Tag: The BG Blog

Secret to Bestseller Success for Indie Authors

Posted on by Kim

Do you know what the Secret to Bestseller Success for Indie Authors is? Have you ever wondered how one self-publishing author manages to write their books so successfully over another? 🤔 Well ponder no longer, dear writer, for I know one of their secrets and I’m going to share it with you today. 🤫

The indie author field has blossomed.

With the explosion of the self-publishing revolution, more and more of us are getting our stories out there. Trouble is, there are a growing number of helpful writing guides out there too. Each guide telling you the rules and how you should write!

adult blur books close up
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I understand how overwhelming it is to have so many answers available at the end of a google search. Many so-called rules of writing seem to contradict one another! It extremely frustrating. 🤷‍♂️ And that’s the thing, as a qualified editor myself, I’ve learned that these frequently quoted rules are actually more like guidelines and shouldn’t be followed blindly.

Language guidelines were (and still are) created to help readers understand the text they’re reading; following these guides should help bring clarity to a piece of writing not stamp out an author’s voice. Good editors understand this and pass that on to their clients.

So, here’s the secret to bestseller success…

…are you ready?

Hone your own author voice and create your own style guide!

Simple, isn’t it?!

With your own style guide, everything in your book will be clear and consistent. For example:

✅ When you write a character’s name, it will be spelled the same way through the story.

✅ When one of your characters is sharing their thoughts with the reader, it will be formatted identically each time. It becomes easier to distinguish from the spoken dialogue.

You get the gist.

I’m not saying abandon all spelling, punctuation, and grammar conventions, 😘 instead work with your editor to find the styles that fit with you, your stories, and your readers.

I collaborate with my author clients to create a style guide for their books as part of the editing process.

“After bathing in a sea of vaguely conflicting advice online regarding punctuation, I emerged with one clear message: there are no Actual Laws in force.”  (—Author Holly Bell)

The good thing is, once you’ve got all these little “styles” agreed, it’s makes things easier in the future — for both you and your editor.

Start creating your style guide today and enjoy some bestseller success as an indie author yourself!

From now until 27th August 2022, I’m giving away How to create your Author Style Guide. My guide also comes with a free template. Start your new stress-free writing today!

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Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Wendy ~ The lovely blogger behind The Bashful Bookworm

Posted on by Kim

Hello everyone and welcome to The BG Blog. Today’s post is Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Wendy the blogger behind The Bashful Bookworm. But first…

What is Book Blogger Unveiled?

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 Wendy @ The Bashful Bookworm.

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

Book blogger Wendy W.

Why Did You Start Blogging?

After I retired, I wanted to read more books, and get involved in the book community

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

The book community is the best part of being a book blogger.

What Books Do You Read?

Fiction

Are There Any Genres or Type of Books You Avoid?

Although I can appreciate the skill and technique it takes to write these books, I don’t like to read horror, poetry, erotica, or children’s books.

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

Wendy's favourite read - Virgin River Series by Robyn Carr
(image from Goodreads)

My preference is to read women’s fiction and romance. However, I also read some cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and light paranormal romance. I loved the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr, and have read all 20+ books, some many times over. I read mostly for pure entertainment, and I don’t like to read books that are too deep or literary.

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

Colleen Hoover, Nora Roberts, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Christina Lauren (actually 2 people, but I can find an extra chair somewhere!😂 ) and Kristan Higgins.

Nora Roberts because she is the queen of romance. Her books were what drew me to the genre in the first place. Colleen Hoover because she writes the most emotional books ever. Taylor Jenkins Reid because her books are unique, emotional and gripping. Christina Lauren writes with a combination of humor and emotion that just makes for a happy book. Kristan Higgins, also writes books with that perfect balance of humor and emotion, with well developed characters.

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

It’s a lot of work. I manage that by reading and reviewing books as far ahead of time as possible, and schedule most of my blog posts about 4 weeks out. Especially my review posts.

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

woman standing on a cliff taking selfie
Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

I like to hike and camp. I live in Northern Arizona, and have National Forests and The Grand Canyon close by.

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

My two children who are grown now, are Korean. We adopted them as babies, and they are the love and light of my life.

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

female friends browsing smartphone on lawn
Photo by JESSICA TICOZZELLI on Pexels.com

Thank you for sharing your innermost secrets with us Wendy.

Now, I’m even more excited to find out more about your book blog.

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What’s Your Blog Called?

The Bashful Bookworm

How Long Have You Been a Book Blogger?

10 months

What Type Of Posts Can We Find On Your Blog?

Reviews, Lists, Blog tours.

What is Your Favourite Type of Blog Post to Write?

TopTenTuesday-newlogo-768x308 That Artsy Reader Girl

My favorite post to write is the Top Ten Tuesday. It always makes me think.

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

Twenty minutes for a simple review post, and about an hour for the wrap up posts, or the top ten posts.

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

What Has Been Your Proudest Blogging Moment To Date?

This is hard for me to answer. I’m proud of my blog, and how it’s growing every day.

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

I want to continue my streak of a blog post every single day. I would like to do more discussion posts so I can interact more with my audience.

group of people reading book sitting on chair
Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels.com

I hope that you enjoyed this post, Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Wendy, as much as I did. Running a successful book blog obviously has its ups and downs, but I love Wendy’s passion for reading and her community spirit. She’s a book blogging treasure! 💙

Do you follow Wendy on any of her social media accounts? Please take a moment to visit her blog, The Bashful Bookworm and 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!

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

SPaG: Affect or Effect – 3 tricks to remember which to use💡

Posted on by Kim

Hello, welcome back. Do you struggle to know whether to use “affect” or “effect” in your writing? Are you tired of giving up and using “impact” instead?

Woohoo! Fantastic! I can help with that because today, I’m going to let you into a few of my teaching trade secrets about those pesky words. Is it affect or effect? After reading this post, you won’t have to ask that question again.

hispanic girl whispering secret on ear of friend
Photo by Eren Li on Pexels.com

Here in the UK, even as native English speakers, mixing up affect and effect is commonplace. They’re different parts of speech, but they sound almost identical. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Bear and bare, here and hear, and write and right are other examples of homophones that cause headaches to writers of all ages. During my years in the education sector, I’ve collected quite a few handy mnemonics related to spelling and grammar. Today, I’m sharing some affect vs effect handy helpers with you.

How do I remember the difference between affect and effect?

Getting the meaning behind each word cemented in your mind is vital. Having that knowledge will give you the confidence to use affect and effect correctly.

➡️Effect

Effect is usually a verb that means to cause change but when effect is a noun, it means the results of a change. For example:

The effect of climate change is worldwide. Climate change may benefit some plants by lengthening growing seasons and increasing carbon dioxide. Other effects of a warmer world, such as more pests, droughts, and flooding, are more severe.

If you’re discussing the final result of action then you can use ‘effect’. By using this simple rule, you can remember that ‘effect’ represents the end, as they both start with ‘e’. Think end, think E!

➡️Affect

Affect, on the other hand, is usually a verb and means to influence or to produce a change in something.

Gravity affects everything in the universe, but the amount of gravity affecting an object depends on two things: the masses of the objects being attracted and the distance between the objects.

Another handy mnemonic device to help you remember when to use affect in a sentence is Think A is for action!

You may also come across it used as a noun. Affect can be used to mean the facial expressions, gestures, postures, vocal intonations, etc., that typically accompany an emotion as well as the conscious emotion that occurs in reaction to a thought or experience.

His facial expressions were diminished and presented a flat affect.

💡Affect Pronunciation Hint:

  • When affect is a verb, the second syllable is emphasized = uh-FEKT
  • When affect is a noun, the first syllable is emphasized = AH-fekt

However, as with many words in the English language, using affect as a noun in this way is now only really used in psychology.

⭐3 simple tricks for remembering the differences ⭐

1. “A” comes before “E“ in the alphabet. The “A“ stands for the action that affects and comes before the effect. Think cause followed by effect.

2. If you can replace the word with influence, then you should probably use affect.

If you can replace the word with result, you should probably use effect.

3. You can put that altogether by remembering RAVEN:

  • R – Remember
  • A – Affect is a
  • V – Verb and
  • E – Effect is a
  • N – Noun
Infographic - SPaG Affect or Effect - 3 handy tricks to remember which to use in your writing

My final bit of advice about this and other mix-ups

English, like many other languages, has its own set of tricky rules and intricacies. We may not like it, but it is what it is. However, don’t give up.

With a little bit of practice and help from guides like this one, you can become a grammar master. Jotting down the things that repeatedly catch you out, as I suggested in my post about spelling mistakes, is a great way to retrain your brain.

I hope you found this post about affect and effect helpful. Are there any other bits of the English language that you struggle with? Drop me a comment below so that I can feature the solution in my next grammar post.

Until next time,

Kim

Book Bloggers Unveiled – Meet Sue @ Sue’s Musings

Posted on by Kim

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

It’s no secret that there has been a self-publishing revolution during the last decade 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 and undervalued book blogger.

Today, it’s the lovely Sue @ Sue’s Musings.

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

Sue Bavey
Sue Bavey

Why Did You Start Blogging?

I was reviewing books on Goodreads and wanted to expand a bit more to include features and interviews.

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

Being part of a great community and being asked to read arcs before books are available to the general public.

person writing on the notebook
Photo by Startup Stock Photos on Pexels.com

What Books Do You Read?

Fiction

Are There Any Genres or Type of Books You Avoid?

Erotica and religious books

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

wooden runes and stones scattered on wool plaid
Photo by Summer Rune on Pexels.com

Fantasy, I especially like Norse fantasy and my favourite indie author within that subgenre is Lyra Wolf whose Loki books are phenomenal. The Nine Worlds Rising series. Book 3 is out on March 9th and I cannot wait.

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

Well, I would pick indie authors who I interact with on Twitter as I think it would make for a fun and entertaining evening.

Lyra Wolf to bring the spiced honey cakes – when you sign up to her newsletter you receive a free Norse inspired recipe book – and to tell me all the latest gossip about what Loki has been up to lately, Dan Fitzgerald – he has some interesting takes on Romantic Fantasy as a genre and could share his photography with us, Sean Gibson would keep everyone entertained with his silliness, Bjørn Larssen always has interesting stories and insights, T.A. Bruno – I would like to know more about his day job working in the film industry in L.A.

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

It can be difficult to find subscribers and get people to read your blog posts!

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

I wrote a book and it was published in 2021 – a memoir of my grandfather’s long life: Lucky Jack (1894-2000). I have a few ideas for a couple of other books as well.

ballpoint pen classic coffee composition
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I really enjoy going to see bands when they tour in the Boston, MA area. In the warmer months, I like to swim – we are lucky enough to have a pool. I have two teenagers so am the household taxi service as far as they are concerned. I listen to podcasts and enjoy watching SciFi and fantasy movies and TV shows.

On Twitter @SueBavey and Instagram @SueBavey – but it is definitely not a bookish Instagram account – it’s more for photos of places I visit.

Thank you for sharing your innermost secrets with us Sue.

Now, just a quick “Fun Facts” book blog.

Sue's Musings Banner

What’s Your Blog Called?

Sue’s Musings

How Long Have You Been a Book Blogger?

Since November 2020

What Type Of Posts Can We Find On Your Blog?

Reviews, blog tours, interviews ‘Indie Spotlight’ and ‘Illustration Showcase’ posts

What is Your Favourite Type of Blog Post to Write?

Reviews – I feel like I am gradually getting better at them – hopefully!

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

20 minutes to half an hour not including reading the book.

Please Share With Us Some Of Your Favourite Posts From Your Blog

I don’t really have any favourite reviews as each review I write is my favourite at the time! These posts were fun to put together:

What Has Been Your Proudest Blogging Moment To Date?

I am doing a series in March called #marchofthesequels – interviews with authors about their sequels and the response has been amazing – I have almost enough posts for one a day throughout March!

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

My goal is always to reach more people so I can share the book love!

woman in beige long sleeve dress standing in front of white wooden book shelf
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

I hope that you’ve found this post, Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Sue, as insightful as I did. Running a successful book blog obviously has its ups and downs, but Sue’s passion for the independent, self-publishing author shines through every page of her site.

Do you follow Sue’s on her social media accounts? Please take a moment to visit her blog, Sue’s Musings and 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!

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

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Sassy Redhead ~ the blogger behind Sassy Redhead Book Reviews

Posted on by Kim

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

During the last ten years, we have seen 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 fun-loving Sassy Redhead @ Sassy Redhead Book Reviews.

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

Sassy Redhead Avatar 400x400
Sassy Redhead

Why Did You Start Blogging?

I was finishing up my BA and as an adult learner, I wanted to have something to keep me busy now that I was preparing to graduate. I work a full-time job, but wanted something to fill my spare time since I was so busy with coursework for so long.

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

I love finding new to me authors to read and get lost in books.

What Books Do You Read?

Fiction

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

Are There Any Genres or Type of Books You Avoid?

I don’t necessarily avoid them, but I am not a huge Historical Romance reader.

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

I have several favorite authors. My favorite genres would be Romance (to include MC, Mafia, suspense) and suspense/thrillers. My favorite authors include Sue Coletta, Sophie Lark, James Patterson, Laramie Briscoe, Andi Rhodes and Ciara St. James

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

Sue Coletta, Ciara St. James, Andi Rhodes, Sophie Lark, and Laramie Briscoe

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

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

Trying to keep my blog updated. I seem to keep filling my calendar and not giving myself enough time for everything I want to do.

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

Spend time with my family. Family is everything to me. 💙

man beach holiday woman
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

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

Twitter: @SassyKebkerr

Thank you for sharing your innermost secrets with us. 💙

Now, for some quick Fun Facts about your book blog.

Sassy Redhead Book Reviews Blog Banner

What’s Your Blog Called?

Sassy Redhead Book Reviews

How Long Have You Been a Book Blogger?

Since 2017

What Type Of Posts Can We Find On Your Blog?

Reviews, Lists, blog tours

What is Your Favourite Type of Blog Post to Write?

Anything to do with promoting authors, whether they are well known or just starting out.

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

Usually about an hour.

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

Do you follow Sassy RedHead already? Please take a moment to visit her blog, and 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!

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

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Jolie ~ the blogger behind Read with Me

Posted on by Kim

Hello everyone and welcome to The BG Blog. Today’s post is Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Jolie the blogger behind Read with Me.

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 Jolie @ Read with Me.

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Jolie (Part 1)

Read With Me Blog Header

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

When & Why Did You Start Blogging?

I started blogging in 2008 on Blogger, switched to WordPress in 2010. I started blogging about book reviews in 2016 and haven’t looked back!!

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

The best part about being a book blogger is the book blogging community. I have met so many wonderful people in my years blogging.

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

What Books Do You Read?

Fiction.

Are There Any Genres or Type of Books You Avoid?

I avoid non-fiction, DIY, Self Help, Reference, Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Religion, and Children’s books.

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

I love dark fantasy. My favorite author is Anne Bishop and my favorite series is the Black Jewel Series. I had randomly picked up the first book in that series at Barnes and Noble back in the early 2000’s and loved it. It was a great introduction the dark fantasy.

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

I would invite Anne Bishop, Laurell K. Hamilton, Teresa Medieros, Julie Garwood, and VC Andrews. I would love to talk to them about their books and get to know them as people. I have a feeling that they would have some interesting tales to tell!!

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

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

The worst part about being a book blogger is that people sometimes can’t just read reviews and move on. I have been harassed via email because of some reviews that I have written. That led me to have my comments to be moderated (this person went into the comments too). I get that you like/dislike a book but not everyone is going to have the same opinion. To attack someone over that is not right.

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

Yes, I do!! I love to cook, bake, watch TV, play online games, spend time with my husband and children, rescue stray cats, and attempt to garden. I also unplug on the weekends.

black handle knife with vegetables
Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

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

Hmmmm, let me think about this. I am extremely shy in real life. It takes a lot for me to warm up and talk to someone. But online, forget it. I can be a Chatty Cathy….lol.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/bezary

Jolie Read With Me Facebook Profile Image
Jolie Read With Me Goodreads Profile Image

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

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Jolie (Part 2)

Jolie Read With Me Facebook Banner Image

What’s Your Blog Called?

Read with Me

How Long Have You Been a Book Blogger?

5 years but I have been blogging for 13

What Type Of Posts Can We Find On Your Blog?

Reviews and Blog Tours

What is Your Favourite Type of Blog Post to Write?

I love to write book reviews.

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?

It takes me a long time, around 3-4 hours. I have 3 kids, a husband who works from home 2 days a week and get interrupted constantly.

Woah! I’m even more in awe, Jolie. Your time management is inspirational! 😍

Thank you for sharing these insights into your blogging life with us.

I hope that you’ve found this post, Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Jolie, as insightful as I did. I’m looking forward to unveiling another book blogger next month.

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.

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Flora ~ the blogger behind Flora’s Musings

Posted on by Kim

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

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 Flora @ Flora’s Musings. Flora has already written a couple of posts for The BG Blog and has kindly agreed to be my first victim participant of the Book Bloggers Unveiled series.

Hello Flora, thanks for joining us again and for agreeing to answer my questions about the life of a book blogger. Firstly, let’s find out a little bit about you.

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Flora (Part 1)

Flora's Musings - Flora's Signature-3

Why Did You Start Blogging?

I just wanted an online space that allowed me to share more than a Tweet. Stuff that I found inspiring, and somewhere I could share my thoughts on what I was reading and watching. But also a place I could talk about subjects that were important to me.

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

You mean apart from authors and publishers sending me audiobooks to review? Lol! 😘 Well, I’d have to say the best bit is being part of a wonderful book blogging community. I’ve made some fabulous friends and have found so many new-to-me authors.

girl reading book on brown wooden table
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

What Books Do You Read?

Fiction

Are There Any Genres or Type of Books You Avoid?

I avoid stories where that protagonist is under 18.

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

I love paranormal romance and urban fantasy. My favourite author is Dianne Duvall, she’s got a few series – Immortal Guardians, The Gifted Ones, and Alderbarian Alliance. Each series could sit on a different genre shelf but they all have gritting plots with adventure and a romance weaved in.

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

Dianne Duvall, Felicity Heaton, Teresa Gabelman, and Holly Bell of course because they’re all my favourite authors and I have a million questions I’d love to ask them. My blog’s review archive is full of their titles. But I’d also like to invite Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, apart from finding out how he devised his plots, I’d also like to know how he feels about all the TV and film adaptations of his books.

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

I had to think about this one for a bit. I used to get stressed about the number of ARCs (Advanced Reader Copy) I had to read/review by a certain date. Having to read a book and wanting to can shift your emotional state. You get reading slumps, blogger burn-out, and flounder about like a fish out of water. However, this year I swapped to audiobooks and no longer have any deadlines. I’m much more relaxed.

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

Listening to audiobooks is my happy place. Oh, and I like doing jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, and watching stuff on Sky or Netflix.

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

When I was a teenager, I used to write stories about The A-Team and Battlestar Galactica where I was the protagonist.

person holding white ceramci be happy painted mug
Photo by Lisa on Pexels.com

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

Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Flora (Part 2)

Flora's Musings - Blog Graphic

What’s Your Blog Called?

Flora’s Musings

How Long Have You Been a Book Blogger?

about 8 years

What Type Of Posts Can We Find On Your Blog?

Reviews, Lists, Blog Tours, Tags and memes

What is Your Favourite Type of Blog Post to Write?

I still love sharing my thoughts about the audiobooks I listen to.

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

Not including the actual listening/reading, a good few hours. I have a regular format but I still have to organise my thoughts, create the graphics, add purchase links so my followers can buy it too.

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

This is another tough question, Kim. It’s like choosing which of my kids I love the most! But I’ve found three that I enjoyed writing

What Has Been Your Proudest Blogging Moment To Date?

Easy, the first time I plucked up the courage to reach out to an author and ask if we could do a Q&A for my blog.

Flora Meets Maria Vale ~ author of The Legend of All Wolves series.

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

I’d love to get more followers, but I’m happy with the organic growth I’ve got going. It’s quality rather than quantity.

I couldn’t agree more, Flora. Quality always outweighs quantity in my mind. Thank you for sharing these insights into your blogging life with us.

Flora’s Social Media Links. Go Follow, Like, and RT

I hope that you’ve found this post, Book Bloggers Unveiled: Meet Flora, as insightful as I did. I’m looking forward to unveiling another book blogger next month.

Book Bloggers Unveiled ~ Help for authors self-publishing!

Posted on by Kim

Hello everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about book bloggers and how they help authors with their self-published books. Introducing, Book Bloggers Unveiled.

In the last decade, we’ve witnessed a self-publishing revolution. Viva La Revolution! Amazon’s Kindle Print on Demand facility means that anyone from established authors to new writers are now able to send their words out into the world without the need (or cost) of a publishing house.

photo of a woman holding an ipad
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Yeah, Amazon! They’ve single-handedly opened up the publishing industry. Right?

Well, not without help from forward-thinking people who jumped on the self-publishing ideal and went with it. I typed in “how to self publish a book” into Google the other day and got a whopping 30.5 million results!

The advantages and disadvantages of publishing your own work have been discussed in posts and articles for years so I’m not going to talk about that. There’s a plethora of help and advice out there at the click of a button so I don’t want to just rehash any of that either. I’m not an expert in book formatting, design or how to load your books onto the various retailers’ shelves. However, I do have a background in blogging and a strong connection to the book blogging community. Therefore, I’m going to add my voice to those who are currently singing the praises of the humble book blogger.

What’s so great about book bloggers?

I came across an article on NovelPublicity.com written by debut novelist Terri Giuliano Long that resonated with me. Long wrote How book bloggers sparked the indie publishing revolution back in 2012. I think book bloggers are even more relevant now, ten years later in 2022.

In her guest post, Long said that she’d been previously told by a former agent that her book wouldn’t hit the 500 sales mark. She credits the book blogging community plugging her debut novel with the resulting 80,000 sales. Long feels that the book blogging community has taken over from traditional reviewers. Providing reviews as in-depth as professional reviewers, but with a more personal feel.

Utilise the community of avid readers to promote your book

Promoting diversity is a recurring theme amongst book bloggers and utilising the book blogging community as part of your marketing strategy when you self-publish your next novel is logical. Long says that, among other things, book bloggers help people “discover new voices”:

“Unlike traditional media, most bloggers don’t stigmatize indie-published books. Except perhaps in free reads, no one pays bloggers for their reviews. Bloggers don’t answer to corporate publishers, nudging them to read books by their anointed authors, nor do they answer to a marketing team. Bloggers select books freely – their only goal is to share good reads with their readers and followers. Because they’re open-minded, willing to read books by an author they’ve never heard of, they discover new voices. This is what happened with In Leah’s Wake.”

NovelPublicity.com (2012) Online article “Thanks to you: How book bloggers sparked the indie …”

I personally don’t like to generalise like that. Yes, there are lots of book bloggers out there who do everything Long says and more, but I’m sure there are also those who don’t. However, 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.

So, what’s that got to do with me?

As I said, the book blogging community is a vast collection of avid readers. Just like you and me, each blogger has different reading tastes, likes, and dislikes. When you don’t have the resources or finances of a publishing company behind you, promoting your new baby takes valuable time, resources, and funds. Just the word “marketing” sends shivers down my spine and brings me out in a cold sweat!

I’m not a marketing expert. I started The BG Blog to help writers find solutions to the problems they may be facing. My new regular feature, Book Bloggers Unveiled, adds to that. Every month will feature a different book blogger. I’ll be sharing a little bit about their blog and the avid reader behind it. Therefore, you can get to know the book blogging community too and tap into this wonderful resource.

Look out for my first Book Bloggers Unveiled post later this month. In the meantime, you can check out my library where you’ll find lots of resources. There are posts and links that I’ve compiled for authors, writers, readers, bloggers and fellow editors and proofreaders.

Pinterest Pin - Book Bloggers Unveiled - Help for authors self-publishing (2)