Ninja News
Gypsywoman (a.k.a. Jenean C. Gilstrap) just released a new book, Words Unspoken from Yareah Book Publishers. Congratulations, Jenean!
The A to Z Challenge list continues to grow – 650 participants now.
Wednesday Movie Quote is being postponed until next week! Sorry, but I’m taking Wednesday off this week. I’ve finished revisions on CassaStorm and want to go through it once more, so I need some extra time this week. Wednesday Movie Quote will resume on February 20 with a “romantic comedies” quote.
A to Z Minions!
Thanks to all of the volunteers last Friday – I was overwhelmed! I let some of the other hosts select from the list as well. Special thanks to those who are now officially A to Z Ninja Minions:
Al Diaz
Baygirl32
Ciara Knight
Elise Fallson
Heather Gardner
JL Campbell
Joylene Nowell Butler
Michelle
Miranda Hardy’s Picture Book Release!
Wacky Waddles is a rhyming picture book for young readers written by Miranda Hardy and illustrated by Rimi Rasheed. You can find their bios at Quixotic Publishing.
Wacky Waddles is currently available in print and ebook versions on Amazon, as well as an ebook through Barnes and Noble.
Available today!!
Clara is younger than most trainees, but she is ready to hold a Sword Master's blade. While visions and ancient prophecies stand in her way, they also offer a destiny unlike any other. Clara is aided by a haunted mentor, Stelia, whose knowledge of their enemy Kalidess is both a bane and a blessing. As evil threatens their land, Clara and Stelia must find the strength to ov
ercome the darkness.
Champion in the Darkness is YA Christian Fantasy, and is the first book in the Champion Trilogy.
Champion in the Darkness can be found at Amazon, Smashwords, and Goodreads
Is Blogging Dying?
I know that question has been bouncing around for a while, but thought it was time I tackled the topic here.
Andrew Leon’s post for the IWSG tackled the topic of blog traffic. I read through the comments later and one caught my attention.
From Brandon and Bryan at A Beer For the Shower -
“I always hear that blogging is dying (especially from agents in the publishing industry) and yet I've seen nothing to support it. Yes, blogging's probably smaller than it was 5 years ago, but the people that say this kind of thing act like you should just stop trying because it's pointless. And yet the two of us sold thousands of books last year, books we would have not sold if all we had was a Facebook fan page and a personal website. So until we get 10 pageviews and 0 comments a day, and until we start getting 0 sales on Amazon, I'm going to keep blogging and I'm also going to keep believing that it's single-handedly the biggest reach we have.”
Not only do I agree with Brandon and Bryan, but that comment could’ve come from me. (Although I don’t think blogging is any smaller or larger than when I began a little over three years ago.) Even my publisher says this blog has made a huge impact on book sales, especially as I am so involved in the community. I’m on Twitter and Goodreads, but I don’t have a Facebook account or a website. I don’t write for a magazine, I don’t post my work elsewhere, and I’m not involved in any forums. This blog is my prime focus.
But as far as the rumor that blogging is dying, I don’t think it’s happening either. There is a natural ebb and flow to all things.
I think over the past year, some bloggers have ceased to follow new blogs. That was a common complaint last year after the A to Z Challenge – participants didn’t gain the following they expected. I haven’t gained a lot of followers in the past year either. (Which is all right – it’s given me time to build friendships with those who follow me now.)
And while many bloggers have chosen to pull back or give up (and after three years, I could give you quite a list of those who no longer blog) just as many new bloggers have taken their place. People like Livia and Father Dragon Al, who’ve jumped into blogging excited and ready to go. I don’t know about you, but their enthusiasm keeps blogging fresh for me.
Maybe that’s why blogging seems to be dying for some people – their circle of blogging friends is shrinking. There are definite spheres of influence in the blogging world as well, and I’ve also been around long enough to watch those circles shift, grow, and fade.
Bottom line for me – blogging is not dying.
What do you think?
Signed up for all of the events? Are you an A to Z Minion? (There are perks!) Picking up Mirands’s or Tyrean’s new books? And do you think blogging is dying?
223 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 223 of 223My blogging has its waves of activity -- when I'm traveling it wanes. But I've been blogging for 5 years, and I have so many blog friends I cherish.
I have more traffic now than I did in 2011 though about the same #of followers. Now, this is partly because I had a rough year in 2011 and complained about it on my blog on the occasion I managed to blog. But in March Google ate ALL of my followers, and I'm back up to the same number with many of those being new ppl, since my followers weren't stopping by anymore.
I've somehow missed the whole discussion about blogging dying. I don't think it has either though . . . at least I hope not b/c it is best way to have fun without spending money:-)
Yay for the book releases. I already read Miranda's cute book.
No, I don't think blogging is dying.
Blogging isn't dying. It's being taken over my reviews and coupon bloggers and it's friggin annoying!!
yeah, it goes and then twitter and FB will start to ebb, and blogging will come back in favor. Actually, I've been hearing about the death of FB for a long time too. I am kind of excited to see what the next big thing'll be.
I have noticed a drop in other bloggers posting recently a few faces have vanished, but I still get around 500-700 visits a day even if I don't post, so I can't complain at all.
I think blogging is alive and well! But I've only been blogging for less than 3 years so I don't see the trends as easily.
Well, if blogging is dying then why are so many people doing it? Somehow that idea just isn't making sense.
I'm so envious of anyone who can write a PB. I love them. I buy them by the tons because I love to share them with the young readers in my family. Congrats to Miranda and Rimi on their new book.
I agree with you. Yes, some people stop, but new ones haven't stopped coming in, so the way I see it, blogging is either growing, or stagnant.
But not dying.
I volunteered to be a minion just now. A bit late to the game, but who knows?
I find some people I follow will be all over their blog for a few months and then I don's see them for weeks and then they are all over it again, cranking out post after post. It's a matter of how people look at their blogs, I think. Do they look at them as an obligation weighing them down or do they look at them as something fun or a way to connect to others.
I don't think blogging is dying but I do think it's transforming.
Nancy, exactly!
Julia, and we are glad you're back!
Well said, Gary. And it's not the followers, but the connections, that matter. I'm not gaining a lot of new followers these days, but that is fine. Gives me time to focus on the ones who visit now.
Thank you, Nicole!
LD, someone lost the memo I guess.
Cam, that's a long time!
Beth, sorry you had to start over!
Jenny, I guess I've missed those.
Ray, no you can't!
Lee, that doesn't make sense.
Misha, I'm sure someone could use you as a minion!
Elsie, I do it because it's fun and a way to connect.
Hi again! Just want to let you know that (surprise surprise) you were voted Most Encouraging Blogger on my blog.
Congrats! Please check out my post to see how to claim prizes.
http://sylmion.blogspot.com/2013/02/finally-i-announce-winners.html
I don't think blogging is dying either. In fact, I think it's the most valuable medium available to get one's message out. Twitter bores--I could care less if someone had a tuna fish sandwich for lunch. The other day I read where 'FB fatigue' has set in. Happy I tested both; happier I bailed from both.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Great post Alex!
And congrats to everyone!
Nas
For some reason I thought I commented on this post already.
Yay for book release news. I already read Miranda's gem.
I definitely don't think blogging is dying.
There's always something interesting going on at this blog stop. 218 comments worth. Whoa!
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Great links and congrats to the minions. It's terrific that we have so many rockin' people in our community.
I don't think blogging is dying, I think it's evolving and streamlining.
I definitely have less commenters than I had before, but my follower count has significantly risen lately, so I think there's a balance. As far as blogging dying, I see how actively involved the writing community is and it makes me an unbeliever. At least within the writing community that we share, blogging is as alive as ever!
I was popping in to catch up on your happenings here this week and had to leave a comment on this one. I'm on my 10th year of blogging. I do think facebook took away tons of previous bloggers. I also feel like blogs with a theme tend to do much better than those who just do it as a social thing like I do now. Either way bloggers come and go just people in real life. When we want to meet new people we have to get out there and meet them, not wait around hoping they will come to us - that goes for the A-Z challenge too. I gained over 100 new followers during last years challenge because I went visiting lots of blogs and followed if I liked them. Some will only follow to get followed back to up their numbers, many don't visit regularly after the challenge, some from time to time, but I've definitely gained some regulars through the challenge each year too - those are the important ones, the ones we can really call our blogging friends.
Blogging is NOT dying. Like you said, the population shifts. I meet new bloggers everyday. With the millions of blogs out there, it's almost unfathomable how many we could reach if we keep going...
I do think BLOGGERS are dying. They burn out, go on to a different hobby, or just don't know how to build and keep an audience. To them I suggest...drum roll please...
JOIN THE A-Z BLOGGING CHALLENGE!
#atozchallenge will change your blog forever. IF blogging is what you want to do. I think a lot of people miss that it's a mutual give and take, not a Field of Dreams sit and wait for them to come sorta deal...
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
When you're following lots of blogs, it's difficult to keep up with them all. I find it helps to look at my blogger stream a few times p/day and see who's actually publishing.
I also find it's easier to "reply" when people comment on my blog. This isn't a "follow me - I'll follow you" type thing. It's because we're both keeping in touch with each other, and building a "blogging bond" together.
Social networking takes time and effort. Travel the path that works easiest and you'll accomplish a lot more, in a short period of time.
Kitti, I'm still on Twitter, but will never venture into Facebook.
Medeia, you might have - there's so many comments, it scrolls into two pages.
Joyce, I try to keep it interesting!
Randi, yes it is!
Martha, Amen! It's the ones who come back that matter. And you win - ten years is impressive.
Tina, we can't let bloggers die!!
MJ, it is difficult to keep up sometimes.
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