Book Bloggers are a Waste of Time?
The past couple of days I have been hearing a buzz around the web that Publisher’s Weekly are on a mission in NY to discredit any professional role Book Bloggers may have in the publishing community. A quick search of the words “book blogger” on the PW website turns up tidbit after tidbit.
Book Bloggers who are no more than self professed book lovers
We can say this isn’t fair, we can complain, but what we really need to do and what I have been saying since last year when the lit bloggers decided we were uncool is this. There are good book bloggers out there, they exist. There are also bad book bloggers out there. The badness I see are ones who are uneducated in the internet, who only give everything happy positive reviews and so on. Yesterday I posted a link on Twitter of a blog that desperately needed a revision because you couldn’t read the writing. Instead of reaching out to this person out of fear of them being mad at me I did nothing.
Until older and more experienced bloggers reach out to each other and beyond we are always going to be attack-able like this. We know we work hard on our own sites but we will be and are lumped into ‘book blogger’ status and when someone has a bad experience with an inexperienced book blogger that is going to include all of us.
I am participating in the book blogger mentor program but even that is not enough. We need marketing, we need strategy. What steps can we take as book bloggers to improve our common shared brand?
By: Aarti
I’ve wondered about this a lot recently. I feel like it’s great there are so many book bloggers out there, but that we really need to consolidate in a way and try to make more of an impact as a group. My Sunday Salon this week was about how it’s when a lot of bloggers band together that we really make a difference; like with the cover controversy. Or even with a book tour.
I feel like maybe there could be a blogger seal or some sort of token that can be on the blog (kind of like a Verisign but, er, for content quality) that people can submit their blogs for to see if they meet certain criteria. Such as text that can be viewed properly on their background (*ahem* to your link from yesterday), proper spelling/grammar, clear review policy, etc. That sounds really snobby, though. And not sure who would be on the “decision” committee.
By: Pam
Those are all great ideas Aarti! That is the question who would analyze the data. I would love to see this happen but we would need a third party non book blogger who felt like managing that for us.
We as a whole have to have a social branding technique. Just thinking “My blog is good enough to stand on its own” is not good enough and you can see this in the way the good get lumped with the bad.
Education is key and maybe a ‘verisign-ish’ thing like you mentioned may seem snobby but there has to be a way for us to do this. I hope some other people come forward with ideas.
By: Marco
Just have to chime in on this one.
Some sort of ‘seal of quality’ is an excellent idea. When there’s a gazillion of book bloggers it just gets hard for business oriented people to figure out what’s good and what’s not. I’m talking advertisers, publishers with a limited amount of review copies available for distribution and others.
A few years ago I started a weblog network in the Netherlands that would serve as some sort of ‘quality seal’ as well. The biggest challenge with this kind of thing is as earlier commenters have already noted: a perception of snobbism by the outside world. If the committee that decides who gets the seal and who doesn’t consists solely of other book bloggers it will probably be hard, if not impossible to silence the criticasters who feel it’s an elitist thing.
However if you manage to get buy-in from people that actually matter such as the beforementioned publishers, advertisers and other people that are relevant but are NOT book bloggers it may be possible to get something going. Ideally a small group of people in these categories would need to be in the committee that makes the decision.
Another important thing would be a crystal clear list of criteria that need to be met for a book blog to be considered to receive the ‘seal’. It has to be clear and unambiguous to people what needs to be done to be considered. There can be absolutely no place for any kind of favoritism. No matter how awesome a person may be, if their blog doesn’t meet the criteria they can not have the seal of quality.
By: Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
Are the publishers actually listening to PW though? In my experience publishers love bloggers – we give attention to lesser known authors and provide renewed interest in their back listed titles.
I’m not sure about the seal of approval – in principle it sounds like a fantastic idea, but the administration would be a nightmare and I can only imagine the arguments and bad feeling when some people fail to make the grade.
I have seen a lot of really bad blogs, but I’m not sure how many members of the public will come across them. The good blogs will be at the top of the google search rankings and the bad ones will either improve or fall by the wayside.
I am very interested to read other people’s thoughts though and look forward to reading more comments soon.
By: Pam
@Jackie I agree there could be in no way other bloggers involved and no elitism. There have been very successful niche specific blog networks that carry a seal of approval. It’s an idea that would be very difficult to implement. If at some point enough bad out weighs the good there will be more of a general stigmata that may inhibit us all.
By: Christina
Bonding and mentoring are nice in theory, but a talented blogger can do quite well without either.
The real issue in being taken seriously is how book bloggers choose to present themselves to the publishing world. And it is an individual blogger’s choice as to how they want to be seen. I’ve heard a number of book bloggers refer to what they do as a hobby even while hoping to get more notice. Blogging may be something we do in our free time, but calling it a hobby makes us hobbiest and not a serious influencer on the market place.
It manifests itself in how many bloggers present their brand. Branding ourselves is such a common phrase with social media, but it’s another step in being a legitimate avenue of promoting books. Web addresses with “.blogspot.com” or “.wordpress.com” scream hobbiest. Many none book bloggers are also doing their blogging in their free time and they have taken the time to clean up the look of their site into something professional and to spend the $30 a year for a real web address.
We can still be friendly and fun and intimate – but our writing and our presentation have to be professional. Present yourself as the way you want to be seen.
Another major issue I see time and again is expecting publishers to come to us. Gather your stats, make a business pitch and tell the publishers why you are a good fit for their books. It’s not a one way street and in order to be taken seriously we can’t feel entitled to ARCs or notice.
By: Chris@bookarama
Why are they on a mission to discredit bloggers? I don’t understand this. Authors and books in need of publicity can find a place on blogs. I get hits everyday for books I reviewed years ago. How is this a bad thing?
I think a seal, while a good idea, would be tricky to implement. I do agree that there are bloggers who give everyone else a black eye but it is the internet. Advertisers, publicists, etc need to have a good eye to find quality blogs. But that’s why they’re paid the big bucks. ;)
It’s frustrating when you’re doing your best and getting lumped in with the ones that are just in it for the free books though.
By: Pam
@Christina
I can’t agree with you on the sentiment that .blogspot or .wordpress screams something is wrong. There are very talented bloggers in every category running those platforms and loads of them get more attention than I for sure.
I may tend to agree with the word ‘hobby’ and branding has never just been exclusive to social media. Brands like Coca Cola have been branding themselves in print, and then in television long before the internet and social media were born.
By: Christina
@Pam
Yes, they’re are talented and amazing bloggers with .blogspot and .wordpress addresses – however those are an extremely small minority. The content and look of a site have to be above and beyond to get past the initial impression that a publisher is going to make based on the address.
As for the social media comment – I’m implying the personal branding. It’s a hot topic as every blogger and their mother is doing it and others are rebeling against the idea of needing to brand themselves. This is different from corporate branding. One of book blogging strengths is on the fact that we are average people sharing our love of books and recommendations and not corporations. Therefore our personal brand needs to make us stand out and provide something uniique compaired to the hobbiests if we want to be respected in the field.
By: Chris@bookarama
@Pam
Until recently I was still a .blogspot and publishers had no problems sending me books so I agree. In fact, I haven’t seen any increase in interest from publishers because of the change so I wonder if it’s really an issue.
By: Pam
@Christiana
With the blogger domain I believe it is anxiety and know how, without my husband I wouldn’t have a proper domain and site. A lot of the blogs I follow are blogspot blogs. So I do not think it is a lack of professionalism or even know how in some cases.
With the branding yourself that is true. Everyone is a social media douchebag now including myself. There is a fine line in branding.
By: Pam
@Chris I think it is not an issue and no one should freak or try to change what they are comfortable with.
By: Natasha @ Maw Books
There was some talk a while ago but implementing a network of blogs who’s content would qualify for some type of “seal.” After it was all said and done, it was decided that something like that would only create an elitist community and further divide book bloggers. Honestly, I don’t like the idea. But it’s true that publishers and authors don’t have many “gatekeepers” to help them sift through blogs.
By: Pam
@Natasha It would have to be pub industry people who took the initiative on this. Bloggers themselves would only create what would be viewed as an elitist community.
By: Chris@bookarama
There is no way bloggers could do this themselves. Like Natasha says, it would divide the community more than it is now. I’ll I can do for myself is try to increase my authority on the internet.
By: Rob
Hi Pam,
I’m usually one of these silent, friendly types but this post has made me a bit mad. So please forgive me for the following rant. I should also point out that none of the below applies specifically to you Pam, just the community in general:
Who gives a damn what Publishers Weekly think about book bloggers? I for one couldn’t care less. I blog because I love books! I blog because I love reading! I blog because in some small way I hope that my passion for books and reading rubs off on somebody who isn’t so passionate. No other reason! So if PW wants to rubbish people like me then so be it, but I’m not going to stop doing what I love doing, because somebody thinks I’m a waste of time.
And all this talk of introducing some kind of accreditation? Complete hogwash! Why can’t readers, publishers etc. just decide for themselves what they like and don’t like or who they think is good or bad? It’s not rocket science! People ca ndecide for themselves. My fellow commenters are right in that such a ‘scheme’ *would* create an elitist community, but from what I’ve seen in 18 months of book blogging, I’m not so sure that this doesn’t exist already, and to some extent that saddens me.
I love the book blogging community for its knowledge and passion, but I also despise it for the small number within the community who constantly look for opportunities to boost their ego and set themselves above everyone else. I see it happening all the time and it upsets massively because at the end of the day it should only be about promoting a passion for books and a passion for reading. And why should anyone ever have a right to tell anyone else that they’re not good enough to do that?
OK, friendly Rob is back. I hope my contribution is of some value.
Warmest
Rob
By: Cat
I do not like the “seal of approval” idea at all. It takes the fun out of blogging and will create an elitist community that already many people feel is there. It would just add to the jealousy, etc.
Also, not everyone blogs for the eye of the publisher. I have been blogging for years now on a personal level and only created my book blog to keep track of what I was reading more easily than on my main blog. The fact that I was lucky enough to get a couple of review books from this was like a giant gift! I don’t receive many review books at all, almost everything I review I have bought myself or has been given to me as a gift from family & friends. I blog for fun, and I think the seal of approval idea would take away from that. I’m not someone who checks every day to see how many people are following my blog. I don’t really care about that. I know that people read it and have actually picked up books based on what I wrote about then and THAT is enough for me.
Yes, there are bad book blogs out there, but there are also horrid personal blogs out there. Mostly, I think, people blog for fun. And although it’s frustrating that a crummy blog might be winning the ARC lottery, that is a problem that the publishers need to deal with. They need to make smart decisions in regards to whom they send their books. They need to hire a better vetting team I think. ;)
Sorry for the ramble, but this was a great post to get all rambly on!! :)
By: Lexie C.
I don’t understand. b/c I don’t have the resources to buy my own domain, I’m less professional? I don’t consider my book blogging a hobby, but I don’t consider it my job either. I do it because I like doing it, because I like reaching out to people–author and reader alike. Does that make me unprofessional?
The ‘seal of quality’ smacks of elitism no matter if its book blogger run or not–if you start to implement that in blogs, how is a new blog supposed to garner attention? You can say hard work until you’re blue in the face, but if their style doesn’t meet the criteria of the Panel you’re basically saying their blog isn’t worth publishers’ time.
I do agree there needs to be some way to tell Publishers about book blogs that will help them the most–I’m just at a loss as to how that can happen. Or maybe it would be better just to set up something bloggers can submit their links to for the specific publisher–reviews that is. That way the publisher can go back and see ‘Well Blogger A has reviewed 15 of our books, while Blogger B has only reviewed 4′.
That way its on the blogger to promote themselves to the publisher–and certainly it’ll be not so hard to get the word out about the directory to bloggers of the net.
As for quality, that’s so subjective. There are people who read my reviews and like them and they help them, and others who think they’re shoddy, too informal and don’t give necessary information. I do think that for a review to be helpful it should be at least two paragraphs long (no including any background information on the book or synopsis). Simply stating ‘This is a great romance!’ and that’s the entire review doesn’t help because the reader has no idea why its such a great romance.
By: Pam
@rob I am glad you shared your views with us! I blog because it makes me happy I like doing it and if you all check my “read in 2010″ page up top here you will see I buy way way more than I receive. I mentioned an accredidation because that is the ‘tech blogger way’ I am from that mind set and I ask these questions in a way to learn what the blogging community feels on certain subjects. My next question to you is why do you feel there is an ‘in crowd” email this to me if you don’t want to respond here.
@Cat I blog for the same reasons you do. I do however make freelancing social media gigs my job that I earn money from to blog about books. Do you feel there is an in crowd? I haven’t seen this, everyone I have ever approached has been kind to me this past year in showing me the ropes and helping me learn to do what I love doing in a better way.
@Lexie You are in no way more unprofessional for not having the means to buy and point a domain name. If not for my husband I would be clueless on how to do that also.
By: Pam
@rob I have just seen your site it is a breath of professional air. Easily navigable a wealth of information. I have RSS’d you!
By: Cat
I do feel there is a group of bloggers who think they are part of the ‘in-crowd’. I have never personally been bothered by them, but I have seen people attack others in comments, via twitter or through posts on this matter. I tend to unfollow blogs who rant and rave about the proper ways to do things. Unless, of course the information is in fact helpful (there are some bloggers who have posted very helpful information for newbies who might want some guidance – helpful tips like no auto-play music (GAH!), or multiple flashing .gifs or bright yellow or red text on black background, etc.).
What isn’t cool is the fight between lit bloggers and regular ol’ book bloggers, or those people who create blogs *just* for ARCs. That’s just uncouth. As someone with no couth on a regular basis even I can tell that’s bad. (ha!)
I find there is a group of bloggers out there who are quick to judge a new blog and write the author/blogger off. If your goal is to have a professional blog that you get paid for, fine, that’s your prerogative (your as in the general population and not *you* in particular ;)) however not everyone who wants to blog is going to want to do this professionally. Some do it just for fun. I don’t have follower contests and I don’t announce my number of twitter followers to the world. Although it does make me happy that there is someone other than myself out there reading what I write (and maybe even enjoying it on occasion) it’s not why I do what I do.
However I have seen this debate come and go on many blog platforms. Personal blogs started to be popularity contests and that irked me. I have always had a webpage of some sort and having starting the “blog” in 2004 only because it was way easier to update than my geocities page with html code all the time I just like to write. Same with book reviews. I didn’t even KNOW there was a book blogging community out there! I have made great friends in this community since I “joined” it (unknowingly, really) but I have also seen some really nasty and mean spirited posts and comments about what is right and wrong. Aside from auto-play music on a blog (did I mention GAH! there?) just because I might not like something doesn’t make it wrong for the person who does. Does that make sense?
Again… rambling.. hard to format thoughts in a comment box. Sorry.
By: Pam
I couldn’t tell you how many Twitter followers I have, how many friends on Facebook or Goodreads. I get what you are saying now and while I haven’t directly seen the nastiness I have heard about it. I hope I come across as one that is willing to help a new blogger out. I have been an advocate and have said it a million times instead of flaming them lets reach out and educate. I have a ‘student’ in the blogger mentor program now and while I do this for fun I want to succeed at it in every way possible. That being said, review copies are not my version of success. I turn down 90% of pitches that are relevant too my blog and 100% of the ones that are not. I try to post a bit of HTML once in a while like how to make your email addresses click-able and the difference between EM and Strong.
You raise many good points Cat and I will definitely be watching for more of this. You can DM it to me anytime! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I miss a lot of stuff because while I like you unknowingly joined a community of book bloggers my experiences have all been copacetic.
By: katiebabs
Print review publication “professionals” are afraid of book bloggers because they feel we are stealing their jobs, especially we don’t get a salary and some of us get free books. So, these so called reviewing professionals can adapt or move along, because book bloggers are here to stay and the wave of the suture.
By: Monica
Wow, this post sure stirred up some people. I agree and disagree on some of these posts. I like the idea of a “quality seal” but at the same time I think it would turn out to be much like credit, you have to have it before you can get it, and that doesn’t help for new or less experienced bloggers.
I also agree, I could care less what Publishers Weekly thinks about me, they are just trying to save their butts. If book bloggers are discredited then publishers will need to turn back to providing books to review in addition to paying people to review for them. We give them publishers a service and a way to reach the audience directly, something a magazine doesn’t.
Ok, rant over for now, lol. This topic gets everyone fired up apparently.
By: Marco
It’s kind of a catch-22 situation eh?
On one hand any kind of ‘approval seal’ is considered elitist. On the other hand there’s the issue of a large amount of mediocre or plain bad sites that negatively affect the reputation of the good ones.
It’s a shame anyway that so-called ‘professionals’ seem to feel the need to downplay the importance of pretty much everyone else. It’s very similar to ‘professional news journalists’ pathetically trying to downplay blogs in general because they’re scared their job may become irrelevant at some point. They’ll just gonna have to adapt and be the best they can be.
I’m a designer/web developer myself and even with that discipline I see some parallels. These days there’s an astonishing amount of people out there that call themselves ‘web professionals’. A lot of them produce crap websites. Yet there are clients that provide them with their business.
It takes blood, sweat and tears to stand out, whether you’re a ‘professional’ or just a for-fun blogger. This blood, sweat and tears is best spent on doing great things on a blog rather than attacking others in fear of losing one’s job like the PW folks are apparently doing.
I suppose that will have to be the ‘seal of quality’ and everyone will have to hope that clients (in this case publishers) will be able to spot and appreciate the blogs of high quality.
By: Aarti
Gosh, I didn’t mean to stir up so much drama with my “seal of quality” comment! I was kind of just typing out loud, if that makes sense. I don’t want to seem elitist! I just want to have fun and converse with people about books.
As for the “.blogspot.com” and “.wordpress.com,” being unprofessional, I admit to being a little offended. This is, of course, because my blog is at blogspot :-) I can see that maybe it isn’t taken as seriously as one on its own webpage, but I am not willing to buy a domain at this time and I don’t think my site is hurting in terms of readership or publisher interest. It isn’t as though you have to qualify to buy a domain name- you just have to pay for it. That doesn’t make it more professional. And if I did buy a domain, I don’t think I could at this time spend the money to brand it (and in that case I’d have to get rid of my lovely header), so it would be a half-baked effort, anyway.
Maybe PW and the industry won’t take me seriously because I am on blogspot, or because I am not a branding myself everywhere. Personally, I get really annoyed by everyone who invites me to become a fan of their blog on facebook. If I’m already your friend on facebook, and I follow your blog on GR, why do I also have to be your fan on facebook? That is not what I use facebook for.
Blogging *is* a hobby for me. I am happy when people send me books, but if there is a book I REALLY want to read, then I can buy it or get it from the library. I don’t expect a publisher to provide me a copy by giving them my reader stats and example posts.
That said, I hope that my blog is the best that I can make it at this time and that it reflects my individual tastes. I would be embarrassed to present something so publicly that I was not proud of. But I’m almost 27 and a lot of book bloggers are teenagers. They probably don’t see it the same way that I do.
Ok, sorry for the very meandering comment here! I didn’t mean to go all over the place in terms of topic!
By: April (Good Books & Wine)
Hah, the comment about the one line reviews makes me laugh, because I feel the exact same way! I understand being concise is wonderful and all, but I’m looking for something a bit more, maybe a full reaction to the book perhaps?
I’m not sure how I feel about the stamp of approval. I mean, while it’s an interesting idea, I’m not sure how people would get chosen or who would be on the committee. Maybe a comprehensive list of bloggers with links might be helpful, but with a FAQ on how to make the list, so I suppose if someone meets the qualifications, they are added, regardless of how many followers they have/stats.
Also, like Aarti, I’m not a teenager, I’m in my 20s. I care about how I present myself. This said, I’m relatively young, I make mistakes. I know there are teen bloggers who do take it very seriously.
Fortunately, I am incredibly part time (5 hours of work per week – FYI I hate it) and have tons of time to spend on making my blog all it can be, so when I do get hired full-time my blog will basically be set. I know blogging isn’t a job, but if you put your heart and soul into your blog it’s definitely a commitment.
Also, I would much rather read a blog review than a professional review. I know that’s lame, but I feel like when I reead a blogger review, I am getting a recommendation from a friend, especially if it’s a blogger I spend a lot of time talking to. And plus bloggers are so accessible, so you really get to know someone based on twitter, their posts, etc. Whereas I would never have that sort of relationship with a professional.
By: Amy @ My Friend Amy
The other day we were discussing something along these lines, and the truth is we’re a kind of press or media. And press and media have never had a good reputation! We are a kind of competition for PW (not saying we’ll have the same influence so don’t jump down my throat) so what they think of us shouldn’t really matter.
By: Pam
Amy as always and I do mean always you bring up a great and valid point and answer my questions in record time!
By: Lexie C.
As far as ‘bad’ bloggers and the reputation they give those of us who put care into things, there isn’t much to be done for that. I think that the ARC Tour groups that are running for young adult novels are a good idea and I think that Publishers should consider that model instead of randomly sending out ARC’s.
Maybe should like a Regional Host/Hostess for a Blog Tour group? Choose one respected Blogger per a geographical region–maybe divide the country into 4-6 parts, dependent upon state and then hand out maybe two ARC’s per tour group to pass around. Then also those who live close by could get together and discuss?
I don’t know my brain is fried from LOST so my ideas are rather sketchy.
By: Shesten (I Heart Monster)
After reading all thirty responses before me, I’m kinda fried too, Lexie!
I also think that it is up to the publisher – and website stats do speak to the quality of your blog, because you’re not going to have repeat visitors and high traffic if it totally sucks. If publishers don’t want to send ARCs to bloggers, then that’s their prerogative. But they do, so we know they value our opinions. There is nothing anywhere that says they have to send them to us. This is America. Competition is healthy. Freedom abounds. Let the publishers decide how they want to distribute review copies, because in the end, our opinions on the matter don’t really matter at all!
I know my writing and review style is unconventional, but I like it that way. I think my readers do too. I get a good website grade when I put it through graders, and gender determiners can never decide if I’m a girl or a boy. I use these factors to grade myself. And honestly, aren’t we all hobbyists? I use some of my free time to blog about books. I don’t get paid for it. Most of the time, I’m in my pajamas. Looks like a hobby, sounds like a hobby, smells like a hobby, but that doesn’t mean that I’m are unprofessional about it.
@Rob, I’m on your team here. Who cares? (and I, too am a new RSS subscriber) ((oh, and “mean” Rob is welcome at I Heart Monster anytime. I enjoy criticism and other people’s opinions))
@aarti – I would want my friends to become fans of my blog on Facebook because I put things on Facebook that I don’t tweet and I don’t post to my blog. Posts are always blog-relevant, but they don’t usually warrant their own post. It’s just another way to interact… but it is of course optional. I follow a lot of blogs on Facebook that I also subscribe to via reader, and always get great nuggets in my Live Feed that I would have missed out on otherwise.
@April (good books and wine) I agree with you that I would rather read a blogger review than a professional one. I want to hear what people have to say, not companies.
@Pam, great post. I too, had the same reaction you did at first, and was thrilled by the journey all of the comments took me through.
Oh, and I’m Team NO SEAL. Like Natasha said, it’s just asking for division we don’t need.
@Marco – you do a fantastic job on Pam’s blog. She’s super lucky to have you :o) (and I’m jealous that Monster isn’t geeky enough to help me!)
By: Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog
Let’s be honest here. Unless you are getting paid to write your book blog (and how many of us can say that?), it *is* a hobby, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be professional. Many people pursue their avocations with passion and professional quality, and I think many book bloggers fall into this category.
And while the idea of a “seal of approval” would make the people selected feel all warm and fuzzy, I don’t think it’s necessary, and I wonder how much credence publishing industry professionals and other bloggers would give it. After all, authors and publishers implicitly give their seal of approval by choosing the bloggers they want to work with.
The fact that they choose to work with bloggers at all acknowledges that they see the value we add and the service we provide….slowly but surely, as Amy said, we are being recognized as a new form of press.
By: Marco
On the subject of blogspot.com ‘not being professional’ or serious, here’s a list of blogs that Harper Teen partnered with for their ’28 Days of Winter Escapes’ thing.
http://blogginboutbooks.blogspot.com/
http://teenfashionista.blogspot.com/
http://thebookcellarx.blogspot.com/
http://seaofpages.blogspot.com/
http://www.trishasbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://bloodybad.com/
http://karinlibrarian.wordpress.com/
http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/
http://fantasticbookreview.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloodybookaholic.blogspot.com/
http://www.yareads.com/
http://bookalicio.us/
http://wordforteens.blogspot.com/
http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/
http://scifichick.com/
http://aleapopculture.blogspot.com/
http://thebooksmugglers.com/
http://insatiablereaders.blogspot.com/
http://shealynnbenner.blogspot.com/
http://angieville.blogspot.com/
http://shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com/
http://reveriemedia.blogspot.com/
http://www.mrsmagooreads.com/
http://www.pageturnersblog.com/
http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/
http://www.sharonlovesbooksandcats.blogspot.com/
http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/
http://thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/
:)
By: April
What a great topic of discussion. If book bloggers didn’t make a difference, then why would authors and publishers take the time to reach out to them, spend the money to send the books to be reviewed and take the time to connect with the bloggers themselves?
We don’t get paid for our time to read, review and post, it is something that we love to do. I don’t understand why anyone would condemn such a thing unless they are feeling threatened in some way. Do they think that people will stop purchasing book review mags because they can catch the reviews free on blogs?
By: Tif
Wow!!! What a discussion!! I have very mixed feelings as I read through all of this and really need more time to digest it all. Here are just a few of my thoughts regarding points that have been mentioned . . .
Some of my favorite blogs and ones I find to be most reliable are those that have blogspot or wordpress in the address. I have only recently moved mine to its own domain, but I don’t know if it really makes that much of a difference. I think this is more to the point of finances and knowledge, not quality!
I personally trust book bloggers over “professional” reviewers anyday! I feel that I get more honest opinions and don’t have to rely on the brands (because I really can’t!) that come with the “professionals.”
Lastly, I think it is important to note that not all bloggers out there are in it to work with publishers and authors. Though this is a piece for some bloggers, some it is not! Whether that makes it a hobby or a job, I don’t really know and don’t think it matters. I have quit accepting review books completely this year. Does this make my site a complete hobby? Does it no longer make me a true book blogger? I don’t think so! I put too much time and money into it to consider it a simply hobby anymore and I really can’t classify it as a job either. I personally believe it is the mix that makes the group so great!
As for the SEAL, I completely disagree with it! I already think that there are certain bloggers out there with an elitist air and the fewer we have of those, the better. It only creates more animosity and division, not working towards the betterment of the whole. Why label us? Why not just accept us? Afterall, it is a first amendment right!! :)
Okay, I’m done (at least for now)!! :)
By: Literate Housewife
This is a very good topic. I have gone through periods of time when I get upset by things written about book bloggers. An article on the Huffington Post comes to mind, although I can’t remember exactly what they said about us. At this point it all kind of rolls off my back. I don’t take it personally nor do I take it personally for my peers. I don’t know if it’s because I have mellowed out a little or if it is because I don’t the same passion for blogging that I had back then. Given my work and family life at this point, I don’t have the energy for my blog that I once had. I’m hoping that will change again, especially when my job slows down. Book blogging is something that I enjoy and hope to continue for a long time to come. So where am I going with this? I think that those who love to book blog and do a good job at it will prosper. Those who don’t will eventually fall away. We can’t prevent people from joining the ranks, but you have to have a certain amount of moxie to keep it up.
I see book blogging morphing over time and the perception of what we do goes along with it. You are seeing bloggers partnering with indie bookstores, bloggers being asked to take part in on-line book clubs, etc… If each of us does our best, the criticism will die down as well. Who knows. Perhaps PW will come our way some day. Crazier things have happened.
By: Alix @ Heetr Promotions and Publicicty
As a book publisher and promoter, who works in PR with authors that are self published, NY published, and everything in between, the idea that publisher’s weekly is not taking blogger seriously is ludicrous. Book Bloggers are readers 1, thats the most important part, we/they are readers who take reading seriously enough to take time out of their day to write about what they thought. A rating system is up to the reader. If readers don’t like your blog, they will not go to it. BOOK BLOGGERS ARE NOT A WASTE OF TIME, they are essential. If they were a waste of time, NY Publishing houses would not contact them directly, or would not contact someone like ME who contacts blogs specifically to set up guest blogs, interviews and reviews. Publisher’s Weekly readership has been dwindling, they are scared that bloggers are taking their readers, which they are. This is nothing more than their reaction to that fear.
Thank you
Alix Taylor,
Heetr Promotions and Publicity
http://www.heetr.com
http://www.twitter.com/alixntaylor
By: RAnn
I’m a (mostly) book blogger. It is a hobby, not a profession. I blog about books because I enjoy it. I started blogging about books I owned or borrowed from the library. Now I blog for several tour groups, publishers, bookstores etc. Lately I’ve noticed a lot of book bloggers saying they are cutting way back on the number of review books they are accepting, and I’m in that number too.
As far as giving a blog a “seal of approval”, I don’t see the purpose that would serve, except to inflate the egos of those who got it. Publishers are in the word business. They can look at my blog and decide if I am a competent reader/writer (if they care). If I’m interested in attracting review copies, I can display my follower count, and they can see that too. You can choose to read my blog, or not. If my content is good (as you define good) you’ll follow; it if is dreg, you won’t.
IMO a good thing about blogs is that we can reach niche audiences. How many print publications are going to review Harlequin-style romances? How many feature YA science fiction? Yet bloggers can, and do.
As far as buying your own domain, I say horsefeathers! The last thing I notice when I look at a blog is the URL. If I like your blog, I’m going to subscribe, and when it is in my reader, I won’t even see the URL.
By: heidenkind
Wow! This generated a lot of interesting discussion. I just thought I’d add my two cents, even if it does echo what other people were saying.
I do consider blogging a hobby, even if I spend 30+ hours a week on it. I’m fully aware that I could try to make money off of it, but I’ve resisted that so far because it’s my fun, happy place. That doesn’t mean that I have standards for myself and my blog, but I would never impose those standards on other people; nor do I hold myself up to the standards of the really big book bloggers like Amy. I think everyone should be free to put whatever time and effort they want into their own blog, whether we’re all lumped together into a whole or not.
Personally I don’t care what PW or any print publication thinks of book bloggers. I didn’t care about their opinions before the intrawebz existed, and I care even less now. At this point throwing pot shots at us is just sad and pathetic. They’re failing because of their own personal problems, NOT because of us. Their refusal to recognize that and take responsibility for it is just an extension of that problem.
So, I guess what I’m saying is that if we can band together to brand book blogging and give us all a better, more professional reputation, I think it’s a good idea. But let’s do it because we all want it for ourselves and our blogs, not in response to PW.
By: J.C. Montgomery
It’s taken a while for me to catch up on my Google Reader since I was sick for most of January.
However, I am glad I stuck it out and didn’t just hit the “all read” button. This is a gem.
I am currently struggling with my blogging. Part of it was, and still is, what do I really want out of it? Truly, is it merely a hobby, so the format and what I do is for me only? Or do I want to put in the time and effort (which it takes in spades) to produce and maintain a blog like this, and all the others that I admire greatly.
The topics, the reviews, the format, the discourse…all of it adding up to the fact that these types of blogs are absolutely necessary, as they are a projection of what bloggers can accomplish and contribute.
I wish to contribute also, but I am thinking it will be in a much smaller way. Yet every bit helps. Every little bit. I truly believe quality is as important, perhaps more, than quantity. That even the smallest of us can still make a difference.
This is the community where such as this can happen. I believe it in my heart.
This is a great, thought-provoking post Pam. Thank you so much for opening up the discussion.