tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post1825614940088004750..comments2024-03-28T06:38:20.598-04:00Comments on Burning.x.Impossibly.x.Bright: Armchair BEA: Day 5 - Ask the Experts.AmburHostynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-40793589247351184062012-06-10T20:16:34.081-04:002012-06-10T20:16:34.081-04:00It stresses me out too! Oh, I do that too! When I ...It stresses me out too! Oh, I do that too! When I already have too much to read I leave the ones I like in my inbox and the guilt totally builds! I need to work on it too. :SAmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-20611548970023415972012-06-10T15:50:39.231-04:002012-06-10T15:50:39.231-04:00Oh man, don't get me started about review requ...Oh man, don't get me started about review requests. It so stresses me out! I always feel so bad when people email me and I don't want to review their book. I've *sort of* gotten better at it, though nowhere where I need to be. If it's an impersonal email, I delete it, no worries. If it's addressed to me, but it's clear they have no clue what my blog is about, I delete it. If it's a well drafted email but I still don't want to read their book I will try to offer them a guest post spot. My trouble is when the book SOUNDS good, but I'm not sure if I want to accept it because of time issues and/or just bc a book sounds good, doesn't mean it actually is.... then I try to give myself time to think about it or look up reviews on it, but then the trouble comes when I just let the email sit in my inbox... and sit some more... and then I feel more guilty about it, etc. Soooo... not a perfect system, but I'm working on it. =bAshley @ Book Labyrinthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02395484656811182553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-15893879044918781912012-06-09T22:37:59.104-04:002012-06-09T22:37:59.104-04:00Thanks. :)
Yeah, if I were ever going to try and...Thanks. :) <br /><br />Yeah, if I were ever going to try and feel the week like that, I'd go with memes, too. <br /><br />Good suggestions. :)<br /><br />Awe, well sometimes you just don't click with books. :P <br /><br />haha I'm glad we met too, and you're welcome! Thanks for visiting back. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-38510191136563168792012-06-09T22:36:12.634-04:002012-06-09T22:36:12.634-04:00haha that's kind of funny. :P
Great point! :...haha that's kind of funny. :P <br /><br />Great point! :) I'll have to try out a few ideas and see if any are successes. :PAmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-48459960965105213862012-06-09T22:34:19.257-04:002012-06-09T22:34:19.257-04:00That sounds like an awesome feature! :D I'm go...That sounds like an awesome feature! :D I'm gonna have to totally check it out, and I like the whole natural to you thing. That's neat. :) <br /><br />Good pints. :)<br /><br />Oh, I wouldn't put it on Waiting On Wednesday, but I don't really use that feature. I also consider WOW for more upcoming releases rather than already released books, but I do like the idea of giving some kind of promotion to the ones you're actually interested in. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-78796191373070876722012-06-09T22:31:54.837-04:002012-06-09T22:31:54.837-04:00That's cool about your feature. I didn't k...That's cool about your feature. I didn't know that's how it started. :) <br /><br />That's a great idea! :D And that way too you could event have a google doc at the end of of each discussion post with suggestions for future ones. :)<br /><br />Yeah, same here. That's true, some are spam. Some people totally can't. :P lol <br /><br />Thanks! And thanks for your answers. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-35751113455271105322012-06-09T22:28:07.122-04:002012-06-09T22:28:07.122-04:00haha that makes me feel better. :) I ignore too, a...haha that makes me feel better. :) I ignore too, and I was starting to feel a bit guilty. :PAmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-85379651936242658762012-06-09T22:26:16.484-04:002012-06-09T22:26:16.484-04:00Yeah, I always respond to people I already have re...Yeah, I always respond to people I already have relationships with too. That's a good idea. I might have to start suggesting other bloggers. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-69698822973278499192012-06-09T22:24:25.127-04:002012-06-09T22:24:25.127-04:00Thanks for sharing. :) You're all really makin...Thanks for sharing. :) You're all really making me think about this whole review request thing. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-79362152920119239722012-06-09T22:05:24.084-04:002012-06-09T22:05:24.084-04:00Thanks. :) Those are definitely some good points a...Thanks. :) Those are definitely some good points about review requests. :)<br /><br />Hmmm, I've never really thought about it like that. That's a good point. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-17812173701742670242012-06-09T22:04:07.516-04:002012-06-09T22:04:07.516-04:00Fair point. :)Fair point. :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-52026626116825048052012-06-09T09:26:46.732-04:002012-06-09T09:26:46.732-04:00First ~ Great advice! I wholly agree with everyth...First ~ Great advice! I wholly agree with everything you said b/c I did the same thing!<br /><br />Second ~ I end up doing a lot of memes that cover everyday of the week b/c they end being the things I like to talk about. I've found a group of bloggers that I love how they "talk" so I kind of circle their little group and join them when I can :) <br /><br />As for features? What do you love most about reading? What do you want to promote? What is something outside of reading that you can combine with reading? Maybe thinking in those directions may give you an idea for an original feature! <br /><br />And I am NO help on the reviews! I don't get many requests b/c I'm shy. There's only one I started but it wasn't my thing and I told the author that and I think he understood. It was a Stephen King type book and I hate Stephen King. Oh well...<br /><br />Thanks for visiting me this week!! I'm glad we "met"!!! (I'm following now...)Kristin @ Addicted to HEAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14502113713426103508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-19839663243270060982012-06-09T00:00:12.189-04:002012-06-09T00:00:12.189-04:00Haha, I only posted four times last month! I think...Haha, I only posted four times last month! I think the longer I blog the less concerned I am with posting every day. Or week. :P<br /><br />Most of my features come from things I'm interested in. Idk, I think you just have to test out ideas. Sometimes they flop and no one cares, sometimes they're really successful.Heidenkindhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09494625457587427781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-69298066367855889132012-06-08T23:33:32.207-04:002012-06-08T23:33:32.207-04:00Features should be something that comes to you nat...Features should be something that comes to you naturally. As a library worker I was often asked for book recommendations & when the really popular books were out, I turned to older books. I started Nostalgic Fridays as a way to feature some oldies but goodies that people might have missed. <br /><br />Discussion posts should be something you either have an opinion on or know something about. I think the key is blogging what you know, so I've done a few posts about censorship & content related areas. I've toyed with the ideas of genre definitions several times.<br /><br />If I can't review the book & it's something I actually am interested in, I usually offer to feature it on Waiting On Wednesday or do an interview or something. I know they just want to get the word out, so I still try to help them if I can. <br /><br /><a href="http://lisettebes.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Tattooed Books</a>loreleimarshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13510548017737768418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-58183689792053705242012-06-08T21:39:25.172-04:002012-06-08T21:39:25.172-04:001. When I came up with my Deserted Island feature ...1. When I came up with my Deserted Island feature it was just one of those things that came to me. I always seemed to ask authors what one book would they want with them if stuck o a deserted island during interviews. So one day I thought "why not make a feature about being stuck and what people would want". I also made it about bloggers and authors, because to me bloggers are like my best friends so why not feature my friends. It's a great way to help promote other blogs. :) <br /><br />2. Discussion posts are hard for me. I have a million ideas written down, but when I go to write about them I always feel like I'm not saying enough. So I have some ideas to make them better. I think from now one when I have a topic, I am going to ask a few fellow bloggers to weigh in and I'll post their opinions too on my discussion post. I hope this will help stir up some comments. <br /><br />3. Review requests are hard. If it's a big publishing company that I work with often then I always reply. If it's an unsolicited request it depends - some I reply to and some I just ignore (there are spam ones out there). I have had people keep pushing and I have just told them I am not interested in their book/genre or that I am honestly booked solid for months ahead. And the ones that keep persisting I just start deleting their emails. Some people just can't take a hint. *sigh*<br /><br />Great tips and questions. :)Chrystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17960209705110683101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-5965536998050214042012-06-08T21:10:26.018-04:002012-06-08T21:10:26.018-04:00I just ignore. I am not so sure that is the best m...I just ignore. I am not so sure that is the best method, but I do it....Kailanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11136262232046813471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-87367828772747121342012-06-08T15:59:40.649-04:002012-06-08T15:59:40.649-04:00On review requests, how I respond really depends o...On review requests, how I respond really depends on who the request is from and how it was worded. I just delete requests that look like they were sent to every person and their mother. I always respond to people that I already have a relationship with. If the book looks good, but it is a bad fit for my blog/me, I may suggest someone else they can contact.Gwen@ChewDigestBooks.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10423074026016082096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-75693189588207370382012-06-08T14:06:17.759-04:002012-06-08T14:06:17.759-04:00I used to ignore review requests unless I was inte...I used to ignore review requests unless I was interested. But the guilt just started to build up. Now I respond to any genuine review request and politely tell them I am uninterested. I just delete the generic book requests.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03219669783738063144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-79097605988202480932012-06-08T13:11:05.139-04:002012-06-08T13:11:05.139-04:00Nice tips! I think if you get a review request, yo...Nice tips! I think if you get a review request, you should always try and reply. Just say you have too many books at this moment so, unfortunately, you must decline, but you wish them the best of luck with their book. If it's a book that I think sounds pretty good, but I just can't review it, I might offer myself to do a guest post or something. You can also send them to another blog you know who you think might like the book...just some thoughts.<br /><br />As for features, I suppose researching around would be a good idea, to see if it's being done. I wouldn't stress about original content too much. Sometimes you just get ideas of things to add to your blog and you go for it. Try and think of your other interests or things you would like to know about...that might lead to a feature.<br /><br />-LaurenShooting Stars Maghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16074581473656321052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-42365076186126354282012-06-08T11:42:56.942-04:002012-06-08T11:42:56.942-04:00On review requests, I think it's common courte...On review requests, I think it's common courtesy to reply, at least with something like "I'm sorry, my review queue is full." If they continue to contact you, I'd ignore after that point. Some people don't get it, but most understand. And you never know, the person you have to say no to right now might end up being someone you build a good relationship with, if that makes sense.Leeannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16284091494053528217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-4345056864971091052012-06-08T10:39:47.115-04:002012-06-08T10:39:47.115-04:00That's okay, and thanks for sharing your link!...That's okay, and thanks for sharing your link! :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-54151129044425108262012-06-08T10:39:18.492-04:002012-06-08T10:39:18.492-04:00Thanks, Marie! :) That's a good idea, and I li...Thanks, Marie! :) That's a good idea, and I like the whole directing people to my review policy thing. That's great. Mine's pretty up to date, but I think if I start directing people to it, I'll clarify some or something like that. I know I don't have a genres I don't accept section, so I might add that. :) <br /><br />Good idea! :) Maybe I'll make a feature about that!!! Ooooh, inspiration may have struck after all. All of you who have commented are great for inspiration! ;D <br /><br />Thanks, Marie. I think that's one of the things that I know, but I sometimes manage to forget. ;)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-57486346495501809042012-06-08T10:33:00.766-04:002012-06-08T10:33:00.766-04:00oops sorry about the extra comment, but here is
...oops sorry about the extra comment, but here is <br /><a href="http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-ask-experts-and-future-of.html" rel="nofollow"><br />my Post for today!</a>BurtonReview https://www.blogger.com/profile/15113347274782450564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-89337696724379634642012-06-08T10:32:02.556-04:002012-06-08T10:32:02.556-04:00You have sound advice here... and I agree with the...You have sound advice here... and I agree with the commenters above.. as for your many requests I do mostly ignore them.. and now for the past year I have taken down my personal email address. So where there ws once a CONTACT button.. it now redirects to my Review Policy. <br />If you get that publicist who won't go away after ignoring did not work, then just make sure your review policy is up to date and clear, adn direct her to your review policy.<br /><br />If it is a book that you would not mind spotlighting, go ahead and offer to do that, if it is something that would fit within your genre.<br /><br />But remember you are not required to do anything at all =)BurtonReview https://www.blogger.com/profile/15113347274782450564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4660257471527268870.post-62057575902232534052012-06-08T10:26:52.387-04:002012-06-08T10:26:52.387-04:00For me too! :D
That's a great point to make. ...For me too! :D<br /><br />That's a great point to make. :) That way you're kind of blogging about what's on your mind when it's on your mind. And that's a great discussion topic. I'll have to go check it out. :) Also, I agree! I love those comments, too. Although I get some weird comments where people basically post their own review in on a comment on my review...which I guess is technically telling their thoughts on the book, which I tend to ask for in my review, but usally they have no segue from the review into their thoughts...which make it seem weird. :P<br /><br />I definitely appreciate your honesty! I was starting to feel like it was bad of me to ignore most of them! I'm glad I'm not the only one though. Yeah, I've done that before too, and I've offered to do reviews for some even though I know it most likely won't be for a while, but I make sure that they understand that first. Very true! :)<br /><br />Will do. Thanks for leaving the link! :)AmburHostynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10269572610984100581noreply@blogger.com