Writers have one basic need -- readers. We all want more of them. No matter what type of writing people enjoy, we want all of them reading our stuff. You can attract just about any reader if you just model your writing after an old investment strategy -- diversification.

All you need to do is publish articles on numerous subjects, and you'll attract more readers. In other words, diversify your work. It's easy. Just expand your writing into as many fields as you know, and believe me you know more than you think. I am a novelist, specializing in sports-related suspense. Now, although I would never alienate my biggest audience, sports fans, I want all suspense readers to get my books. In fact, I want anyone who reads fiction to flock to my novels, like they are the newest in the Harry Potter line. So, I have to get my name and my web site to as many readers as possible.

How do I do it? Simple, I write and I write and I write. I write about real estate, because I used to own property. I write about mortgage finance, because I used to be a loan officer. I writer about fantasy football, because it's a hobby of mine. I am a teacher, so I write about education. Writing and publishing is my passion, so I write articles about how to be a successful writer and how to publish your novel. The bottom line is I write. And when I write on many subjects, I am writing for different audiences.

But at the end of every article I write, I ask people to visit my website, sportsnovels.com, where they can read about my work and read an excerpt from my novel. If they like what they see, they can also order the book. If I can reel in just a fraction of people who didn't use to be suspense readers, perhaps the word will spread, and others will become Mark Barnes fans. Remember, we writers all need the same thing -- readers.