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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 😉
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!
Books through blogs, I may own the title. And the pride that comes from their success — priceless!
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.
I’ve never read an author’s blog. Maybe I should. Maybe then I’d find new people to read.