In a web-driven world, Avery Fowler is the perfect case study of someone incapable of making a decision without going online, says her inventor.

Dozens of colleagues and fans filled the atrium of the Welcome Centre on Wednesday to hear author Jennifer Ammoscato read from her debut novel, Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery.

“As an introvert, it’s difficult for me to stand in front of you and talk about my novel,” said Ammoscato, a UWindsor staffer and alumna (BComm 1985). “But under the terms of my contract, I have to.”

The book follows newspaper reporter Avery Fowler as, coping with the discovery that her husband is unfaithful, she turns to the online help site HowTo.com for advice.

Reader Lily Powis said the book had her in stitches.

“There’s a couple of parts I laughed my head off,” she said as she waited for Ammoscato to sign a copy. “Last night I was reading the part where Avery is investigating an attempted murder and I just thought it was hysterical.”

The Campus Bookstore has copies available for purchase, and sold about three dozen during Wednesday’s launch event.