Recently, I have had a few emails asking the same question - "
What is it like to be a book blogger?". This post will be the first in a three-part series. In this post, you can see what an average book blogger's day is like, with a few links that I hope you'll find useful. Make sure to check out
Part Two on Wednesday 26th June where you can find out how to start your own book blog, and
Part Three on Friday 28th June where I have compiled a list of top tips from successful book bloggers.
I'm not basing this on a weekday because I have school which I'm sure none of you want to hear about. So this is just going to be based on a day where I have lots of spare bloggy time! (Which is rare. But y'know. It happens occasionally.)
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| Every day starts with bed hair, whether you are a book blogger or not... |
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| Book blogging includes being woken up at an ungodly hour due to heavy books being pushed through the door. I'm not complaining though! Cat is optional but preferred. |
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| I am the Queen of Procrastination. Procrastinating helps your writing, I find. Erm...yep...that's my excuse. Move, peasants, I am the Queen. |
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| To review a book, you obviously need to read it first. Duh! Coincidentally, a review of the book I'm reading in this picture has been published on the blog already as this is a scheduled post! You can see the review HERE. |
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| I like to keep a 'blogging notebook' which is where all of my ideas, reviews and interview questions are born. Not literally born....ugh, you get my point. A review can take anything from 40 minutes up to an hour to write. As obvious as it may seem, it's important to include your own honest thoughts - don't say you liked a book if you didn't, because to be a reviewer you need to be completely honest, otherwise you'll be giving readers the wrong impression of a book. And you don't want to do that! |
Through book blogging, I have had so many amazing opportunities that just wouldn't be available to me if I didn't have this blog. For example, having my quotes in
Luisa Plaja's 'The Quick Expert's Guide To Writing a Blog', and being able to interview well known writers and other celebrities (see photo above).
Another perk of book blogging is getting free books, obviously! Most of the time you can get proof copies that aren't in shops yet, and I've even had a few manuscripts sent to me for review before, one of which you can see here:
And through book blogging I have also met some of my favourite authors. One of the best moments from book blogging has been when I went to one of Cathy Cassidy's book signings when I was 10 or 11, and she recognised me from my blog!
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| What on earth was I wearing... |
So in between all of the stuff I mentioned above, I also have to promote my blog on
Facebook and
Twitter (I blame blogging for my Twitter addiction) and check my emails from authors and publishers regularly. And then I have to fit in homework, revision and coursework around blogging! It's busy, slightly stressful and chaotic but totally worth it.
You're still thinking of starting a book blog after reading all of that? Yay, go for it! But not until you've read
Parts 2 and 3 of Blog 101....because, y'know, I like getting views and comments! Haha, what? I'm only human!
Don't forget to look out for Part 2 and Part 3 and let me know what you thought of this post in the comments below! :)
Amber, that was very useful, thank you. I am a writer with a book coming out next year, so I am just exploring the world of YA book bloggers. Thank you for enlightening me!
ReplyDeleteEmma Haughton
I'm really glad you enjoyed the post! Hopefully you'll like Parts 2 and 3 just as much. :)
DeleteHi Amber, awesome post! This is a really cool, different post, never seen anything like it before :D It's cool!
ReplyDeleteI have three things:
1- YOUR CAT LOOKS LIKE MINE. Did you steal her from me?
2- I read the taming of the tights manuscript too, really enjoyed it, hope you do/did!
3- Cathy Cassidy is so nice, isn't she?
Aw thank you! Haha that's so weird, but my cat is a boy! :)
DeleteI love this post so, so much and am really looking forward to reading the other two posts. Such a great idea!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucy! The next one is up on Wednesday.
DeleteBrilliant post, Amber :) Love the pictures! It's always interesting seeing how other bloggers go about their day, not that we often get a lot of time to blog :P
ReplyDeleteThank you Rebekah, I agree! :)
DeleteAhh, BRILLIANT post, Amber! I think everyone should book blog (only if you like books though... and blogging... *grins*), it is such an amazing part of my life. Without blogging and reading, I'd be a completely different person!
ReplyDeleteI have a blogging notebook too, but mine is messier than yours ;) It is interesting to see how other bloggers go about their routine. Ours is quite similar though - answering emails, being addicted to Twitter...
Thanks for sharing, Amber! Looking forward to the next one!
Aw thank you for the lovely comment, Zoe! I agree, without blogging and reading, I'd be a different person. I feel sorry for people who 'don't read'. :(
DeleteHaha, I only showed my neatest notebook page! My handwriting is terrible!
Thanks Zoe :)
I know I'm a little late reading this but it's so useful!!! I just started my book blog a few weeks ago and I have to say you're a big inspiration. I am currently obsessed with your blog (and VERY impressed!), you've accomplished so much, especially at your age. (I'm 15 and can only hope to achieve the kind of things you have)
ReplyDeleteSo thanks for posting these book-blogging posts! they're amazing. Keep up the good work! :)
Thanks for writing this and also reasons why not to book blog.. I review stuff on goodreads and Amazon and have built up relationships with some of my fave authors. I really want to blog because I want to write while I am reading, thoughts..and funny stuff I'm thinking of and I feel that I'm actually restrained in goodreads fromr othe saying what I want due to spoilers or other people always posting memes and getting more followers. I guess for example, this series I am reading is really cool and I've designed a family tree and want to post pictures of the many cars that are featured in the books as well as comments, quotes, links between books and write stuff about the author. I don't want to be part of a book club, I tried that and mostly don't want to review most of the books they offer..I hate paranormal romance and the xxx rated romance stuff that's popular... Ugh. I just want my own space whether anyone reads it or not but I guess what I'm asking is advice on how to start and where to go. I like using my iPad, it's easier than trekking to the stationary comp and I don't have a laptop. I have used blogger but I get stuck because I can't post a pic I want or figure out a format I like... Anyways all of this thinking led me here. Would love some feedback if you have time. I actually do nothing but read most of the time, cuz I don't have a job or go to school and want to do something with all the books, Arc's and stuff. I guess I vented a little, I'm just frustrated and can't find an outlet for writing. I have all the "social apps for books" but my head is spinning with all of them!!
ReplyDelete