Small Review is hosting this great event for Newbie Bloggers from December 3rd through the 31st. If you’re a newbie blogger, stop by!
- When did you start your blog? I started my book blog around June 2010 but I have been blogging for a lot longer than that!
- Why did you start your blog? I was already posting reviews on GoodReads, but I also posted blogs about books on my personal blog especially when I just had to rant or rave about something. I try to review books that I have read so I can remember in the future whether or not I liked a book and why. It’s hard to keep track of favorites when one reads so much.
- What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far? While I would like to get more blog followers, I really don’t have that many challenges blogwise because I’ve been blogging for so long.
- What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger? I find it discouraging when I don’t get comments, but I do know that people I know in real life do stop by every now and then so it makes me feel a little bit better to know that people are lurking. I try not to worry about getting new followers and just to enjoy what I like to do, but I still make an attempt to put the word out there about my blog.
- What do you find most encouraging? I found it very encouraging when I got my first ARC from a publisher! Usually, I get my books to read from contests or NetGalley, but my efforts for contacting a publisher finally paid off.
- What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog? I really like to meet people who have the same tastes in books as I do so it’s fun to read other reviews.
- What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this? I hate it when reviews give out too much of the plot. Already, I think some summaries give out too much information. I like to be surprised when I read the book. I try to avoid spoilers at all costs. If I want to write about something that might be spoilerish, I do warn readers before I start talking about it.
- Any advice for other new bloggers? Read and review. If you really want to get out there, take the initiative yourself and contact publishers. Send them your reviews, ask for review copies. Borrow, buy, get your hands on books. But most importantly, make new friends and keep on reading.
- Anything else you’d like to share about your experience? I really do believe that book blogging will help me out in the future when I do eventually take a career in publishing. I am so much more aware of the YA book market more than ever. When I used to intern at Scholastic, I never really knew much about other publishing houses, but blogging has given me a new perspective on everything YA.
- Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog? I’d love to exchange links and make new friends with other newbie bloggers! Comment if you’re interested.
I’d also be willing to help out with newbie bloggers if they need any help with web design.
Blogging has made me really aware of YA releases, too. I never used to read ‘new’ books and had no idea of upcoming YA titles but now it’s so much different.
And you have some really great tips.
It’s really worthwhile when you meet new people who share the same interests as you.
You interned at Scholastic? How neat! I’ve tried to get multiple jobs there, but I guess they want more local applicants.
Reviews are incredibly difficult to balance, and I struggled with that in the beginning with my blog. I learned to give away very few details after a while, and with new books, I do my best to post specifically spoiler-free reviews.
I’m so glad to have found your blog through this feature, and I’m now following you. Good luck continuing with your blog, and if you ever have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!
Thank you for participating! I don’t remember how I found your blog, but I’m very glad I did.
I just may take you up on your offer some time. You blog is so pretty. I really like the way you’ve balanced color with readability, style with simplicity. Very attractive.
Congrats to you for approaching publishers. I’m very shy, so the idea of doing that is daunting and I’m almost in awe of the bloggers who do make first contact. Double congrats for having them send you books!
How have I only just found your blog now?! I would have thought that us Harry Potter fanatics would be drawn together by a force stronger than the force drawing grease to Snape’s hair. Anyway, glad to have found you! I love your answers. And you interned at Scholastic! OMGosh, so cool!
I’m sure receiving that first ARC felt amazing. :] And I’m totally jealous that you got to intern for Scholastic! That must’ve been one big awesome experience you’ll never forget. Helpful, too.
That’s great that you interned at Scholastic. I love interns — all the ones I blog with/chat with are fantastic, and sweet
I think I’ve always been quite aware of the YA market, because that’s what I write, and understandably when my agent sells a book, or a friend’s agency, etc I find out about that.
But book blogging has been really excellent in terms of getting to connect with readers.
Anyway, last note before my huge comment takes over all of your space: I LOVE, love, love the name of your blog. It’s fantastic
Even as a brand spanking new blogger, I totally agree with some reviews giving too much of the plot away, I want to find out for myself. The best part of a book is wondering and discovering what is coming next. Just sayin’.
I just received my first ARC today…and I am ready to explode in the glory of what is to come. I mean, seriously. It is a free book. I would beat down cement doors with my bare hands to get free books! Lol! Ok…maybe I wouldn’t go that far…hehe
I have, quite literally, JUST become a book blogger. I have read voraciously for quite a while but decided to write down what is it is that I think about what I read. Thanks for sharing information about blogging! It most definitely helps!
Hi fellow Newbie!
That’s so cool that you received an ARC! You must have been really excited!