My client, the lovely and amazing Victoria Laurie turned me on to an incredibly neat little website today. The literature map allows you to see what other authors are read by the folks you’re a fan of.

Of course, if you’re a published author already, you can use it so see who else your fans are reading. Which I’m sure you would only do for marketing and research purposes, not for some vicarious thrill or subconscious competitiveness. Obviously.

What did I learn from the map? First, I’m pretty sure that no matter what author you put in, their readers have also checked out Stephenie Meyer (I mean…Margaret Mitchell??). Second, the appeal of Jodi Picoult is astoundingly broad. Her readers also commonly read Bill Bryson, Margaret Atwood, Harlan Coben, and Judy Blume. (Theories on why? I’m seriously all ears.) Third, clients shouldn’t send me nifty apps like this because I have such a hard time tearing myself away!

So check it out. Browse around. Report back any fascinating findings. And don’t be afraid to admit that once you got started clicking through from author to author you got sucked down the rabbit hole. I totally get it.