Month: February 2022

📢 Author Poll: Which social media platform are you on the most?

Posted on by Kim

Hello, lovely self-published authors! Today, I’m asking for your help with my first ever author poll!

I’ve been planning my future blog posts and decided to write about social media platforms and share some tips and my own personal experiences. However, as I set up this blog to help my clients (both current and future), I’d like to know what your experiences are.

I’m a Twitter fan and love tweeting, but which is the one you use the most?

[yop_poll id=”1″]

This mini poll will give me a quick snapshot of which platform is the most popular with self-publishing authors. But I’d be grateful for any comments about why you use the platform(s) that you do and what successes and disappointments have you experienced.

Drop me a comment below or use my contact form if you’d prefer.

I’m going to keep the poll open until 18th March 2022.

Looking forward to comparing social media notes. 😘

Guest Post: Rosie’s Book Review Team

Posted on by Kim

Hello everyone. Today is a Guest Post: Rosie’s Book Review Team.

At the beginning of the month, I introduced you all to Rosie @ Rosie Amber in my Book Bloggers Unveiled post. In that interview, Rosie told me that she also runs a book review team. A collection of book bloggers who review a wide range of stories.

I had to know more!

I’ve invited Rosie back today to The BG Blog to tell us more. This guest post will reveal how her team of book blogging reviewers came about. Why she feels RBRT is a great resource for self-publishing authors and smaller independent publishers.

It’s over to you, Rosie.

Rosie’s Book Review Team

new round Rosie's Book Review Team #RBRT

I started my book blog ten years ago. For the last eight years, I’ve successfully run a review team alongside my own reading list. 

During that time, we have done our best to spread the word about novels, novellas, short stories and non-fiction from self-published authors and independent publishers – to showcase talent found outside the mainstream publishing world.

The team idea came about because I was getting many submissions for books in genres that I was less keen to read. 

Also, I wanted to encourage more readers to write reviews. I created a book review challenge project, which was a great success; I then asked several of those who had taken part if they would like to join a team.  Happily, most of them said yes!

Each month we are inundated with review requests from authors and publishers alike.  Every book that I accept is passed on to my team of twenty readers, which is made up of an international mix of book bloggers, writers, editors, creative writing tutors and the reading public.  Most books gain just one or two reviews, but once in a while a gem comes along that piques the interest of several team members and receives highly favourable reviews across the board.

We mainly use e-books which can be sent as .mobi  or e-pub file to us. This involves little or no cost to the author. Once a month or so, I send a list of accepted submissions to the team, and they pick which one(s) they would like to read. I ask that they review the book within 4-6 weeks, but I don’t give deadlines.

The reviewer will post the review on at least two sites; Goodreads and Amazon are where most authors like to see a review, but some also post to other sites like BookBub.  Most of the team have their own book blog (though this is not a requirement) where they post any team review; they will also send me a copy to post on my blog at a later date, with full credit to the reviewer.

From the author’s point of view, the benefits of submitting to my review team are many.

Often, a book will be chosen by more than one reviewer, which saves them having to apply to multiple book blogs.  Once read, an author will have the review of their book posted on up to six sites. 

As for the team, I am delighted to say that we all get on so well, and some of us have met up a few times in real life.  I never anticipated that running my book blog would make me some great new friends – this was an unexpected bonus!

The team is constantly evolving; over the years members have come and gone; sometimes life gets in the way and a person may not have the time or headspace to review for a while, but obviously, I understand this and there is never any pressure.  I am lucky to have a core of supportive, reliable reviewers who have read for me month in, month out, over the years.

To date, the team have reviewed over 2000 books in a wide range of genres.

If you’d like to join our team you can find out more about it here.

Or, if you would like to submit a book for review, then here is the page that you need.

Find team review posts on Twitter using #RBRT (Rosie’s Book Review Team)

Thank you, Rosie, for giving us an insight into your fabulous team of book reviewers.

Before you go, if you missed it, why not read Rosie’s Book Bloggers Unveiled interview now. Find out more about her life on and off the blog.

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Rosie ~ the blogger behind Rosie Amber

Posted on by Kim

Hello everyone and welcome to The BG Blog. Today’s post is Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Rosie the blogger behind Rosie Amber.

In the last decade, there has been a self-publishing revolution as I discussed in my first Book Bloggers Unveiled post. I have a strong appreciation for the book blogging community and the part it plays. It’s obvious to me that book bloggers are a valuable marketing resource for any author wanting to self-publish their novels. Not only will they read your novel and write an honest review, but they’ll share their thoughts with their friends – they have hundreds of blogging friends.

Therefore, I’m using my voice to sing the praises of the humble book blogger. Today, it’s the lovely Rosie @ Rosie Amber.

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Rosie (Part 1)

Rosie B&W Soft

Hello Rosie, thanks for joining us. Firstly, let’s find out a little bit about you.

Why Did You Start Blogging?

I started blogging to combine a love of reading with a desire to embrace social technology; since then it’s developed into a passion to introduce avid readers to new writers, and offer a platform for little-known talent.

What’s The Best Part About Being A Book Blogger?

Creating a place where readers can discover exciting new books. Talking to writers and readers and that special moment when someone says ‘I have just bought that book after reading your review.’

women relaxing by the lake
Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

What Books Do You Read?

I read both fiction and non-fiction

Are There Any Genres or Type of Books You Avoid?

I prefer not to read horror, political works, high fantasy, scifi, poetry and short stories.

books in black wooden book shelf
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Do You Have A Favourite Genre, Author, Series? Tell Us More.

Yes, several! I will just mention a few.

  • Historical fiction – I really enjoy Kate Quinn’s war themed stories, I like anything realistic and gritty from either World War, especially if it is resistance themed.
  • Historical romance – I’m quite happy reading Mills and Boon/ Harlequin romance. A few of my current favourite authors are Virginia Heath, Janice Preston, Annie Burrows and Marguerite Kaye.
  • For contemporary adult romance I will read anything by Melissa Foster and I do enjoy a sports romance which tend to fit the new adult genre.
  • I like an action adventure and will read any Scott Mariani story, I recently read an indie author in this genre whose book was good too; Jenks by Barney Burrell.
  • I enjoy urban fantasy and can recommend books by Debra Dunbar, Kalayna Price and Kirsten Weiss.
  • This then crosses to the paranormal genre with books by India R Adams, Melissa Haag and Sarah Addison Allen.
  • While I’m going down my list, I like young adult stories too and would like to mention Joy Jenkins, Kylie Scott and Margot de Klerk.

Which Five Authors (Living or Dead) Would You Invite To Your Dinner Party? Tell Us Why.

person holding clear wine glass
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Ooh a dinner party, that’s a thing of dreams with another Covid induced Lockdown looming! I’d actually like to host a dinner for some of the authors that I have built a great book relationship with: Reily Garrett (author of romantic suspense Moonlight and Murder stories), Marguerite Kaye (author of many Historical romances most recently the joint author of Her Heart For A Compass with Sarah, Duchess Of York), Virginia Heath (Historical romance author of many books; The Wild Warriners were some of my favourites), Kimberly Wenzler (contemporary author of Seasons Out Of Time) and Chris Bridge (His war story Back Behind Enemy Lines was brilliant).

What’s The Worst Part About Being A Book Blogger?

One of the most challenging parts is creating interesting content on multiple platforms to keep your audience entertained and to gain additional genuine followers.

Do You Have Any Hobbies Outside of Blogging? What Do You Do To Relax?

I like baking although I look on a recipe as a guide rather than something which I must follow! I also enjoy gardening. In the last two years I have been growing more and last year I created a kitchen garden.

green parsley seedlings on marble table
Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Tell Us Something That Your Existing Followers Don’t Know About You?

I come from a farming background and I have a cow named after me, although she is can be quite awkward at times, so I hope I’m nothing like her!

Thank you for sharing your innermost secrets with us Rosie. Now, I’m even more excited to find out more about your book blog.

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Rosie (Part 2)

What’s Your Blog Called?

Rosie Amber

How Long Have You Been a Book Blogger?

10 years

What Type Of Posts Can We Find On Your Blog?

Although it is mainly book reviews we do a few other posts including advice posts. See (https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/wednesday-wing-useful-posts-and-tips-for-authors/)

What is Your Favourite Type of Blog Post to Write?

This would be a review of a book that I enjoyed so much that I can’t wait to share it with others.

book on a white wooden table
Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

How Long Does it Take You to Create a Post For Your Book Blog?

Excluding the time to read the book and write the review, probably about 20 minutes as I keep to a format.

What Are Your Top Three Favourite Blog Posts You’ve Written?

I have a lovely team of reviewers who help me review and between us we have written some popular posts:

What Has Been Your Proudest Blogging Moment To Date?

Creating a successful team of book reviewers has been brilliant. They come from all over the world and I have even met up with some of them.

new round Rosie's Book Review Team #RBRT

Back in July 2020, we celebrated 6 years of the review team with our top 14 books. Here’s a link to the first post: https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-fzh

Where Else Can We Find You? Please Share Your Social Media Links.

Find me on Twitter @rosieamber1 My review team and I created the popular hashtag #TuesdayBookBlog for anyone who has a book-related blog post that they post on a Tuesday. We help to share as many as we can each week.

Why does RBRT love #TuesdayBookBlog ?(

I am also on Instagram @therosieamber and of course my book blog

Do You Have Any Blogging Goals This Year? If You Do, Please Share Them With Us.

I am always ready to learn new things which will help to continue to grow the blog and the social media platform connected with it. Reaching new followers and communicating with them to make them feel a part of our group is something that I would like to do more of.

I couldn’t agree more, Rosie. Every day is an opportunity to learn and using new skills to help grow your platform sounds like a wonderful goal to have. Thank you for sharing these insights into your blogging life with us.

I hope that you’ve found this post, Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Rosie, as insightful as I did. Running a successful book blog and a team of reviewers obviously has its ups and downs, but Rosie’s passion for the written word shines through every page of her site.

Do you follow Rosie Amber already? Please take a moment to visit Rosie’s blog, like, follow and comment on a few posts. And as a bonus, if you browse through her review archive, I’m sure you’ll find your next favourite read!

I’ll be sharing more information about her review team later this month, but you can find reviews from Rosie Amber and Rosie’s Book Review Team on my Twitter feed all month.

Next month, I’ll be unveiling another fantastic book blogger.