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11.24.2010

Book Blogging 101 - Author Interest

I'm posting this early, because I'll be pretty busy tomorrow stuffing my face with turkey and then wrapping it up by watching the Saints hopefully stomp the Cowboys. No offense Cowboy fans --- but ya'll got us last year.

This is where I pretend that I know what I'm talking about.

Spawned from the Big Sis, Little Blog program, Book Blogging 101 was born. Do you have a question? Leave it in the google docs form and I'll try and answer them in the order they are received.

Q: How do I get PR even started on my book blog?  I can put up contact info on my blog, but I don't think that authors/publishers will even see my blog.  I've already signed up for book review sites like booksneeze, tyndale, blogging for books; however, I'm looking for other genres as they all seem to mostly offer Christian books.  

A. Have you tried netgalley.com? I posted about it here. That could be a wonderful way to get your started reading and reviewing some great ARCs

My first recommendation is working on your content. You have to make sure you are putting out quality reviews that people want to read. Reviewing books that people want to read and thus attracting readers. Authors/Publishers are not going to want to use your blog as a promotions platform if you don't have any readers. But, don't despair, I'm talking NO VISITORS if you have traffic going to your site, even if it is 10 people a day, that is people reading your reviews and therefor a good promotions platform. Don't base this on comments either. I still only average about 10 comments on my reviews...you might have no one commenting but 30 people reading your reviews. Install google analytics and you might be surprised at how many people are sneaking through without saying "hi."

Building your content, attracting the attention of other book bloggers, networking and just a measured amount of patience and the followers and attention will come in time. There is no magic start date or turn-around time, but six months seems to be a recognized number to establish a blog.

Now attracting the attention of authors. I think this is something we are all dying to do - but with thousands - and I mean thousands of book bloggers out there how do you attract the attention of authors to get you to review their books?

For this I've brought in a little help. Yes a real live author ;)  that has experience working with bloggers, blog tour promotion groups and pretty savvy with the social media promotion of her books.

JA Saare is the author of numerous books focused in the Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy genres. Some of her titles include Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between and Crimson Moon which were both released in 2010.

I asked Jamie a few questions about what she looks for in a blogger. She had some interesting things to say.

PJ: When approached by a book blogger for a review copy, do you have a criteria of what to look for on their blog?

JA: To be honest, I always look at their previous reviews, see how well they are written, and how honest the reviewer is without being ugly or snarky in regard to what they didn't like or what didn't work for them.  Being truthful about a book is great, but when I see someone is blatantly mean, without any consideration for the author or their feelings regarding their work, I'll usually pass.  Criticism can make every author better at their craft, while unforgiving criticism, which produces nothing for the author to improve upon, will produce the opposite result. I appreciate someone who can be reflective as well as kind in their opinions.  There has to be a balance.

Things such as the number of followers, the layout and design and their popularity come second in regard to the above.

PJ: Is there anything that book bloggers do that turns you off from that blog?

JA: *smile* I think I answered that above.  Again, being constructive is a wonderful way to ensure an author will accept future requests for material.  Being outright nasty will ensure the opposite.

PJ: When looking for book blogs to host tours/giveaways or just to do a review, what is the first thing you look for?

JA: To see if they review my genre.  I think this is the most important thing an author should be aware of.  If you submit raunchy material to a YA site, you might have issues.  I always try to make sure I'm sending the work out to those who will, hopefully, enjoy the material and content.


I hope this helps everyone. I think Jamie reiterated the main focus of this entire post. Make sure your content is top notch...and they will come.







Ask your BB101 Questions here...

11 comments:

Kat said...

Thanks for the great advice! My blog is really small and pretty new, and I've only ever interviewed/ hosted a giveaway for one author because I'm always afraid authors and publishers think I'm too small-time to help promote their books. It's good to know that content comes first for authors and publishers, too. :)

Wenj said...

Another wonderful post and thanks so much to JA Saare for giving the author's POV on the subject! Extremely helpful and insightful, especially for a newbie like myself. :)

DevouredShannon said...

I want to say a big thank you for writing blogging 101. My blog is only 4 days young and I think I have read just about every post you wrote in the series. I learned a lot and I appreciate you taking the time to write it. It is great to have this authors advice as well! I am glad to know that I could have a chance to get ARC's even if I dont have 1000 followers.

Brooke said...

I'm loving Blogging 101! I've been blogging almost a year, but feel like I'm really just getting started on the whole 'reaching out' thing.

~Brooke

Jenni Elyse said...

Thanks for the info. This is really good to know. :)

Anonymous said...

I can't say enough good things about NetGalley. I've had a publisher contact us because of the reviews I posted on NetGalley. I even put it on my list of things I'm thankful for in a recent post we put up.


Stephanie G
Paranormal Haven

Cialina at Muggle-Born.net said...

Thanks so much for posting these! They are SO helpful.

Unknown said...

Another great addition to your Book Blogging 101 series. I've learnt so much in such a sort period of times thanks to all of your hard work. Just wanted to let you know that it doesn't go unnoticed. I just requested my first ARC from NetGalley this week and order an eBook reader. I can't wait to explore all of the doors e-reading is going to open for my blog!

Twimom227 said...

Great information. Thank you!

Emma (the Expat) said...

Hooray for this post! Another reason why I love the book blogosphere; book bloggers help each other out!

Small Review said...

Thank you for this post and your series of blogging 101 posts. They've all been incredibly helpful for a blogger like me who is just starting out.

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