Comments on: I’m Going on a Jet Plane & a BEA Book Bloggers Panel (help!)

By: Debra Galant

Debra Galant — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:09:51 +0000

I’m an author who’s finding it very difficult to get word about my new novel, “Cars from a Marriage,” out through traditional channels. My publisher has just decided my sales numbers are not worth it, despite the fact that my debut “Rattled” got fantastic press. I’m coming to the book bloggers cocktail party and hope to meet you. Don’t worry about NYC.

Looks like the weather will be gorgeous most of the week!

Enjoy.

By: Michelle Zink

Michelle Zink — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:44:12 +0000

Hi, Natasha!

As an author, I fully appreciate the influence bloggers have in the reading community. I enjoy developing relationships with with them, do what I can to see that they have ARCs, and post links to their blog on my own site. In short, I <3 bloggers!

All that said, I’d love to hear what everyone thinks about the tendency for blogger traffic to be mostly other blogger traffic. As the mother of three reading teenagers, I can say that non-blogging teens, in general, aren’t in the habit of visiting book blogging sites, which is unfortunate. Ideally, we could harness the tremendous influence of the blogging community by reaching out to more average readers, those who don’t have blogs of their own but who enjoy reading and talking about the books they read.

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts!

Michelle Zink

By: bella

bella — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:49:03 +0000

I’d really like it if it were easier to contact publishers about specific books. I’d love for them to start creating mail contact forms where bloggers only have to fill in the blanks.

name:
site link:
book request:
author:

I’d like to see something very simple and basic that could easily get sent to the correct people within a publishing house. I once discovered that my email was sent to 8 different people before reaching the correct one- no wonder it took them 4 months to reply!

By: lilly

lilly — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:43:57 +0000

I’ll be there and can’t wait to meet you all guys, it’ll be grand!

By: Heidi Durrow

Heidi Durrow — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:35:34 +0000

I’m a writer going to my first Book Expo too! Congrats on your panelist spot!
I follow a lot of book bloggers (always looking for what is new to read)–but as a writer wonder whether book bloggers are comfortable hearing from writers directly.

By: jenn

jenn — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:34:16 +0000

I think that Drew’s point is important — if bookstore and bloggers are going to establish relationships, who gets the sale? It sounds a little mercenary, but do I want to recommend you to customers if you’re an Amazon affiliate? Probably not… I’m all about all of us supplementing our incomes through our own hard work, but to build more ties this is something that needs to be addressed. Especially when stores have affiliate programs (my store does! who needs Amazon?) AND IndieBound exists.

Bookavore’s idea about bloggers actually blogging for stores would take care of this — I’m thinking here that any posts on the store’s blog would go through the store’s e-commerce site. This would be ideal, especially for all those bookstores/sellers out there struggling to generate content on top of their other jobs.

I know that we’d love to do more promotions like we did with Laurie Halse Anderson (yay!) but that the affiliate issue is one that needs dealing with. Sigh. Why does it always come down to money?

Caveat: I’m a little worked up about funding today. I may check back in tomorrow and have none-$$$-related thoughts…

By: Drew Goodman

Drew Goodman — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 03:05:54 +0000

First of all, Natasha, congratulations and have fun. I will be stuck here in Utah, jealous.

So here are a few of my thoughts. How do book bloggers, who are not affiliated with a bookstore, see themselves? Are they reviewers, informers, or booksellers?

What is the future of the book blogger? Do they support bookstores by directing sales (either in person or by internet) to the stores, or do they become the “new” indie bookstores, essentially with each post becoming a handselling opportunity with their readers?

As the printed word becomes more and more absorbed into the digital ocean, as publishing houses become more like marketing agencies, as anyone can become an author with little or no cost to publish, who will the blogger interact with? Who will they be selling for? What kinds of commissions will they receive for their sales activities- standard discount rates like print booksellers, or affiliate rates that are a relative pittance?

Whether we like it or not, the earth is shifting beneath our feet. In ten years, publishers and bookstores will be far different than they are today. Authors will be writing books that take into account the linkability of the world through internet connected ereaders. Will book bloggers still be playing a role in directing readers toward books, or will the “new” new thing have come along by then making bloggers irrelevant?

It is an interesting, exciting and frightening time for all of us who love books, love the printed word, who love sharing these things with others who appreciate the same. The only thing that I’m convinced of, is that “change is the only thing that stays the same.”

By: Terry Doherty

Terry Doherty — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:27:00 +0000

Okay, I’m too excited to be quiet … I am going to get to hear you guys at BEA! I’ll keep my eyes open, but if there’s an interest in doing something kidlit one day/evening … I’m happy to help organize.

By: Debbie

Debbie — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:59:41 +0000

I’d be interested in finding out what publishers look for in bloggers they want to work with and for a relatively new blogger how they can form contacts in the industry.

Also what do publishers look for in a review.

Have fun! I wish I could go but no one to watch my daughter

By: Tasses

Tasses — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:45:54 +0000

Wow! Congrats! I am so jealous. I’d really like to go to BEA, but don’t see it happening

I think most of my questions have been covered already, but I’d like to touch on a couple things:

1. I notice Lorin, up there, mentioned that the only people reading her blog are other book bloggers. This is how I feel. I work really hard on my reviews and often wonder who really cares. Which leads me to….

2. I don’t like linking to Amazon, and have made $8 in 2 years, but I feel like I need something for all the time I put into my blog/reviews. Yeah, I sometimes get a free book, but it’s starting to feel more like unpaid labor and it’s also taking some of the fun out of reading. I wish there was a way to turn my blog & my passion for reading into a more gainful investment.

And that, for anyone who has read my personal blog, is a question I’ve been dancing with for going on three years….

Anyway, have a great time! NYC is amazing.