After a conversation with several authors; the most recent with Colin Mulhern at his Foyles book event and Strange Chemistry having highlighted to me that is Blogger Appreciation Week I thought I'd write this post now while it's fresh in my mind. Like the title suggests it's not an easy question for me as a blogger to answer. On the one hand I could say 'Nope; we bloggers are hard working and do it all for free and give up loads and get very little respect for it' but that would be a lie.
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| Some of us blogger folk at an event hosted by Atom |
I give up my time and write reviews and posts but I get a lot back. I get free books (a HUGE privilege and one I'm always grateful for), I get to talk to authors and publishers in a way I wouldn't normally be able to, I've made an extended family with bloggers who honestly care about each other and not just their blogs and I've gone out and done things I never thought I would. As for being valued I feel it an honour at the smallest nod I get from my first acknowledgement (thanks to the lovely Keris Stainton for that) and my first review quote in print (Thanks to Stripes Publishing and Andy Robb for that) both happening this year I feel like I get noticed.
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| Me at the Geekhood Book launch: Where else can I dress as an X Men and get my photo taken with a book?! |
I have no clue if people read my reviews and come back time and time again for my point of view. I write reviews and post for me when it comes down to it. I write like I'd be talking to a mate and give you my opinion the best way I can. It's not always graceful and can sometimes be gushy and sweary but it's ME.
On the flip side I do sometimes think that bloggers could be seen as free publicity and nothing more. We are but we are also people that work very hard. If i'm honest i'm quite a lazy blogger compared to some and when you hear some stories and rumours about badly behaved people that make bloggers feel small and worthless I can only look to the floor and shake my head in despair. Thankfully the majority of publishers, authors and agents i've been lucky enough to meet are HUGELY supportive of the UK bloggers and we love them for it. We get treated like equals and I've had the weird experience on some occasions when I've been praised by these lovely people, online and in public, and it never ceases to shock and amaze me.
So: Do I feel Valued?
I feel like I'm viewed as an important part of the publishing industry, that I provide a place where I'm honest but fair and that I've been invited to be part of a creative world I am forever thankful for and can only do my best to act humble when people say nice things about my blog.
I also feel hungry and sleepy a lot of the time so free cake and biscuits brought to me in bed would make me feel even MORE valued *hint hint*
Fab post! I think bloggers are appreciated. Although we don't get paid (not that I mind at all, I wouldn't want to be!) publishers are so generous sending us books for free! Thanks for the interesting post :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE your yellow Doc's! :D
First and foremost, very lovely post.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, this is a most interesting topic as I identify as much as being a blogger as I do being an author.
I've been writing stories my entire life and I've blogged for the better part of 10 years. I'm in a unique position (with a few other fellow authors) because while many authors have turned to blogs and other forms of social media to connect with fans and promote their work, I was a blogger first who had a respectable following before my debut novel, Hollowstone, was released.
Bloggers have a special place in my heart for many reasons. Not only are they my brothers and sisters, but you all do what you do for the love and for the passion and for the excitement. So when you endorse a book, I know you do it because you genuinely love it.
You are more than an important part of the publishing industry. You are crucial. When I did my virtual book tour, I was both honored and humbled that so many bloggers wanted to participate. Hollowstone would not have been the success that it's been if it wasn't for bloggers like yourself. And for that you will always have my thanks.
-Denny
Fantastic post, this is really interesting! I love the book blogosphere, my life wouldn't be complete without it. I have made tons of new friends and I absolutely love talking to people about books I love or want to read, especially as I don't really have any bookworm friends. It is great to come home from a hard day at school or whatever and just absorb myself in my computer and just have so much fun. And the free books are an amazing bonus! ;)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do feel that book bloggers don't get as much regoninition at it needs. It does take up a LOT of my free time - but I love it so it doesn't really bother me. Like you said, I mainly blog for me. I don't think that book bloggers are unvalued (is that a word..? o_O) because the part of a book reviewing deal is we get a free book in exchange of an honest review. I love the whole system - authors and publishers and so generous! :D
Thanks for posting, I love your blog, I have just discovered it! New follower. :)
Zoe
www.bookhi.blogspot.com
hhahaa fantastic post sweetie… I only just saw this becuase I'm so behind on my blog reading, but I have read each and every post that I've got to read tonight,including yours on the foyles Colin Mulhearn event and others which I haven't commented on and I feel bad for that, but as I'm so behind I'm trying to get through them fast. So what I'm trying to say is that I read this post and needed to comment to let you know that I think we are appreciated and valued and I agree that I would feel more so if I was brought sweets and cake in bed haha, hugs hun x
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