Discussion Post ~ Bloggers Beware of Unprofessional Authors (AKA Authors handing out Book Blogger Smackdown!?)

NOTE: I will be adding my extremely personal thoughts on this at the end of this post. It does seem that all hell has broken loose in the book blogging community again.  Not good peeps! I've been going through my google reader and I've been reading all these horror stories about all the hell that's being unleashed on us "unprofessional reviewers*" (AKA Book Bloggers).  The post that I just linked to is written by an author who had a couple of bad reviews of posted about her book and had the nerve to "call out" two book blogs (Book Binge and Chick Lit Plus).  On top of that the author (Sylvia Massara) had this to say about book bloggers: "Oftentimes, the people who set up these kinds of blogs have never written a thing in their lives, except maybe a grocery list. Most are avid readers who think they are qualified to review someone else’s work. So it’s very sad when they go about damaging the image of upcoming small press and indie authors with the rubbish they write." I think that this post was EXTREMELY unprofessional and I think that the two blogs that were called out in this post responded in a professional manner and put the facts out there for their readers to see and read.  If you want to check out their responses Book Binge had this to say and Chick Lit Plus had this to say. Ah, and then we get to the good stuff....How In My Mailbox** is to quote the unnamed author “those "in my mailbox" posts represent everything that's wrong with the whole scene. It's all about status and swag.”  Then there's the whole book bloggers don't sell books/shouldn't be given ARC's/and how we're only in it for the free books.  Seriously, I have some pretty serious thoughts on all of this.....which your about to read. 

MY THOUGHTS:

 I saw all these posts and I was deeply troubled by all of this.  For a while now I've been struggling with my book blogging (if you hadn't noticed from my lack of posting).  I feel that it has turned into a job and I already have one of those.  I know that this is mostly my fault and I asked for it when I decided to start 2 additional book blogs.  But getting back on point...All of this negativity has really troubled me. I just don't understand how an author could go so far as to attack a blogger on a VERY public form of media known as the INTERNET!  That is completely classless and trashy on their part.  Sure we as book bloggers don't always write glowing reviews of everything that we read.  It happens.  Life isn't all sunshine and happiness.  Put on your big girl/boy under ware and get over it. JMHO. I don't know about anyone else out there but I think that In My Mailbox is a pretty AWESOME meme.  I don't always get to participate but even if I don't I always find more books to add to my wish list when I go through my google reader.  Honestly, I look forward to In My Mailbox...even if I don't get to participate.  It makes me happy to see all those bloggers out there gushing with happiness over the books they got in the mail, from the library or just went out and bought.  FOR KRISTI~ Party on Kristi!  I think it is very unfair to say that book bloggers don't sell books.  I think that there are enough of us out there that anyone who comes across some one's review either intentionally or accidentally that we might influence a book buyers decision.  I know that before I started book blogging I came across some review blogs for a couple of books that I was considering buying and reading the reviews helped me to make my decision.  For another blogger's opinion on book bloggers and their impact click here OR to read an author's take on book blogger's check out this post.  I was extremely offended when I found that many people believe that we book bloggers are only in it for the free books and ARC's.  I don't know about anyone else but I spend more money and time buying books or checking them out of the library or swapping them on Paperbackswap.com than I spend trying to coherse a book out of an author.  Actually, I've NEVER approached an author about getting a copy of their book and I am only occasionally contacted with review requests.  Maybe there are bloggers out there who are fishing for "free books."  I am NOT one of them. So I am going to conclude this post before I turn it into a full length novel.  Though I do have 1 message for all the haters out there.....Hell Hath No Fury Like Book Blogger's Scorned.  *Found in a post posted by Jeremy West of Novel Thoughts**Found in a post posted by Kristi of The Story Siren



Discussion Post - Sharing the "wealth"

I was going through my google reader this morning (which is a very scary place right now because I haven't checked it all week) and I found a post that I was inspired by to write this post.  I've been blogging for a little over a year now and then I've gone into this "dark place" when it comes to blogging.  Mainly in the way of feeling like a REALLY small fish in a UBER HUGE pond. So here I go on my tangent/I just don't understand/WTF's the deal post...... After reading the post that I was inspired by, I got to thinking the same thought that the original blogger was thinking...."Why am I not good enough?"  I've been blogging for a while and I was UBER stoked when I got my first review request when I was just an "infant" in book blogging land and then I got my next request and I was even more stoked.  Now I'm up over 400 followers and I get a few requests here and there...which honestly is probably a good thing because of how HUGE my TBR mountain is....and I'm wondering what a blogger has to do to be part of the "cool kid" club?  You know the club where you get the "coveted" ARC's and blog tour invites coming out your ears and authors beating down your door to get their book on your blog? Why aren't the publishing companies/authors/agents/whoever else is involved in the process of getting books out there and noticed spreading the "wealth" around?  Now I know that even the "big fish" of book blogging don't always get the ARC's and other book related "stuff" that they would LOVE to have.  And I know that when publishing companies/authors/agents/whoever else is involved in the process of getting books out there are looking for avenues to get certain books out there and recognized they don't want to send a request to someone who's been blogging for a week.  I know that there are some "rules" to go along with this hobby of ours.  I guess I just had a better understanding of what those "rules" are?  Why are smaller bloggers being passed over?  Is it because we have lives and don't devote our entire existence to our blogs?  Do we not have enough followers?  Not enough comments? Not enough reviews? What's the deal?  Honestly, when I see that one of my bloggy pals has gotten a review copy of a book that I requested and got turned down for, I get jealous and a little cranky.  I know it's not that blogger's fault but it just sends me into a "dark place" where I once again start questioning myself/my blogs and wondering why I'm not good enough. Personally, I've started using netgalley as a way to try and read some of the upcoming releases.  So far I've been pretty lucky on there. I've considered joining tour sites but since I've divided my reviewing up into 3 blogs now I'm worried that because my 2 new blogs don't have enough followers and haven't been active long enough I'll be rejected. So what's a "small fish" to do?  Start a tour/support group for smaller bloggers (I'm game by the way, email me if you are)? "Tap out" (sorry for the wrestling reference) and be resigned to the fact that you may never be part of the "cool kid" club?  I don't know.  Personally, since I've started my other 2 blogs I've been working on blogging more for myself than for anyone else (I've been really bad at this for a long time).  I work a full time job, 3rd shift (so most of the daylight hours are spent sleeping for me), on my days off I try to actually get things accomplished, so my reading time is precious. Hence why The Bookshelf has been kinda quiet for a while.  That and we're in full on wedding mode until it finally happens on Wednesday.  So now that you now what I'm thinking I'm going to sign off and try and visit some blogs. 

When a Bad Review goes to far....

The other day I was going through my google reader and I came across a Bad Review for the book Nevermore by Kelly Creagh.  I was upset and thoroughly disgusted with this review because I felt that the person who wrote it was making a big joke out of the author's work.  Comparing this book to other books or characters that they didn't like was in my opinion tasteless.  Sure if done in the right context making those comparisons is a good thing but this was NOT the right context at all. I'm not going to say who wrote this horrible mockery of a review but I will say this....I have viewed the two reviews that were linked in the post and both of those were written in a "hey let's make fun of this book/series" way. 

I thought the point of reading and posting these reviews is to not only post our honest feelings about the book whether they be good or bad feelings.  But in addition to posting our feelings I thought the point of reading and posting reviews was to find some sort of good even if you really don't like the book your reviewing.  I didn't realize that it was "OK" form to make a big joke out of some one's work, but in this case it seems to be a rare yet almost celebrated thing.

I guess my questions to you are: Have you ever come across a bad review that you thought was done in a "not so great" fashion?  Did you say or do anything when you come across reviews like this? If you have to write a bad review how do you go about the process? 

 

Discussion Post - Genre Hopping?

Everybody has their favorite genre of book to read right? Some like the paranormal, some like romance, some like true crime....I could go on and on....but I won't. Me, I have pretty ecclectic tastes....If you hadn't figured that out all ready. I like a little bit of everything. If you look in the right hand corner of my blog to see what I'm currently reading (as of this posting) you will see that I am reading a book about Quanah Parker, earlier this year I read a book written by a porn star. Since starting my book blog and recieving review requests from authors, publishers, agents, etc. I have really started going outside my comfort zones and trying new genres.

Like for example, up until I started my book blog I had never read a thriller, much less a medical thriller. I didn't even now that the "medical thriller" sub-genre even exsisted. I guess change really is a good thing!

I know that there are many bloggers out there that like to stick to certain genre's on their blogs....which is totally awesome by the way, but my questions for you are: Do you have a strict genre(s) that you stick to? or are you a little bit like me and like to go outside your comfort zone and read a little bit of everything?

State of The Blog Address ~ I Triple Dog Dare You!

I've been going through some of the back log that is my google reader and I've come across several posts about the current "condition" of the book blogging community. I've noticed it while I've been out and about visiting people as well and it saddens me that something that is supposed to be fun has turned into something, that in some cases, that is nasty and very un-fun. So in advance I would like to thank Becky from The Bookette for her Honesty post, McKenzie from The Book Owl for her Blogger Relations post, Staysi at Lost in Ink for her observations post, and In Which A Girl Reads for her posts here, and here.

So here it is....The State of the Blog Address:

I started book blogging way back in September of 2009 (which really isn't all that long ago) so I'm not really a new blogger but I'm not really an "old" blogger either. The thing that I LOVED about joining this community was that I was expressing my love for a hobby with other book bloggers out there all over the world. I wanted to read, review and post as many books as I possibly could. I wanted to gather followers as fast as I possibly could. I wanted everyone to like me.

But now that I've been blogging for a while now I have come to realize some things, some of them good, some of them bad and some them are just plain UGLY:

1. You don't gather followers faster than the speed of light. If you are a new blogger who is reading this...It's true. In the beginning I started to follow blogs just hoping that maybe they would follow me back...In some cases yes that did happen, but in MANY that was NOT the case. It takes time and a little elbow grease to develop a committed readership. In all honesty, recently I have taken to COMPLETELY IGNORING the number of followers I have. I really don't blog to gather followers...I blog because it is and should be a fun HOBBY.

2. Keeping it REAL can lead to GREAT discussion. I came across a comment while I was reading one of the posts on the subject at hand, where the blogger was afraid to post an honest opinion of the books they were reading because they didn't want someone to disagree with them and start a "conflict." In the beginning I was like this too, but I quickly said "nuts to this" and started keeping it REAL. If I don't like a book I say "hey I didn't like the book" but I give reasons why I didn't like the book. If I LOVE/LIKED a book I say "hey I really liked this book" and I give reasons why. By keeping it real you can start some really interesting discussions about all sorts of different types of books.

3. Don't post just to post. I did this in the beginning and I think in the long run it hurt me. I was reading, reviewing and posting reviews just to get them posted and I can honestly say that I have learned from that mistake. If your going to blog about books, then blog about books YOU feel are blog worthy. If your going to participate in meme's do them because you enjoy them and just as a reason to get another post out there. If you've got nothing, it's ok NOT to post. In the long run posting just to post WILL burn you out. 4. Don't follow blogs just to follow blogs. This is one that I can say I am VERY guilty of. I am currently following close to 300 blogs. I bet you can only imagine what my google reader looks like?!...Trust me it's a very scary place right now. JUST DON'T DO IT! 5. Since when are new bloggers NOT worth the effort and why is it assumed that they are just in it for the "FREE BOOKS and ARC's"? This would be one of those "just plain ugly" things I've observed recently. We all were new bloggers at some point! I bet there are a bunch of new bloggers out there who don't even know that there are such things as "free books and ARC's" and are just blogging because they enjoy it and want to share what they like and don't like with the rest of us. New bloggers are MOST definately worth the effort. I've just recently found a couple of blogs that I am now following who are new bloggers and I LOVE what they have to say. We ALL love encouragement so why aren't we encouraging new bloggers? Why are we assuming the worst about them? Ok, so I don't turn this into a big ole "we suck and must be punished" post I am going to stop right there with my observations and tell you what I am going to do about it here on my blog and THEN I am going to go and issue a challenge...Just cause it's my blog and I can do that sort of thing on my blog. Recently, I have found that posting has turned into a second "job" for me. I've already got one of those and really don't need another one thank you very much. So from now on I'm only going to post when I have something to say or a really awesome photo that I took and I want to share with you. So yes, there will be LESS posting in the future but it should be about quality and NOT quantity right? Because I'm following close to 300 blogs I will be going through and unfriending some. I NEED to get myself down to a manageable number...It sucks logging into my google reader and finding I have over 1000 unread posts (trust me it has happened). If I do unfriend you it's not because I don't enjoy your blog...I just need to get things under better control around here. If you feel the need to unfriend me that is unfortunate but I won't hold it against you either...We've all got to do what we've got to do sometimes. I'm only going to participate in meme's that interest me. I'm not going to post just to have a post up. I hope this one is pretty self explanatory.
Now that I will be following less blogs I am hoping that this will give me more time to get out there and comment. I'm sure that some of you have noticed that I don't comment very often. There is a reason for this....I'm feeling overwhelmed. I am here to encourage new bloggers. If your a new blogger, drop me an e-mail (it's right up there near the top, under the goodreads and bookmooch widgets) if you want...I check it religiously and I promise to get back to you....it doesn't even have to be book related. Making new friends is ALWAYS fun. If you have questions about blogging feel free to approach me...I'm no expert but I can share what has worked for me with you. If your an older blogger, drop me an e-mail if you want. Again making new friends is always fun. Who doesn't like getting an e-mail that just says "hey have a great day!"? I an open to constructive critisim when it comes to my blog but please know that if you are rude, malicious or nasty I will respond in the same fashion. My blog is my space to say what I want and on MY blog turn about is fair play. (Not trying to be rude, nasty or mean. Just honest.) I'm on Twitter, Goodreads, Bookmooch and many different Ning groups too. I really don't think that there is anyone that I haven't friended. Also, if you are a blackberry/crackberry owner if you want to chat about books, movies, life in general BlackBerry Messenger is a pretty awesome thing...You can either use my e-mail address (bookjunkie221@gmail.com) or my pin number which is 31343900. So my challenge to you is this: Go out and drop some random blogger an e-mail. Go out and leave a new blogger an encouraging comment. I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!

To Moderate or Not to Moderate....

That is the question. After a recent bout of spamming on my blog I have decided that I am going to be moderating my comments for the time being. I really hate doing it but I really hate spam comments even more and I dislike word verification even more than I hate moderating comments AND the spam. So my question(s) to you are these: Do you use or have you used comment moderation on your blog? Did you see an increase or a decrease in the number comments? What are your thoughts on comment moderation? Do you have a tendancy to not comment on blogs that have it activated or does it not really bother you? NOTE: The Library Loving Challenge has started. If you would like to participate leave me a comment on either "Let The Library Loving Challenge Begin" or the review of The Secret Year. For every COMMENTOR on those posts I will donate .25 to my local library up to $100.

Book Buying patterns/habits! Do you have one?

Today's discussion post is about book buy patterns/habits. Me my book buying patterns/habits are pretty simple. I am pretty predictable when it comes to book buying. The book section at stores like Walmart and Target call my name....Since I work at a Target, the book section calls my name 9 hours a night 4 days a week. If a cover trips my trigger I'll pick it up and read the back. If the synopsis of the book trips my trigger, there is a VERY good chance that the book will end up in my cart. There have been times when I have gone into either store with the intention of buying only the things on my list and leave with those items AND a bag full of books.

Another store the I spend a crap ton of money in is Barnes and Noble. I'm a B&N junkie. I just can't help myself when I walk into a Barnes and Noble. On a recent trip I left the store with 2 of their giant shopping bags FULL of books.

I also like to shop the book section at my local goodwill/savers (which is the Easter Seals thrift store). I'm usually pretty lucky when I shop there. I LOVE the fact that I can buy a couple bags of books and spend LESS than what I would have spent on a couple of new books. I'm not real picky. I'll read a new book or a used book.

I've just started using my local library again. With the economy the way it is I'm trying (and sometimes flounder with) to curb my book buying habit. My library itself has a pretty good selection but my library system ALSO has this nifty cool program where you can order books from other libraries who participate in the program. LOVE this system! In the last couple of months that I have been using my public library I have literally hit the mother load on more than one occasion. LIKE last Saturday for example. I stopped in because our automated library voice called and said I had an item in....Turns out, I had a total of 10 items in.

I do occasionally use Amazon too. But the Amazon site is like me going into a Barnes and Noble....Bad news bears for my paycheck. So I try to forget that that website even exsists.

So here is the break down of my buying habit:

1. Public Library

2. Walmart/Target

3. Goodwill/Savers

4. Barnes and Noble

5. Amazon

My main problem when it comes to buying books is that I "have to have" the books that there is a lot of "hype" about. I don't know why....but it sort of makes me feel like one of the "cool kids" I guess. Like for example there was a lot of "hype" around books like Shiver, Fallen, Beautiful Creatures, The Dark Divine and Hush, Hush to name a few. Of those 5, all of which I own, I've only actually read 2 of them. I guess for me I just can't avoid the ones with all the hype!

Another "problem" (being funny when I say it's a problem) that contributes to my book buying habit is the book blogging community. Y'all read and review all sorts of AWESOME books and I come across them and from what I read on my end it trips my trigger and it goes on my "I got to get my hands on it" list. Seriously...Y'all gotta stop! (again being funny)

While I was going through my google reader I found this post and I thought it posed several great questions. So I thought that I would post those questions and some of my own as well and see what you, my readers have to say. So here are the questions (the ones from the original post are in RED, and my own are in PURPLE):

Are you predictable when shopping for books? Do you have a shopping pattern? Do you always have a compulsive need to buy books or are you someone who likes books, but doesn't always have the desire to purchase them? Do you buy the books that there are a lot of "hype" about or do you tend to avoid them? Do you tend to buy books that have had a lot of "mixed" reviews so you can formulate your own opinion? How much does the book blogging community contribute to your book buying habit/pattern?

Movie BETTER than the book?!....

I've been doing some reading of books that are based on movies or have movies based on them. So far I have actually come across a fair amount of them where the MOVIE is actually better than the book. In my opinion anyway.

The first movie that I feel is better than the book is The Searchers. The book is alright....It's not terrible but defiantely isn't 5 boots that's for sure. It doesn't paint a vivid picture for me at all....while I was reading the book I just could NOT get excited about it. The MOVIE on the other hand....Now that's a whole new ball of wax. The director of the movie took this alright book and turned it into a AWESOME movie. The movie DEFINATELY paints a vivid picture of the "old west" and what it must have been like for women back in those days.

Another movie that I think is better than the book is Gettysburg. The movie is based on the book The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. The book is great....Definately 5 boots worthy. But when I watch the actual movie I feel like I'm actually there as the battle is taking place...more so than when I read the book.

Those are just two examples that I've come across recently. There are more but that is NOT the purpose of this post. The purpose of this post is to ask these questions....Have you seen a movie that is based on a book where the movie is actually BETTER than the book? If you have, which movie and what book is it based on?

I just don't understand!

I'm in need of a little rant. There are very few things that I don't like/love about our book blogging community....but there is one thing that is starting to annoy me greatly. Unfortunately, that thing is a "great" thing called Affiliates. Now those of you who may be reading this who have or are affiliates I am not trying to bad mouth you or say that the idea is a bad one, it's so very NOT a bad idea. I've just got to get my frustrations off of my chest ASAP! I guess I just don't understand the process....If someone could please explain it to me I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be near as annoyed and frustrated when I see a post pertaining to "affiliates." Also, what is the "official" definition of affiliate in the book blogging community? What exactly does an affiliate do? What does it mean to be an affiliate?

Here are my reasons for being annoyed with the whole affiliates craze:

1. I feel it's become a popularity contest.

- I've noticed that a lot of the blogs that have affiliates have 100+ followers.

- I've noticed that there are some (not all) blogs that make having at least 100 followers a

requirement.

1. I guess my main complaint with this "requirement" is that just because a blog doesn't

have 100 followers doesn't mean they don't have a loyal following that will happily

spread information to their blogs followers as well.

-I may be totally off here but isn't that the point of affiliates....To spread the "love?"

2. There's an application process?!

- Need I say more on why this is a frustration for me?

1. I thought blogging about our hobby was supposed to be fun....NOT a job.

3. Your blog itself has "requirements."

- Genre requirements

1. Personally, I have considered getting in on the "affiliates" craze but then I see

that a lot of the blogs that have affiliates also have genre requirements. I have VERY

ecclectic reading tastes and it would totally hurt my feelings to be rejected because I

didn't have enough of a certain genre on my blog or too much of another genre.

- Not heavy on the Meme's.....This one I get and don't have a problem with.

Now I totally get why you'd want to have affiliates and get the news out about what's going on on your blog and other bloggers blogs. I really do. Who doesn't want to hear about a great contest that's going on or read a review of a book that you've been thinking about reading? I just don't understand why the process to become one of the "cool kids" has to be so hard?

To review of NOT to review....

....That is the question. Do you post a review of EVERY book you read on your blog? If you don't, do you have a system in which you choose the books you post about? If you do, how do you "tastefully" word a review for a book that you "seriously disliked?"

I ask these questions because lately I've come across several books that I just don't think are blog worthy. I didn't "hate" them but I definately did not "love" them either, they were middle of the road blahness. I just don't find middle of the road blahness blog worthy.

I have a hard enough time coming up with a decent review for most of the books I've reviewed here on the blog and I think it would be even more difficult for me to write a review of a book that I just didn't find blog worthy to begin with. Now of course I'm going to post a review of the books that I was sent to review....even if they are middle of the road blahness, because the author/publisher/agent/etc. was kind enough to ask me to read and review the book. So far in the books I've been sent to review I haven't come across any blahness, which is good, but I'm still going to offer feedback if I ever do get sent any that are blahness.

My next discussion post is probably going to ruffle some feathers. It's something that pertains to our book blogging communty that I just don't understand at all to the point that it annoys and frustrates me. I'm not looking to piss off anyone who participates in this "thing" I'm trying to understand it is all and it's coming out in a rant/observations.

A discussion question?!

I realized I hadn't done a discussion post in a little while so I thought I'd change it up a little bit and occasionally post a discussion question. The question this time around is this.....

What attracts you to a book? Is it the hype? The cover? What the synopsis says? The reviews (glowing, mixed, etc.)? Blogger recommendation?

For me it depends. Like for example, I recently went out and bought The Hunger Games books because I read all sorts of AWESOME reviews about the books themselves. But there are others that I have purchased simply because I enjoyed the synopsis on the book and it had me really interested to see what happens through out the whole story. I've read a couple that have been recommended to me by other bloggers, some were really good and some not so much. I guess I'm a little bit of a mixed bag when it comes to what attracts me to a book!

Discussion Post Request Form

This post is where you can submit your suggestion(s) for discussion posts done here at The Book Junkie's Bookshelf. Your suggestions don't necessarily have to be book related either...they can be pretty much anything you want. If you would like to suggest an idea for a discussion post please click here to fill out the form.

Here are discussion posts from the not so distance past:

Contest "hoops"

To follow or not to follow

Bloggy Pet Peeves

Discussion Post #3 - Bloggy Pet Peeves

In this discussion post I am going to discuss some of my bloggy “pet peeves.” I’m sure that there are others out there who have these same “pet peeves” as well. I’m not looking to “trash” anyone about their blog I am just going for an overall these are my pet peeves. So let’s get started…it ought to be pretty interesting to say the least!

1. Only allowing certain registered users of a certain blogging format comment on a blog….I see this A LOT on Blogger….I’ve even seen blogs where only registered Blogger users can comment. Am I not good enough to comment on your blog because I happen to blog at wordpress at the time?

2. Music on Blogs….I do most of my blogging on my days off. Since I work the graveyard shift I’m up when the rest of the “world” is sleeping and sleeping when the rest of the “world” is up. Because I do most of my blogging while the other people who live at my house are sleeping music on blogs irk’s me cause I’m trying NOT to wake everybody up.

3. Distracting fonts/color of fonts/size of fonts….This is just flat out annoying. It actually makes me NOT want to read the post if there is entirely way too much going on. My ADD brain can’t handle it!

4. Word verification….FLAT OUT ANNOYING! Especially if it’s in that nifty cool “you click ’submit comment’ and SURPRISE you get another window with the word verification in it” format that Blogger has. In the time it takes to deal with all that word verification “red tape” I could have left SEVERAL comments.

5. Anything that flashes, moves, makes noise or is animated….TALK ABOUT DISTRACTING! I’m there to read about the books you like to read NOT be distracted by some graphic.

6. Leaving EXPIRED “countdowns” on your blog…..If the book, movie, etc. is now out please take the “countdown” widget down please. It’s irritating.

7. Not making contact information accessible or easy to find….I think this one is pretty self explanatory.

Now I’ve shared with you some of my biggest bloggy pet peeves….Now here’s my question for you….What are some of YOUR bloggy pet peeves?

Discussion Post #2 - To Follow or Not to Follow

NOTE: This was originally posted on my wordpress blog. Now that I'm back at Blogger some of this is not real accurate but the questions still make for an interesting discussion.

That is the question. When I was blogging over on blogger they have this “nifty cool” feature commonly known as Followers. At first I LOVED the followers feature….The higher the number got the happier I was. THEN I started realizing something…..That only a handful (and a VERY small handful at that) were commenting on my blog. I think I was getting close to 60 followers and still only the same few blogger would comment. That is when I started HATING the follower widget. It started to affect my confidence (book blogging wise anyway) and was one of the contributing reasons I decided to move to wordpress (NO Follower Widget).

Some might say “hey just take the widget off your blog,” for me it doesn’t work that way. The follower widget almost became like a drug to me. I needed more….The more I had the more “powerful” I felt. I could take it away but it was always there to try to get me to come back. Also, when you log into your Blogger account it tells you how many followers you have even if you DON’T have the widget.

So I moved to WordPress…No Follower widget = a much happier me (book blogging wise anyway). I added all the blogs that I was following on Blogger (and then some) to my Google reader and I try like heck to comment as often as possible on as many as possible (I am only able to comment on my days off of work).

Now here is my question(s) for all the readers out there:

How do you feel about the Follower widget? What makes you want to follow a blog? Has anyone ever had a something similar to what happened to me happen to them, how did that make you feel? Anyone ever feel intimitdated by the number of followers a blog has? Do you use the follower widget on your blog?

Discussion Post #1 - Contest "hoops"

I’ve been scanning the contests around the book blogging community lately and I’ve got got a question/rant. What’s the deal with all the “hoops” you have to jump through to win a contest? Personally, for me it’s kind of a turn off to have to jump through various and assorted hoops to have a shot at winning a book. I can see having different rules if your giving away something like a Nook or some other “large ticket” item(s) but it just seems a little bit extreme for a book(s).

I even touched on this subject a little bit earlier this week in my “What You Will and Won’t See On My Blog in 2010″ post. I’ll admit that I’ve done a giveaway with all the “hoops” once but I found that it wasn’t near as fun for me as the two giveaways that I’ve got going on right now (see Contests/Giveaways page). I’m not trying to ruffle any feathers or upset anyone with this post…I guess I’m just trying to get a better understanding of how others conduct their giveaways and contests.

So in closing, I guess my random question for everyone is how do you run your giveaways/contests and why? I guess that’s more like 2 questions but I really am curious.