Blogging about Blogging!!

May 27, 2011 Leave a Comment
Today is the final day of Armchair BEA! How sad, right? It went by so fast I can’t believe its over. I had tons of fun and it was a great experience! 
Today the topic up for discussion is Blogging. How you do it, how you maintain the balance between life and blogging, Networking, etc. This is a topic that every blogger deals with and that is how to make their blogger better. Having a blog and maintaing that blog takes time and continuous effort. 
What I have learned since I started Just One More Chapter in November 2009 is first to be yourself. This seems so obvious but so many people have issues with this. Don’t read books or force yourself to read books that you have no interest in just because they were free. 
If it’s not fun don’t do it! Blogging and reading are supposed to be fun if they stop being fun then you need to take a break, step away and refocus yourself. 
Network!! Use everything possible that you can to meet other bloggers, readers, etc. Twitter, facebook, Book Blogs Ning, participating in memes. Get out there comment on other peoples blogs when you read a post! However, remember that once you put it out on the internet it is out there forever so be professional and respectful. 
The major thing to remember is that it’s not about the free books. Don’t expect them, don’t rely on them and especially don’t start a blog for them. Your book blog should expose your love for reading and books. It should open your readers up to new books that they possibly wouldn’t have considered reading until they read your review. 
Be professional, constructive and above all this may be a hobby for you but it is business for the authors and publishers. 
Filed Under: BEA

Nurturing Book Blogging Relationships

May 26, 2011 3 Comments

Today’s post on Armchair BEA is about “Nurturing Book Blogging Relationships.” This is a great topic to discuss. I love learning about the ways other bloggers run things so that I can change or improve the way I am doing things. So here are my thoughts on the various points. I am by far not an expert or pretend to be this is what works for me.

1. Post about a relationship you’ve formed with a particular publisher, author, blogger, or bookstore.

Bloggers: I’ve met some really great book bloggers since I have began blogging. The best way I have found to meet other bloggers and find other blogs are through the various Memes out there. The first Meme I got involved with was Book Blogger Hop at Crazy-for-Books.com. I then got involved with others such as Waiting on Wednesday, In My Mailbox, and On My Wishlist. These are all great ways to meet other bloggers plus learn about new books.

Authors: I’ve had a few authors contact me for review requests and in the beginning I was shocked and didn’t know how to respond. I then found my voice and responded and accepted a few books that sparked interest. After I finished reading the book and posted my review I immediately emailed the author to let them know that the review is up. I say the best advice when dealing with authors, publishers, etc. is to be polite and professional even if you didn’t find their book appealing. If you maintain your professional attitude they will come back and spread the word.

2. What are your tips to other bloggers?

My tips to other bloggers especially if your just starting out is take your time don’t rush into anything and try to request ARCs in your first month. Try to build up your content first participate in Memes and get your name and your blog out there.

When and if you choose to contact authors and publishers remember to be polite and professional. Another thing to remember is patience. If an author or publisher does not respond right away do not pester or harass them give them the time they need, they are busy!!

Always remember you might be blogging about books for fun and your enjoyment but to authors and publishers it is still a business therefore you should act in a business like manner.

What are your best tips for nurturing book blogging relationships??

Filed Under: BEA

Interview with Suey at It’s All About Books

May 25, 2011 5 Comments

Welcome to Day #3 of Armchair BEA. We’ve talked about me, my favorite books this year, what I am looking forward to, and a giveaway!!  Today you will get to know another book blogger.  I bring to you today an interview with Suey from It’s All About Books. It was so great to get to know Suey! I love meeting new people and building new friendships!! 
One of the most interesting things I learned about Suey from her site is that she is a mother of 4. I don’t know how she finds the time to read! Hopefully I can learn something from her since I will be expecting my first in August!! 
So here are the questions: 

How would you describe your blog in 140 characters or less?
My blog is “mostly” all about books especially what I think about what I’m reading, with a few thoughts on movies, TV, music and kids thrown in!
What type of books would you say you read the most?
About half of what I read is YA… the other half is a mix of literary fiction, fantasy, classics and a smattering of nonfiction.
What is your favorite book you have read this year?
Probably The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I also really enjoyed Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson.
What is your favorite book of all time?
There’s so many I could put as my all time favorite! But for the most part when asked this question I say The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It has a powerful message told in such a unique and moving way.

Where are you from? How did you end up there?
I’m in Utah! And I ended up here because my family is all here I suppose, but really, we STAYED here because after we were married, my husband got a job offer (from the late great WordPerfect) that  could not be refused.
What is your favorite food?
Pretty much anything that’s bad for you! Things like ice cream and chocolate and all the baked goodies. If given a choice on a type of restaurant to go to, I’d probably pick Italian and then order the most fattening creamy thing on the menu.
What are your favorite things to do other than reading?
I really enjoy watching TV and going to the movies. I also have dabbled in quilting, but that was mostly pre-blogging days.  Travelling is another passion that I don’t get to do often, but when I do I love to be in the car seeing off the beaten path sorts of places. I also love music and going to concerts and Broadway shows.
Where is your favorite place to read?
It’s a toss up between lying in bed, and sitting on the couch in our living room.
I see you’re a mother of 4 how do you find time to read?
Good question and I have no idea. I didn’t read a lot when they were little, and have often said that the 90s were my lost decade of reading! I read between things, while I’m waiting for them, at lessons, in the car, etc. I read a lot on the weekends and always, without fail, for an hour or so at night.
Where is your favorite place to travel to?
Going to England was awesome! I also loved traveling down the Oregon Coast. But the place we go to every year is camping at a mountain lake about an hour or so away from our house. It’s so peaceful there!
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
I think Europe would have to top the list. Though I would love to go back to Britain and spend a ton more time there, I think before I do that, I’d love to see all that mainland Europe has to offer.
How did your blog start? What would you say your main reason for blogging is?
I was part of some online book groups and everyone started talking about their blogs where they kept track of their reading challenges. In 2006 I started a personal blog at Yahoo 360, and talked books a bit there, but no one talked back, so finally in 2007 I decided to start my own book blog to connect with those book club members and check out the challenges. I had NO IDEA what sort of community was out here and it’s been fun to be a part of it.
So my main reason for blogging is to connect with other book lovers, to share my passion for reading and to have a creative outlet for all the weird thoughts in my head.
What is one piece of advice you would give to new bloggers?

I have a friend who recently started and I told her to visit and comment on other blogs, respond to comments on her own blog,  be consistent in posting, and be yourself.

If nothing were in your way would you go to BEA?
I would like to think I would. I would probably need to find a friend to go with, or drag my husband along. I’m not likely to do something like that alone, though I know so many do! But the timing of this event makes me think I might not ever get the chance… it’s really hard to take off right at the end of school  when there’s so many kid things happening.
What inspired your love of reading?
I think my dad had a lot to do with it because I remember him taking me to the library and helping me learn the art of picking random books from the shelf. My grandpa is also a big reader and we had many book discussions. Books that had a big impact on my love of reading were The Little House books, The Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew…. for starters anyway.
How do you inspire your children to read?
I think by just being an example. They see how much fun I have doing it, so they want to join in. Now that they are older, it’s fun to read and talk books together. They’ve gone with me to many author events and they are getting the bug…. most of them anyway!
Thanks Suey for a great interview!!! 
Filed Under: BEA, Interview

Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop

May 25, 2011 11 Comments

Welcome to the Splash into Summer Giveaway Hop hosted by Kathi at I am a Reader, Not a Writer! There will be over 300 blogs participating in the Giveaway Hop. At the bottom of this post is a linky to all participating blogs. This hop will last from May 24th to May 31st.

Here at Just One More Chapter we will be giving away $15 worth of books from The Book Depository. That’s right if you win you get to tell me any books that you would like!

I will contact the winner first through email and then announce the winner by June 2nd.

If you would like to enter please fill out the form below!

Rules:
1. You must be a follower to enter
2. You must be 13 years or older
3. Open to residents of any country that The Book Depository ships to
4. The last day to enter is 11:59 on May 31st, 2011

If you have any questions or issues feel free to email me at justonemorechapter@hotmail.com.

Filed Under: Giveaway
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