Armchair BEA: The Future of Blogging

Today is the final day of Armchair BEA. I've only been posting since Wednesday because I joined late. And I won a prize yesterday--so Thank You to the organizers! It's been fun. I've had some great comments, met some cool people. Note to self: register earlier next year!

As far as the future of blogging goes...I'm not really sure. And I know that answer makes a terrible post. I guess for me, personally, I'll continue to blog as long as I have something to say. I love that I've met some of my best writer friends online--and that's because of my blog. I love being able to talk about books, writing, and life on my blog in a completely different way than I do on Facebook or Twitter.

I'm interested to see what other people say about the future of blogging. Thanks again to Armchair BEA for giving us a place to participate!

Inspired by the post at Stuck in YA who has some simple tips, I thought I'd brainstorm and come up with a few of my own.

1. I think the most important thing about blogging is to be yourself.
2. Keep posts short enough so that people will read them.
3. Don't overwhelm people with personal information--like the classic "info dump" in a novel, too boring. Pepper your posts lightly with the personal.
4. Commenting on other people's blogs will get them to visit yours--this is hard to do especially if you're busy, I have times when its all I can do to post, let alone comment. But I try.
5. Participate in twitter games, twitter parties--and be appropriate. As you get to know people, you'll create your own community.

Armchair BEA: Beyond the Blog

Today on Armchair BEA, the topic is Beyond Your Blog. We're discussing ways to make money with your writing. I started writing before I started blogging--really the blog was a way to connect with other writers, and reach out beyond my living room.

Like many writers, I started writing picture books for my child. However it soon became clear that selling a picture book was going to be an uphill battle and I really wanted more immediate gratification. If for nothing else, so my fragile ego could more easily take the rejection from the PB publishers.

I've been a freelance writer of nonfiction books for kids since 2008. This spring marks my tenth contract with Capstone Press--and it's been a wonderful thing for the ego and my writing. Working with a variety of editors on numerous topics has been amazing. This year, I've also started working with a book packager (basically an intermediary who connects writers with publishers).

How did I do it?

Query, baby, query. I didn't have any connections. I didn't have any insider information. I looked at the submission guidelines and I submitted. Writing samples, resume, cover letter--just like applying for a job.

My best advice for writers is to diversify your writing. Love writing YA? Try writing picture books. Try writing nonfiction. Try short stories. Try a book review. Don't pigeon hole yourself into one genre--be flexible. And once you feel comfortable, apply for a freelance writing gig. You can't get a freelance job without applying for one.

Good luck! (And I'm  happy to answer questions, either in the comments or privately.)

Armchair BEA

What's Armchair BEA you ask? Well, straight from their website, "If you're a book blogger who can't attend Book Expo America and the Book Blogger Convention in New York this June (June 4 - 8, 2012), you don't have to miss all the fun - this virtual convention is the place to be!"

And since I'm totally jealous of my agent-mate Taryn Albright -- I signed up to participate again this year. You can choose your level of involvement--from giveaways, to interviews, to vlogs, to just watching and/or commenting.


Today, we are talking about networking. Live networking. How do I network?

Well, I started coordinating meetups in my local area a year ago. I've met some great fellow writers that way. The next one will be in July -- stay tuned if you live in the Metro West Boston area, we'd love to see you!

I also volunteer at the SCBWI regional level (New England). In fact, for 2013, I'm the co chair. GREAT way to meet writers, agents, and editors.


Also, I try to introduce myself to librarians, booksellers, and readers whenever I can. I've started running workshops for kids and adults about writing, but that's still sort of new.


How do you network in person?

Armchair BEA - The End, My Friend

For the briefest of moments, I fantasized about going to BEA. But there was no way it was going to happen. So when I came across the site for Armchair BEA, I jumped on it without hesitation. It was so much fun participating in the Twitter Party, checking out other blogs, and watching author video on the Armchair BEA homesite.

I think my favorite part was the Twitter Party! The feed rocked by very fast, but it was so much fun to see the answers to the moderator's questions. And get to know people a bit.


Thanks to the Armchair BEA team, and all the participants this year!

Armchair BEA - Blogging about Blogging

Why do I blog? I started because I wanted to record my journey. Then I wanted to connect with other writers. Being able to blog about books and writing has been an unexpected joy. I love reading comments from others, and sharing our love of books.

Used with permission from Debbie Ridpath Ohi at Inkygirl.com.

Armchair BEA - Nurturing Relationships

Dictionary.com defines a "Mentor" as a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. I've had some wonderful mentors in my professional life, but not in my writing life. In my early years--when I was learning the craft and just getting started--I didn't seek out a mentor.

I do, however, have wonderful friends who I have learned "the ropes" with and those are the nurturing relationships I'd like to talk about today.

Writing is often a solitary endeavor. Butt in Chair, Hands on Keyboard. By yourself. But if you're like me, you need to talk about that process, vent about the challenging, complain about the rejections, rejoice in the successes. The failure doesn't seem as bad, and the success seems that much better if you share it with others. It takes the sting out of the rejection if you can share it with someone who understands.

So this post for Armchair BEA is dedicated to the three women in my critique group: Ansha Kotyk, Laura Pauling, and Jennifer Carson. All talented. All supportive. All incredible creators of children's literature. We've all been up and we've all been down. And we share each step along the way.

I've also met some great people through the New England Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators--professional organizations are a great way to find your own nurturing relationships. In fact, it's how I found my crit group to begin with. 

And the cool thing is to be able to nurture others. Support, Empathy, Understanding--sometimes it's enough to just say you understand how someone else is feeling. 


What are your nurturing relationships like?
 

Armchair BEA - My favorite Book Bloggers

Today's topic for Armchair BEA is blog interviews. I didn't sign up in time to host an interview, but I thought I'd give you a sampling of my favorite blogs and bloggers.

The Bookanistas
Afterglow Book Reviews
YA Highway
The Story Siren
The League of Extraordinary Writers

I've had the opportunity to interview some great writers/authors over the last year or so. Here are links to those interviews:

Jennifer Carson
John Lance
Amy Nathan
Cambria Dillon

Armchair BEA - Best of 2011 (so far)

So I don't have anything to give away (alas) so my Armchair BEA post is about the great books I've read (so far) that have come out this year.


ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis
LIAR SOCIETY by Lisa and Laura Roeker
SUGAR AND ICE by Kate Messner
MATCHED by Allie Conde - even though it came out LATE last fall, I'm counting it!
THE OTHER LIFE by Ellen Meister
SUMNER ISLAND by Michael Cormier
THE THRONE OF FIRE by Rick Riordon


I've read more, but these are the ones that were released this year! I expect to see POSSESSION by Elana Johnson in my mailbox in a week or two!

What good books of 2011 have you read?

Go check out Armchair BEA and see what giveaways are going on today! They are also profiling new fall catalogs--and I'm excited to see Capstone on the list! While it's not on the website yet, I've got a book in their fall lineup.  THE REAL STORY ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN COLONIAL AMERICA is scheduled for a September 2011 release.