Blogging 101: Being a Book Blogger (An Author’s Perspective)

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For a long time now, a collaborative idea for this series here has been bubbling. The problem was I hadn’t sat down to put words to paper sharing said idea. The idea isn’t so much inventive as it is an event that will hopefully offer interested readers a chance to ask some questions, and my fellow blogging friends a chance to offer their expertise (and more importantly to this girl) allowing me to advertise their amazing creativeness. Submit your questions, and find out more in the Introduction post. Today, we share a Blogging 101: Being a Book Blogger (An Author’s Perspective) post.

Blogging 101: Being a Book Blogger (An Author’s Perspective) #fromthearchives Share on X

Happy Thursday, Finding Wonderland readers. Today, the Blogging 101 series continues with our first guest contribution! I’m really excited about this because our guest is Meghan Gorecki. Both author and blogger, Meghan was one of my first readers at Finding Wonderland since I “knew” her before I even began this blog thanks to a little publication called Femnista.

Since my entrance into the blogging world, I’ve been enabled to visit others blogs, and been able to get to know Meghan better. Her lovely talents as a writer, blogger and genuine ability to share her faith never cease to surprise (in the best way) and impress me. It’s for these reasons and others that I asked Meghan to join this series. Needless to say, I’m thrilled she said yes. Meghan, thank you so much for joining Blogging 101. I appreciate you lending your voice and expertise to say nothing of taking the time and effort to join this.

Without further ado, read about Meghan’s insight as a book blogger (from an author and blogger’s perspective), and read all the way through because Meghan offers some wonderful tips for bloggers! (Including advice about honesty and kindness in a book review.)

Being a Book Blogger (An Author’s Perspective) by Meghan M. Gorecki | @MeghanMGorecki  

The “hat” of Book Blogger is worn by many, but oftentimes it is not the sole occupation of any one blogger. Other hats such as wife, mother, full-time employee somewhere, daughter, sister, student, teacher—you name it, the book blogging community is rich and varied. And ever expanding. If you love to read, and talk about books—you can be a book blogger. I have seen firsthand what a difference book blogging can make. In the lives of readers, who may just become new friends thanks to what a unifier love of story can be. AND—in the lives of the authors. Trust me—in addition to wearing the hat of blogger I first and foremost wear the hat of author.  

Writing a book is truly a labor of love, whether it is the author’s first, fifth or fiftieth novel. Unlike the heroines like Anne Shirley or Jo March of old who sent full, paper manuscripts into publishers—today’s journey to publication is ravaged with a lot of patience-trying waiting, proper protocols to follow—and this is all before an author gains a contract! Even for independent authors trying to make it in the industry—it is extremely hard work to put out a book that took up so much energy, blood, sweat and tears. Just in the hope of sharing it and praying it has an impact on readers and that people like it!

It is a calling, I know that full well—but one fraught with moments of thinking, “Is it really worth it? Why do I bother?” This is why book reviews are gold to authors. Even the not-very-favorable ones, much as they can hurt. We see people reading a part of our lifeblood, and it bolsters us to keep on writing.

RELATED DISCUSSION | Blogging 101: Page Views, Stats and More

When you read and take the time to review a book, you are using your sphere of influence—no matter how great or small the number of followers you have—to get the word out about a book. In sharing about a book you enjoyed, you are reaching out—extending it to other potential readers and this grows and swells into a thriving community that is both a blessing to readers and authors alike. I have met some of my dearest faraway friends and other kindred spirited authors through book blogging. Our amazing hostess here Rissi being one of them! :)

(Thank you so much for the kind words, Meghan. This community is indeed an amazing place to be a part of – and I agree. There are SO many spirited bloggers out there, and it’s a pleasure to be a small part of this community.)

Like anything else in life—becoming an established book blogger is a process, but one that is so worth it no matter how daunting it may seem!

A few things to remember that has taken me years to learn (and I am still a work in progress) about book blogging:  

Know your limits. Your reading speed and “real life” schedule need to be taken into account when book blogging. More often than not when you’re book blogging either through a publisher’s blogger program or a book tour service—you have a specific day or time frame in which to post your review. Too many books To Read and Review at once ends up being a great disservice to the books and siphons a lot of joy out of it.   

Reach out! Read other book bloggers whether you’re just dipping your toes into the world of book blogging or whether you’re a seasoned blogger. Read their thoughts on a book that may look intriguing to you or a book you may’ve already read! Comment, generate conversation. You won’t ever be sorry. And this mode of making friends is doubly amazing for introverts too.

Always be honest—but kind. For me, it is legitimately rare that I dislike a book so strongly I can’t form many words. There are some, however, that just did not hook me and it was a fight to read towards The End. Through no glaring faults of the author’s—I just couldn’t connect and we all have our preferences in what we read. In this case, if it is a review book—be honest but try not to outright say, “I just didn’t like these aspects.”

Balance out what you weren’t a fan of or would’ve preferred to see more of with the good points of the story—there always are some. Just like you try and look for the good in people, even difficult people—look for the good in books that may not end up on your Favorites list.

Feel free to share in the comments your own favorite things about book blogging or if you’re intrigued to start book blogging, ask any questions at all!  

And thank you again, Rissi, for putting on this wonderful series!

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Many thanks to Meghan for being a part of this “Blogging 101: Being a Book Blogger (An Author’s Perspective)” installment. I’m so grateful.

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Meghan M. Gorecki is an author of inspirational fiction, a blogger, book reviewer and voracious reader. Taking her life a day
at a time as God leads, she is pursuing a career in the publishing industry as an editor in training and as a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. A hopeless romantic, history and Marvel nut, she’s also a redhead (thanks to a box), who knows way too much trivia about movie musicals and the Civil War. Find her on social media and at her blog, A Northern Belle.

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