Lonely authors link up on MySpace Web site

NEW YORK, June 15 (Reuters) No longer just for indie bands and tales of teen angst, the networking Web site MySpace.com is the latest outlet for authors to hook up with editors, sell books and seek solace when they're lonely.

Among the most popular sites on the Web, particularly among teenagers, MySpace has millions of members who post personal profiles with links to friends and discussion groups. Several bands have won record contracts after posting their music.

''MySpace is changing every day ... I do see far more people my age and even older,'' said 36-year-old Josh Kilmer-Purcell, one of four published authors who set up a collective page earlier this year at www.myspace.com/thememoiristscollective The four launched a competition on the site this week, inviting budding writers to submit samples of their own memoirs, with the winner guaranteed a reading of their manuscript by editors at three major publishers.

''All of us have had rejection letters and have had a hard time getting an agent,'' said Maria Dahvana Headley, whose book ''The Year of Yes'' about dating came out in January.

Kilmer-Purcell, whose book ''I am Not Myself These Days'' recounts his experience as a drag queen in New York, said he initially joined MySpace as a way to sell more books.

''In a way it's door-to-door sales but only to the right houses,'' he said, adding that his strategy was to seek out members who participate in fan sites of certain authors.

''If I spend some time to invite people to be my friends, I can see my Amazon numbers increase,'' he said.

He said the collective now provides more than just promotion.

''Once you're on there, it's a little lonely as an author. You're surrounded by a bunch of teenagers and bands so we started seeking each other out,'' he told Reuters.

He also uses the site to give readers more information.

''People buy the memoir which is all words and on MySpace I was able to put up video of my drag queen character,'' he said.

Headley said the opportunity to share frustrations and tips with fellow authors helped counter the solitude of writing.

''All of us are memoirists so we're all sick of ourselves,'' she said. ''It's certainly more satisfying than being by yourself and thinking 'Oh my God, oh my God,' and checking your Amazon rankings all the time.'' PUBLISHERS INTERESTED Sarah Mlynowski, whose latest book ''Frogs&French Kisses'' was published this week, was among the founders of another authors' site at http://groups.myspace.com/teenlit which now has around 70 published authors among its members.

''I joined (MySpace) in December and at first I didn't find that many, especially authors who write for adults. But now I've noticed a lot of women's fiction writers have started,'' said Mlynowski who writes ''chicklit'' as well as teen books.

MySpace was the second most popular site on the Internet by page views as of May, according to comScore Networks. It was bought by News Corp. last year for about 0 million.

George Hodgman, executive editor at publisher Henry Holt, said he was looking forward to seeing the competition winner.

''I trust these writers to separate the wheat from the chaff,'' he said.

HarperCollins Senior Editor Alison Callahan said, ''This is maybe a way to discover a diamond in the rough.'' ''I can't say I'd agree to publish it but I'd certainly agree to read it,'' she said.

Mlynowski said the only problem with MySpace was finding time to write: ''It's a huge distraction. It's a phenomenal way to promote and stay in touch, but it can kill a first draft.'' Reuters SRS DB0954