Noraholics on the Net
by Daisy Maryles -- Publishers Weekly, 7/28/1997
Nora Roberts's latest bestseller, Finding the Dream, was launched by Berkley with a 1.1. million-copy first printing and national radio ads. But a devoted group of fans apparently found their dreams at a Roberts party and booksigning on July 19 at the Turn the Page Bookstore Cafe in Boonsboro, Md. (the store just happens to be owned by the author's husband, Bruce Wilder). The story began back in February when America Online's Book Report site offered subscribers the chance to download the first two chapters of one of Roberts's bestsellers, Sanctuary. AOL also created a forum for fans to chat about the book. It was there that the Noraholics -- a group of devoted fans -- were born. Some of the people who participated in the chats continued to stay in contact through message boards and e-mail, and decided to meet at the July book signing. Berkley reports that the new friends pooled their frequent flyer miles, and one even cashed in an inheritance to make the trip.
