This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 at 6:35 pm and is filed under If I Were the Queen, Internetting, Let's Get Personal, Writing & Reading. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Doesn’t get a lot more direct than that title, now, does it? So why are these things on my mind? Well, first of all, YA author Diana Peterfreund recently opined that blogs are not the ultimate marketing tool. Now, I’m going to have to agree with that. Everybody knows that skywriting has that slot, with blimps coming in a distant second. (Clearly I’m a big fan of flight.)
But when it comes to authors and blogs, I have to admit that I had not read a single book by most of the authors whose blogs I follow until after I began to read their online musings. I found most of them through comments or blogrolls on others’ sites, and followed them to their webly homes. (Yes, I’m perfectly aware that this makes me sound like a stalker, thank you very much.) I liked their writing, and I found that I rather liked them, too. Or what they let me know of them, at least. And who doesn’t want to read a book by someone who seems nice and turns out decent writing on a semi-regular basis? Of course, I had to find them first, which as Diana points out is often difficult for someone whose only publishing credit is a blog — or, I would add, for a published author whose books one has not yet read. Indeed, I usually find the more dedicated bloggers, either through their active participation in the blogsophere or through recommendations by other bloggers. Like much of the best marketing, it’s all about word of mouth. If bloggers are just sitting there waiting to be discovered but are not participating in the blogosphere, it’s probably not going to happen until or unless a bigger force — such as a recently released book — brings readers to them.
So, where am I going with this? Well, everybody knows I’m a fan of reading, which means that my default birthday/Christmas present is a gift card for a bookstore. And when it comes time to spend the loot, I often look to my RSS feeds first. I like to support my favorite bloggers, and I know I’ll get some good reads at the same time. Even as I type this, books by Jill Shalvis, Lani Diane Rich, Eileen Cook, and Samantha Graves (to name a few) are headed my way. These authors’ books are all new to me, even if their blogs are not. And I’m already saving up for another round (which will probably include some of Diana’s books).
To be fair, I also have a habit of looking up my favorite authors’ websites and indulging in their blogs as well, should they have them. In that case, the books led me to the blogs, and not the other way around. But blogging has helped me discover some amazing writers, ones whose books I probably wouldn’t have noticed on those crowded bookstore shelves had I not already known their names from blogging.
Am I alone here? If not, then stop by Diana’s blog, add her to your RSS reader (because you’ll probably want to), then buy her books to prove her wrong. Or hope that I sell the mess I’m currently working on, and then don’t buy the book because you get my blog for free. Your choice.
And because I am queen of my own blog (aren’t we all?), I will indulge my urge to continue pontificating by pointing out that brownies are evil, terrible things. Especially when warm and gooey and filled with chocolate chips. I went into this afternoon’s staff meeting with just one chin, and after an hour sitting within reach of a plate of the malicious goo, I walked away with four more chins. This is not a good look for me. Plus, my neck is getting tired from swinging that extra skin around. I’m just saying.
Your turn. Do you read your favorite bloggers’ books — assuming they have a book out? If so, which came first for you as a reader — the book or the blog? Or, alternatively, what is the most evil food you know? C’mon. Spill.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
A bit of both for me. I read alot of blogs of authors and usually end up buying books of theirs based not only upon the characters IN the books, but by the authors writing style on their blogs.
Did you have to mention Brownies? I have mix in the pantry……..
February 27th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
It’s funny. Whenever I make that comment on my blog, I always hear from blog readers who say they discovered my books from my blog. But that’s the medium. That’s my blog. If I’m at a signing, I rarely hear “and I read your blog!” A disproportionate percentage of book readers who also read my blog found me through my blog. It’s misleading. Most readers of my books do not read my blog.
I’d also wager that there are many (if not more) readers of my blog who found me through my blog that do NOT read my books, than readers of my blog that found me through my blog that DO read my books. I believe this because I myself read many blogs of writers whose books I do not read.
Blogging is not the platform it is made out to be. If a dozen book readers find me through my blog, I’m happy about it, just as I’m happy if I attend a signing and sell a dozen books. But I don’t think I’ve made a difference in my overall sell-through.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
By the way, your blog is very beautiful. And now I’ve found YOU through YOURS.
February 27th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I’ve definitely read someone just because they blog. I remember finding Jill Shalvis’ blog and as I was reading it and smiling, laughing, I realized, “Wait a minute I’ve read her before!” and thus began my automatic buy for Jill.
She’s just one example. I have many. I can only hope that people do or will feel the same way about me (someday…
. 
February 27th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Brandy, I do the exact same thing.
Diana, I definitely see your point. For every rule there will always be exceptions; while a blog may not increase sell-through by a large amount, there will still be people who discover you through your blog. And then those people love your books and recommend them to people who may not necessarily go online at all. So a blog can be one medium for word-of-mouth to work, but it is just one of many, and not necessarily the most effective one. One point I really tried to work in but couldn’t address was that I loved how you said that people should blog for the fun of it, because blogging to increase your sell-through alone–or for any other reason than just the sheer enjoyment of the words and the interaction with other bloggers–is not worth it
Karen, me, too! I hadn’t read any of hers until I found her blog. Her blog is so funny and she’s so articulate that I had a feeling I would really enjoy her books. But there’s also something about reading a book written by someone you feel you “know”, even if it’s simply through a blog that anyone can read.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Hey, my ears were burning, lol. I have to agree with what Diana said. I’m not seeing a huge cross over of people who read my blog and people who read my books. Mostly I blog because I work alone all day and it’s lonely, and I LOVE having friends only a click away.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
That’s fascinating, Jill. I buy books from bloggers, so it’s easy to assume that everyone else does. It makes me wonder, then, why some agents are so set on their authors having blogs. Two agents this week alone have mentioned that they give bonus points to would-be clients who have active blogs. But then, they wrote that in their own blogs, so it’s clear that they value the medium, whereas many other agents do not maintain their own blogs.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Very interesting. But since I’m immersed in the blog world and a lot of people aren’t, I guess I can understand that. Too bad cos people are missing out on some fabulous blogs.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Crossover! Yes, that’s the word. Dur.
“bonus” points for an agent strikes me as silly. “Wow, brilliant book, but no blog. REJECT.” “Wow, sucky book, but what a blog, SIGN!” Somehow, I doubt it. But you’re right. It is the preaching to the choir effect . A blogging agent speaking to blog readers. Everyone’s a blog-lover. No one new is coming into that circle. They are just freaking out brilliant writers sans blogs.
While we are all spending hours and hours per day writing blogs, other writers are writing more books, and getting more releases out, which really are good marketing. IMO.
February 28th, 2008 at 5:51 am
I have a friend who I started reading her blog, and then won her book in a contest, and now I CAN’T WAIT for her next book to come out. Probably because she stopped blogging, and now I miss her.
So maybe both? I don’t know. But the chinese restaurant down the street needs to go out of business so I stop eating crab rangoon every day for lunch.
February 28th, 2008 at 7:12 am
Diana, I don’t think it’s so much that they reject people without blogs, as they look more favorably upon those who do. If that makes sense. But I do think that it can lead to people starting blogs when they’re not into them, which often results in boring or sloppy writing, which would, in turn, probably *not* help the supplicant–um, I mean, person submitting to the agent. And I suppose it’s probably not best to go with an agent who decided on you because you had a blog instead of because they lovedlovedloved your book and simply had to represent it. I do think that a well-written, well-visited blog can give an agent a good sample of writing at the query stage or partial stage, though, and give them an idea for how professional the writer can be. A blog can also let a little personality shine through, showing an agent what the person could be like to work with. Again, this could work for the better *or* for the worse. And as for spending time writing blogs when we could be writing actual books, I know I’m definitely guilty of that. I tell myself that it’s to help my writing, but that’s really not the case. It’s fun, and it’s a form of procrastination. The agents-love-blogs thing is just an excuse.
Liz, I love that her blog got you addicted to her writing! As for the Chinese restaurant, I’m not a big fan of the one (yes, one) we have in town, so crab rangoon is safe for me. But I do understand your pain since I feel that same way about several other restaurants in our town.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I read a couple of author’s blogs and have purchased their books because I like what they wrote on their blog. I’ve discovered many new-to-me authors by reading a variety of blogs where their title was recommended. In most of the cases, the blogs came first and then the book purchase.
Whenever I find a new-to-me-author, I immediately look for their website and to see if they have a blog.
February 28th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Last night someone at the writing class I attend pointing out how wonderful stalkers are because it involves in effort on the stalkee’s part.
Eileen’s book is truly fantastic—it’s as wonderful and funny and addicting as her blog.
As for the question, there are several authors that I went out and purchased their debut novel because I had followed their blog. Buying their books feels like supporting a friend.
February 28th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Booklady, You’ve drawn me out of lurkdom with this post. I always check the blog before I buy, and I found you by clicking over from on another blog. Thanks for the insights. I’ve added you to my blogroll at elizabethcrisp.wordpress.com.
Try this evil treat: Symphony Brownies. Prepare two boxes of Ghirardelli Brownie mix according to package directions. Pour the first batch in a 11×13 pan. Unwrap and place three giant Hershey Symphony Bars with almonds and toffee side by side on top of the batter. Pour the second batch on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 40 minutes. Cool completely. It’s evil.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Dru, I, too, have picked up a lot of books that were recommended by bloggers. And I’ve often been very pleased.
LOL, Chandra! So I should feel good about it? And I’m glad to hear that about Eileen’s book. It’s gotten some amazing reviews so far, and I’m not sure I would have read it if I hadn’t been a blogger–or, really, a reader of blogs–since I don’t know if I would have even heard of it.
Thanks for commenting , Elizabeth, and for stopping by! And thanks for the link. I’ll stop by later this evening (when things come out a bit) to check you out.
As for the brownies, those sound amazing. And the Ghiradelli brownies are my fav., so I already have a few boxes here.
February 28th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I can’t think of any books I’ve bought after reading someone’s blog (unless I’d already read one of theirs, like Alyson Noel). I don’t read too many blogs though so maybe that’s why. I have bought books from authors that I’ve met through online groups or at conferences. For example, Lani’s TIME OFF FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR. I’d *met* her through an online group and heard her speak, and since she was quite funny I figured her book would be too (fyi, I was right on that). Same with books by Simone Elkeles…I read her books cuz I found her interesting and funny in person. Can you tell I love books that make me laugh? I read Diana’s SECRET SOCIETY GIRL, too. I’d enjoyed her posts from online groups and read her blog too. Since she always has something interesting to say, I wanted to read what she wrote. And I agree on the brownies. If I’m going to eat junk food, I picture just inserting it directly onto my thigh. It helps me make healthier food choices. Well, sometimes.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I’ve visited author’s blogs only after I’ve read their books, not the other way around. It was my admiration for their books that got me to their blogs. It’s their great personalities that keep me coming back to those blogs. I recently started my own blog because I looked at it as a daily journal of sorts. A way to make me think, make me write about something every day. As an aspiring author its gotten me to think about lots of things besides my current story and I hope in the long run that’s going to make me a better writer. And I’ve discovered I enjoy it. It’s fun. And even if nobody reads it but my mom, I still get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction in doing it.
If I get to eat coffee heath bar crunch while I’m at it, all the better!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Books through blogs, I may own the title. And the pride that comes from their success — priceless!
February 29th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I’ve read writers’ blogs for five or six years. Most of the novelists I enjoy reading, don’t blog. Of the many blogs I read, I’ve only bought one blogger’s novel. (And it was great!) That number would have been two, but I won a copy in a competition on the author’s blog, so didn’t need to buy it.
Most of my circle of friends and acquaintances don’t read blogs — but do read books. The reach of a writer’s blog is hugely limited, and, unlike a website, I don’t think it’s an effective marketing tool.
That’s not to say that blogs don’t have value (I love them), but they’re probably best enjoyed just for their own sake.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
I’ve never read an author’s blog. Maybe I should. Maybe then I’d find new people to read.
February 29th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Susan, this blogging thing can become addictive. Once you allow yourself to start reading more blogs, you’ll find that they totally take over. And authors’ blogs are some of the best–as long as they don’t spend the entire time promoting their books.
Robin, that’s why I started my blog. Or, at least, why I kept it going. I started it because I’d heard of this blogging thing and was curious, but I didn’t think I’d ever do anything with it. I think it really has helped me find my voice, though, and to network as well.
Larramie, I so know what you mean! It’s nice to say you read the author’s blog long before they were published, isn’t it?
That’s interesting, Mary. When I find an author I like, one of the first things I do is look to see if they have a blog–if I didn’t buy their books because I already read their blogs, of course. But I know that that’s not the typical reaction. I think it might become more so, however, as social networking continues to grow.
Rachelle, click on any of those links above, and you’ll find some authors whose blogs I enjoy very much. I hope you try them out and enjoy them, too.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I just want to say that brownies are the most evil of evil horrible terrible awful scrumptious decadent most delicious things in the entire world. So evil.
Oh yes, I bought alot of books because I read author’s blogs first and I have done the reverse also.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:00 am
Blogs first, then books. I think, somehow, it makes reading the book that much more special.
Oh yes, and brownies are beyond evil. As is chocolate fudge pudding.
Now why is that I have a sudden craving for chocolate…
March 1st, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Ello, amazing how something so perfect can be so awful at the same time, isn’t it? And thanks for weighing in (no pun intended) on the books vs. blogs conversation.
Absolute Vanilla, I totally agree! It’s so much fun to curl up with a book and feel like you already know the author, even if it’s only via a blog.
March 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I’m still coming to terms with the blog world, still trying to understand even as I daily minister to my own. I can say that I’ve met extraordinary people and seekers through the blog, that old, lost friends have found me there, that all of that is good. But I can also confess to frequent disappointment following the reading of a book I’ve loved, the hunting down of the author’s blog, and the discovery that the blog contains little more than marketing updates and tour schedules.
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I have read books by bloggers I’ve learned to like. Some have disappointed; most have not. And I’ve read even more books by recommendations from blogs. Most of those have been at least decent reads.
I have to say though, that as someone who spends about a couple grand on books a year (not exaggerating unless it is by understating the case), I find more books by trolling through the Amazon recommendations. If I lived in a city where I could browse bookstores, that’s how I’d discover new reads. But needs must when one lives in the outback of beyond rural America!
And thanks for stopping by my blog! I shall add you in my sidebar so I can stop by. Which reminds me: I have also found a few cool blogs and writers by link clicking.
March 3rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
It’s true, probably, what Diana said. I am one of the many who only discovers new writers from the front tables or blogs.
But I am totally addicted to blogs, that’s for sure!
March 6th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I’m like you. Pretty much every blogger I started out reading I had never picked up a book by prior to reading their blogs, but now I count some of them among my favorite authors. (C. E. Murphy, Joshilyn Jackson to name a couple). So while I agree with Diana that they aren’t the best tool, I do think they are effective. I also think that they require the blogger to be active in the blogosphere, as you point out, or no one will know they’re there and they defeat the purpose.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
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