Backstage Blogging: Part 1

Welcome to the Backstage Blogging! 

So what is Backstage Blogging…. well it’s a way for you to see behind the blog, to find out what makes a blogger tick. More or less, why exactly we do the things that we do. (Plus it’s also a way for me to promote some awesome blogs in the process!)

I know as a book blogger I want to be a perceptive blogger. I want to know the easiest and most comprehensive way of doing things. I want to learn from my peers and have my peers learn something worthwhile from me. Essentially I want to get into the mind of another blogger and by doing so, I think we can all learn something from each other. It’s not just the bloggers that have been blogging for years that have all the answers, the new bloggers are just as knowledgeable at times.

Backstage Blogging will be broken up into two different sections. I have a group of newbie bloggers that have just started in their blogging adventure and a group of more established bloggers. I’ll be asking the newbie bloggers a question, followed by a counter question to the more established bloggers. Basically your get some insight from those starting out and vice versa. And, I think as one blogger to another, you are really going to enjoy the insight! (Although I could be wrong…. but I do really hope you enjoy it. Backstage Blogging was inspired by and developed with help from Susan of Waterpaper Prose)


Today I have a group of fifteen bloggers that have been blogging for under six months. Later on I will have another post of fifteen bloggers, that will conclude the “newbie” section of Backstage Blogging. Later in the month I’ll be featuring thirty bloggers from established blogs, concluding the first part of Backstage Blogging.

“What do you hope to accomplish with your book blog beyond sharing your love of literature?”

Other then sharing literature and love with my fellow book lovers who totally get me 100% I hope to encourage. There is nothing better then when someone begins to read through your encouragement. To encourage those unlike ourselves (as we feed the passion on a daily basis) maybe they haven’t picked up a book since school, maybe they have never bothered or maybe its to rekindle a lost passion either way if i can get them to pick up a book and begin to read then I’m happy. After all reading is better for the brain and the soul ;o)

Besides sharing my love of books with other people around the globe, I really like to focus of helping out authors old and new. That’s why I do take on blog tours and sometimes even organize some! I want to be able to make a difference in a author’s life, make there book to exposed to a lot of people who wouldn’t have known it existed! I love talking to authors and helping them, so it makes me so happy to help them out in any way I can! Whether it’s interviews, book features, giveaways, I really hope I can introduce some debut authors and new books to people who haven’t heard of it

-Harmony of Radiant Reads

I want to be able to have a active role in helping to promote authors. If i can help one author achieve their dreams i will be over the moon into the gaga land of happiness. I’ve found that in blogging i’m able to connect and talk to people who love the same things as me, i want to meet even more amazingly awesome people and learn how to better my own writing. I’ve always been extremely shy so blogging for me, where i am right now on a personal level is an all time high. I’m meeting people, helping authors, writing even more then i ever thought possible and however small the effect might be at the moment, i’m still effecting people, getting a response and knowing that other people are enjoying what i’m putting out there. I want to have an even bigger effect and hopefully not get a full head if i accomplish it :)

-Khadija of Black Fingernailed Reviews

I just want to continue to discuss books with people who love reading. Most of my friends would rather face a dragon than read about one, so being able to have conversations with people who love words as much as I do is friggin’ awesome! Also, I have very strong opinions and having a place to share them is amazing. I love blogging and hope to be able to just keep doing what I’m doing.

When I first started my blog, I was mostly focused on sharing my thoughts on the books I read. Over the last few months, upon participating in the Debut Author Challenge, I’ve realized I love spreading the word about new authors. Some of them write the best books I’ve read, and they go almost unnoticed because their names aren’t recognized. I’d like to do my part in changing that!

Besides sharing the love of literature, I’d like to meet new friends who also love reading :) Also, I think it’s a great way to practice my English.

-Gaby of Oh My Books!

I work at a public library and spend a lot of time at the reference desk. Readers advisory to adults and teens is an important part of the job. I hope my blog will challenge me to read books outside of my comfort zone and learn more about current and upcoming titles that our patrons might enjoy. I think writing reviews will help me become better at discussing books with patrons and giving booktalks. I also hope that my blog readers will be inspired to pick up books they may have passed over before. Finally, I hope my blog readers are encouraged to visit their local libraries and discover local authors. I love blogging about the great things going on at my library, and I started “Hoosier Author Week” on my blog this summer, which I plan to repeat every year in order to highlight great authors from Indiana.

-Taryn of Super Librarian

My name is Alison and I am a conflicted introvert. I am happiest alone, whether that time is spent shopping or reading. Yet at the same time, I yearn to share my thoughts and interests, from an adorable skirt to the latest story that’s captured my imagination. Blogging is the perfect way to mesh my solitary interests with an active community. Reading is one of my greatest passions. I love nothing more than curling up on the couch or on a bench in the mid-morning sun with my iPod and a good book. With a book blog, I can share my love for books with hundreds of people around the world and receive knowledge tenfold in return. I’ve discovered more books in the past few months of blogging than I have on my own in years. And my own creative juices have been reinvigorated. Such a rich world I’ve come across! As a beginning blogger, I’ve only brushed the edges. I can’t wait to see what’s to come.

-Alison of Alison Can Read

I base a lot of my book buys on blog recommendations and I know that a lot of blogs don’t like to give negative reviews, so I want to share completely honest reviews, to give readers a chance to see the other side of the coin before they buy a book just based on hype alone. And another part may be my ego – I want to get recognition for the copious amounts of books I read! :)

I hope that people will read the reviews on my blog and get inspired to pick up a book they wouldn’t have otherwise tried. I love it when people don’t limit themselves to one genre, so I want to be the reason someone tries something different.

-Allison of The Allure of Books

I would like to become less shy because of it and find other bookworms to talk to about books (none of my friends read much right now so any conversation about books is like a one-sided conversation-they don’t know what to say back). But mainly, I just want to have fun! I started my blog because I wanted to have something fun to do. So having fun definitely tops the list.

I hope to have readers take a deeper look into the story they are reading. Who is the author? How did this story come about? When I find a book that I love, these are the questions I ask and search for answers to. I check out the authors site, blog or twitter and start following along. I like to know the back story behind the book and the person who wrote it. I also love a beautifully written book, which is why I highlight this with “language love” on my blog. My favorite thing to do is get lost in the language of a good book.

-Meaghan of A Bookworms Haven

My main reason for starting a book blog was just to get my ideas out there in cyberspace, and also to keep track of what I read. It’s a way to be social and interact with other people with a similar love of books, since I don’t have much time to do that in the “real world”. Since my dream is to become I writer, I also hope this is a way for me to practice getting my ideas out there and practice writing about them, and maybe one day if I ever write a book, I’ll have a lot of online fans willing to read it! I also hope to get copies of books from publishers or authors because the fact that they want me to review their book would be like saying, my opinion counts, and I’m actually helping someone in the real world get their book promoted. How cool is that?

I hope that my blog will help me network and discuss books and other bookish things with my fellow bloggers and authors. I’d also like to convince people to pick up a book they might never have looked at otherwise. I’ve picked up several books that I may not have found on my own because of a positive review shared by another blogger. I think it’s fantastic when people go outside of their comfort zones periodically in reading, because it can lead to newly acquired knowledge and opinions, or a new favorite book. That may not always be the result, but when it is, it’s awesome!

There is something beyond sharing love for YA literature? Haha. I love my blog because it gives me an outlet to totally gush like a crazy fan girl when I’ve just read something amazing. I want people to know about these books and to read them, too! I also really love telling other Aussie’s where to get a good bargain because our books can be way over priced. Another thing is sharing the love for all those amazing cover artists out there who have designed fabulous, drool-worthy cover art for our beloved YA books.

-Emma Kate of Whats Cracking Coops

Related posts:

  1. Blogging Tips/Advice/Etiquette (and a tiny rant…. sort of)
  2. How do you get all those BOOKS? Part Two
  3. What do you think about…. (Part Two)
  4. A Story Siren Exclusive (Part Four)

53 comments to Backstage Blogging: Part 1

  • Summer Ross

    This is a really neat idea!

  • Summer Ross

    This is a really neat idea!

  • Ladybug

    What a great idea, Kirsti. I really admire your creativity when it comes to blogging and creating new features :)

    Thanks to all the bloggers who shared their thoughts, it was very interesting to read.

  • thebookfairyhaven

    This is such a fantastic idea. So glad you're featuring newbies and more established bloggers. I can't wait to read part 2.

  • PapeRDoLL

    very interesting post, Kristi. Now I want part two C;

  • Ladybug

    What a great idea, Kirsti. I really admire your creativity when it comes to blogging and creating new features :)

    Thanks to all the bloggers who shared their thoughts, it was very interesting to read.

  • thebookfairyhaven

    This is such a fantastic idea. So glad you're featuring newbies and more established bloggers. I can't wait to read part 2.

  • PapeRDoLL

    very interesting post, Kristi. Now I want part two C;

  • Tina (Book Couture)

    Those are all fantastic reasons, and a good read – thank you for taking the time to interview and collate these responses!

    Tina

  • emilyandherlittlepinknotes.com

    Love this Feature. I used to be a silent lurker and then I started my own blog, it's great because those few readers I have are getting to know me and the best books I read in the last three months were all recommended by them…in a purely selfish way blogging rocks!

  • Tina (Book Couture)

    Those are all fantastic reasons, and a good read – thank you for taking the time to interview and collate these responses!

    Tina

  • Darlyn

    A very great idea! I love to know other book's blogger =)

  • emilyandherlittlepinknotes.com

    Love this Feature. I used to be a silent lurker and then I started my own blog, it's great because those few readers I have are getting to know me and the best books I read in the last three months were all recommended by them…in a purely selfish way blogging rocks!

  • Darlyn

    A very great idea! I love to know other book's blogger =)

  • Jamie

    Awesome idea! I love learning more about other bloggers! Can't wait for part 2!

  • Jamie

    Awesome idea! I love learning more about other bloggers! Can't wait for part 2!

  • Chapter Chicks

    Thanks for such an amazing feature! I am such a blog lurker and you've given me so many more blogs I had no idea existed! :)

  • Chapter Chicks

    Thanks for such an amazing feature! I am such a blog lurker and you've given me so many more blogs I had no idea existed! :)

  • Sierra ~The Reading Chic!~

    If you are planning to do another one of these, I have been blogging for under six months, so I would be more than happy to share some stuff about me… (:

    Email me if you are interested-
    thereadingchic@gmail.com

  • Sierra ~The Reading Chic!~

    If you are planning to do another one of these, I have been blogging for under six months, so I would be more than happy to share some stuff about me… (:

    Email me if you are interested-
    thereadingchic@gmail.com

  • Into The Morning Reads

    Amazing idea here. It's refreshing to read about others who are on the same page as each other AND me. Thank you for organizing this. I can't wait for future installments!

  • Savannah

    Love this post. All great wonderful bloggers :)

  • Audra

    Brilliant feature, and you accomplished your goal — I now have a long list of new blogs to read, and I'm learning (being a new blogger myself).

    I appreciate the effort you put into this — thank you!

  • Into The Morning Reads

    Amazing idea here. It's refreshing to read about others who are on the same page as each other AND me. Thank you for organizing this. I can't wait for future installments!

  • Savannah

    Love this post. All great wonderful bloggers :)

  • Audra

    Brilliant feature, and you accomplished your goal — I now have a long list of new blogs to read, and I'm learning (being a new blogger myself).

    I appreciate the effort you put into this — thank you!

  • Jenny

    Fantastic idea Kristi! It's so much fun to get to know other bloggers and see what everyone is looking to accomplish with their posts and reviews. Looking forward to reading more from the new group and the experienced group.

  • Jenny

    Fantastic idea Kristi! It's so much fun to get to know other bloggers and see what everyone is looking to accomplish with their posts and reviews. Looking forward to reading more from the new group and the experienced group.

  • Melina

    Great post! I love that every answer is so different.

  • Khadija

    I loved all the answers :) Glad i got to be a part of this and i can't wait to read the next post :)

  • Melina

    Great post! I love that every answer is so different.

  • Khadija

    I loved all the answers :) Glad i got to be a part of this and i can't wait to read the next post :)

  • teach8bookblog.blogspot.com

    In the slew of blogs about YA books out there, I'm so glad I found yours through twitter. It is helping inspire and guide me as I started my own YA book reviews blog for my 8th grade students this month in prepping for the school year to start. It seems as if everyone has inspiring reasons for blogging, for oneself and others in relation to sharing what they've read. To me, that is the true power of books and reading.

    I'd love to share my thoughts with you as a new blogger if you're ever in need of more. @mrsheisefpms

  • Kiki Hamilton

    What a great idea Kristi! I love getting to meet the bloggers behind the blogs – so to speak. I usually read your posts on an email feed so don't comment, but I liked this so much I wanted to pop over and say so! I look forward to the next batch.

  • teach8bookblog.blogspot.com

    In the slew of blogs about YA books out there, I'm so glad I found yours through twitter. It is helping inspire and guide me as I started my own YA book reviews blog for my 8th grade students this month in prepping for the school year to start. It seems as if everyone has inspiring reasons for blogging, for oneself and others in relation to sharing what they've read. To me, that is the true power of books and reading.

    I'd love to share my thoughts with you as a new blogger if you're ever in need of more. @mrsheisefpms

  • Kiki Hamilton

    What a great idea Kristi! I love getting to meet the bloggers behind the blogs – so to speak. I usually read your posts on an email feed so don't comment, but I liked this so much I wanted to pop over and say so! I look forward to the next batch.

  • Missie

    This is definitely one of the best posts ever! I love the idea of bloggers sharing the inside outs of what works for them, and why they do what they do. It definitely goes beyond a love for books! It is about exploration and learning!

    Its good to know a lot of book blogger have the same motivations in mind.

    Thanks for this post! You have introduced me to some great, new blogs!

  • Missie

    This is definitely one of the best posts ever! I love the idea of bloggers sharing the inside outs of what works for them, and why they do what they do. It definitely goes beyond a love for books! It is about exploration and learning!

    Its good to know a lot of book blogger have the same motivations in mind.

    Thanks for this post! You have introduced me to some great, new blogs!

  • Cara

    I loved reading everyone else's answers and am so excited to be a part of this. Thanks Kristi!

  • Cara

    I loved reading everyone else's answers and am so excited to be a part of this. Thanks Kristi!

  • Nova

    Hi Kristi, I love the idea of this series and I have a question: how'd you choose the bloggers? Did you have any criteria or you just liked the blogs?

  • the story siren

    SO GLAD that everyone is enjoying this!!!

    Nova, i had an open call for new bloggers several months ago… didn't tell them what it was about… had over 100 entries. picked 30 of those.

  • Nova

    Hi Kristi, I love the idea of this series and I have a question: how'd you choose the bloggers? Did you have any criteria or you just liked the blogs?

  • the story siren

    SO GLAD that everyone is enjoying this!!!

    Nova, i had an open call for new bloggers several months ago… didn't tell them what it was about… had over 100 entries. picked 30 of those.

  • Cat @ Beyond Books

    Finally get to read this! Stupid work! Great post and I am so happy to discover new blogs, too! I am very happy you're doing these posts!

  • Cat @ Beyond Books

    Finally get to read this! Stupid work! Great post and I am so happy to discover new blogs, too! I am very happy you're doing these posts!

  • Pixie

    Oops, cant believe I missed this last week. I was so looking forward to this- thanks for putting it all together Kristi.

  • Pixie

    Oops, cant believe I missed this last week. I was so looking forward to this- thanks for putting it all together Kristi.

  • S.F. Robertson

    So glad this is going well Kristi!

  • S.F. Robertson

    So glad this is going well Kristi!

  • Black Disaster Fairy

    This is an amazing post. I really enjoyed reading about how others feel.

    Honestly, I never really thought of blogging as intimidating. I know what I want to say and blogging is sort of me time. But the hard part (and still is) getting followers and having them comment more often then not. Everyone is busy. So, in that aspect we are all competing against each other.

    Black Disaster Fairy

    literarydaydreams.blogspot.com
    wickedsexybooks.blogspot.com

  • Black Disaster Fairy

    This is an amazing post. I really enjoyed reading about how others feel.

    Honestly, I never really thought of blogging as intimidating. I know what I want to say and blogging is sort of me time. But the hard part (and still is) getting followers and having them comment more often then not. Everyone is busy. So, in that aspect we are all competing against each other.

    Black Disaster Fairy

    literarydaydreams.blogspot.com
    wickedsexybooks.blogspot.com

  • [...] a group of fifteen bloggers that have been blogging for under six months. Last week I featured a different group of fifteen bloggers, these two groups will conclude the “newbie” section of Backstage Blogging. Later in [...]