What Authors Say About Blogging

What Authors Say
About Blogging

We Asked the
Authors
1) Did you start blogging before or after you published your first book?
2) How often do you blog now?
3) What is your favorite blogging platform? Why?
4) Do you use social media to share your blog posts?
If YES, what platform provides you with the most interaction?
5) What do you really think authors should blog about?
6) Do you believe that blogging can help the authors to promote their book and/or
sales?
7) What advice would you offer to both new and established authors about blogging?
8) What do you think about blogging from an author’s perspective?

2-3 Blog Posts a Week
Blog Weekly Once
2-3 Blog Posts a Month
Blog Monthly Once
Other
How Often Do They Blog?
Facebook was the top social media platform with Twitter following in second place.
Most are blogging 2-3 posts per week with many divisions in how often after that.
WordPress was hands down the winner as for the platform utilized.
14 out of 17 authors started blogging before their book was published.
13 our of 17 authors believe that blogging helps their book sales and platform
building.
The Results

0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
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90%
Which Social Media is Helping Them Most
Find the complete article: Top Authors Give Their Advice About Blogging

Amy Shojai
Author of Lost And Found: September Day Series
Author Website: Bling, Bitches & Blood Blog
Author’s Perspective About Blogging.
"Blogging is a powerful but misunderstood tool that too many authors
misuse, and it becomes a waste of time and opportunity. Forget
SALES. Think ENGAGEMENT. Other writers want to read about
publishing/writing--find out what YOUR readers want, and provide
that to gain loyal fans."
Advice to Other Authors About Blogging.
"Remember that your blog should be a CONVERSATION. Sure, share
your experiences, the angst of writing, what funny thing the kids said
(they'll hate/love you for it!). But remember to ask your readers
questions and include them in the blog via comments, suggestions,
contests, give-aways, and more. You'll not only develop more avid
fans, but also discover what your audience wants you to write--and
then you can give it to them."

Billy Coffey
Author of In the Heart of the Dark Wood
Author website: www.billycoffey.com
"For me, blogging serves a multitude of purposes. It lets readers
glimpse who I am as a person and not an author, it keeps my writing
skills sharp, and it allows me to work out potential story ideas."
"I don't generally like author websites built solely with the goal of
trying to convince people to buy stuff. Information regarding
appearances or reviews or whatever books you have are great and
necessary, but try to provide a glimpse into the person behind those
books as well."

Ciara Ballintyne
Author of The Seven Circles of Hell series
Author website: www.ciaraballintyne.com
"No blog can sell the book unwritten - don't pour time into blogging to
the detriment of writing."
"Don't blog daily. You will kill yourself, and bore your readers. Once a
week is fine, twice a week at most. An established schedule can be
helpful for both you and your readers - you don't have to rack your
brain quite as hard if you know that this week is a certain type of post,
and readers know when to check in for the particular posts they're
interested in."

Diane Gage Lofgren & Margaret Bhola
Authors of Women I Want to Grow Old With
Author website: www.womeniwanttogrowoldwith.com
Authors’ Perspective About Blogging.
"Blogging allows an author to drive awareness of book
content/author expertise. It serves as a platform for the author to
further expand on topics in the book and is a good way to become
more visible in searches on the topic."
"It takes time and discipline and can easily slip on the priority list, so it
needs to be made a priority."

Ed Cyzewski
Author of The Good News of Revelation
Author website: www.edcyzewski.com
"I know that blogging isn't for every author, but for the majority of
authors who are just starting out or are trying to build an audience, a
blog provides a great way to reach potential readers with your ideas
and to introduce them to your voice and style. It's the perfect place to
test out rough drafts and new ideas, providing immediate feedback….”
"Only start blogging if you find that you can't stop jotting down ideas
or keep thinking of topics you'd like to write about for a public
audience. The sharper your focus, the easier it will be. Don't be afraid
of dropping one blog idea for another one. Your second or third
attempt at a blog may be the one that succeeds. This is all an
experiment, and there's no shame in trying something different if you
don't think your first blog can be sustainable."

Eden Baylee
Author of Stranger at Sunset
Author website: www.edenbayleebooks.com
"Blogging has helped me establish my author's identity. No matter
what I write, whether it's a fiction or promotional piece, I check and
recheck my information to ensure the post looks clean and attractive
before I publish it. My blog is a reflection of me, so I treat it as a
professional calling card each time I post."
"Stay true to yourself."

Joshua Graham
New York Times Bestselling Author
Author website: www.Joshua-Graham.com
"Blogging is a great way to connect with readers and followers.
Ideally, your followers will interact with you and with each other in the
comments section, if you have a leading call to action (asking them to
comment and discuss.)"
"Be genuine, be open, and don't promote your books too much on the
blog (you have other sections of your website for that). Let your
readers know you and your written voice. And always be professional.
Despite the number of hits bloggers who rant and rave, I still believe
being decent is the way to be, online as it is in person."

Kari Neumeyer
Author of Bark and Lunge: Saving My Dog from Training
Mistakes
Author website: www.KariNeumeyer.com
"A blog is a tool that can help build community, enhance craft, and
sell books. A blog post can lead to an idea that can lead to a book. A
blog post can get the attention of someone who might buy your book.
The blog itself is not the book, but writers can use it as source
material to be explored and expanded into narrative."
"Blog about your passions. Don't treat your website like a billboard,
but as place to share information. Build community by asking
questions in your posts and respond to comments. When people
comment on your blog, visit their blogs and comment there. Even
authors who don't blog should have websites in their name (not
AuthorName.wordpress.com, but AuthorName.com) with information
about their books. It helps potential readers see that the authors are
""real people."""

Kent Hinckley
Author of Hearts, Minds, and Coffee: A Vietnam Peace
Odyssey
Author website: www.kenthinckley.com
"I have fun with my blogs. I cover subjects that interest me which I
hope will interest my readers, and get to practice my writing. It's a win
win."
"Do it, write blogs well, and realize that they probably won't influence
readers when they buy your book."

Lisa Jey Davis
Author of Ms. Cheevious In Hollywood: My Zany Years Spent
Working in Tinsel Town
Author website: www.mscheevious.com/blog
& www.lisajeydavis.com/blog
"Blogging not only provides the platform an author needs, it offers a
way for them to express themselves beyond the book."
"Be consistent. If decide to blog prior to your book's release, you won't
begin to see and reap the benefits unless you've been writing them
consistently and often for some time. I know there are other schools
of thought about this. One bestselling author says not to bother
people with blog posts too often, but when you *do* blog, to make it
great. I haven't tried that method. I do know that as a result of my
blogging, I have been approached by multiple brands to try products
(all of which, if I do, they must offer the product in a giveaway on my
site).... So - whether you blog often, or not, be consistent. Also, EDIT
your work. Pay someone to edit it, if you must. Just be sure your work
is pristine. It is your calling card."

Lynne Cantwell
Author of Pipe Woman Chronicles Series
Author website: www.hearth-myth.blogspot.com
"Blogging is a great way to let your readers get to know you. People
always seem to want to know about the person behind the pen (or
computer terminal), and writing a blog is one of the best ways to let
your own personality and interests shine through."
"Be consistent in your posting times, so that your readers know they
can rely on you. And don't just cross-post or share content without
any comment on it; give the link a little introduction and/or explain
why you think your readers ought to click through."

Michele Rosenthal
Author of Before the World Intruded: Conquering the Past
and Creating the Future
Author website: www.ChangeYouChoose.com
"Blogging can be an essential component in building and maintaining
your audience because it offers an induction into your tribe. For
prospective buyers blogging develops trust in your perspective and
approach. For readers it allows an on-going and meaningful
connection that converts into long-lasting, supportive fans. For you as
a writer the energy of community can serve as a source of inspiration,
motivation and stimulation that leads to future creative work."
"Be smart and creative. Write in ways that make your audience
stretch while also giving them a foundation of education they can
both rely on and access through posts that are stimulating, inspiring
and lead to conversations."

R.S. Guthrie
Author of Blood Land: A James Pruett Mystery
Author website: www.robonwriting.com
"Blogging is the author's way of connecting with the peer community.
Book readers aren't reading an author's blog. Share. Authors helping
authors. We aren't competing as much as you think, even in-genre.
People buy a car for 5 years. They turn over a book in a week. There
are plenty of readers for us all. The more you help other authors, the
more they will assist YOU."
"Do it soon, before your book is out---before the first word is written.
Talk about your book, the struggles, the things you've found that help
the process, etc. Become known, get readers, establish a Social Media
presence. ALL of that helps for your first book release."

Richard L Mabry, MD
Author of Critical Condition
Author website: www.rmabry.blogspot.com
"I do it because I've been told an author should, and I'm afraid to
stop...but I wish I could."
"Be interesting; don't be a slave to it; offer value to the blog readers."

Shirley Hershey Showalter
Author of Blush: A Mennonite Girl Meets a Glittering World
Author website: www.shirleyshowalter.com
"Blogging helped me find my core readers, the few who were waiting
to read the book when it came out. I found those readers by adding
value to them, spiritually and strategically, being vulnerable and
sharing details of writing, publishing, and promotional activities. I try
to encourage others to be their highest selves, which helps me
become my highest self."
"You don't have to do it. If you hate it, don't waste your time. Establish
a publishing schedule so that you can batch your blogging/social
media work. I'm not good at doing this, but I wish I were."

Steven Ramirez
Author of Dead Is All You Get: Book Two of THE DEAD SERIES
Author website: www.stevenramirez.com
"Blogging is like exercise. Everyone says it’s good for you, but
sometimes it's hard to make room for it."
"Don't post something just to keep a cadence. There is a lot of fluff out
there, and I suspect that some authors are posting because they feel
like they have to. I am blogging less frequently now as I write more
books. But when I do post, I try to make it meaningful."

Victoria Noe
Author of Friend Grief series
Author website: www.friendgrief.com
"Blogging helped me not only find an audience but refine my
message. I tried things out on my blog when considering using them
in one of my books. It helped focus the books, too."
"Don't go long periods of time without blogging. Decide on a schedule
and stick to it."

Overall
Conclusions
S t a r t b l o g g i n g a n d s o c i a l m e d i a
p r o m o t i n g y o u r b l o g s s o o n e r r a t h e r
t h a n l a t e r .
W o r d P r e s s w a s t h e f a v o r i t e p l a t f o r m
f o r t h e s e a u t h o r s a n d b l o g g e r s .
M a k e s u r e y o u a r e c a p t u r i n g e m a i l s o n
y o u r w e b s i t e .
M a k e i t e a s y f o r y o u r v i s i t o r s t o
s h a r e v i a s o c i a l m e d i a .

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