerse readers further into the literature by showing them drawing and giving them the opportunity that if they so desire to read more lore they can without it having to overrule 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 Pottery 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 go so far as to bring readers via VR headsets to virtual reality settings written in the book. The possibilities produced by merging literature with QR codes are endless.
This is a method not currently presented in the literature world but something that every author with access to the internet 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 do the calculations all by hand. However, I would like to develop a program that would 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, I have filed this idea for a patent.
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 literature sphere.
Through the usage of QR codes, I want to incorporate technology into literature and advance the writing scene as a whole. Listening to music while indulging in a novel is a big 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 putting the QR codes at the beginning of each chapter, I gain more control over the music timing as it does not depend 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 them a necessity needed to enjoy the literature at hand but rather to offer it as an additional option that would elevate 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 an idea new to the literature world that will elevate the reading experience and keep literature advancing with modern times was through the roof. The video gained 117.5k likes and led to 52k followers. It is evident that readers enjoy what they are comfortable with but are ready for elements that will elevate it. It is time for the next step in literature, and it starts with QR codes
To see an example of how the QR codes work, you can scan this code (or follow the link) and read a preview of the first chapter in my upcoming novel, Dawn of the Sword.
*Do not have the playlist on shuffle to get the full experience.
