The ugly truth about running a book blog

Blog Project 3.0 has been going on for about two years, even though one of the group members changed after a few months. I love blogging with this group and I hope we can continue to inspire each other.

This week, Moma Rock chose the topic: We often used the term, "unconditional," as in, "my love for you is unconditional." On the flip side: Is there anything in your life you'd consider to be conditional?

First, read what everyone else had to share on this topic. I will be only posting links to posts on this same topic from my group. So check back if you were hoping to read their blogs and don't see a link yet.

Darwin Shrugged
Froggie
Moma Rock

You may recall a post I wrote called "The not-so-ugly truth about running a book blog." Well, when Moma Rock gave us this week's topic, I was thinking about the "conditions" that go along with book blogging. It's not always sunshine and roses like some people might lead you to believe. I'm not abandoning the blog anytime soon, but there have been some things I've learned about human nature while running a book blog. And yes, things do sometimes get ugly.

*Knowing *too* much about the publishing industry: While I'd love to write my own book, having connections to authors who share the trials and tribulations of finding agents and publishing houses vs. self-publishing, I feel less likely to write a novel and less motivated to do so, as a result. It's not that I'm afraid of rejection, but the process of querying and multiple edits keeps me from wanting to do much with a novel that may never see the light at the end of the tunnel to begin with.

What zero motivation looks like

*People who are just out to get a free book: I'm not talking about the giveaways, as that is something I enjoy...being able to get books into readers hands. (Although I sometimes feel like posts without giveaways only get a quarter of the attention.) It's more about offering to review books, getting the books from publishers, and then never putting forth the review. What's worse is being ignored while asking where said reviews are. Reviewing for my blog is a commitment I don't take so lightly. If you don't like the book enough to review, that's one thing. It's another to offer to review books and never deliver. This is unrelated to any friendship we have outside of the blog. As one woman I used to work with once said "It's not show-friends, it's show-business." Although the blog isn't a business, per se, there's still a level of honor and trust that I hold people to. Having said that, if someone previously offered to review books and never delivered, I don't include them in any more offers until they have something consistent to show for it.
I will admit that it will take me ages to review all the books I own, which is why I have a "one feature per book" rule now. (That's not the only reason...but more on that later in this post.) I also don't make promises about books I receive unsolicited. Especially if they have nothing to do with my blog.

*It can ruin authors for you: Running a book blog leads to forming connections with authors. More often than not, these are positive and amazing. Most authors do respect bloggers. However, there are some who forget that bloggers don't work specifically for them or that their book is not the only book in the universe. Yes, there are authors who behave poorly. I won't give examples or names as to not call people out, but I can just say that one author crossed me the wrong way earlier this year, even if that wasn't their intention. Unfortunately, it is an author whose books I enjoy reading. See where the conflict of interest comes in? This situation led me to form the "one feature per book" rule mentioned above, as I realized that I need to set certain expectations as to not be stepped upon again. There was another time that an author was being completely nasty to one of the bloggers on my team. That author has been blacklisted from the blog and I refuse to do any features for them. Yes, it was THAT bad. Overall, if you're an author and we have a good connection already, I'm hoping that it will stay that way and that we can continue to be respectful of one another. I will continue to give you fair and honest reviews OR feature your book in a different way (interview, spotlight, etc.) and I'm hoping that this will be sufficient enough, as I am clearly not the only book blogger out there. #bloggerfeelingsmatter

*Abundance of books: I know this is SUCH a #firstworldproblem, but the amount of books out there can be so overwhelming. Especially when most of them take up my shelves. I wish I had the speed reading skills of one of my friends so I could just breeze through books even quicker than before. It would come in handy with being a mom of three with a full-time job. However, I do enjoy a leisurely read and sometimes like to savor a really good story. I'm trying not to schedule as many reviews for myself with blog tours or whatever else. I've also put aside five books on my nightstand to prioritize as TBRs. After each book is started, a new book is added to the bottom of the pile. That way, I only have to focus ahead five books. I also make it a point to read what I want instead of when the books came out. If I'm in the mood for something light, that's what I lean toward next. Sometimes I want a book from a different genre, like the young adult novel I just started (and am loving already). It will probably be ages before I get to read every book I own. I tend to hoard books even though I've had some for years and have yet to crack them open. So this is probably just my eyes being bigger than my mind and really a problem I've created for myself and would still have even if I weren't a book blogger. I'd probably just have less books to focus on as I wouldn't be able to obtain them so easily.

My new method. The YA book I'm reading now is on top.

*There's a lot of work involved: I try to limit the main social media sites for my blog to Facebook and Twitter. I have a Pinterest account for it, but I don't really give that much thought anymore. It slipped between the cracks. I'm also thankful that someone else handles Twitter most of the time. Still, I feel like there's always a lot to post about and wish there were a way to condense things instead of thinking of all the things to post. I know I like to wish authors "Happy Birthday" each week, but I don't know if I'll continue that in 2016. I do it once a week, but it takes a lot of time to put the list together. Bookshelf and What's in the Mail are updated bi-weekly, so that's a little easier. Still, both are also time consuming, but I don't like the idea of letting go of either. Starting in 2016, the Go-to-Gay and Chick Lit Cheerleader columns will be alternating every month, so I won't have to focus on two columns a month. I've moved a lot of reviews from the queue over to our Amazon page so that they can go up right away and it's less maintenance on the blog to get them posted. I'm not trying to be lazy, but I don't want to get burnt out either. I know I have help available, but I'm not the delegating type. I do let other people handle interviews from time to time though. I also feel bad if I miss announcing a publication day. I can't always stay on top of those and there's no easy way to do it.

*The amount of communication involved: I manage a lot of requests, even though most are for the wrong genre altogether. I am also bad at keeping track of who signed up for which reviews. I try to keep a list, but then I end up forgetting about it. I have three separate e-mail accounts just for this blog, but am considering condensing some, as it's getting to be too much. I am terrible with managing e-mail, and it shows. Again, this is something I'm bringing upon myself.

*The social pressure: Mostly the expectation involved, such as attending BEA (Book Expo America) every year. I love BEA, but sometimes my attendance might not be feasible, even if I really REALLY want to go and it might be the only time to see my author friends. That ends up stressing me out in different ways. I also feel bad if I don't share or comment on everyone else's reviews all the time, not that I'm expecting them to share mine. I try to reciprocate whenever I can, but there's a lot to keep track of.

So even with all the joys and perks, there's also the stress. I still love my book blog and plan on keeping it around a while longer. I just need to find a more efficient way to keep my sanity intact!