Readers-What kinds of Guest Posts from Authors Intrigue You?

[Tabitha]

Please, help me out :0) I'm trying to come up with a new guest post to promote my novel, but I'm reaching that point where I feel like I'm running out of new things to say.

So, what kind of author guest post would draw your attention, as a reader?? What sorts of topics would grab your attention and get you interested in a book?

[Lily]

The ones I enjoy reading the most is where the author talks about their everday life and the way it influences their writing. Anecdotes, you could say, I find more enjoyable to read.

To be honest, blog posts about the author's book (s) tend to bore me to tears. If I wanted to know, I'd read the book. Posts like that come aross as an assumption to me, assuming that everyone who reads this is already a dedicated fan who believes the author can do no wrong.

For online blogs, chances are high complete strangers might be reading.

[Tabitha]

Thanks for the advice, Lily :0)

[Kevin]

Hi Tabitha,

I know when I first started pushing my own book here on GR, I read lots of "advice" saying I should start and maintain a blog. I did it for a month or so but then, like you, I ran out of topics. So I stopped. And I've been okay without it, I think.

My point: Please don't feel pressure to blog if it doesn't come naturally to you.

[Lily]

I've been maintaining a blog since 2006 (I think?) and I talk about whatever I feel like talking about. Of course, since then, I've expanded to social media. Back then, Facebook wasn't that big of a deal. So, I don't post as much as I used to.

For myself, maintaining a blog back before I had anything published has made a big difference for me. I just pretended no one reads it. You know, like picturing people in their underwear when giving a public speach. It works.

Kevin's right though. Using a blog for self-promotion isn't the best advice. A blog repesents you. Not your promotions.

[Tabitha]

Kevin wrote: "Hi Tabitha,

I know when I first started pushing my own book here on GR, I read lots of "advice" saying I should start and maintain a blog. I did it for a month or so but then, like you, I ran out ..."

Thanks, Kevin.

This is actually for a guest post on someone else's book blog, as a promo item :0)

[Lily]

Oh... uh... good luck!

[Tabitha]

Lily wrote: "Oh... uh... good luck!"

Lol, thanks. I guess I should have clarified that.

I was more trying to get some ideas from readers of: you're on your favorite book blog, you see an author's guest post: what kind of topics are going to grab your eye, or make you want to read what some strange author is going to say?

I think I'm gonna roll with your idea though of not talking directly about the book but more topically. I suppose if readers are interested in what I have to say on some book/writing related subject, they may take an interest in my book.

[Lily]

Yeah, got it now. So... ignore everything else :D

Anecdotes, I find, are quite useful.

Last time I did a guest post, and I haven't done very many because it can be so awkward, I wrote a short article about not mistaking the author for the fiction. It was very tongue in cheek. Did Tom Clancy live in a bunker? Of course not. And I'm not my characters. But I know how to write them :)

[Tabitha]

Lily wrote: "Yeah, got it now. So... ignore everything else :D

Anecdotes, I find, are quite useful.

Last time I did a guest post, and I haven't done very many because it can be so awkward, I wrote a short art..."

Cool. Thank you!

[Lily]

Phew. I helped this time lol

[Renee E]

Patrick Rothfuss' blog has some great examples. http://blog.patrickrothfuss.com/2015/...

[Tabitha]

Thanks, Renee! I'll check it out.

[Amber]

Here's a good example (in my opinion.)
https://saintsandtrees.wordpress.com/...

[Tabitha]

Cool. Thanks!