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?
