The Power of Book Blogs
Once upon a time I considered this somewhat of a book blog. It is, first and foremost, an author blog, but it is the blog of an author who, like most, loves books. Wants to gush about books, and covers, and really cool metaphors. (Or maybe that’s just me.) Anyway, I said ‘once upon a time.’ Why? Because I’ve recently come to the realization that this is not a book blog. Not in the way that some blogs are book blogs.
[via]A couple of weeks ago (you may remember), I signed up to participate in a blog hop, hosted by two book blogs: I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Books Complete Me. Over the course of that experience/experiment, I discovered several things:
1. Book Blogs have a LOT of fans and a LOT of traffic…they can drive pre-order sales (not to mention post-launch sales).
2. Book Blogs are strictly about books. They hype new releases, host a crazy number of giveaways, interview authors, share the love with other book bloggers… You name it.
3. Book Blogs participate (and host) blog hops and book tours.
4. Book Blogs post an astounding number of reviews, some of them for ARCs donated by authors and publishers
5. Book Blogs host and advertise book clubs and hold (and promote) contests
In fact, Book Blogs are one-stop-shopping as far as books are concerned. You can find out about new releases, read reviews from reviewers you trust, *win books* and other book related paraphenalia, read author interviews, and get in the loop on all the latest hype.
In my ‘research,’ I’ve discovered that the bulk of the big Book Blogs tend to be focused on either YA books or paranormal, or both. Which is understandable, given the current trends in publishing right now. But if you look, you can probably find Book Blogs dedicated to any genre you’re interested in…like say, Jane Austen fiction…or chick-lit, should you be so inclined. These Book Blogs wield a lot of clout with a LOT of readers, so no author…and no reader should be unaware of such an awesome resource.
04/01/2011 at 4:54 pm
You teach me so much–and give good links;)
04/02/2011 at 11:46 pm
Good point. I don't think of your blog so much as a book blog, but as a writing blog because you talk about reading *and* writing books. I like that much better.
I think of book blogs as mainly review sites. It's fun to read reviews, but I already have so many books on my TBR pile that review sites overwhelm me.
04/04/2011 at 2:10 am
Honestly, they kind of overwhelm me too. But my curiosity keeps me going back.
04/04/2011 at 8:34 am
Very interesting!
04/05/2011 at 1:43 am
Thanks for the Chick Lit shout-out! xoxo, Liz & Lisa
Chick Lit is not Dead
04/05/2011 at 10:42 pm
You're welcome! 😉
04/06/2011 at 5:53 pm
Thanks for the shout out Alyssa. I had no idea I was that impressive. Hope to feature your books in the future.