For the last 10 months, I’ve been fraternising with two worlds: authors life vs the book blogger life.
And let me tell you WOW it is like trying to drink a cup of tea with the cup. Or the tea. Like I love both worlds, but they do clash a lot? Authors and bloggers are frequently told to stay out of each other’s spaces. Which is fair! But also…which space do I belong now?
I find myself commenting on a book blogging issue and then backspacing quickly with the, “omg they might think I’m rude for chiming in since I’m an author too??” And then oh w o w try catching me talking to another author.
It goes basically like this:
Author: Hi! thanks for supporting my book!!
Me: *STARS SHINE OUT OF MY EYES*
Author: I can’t wait to read your book too!
Me: *EXITS STAGE LEFT WITH HAIR ON FIRE*
I think I’ve got impostor syndrome bad. 😂 But I generally feel like a excitedly shimmying fan of books not…someone…who also writes…books. I want to be?! But my books are small and I am small (truly; 5’1) and no ones has given me cupcakes with my book cover printed on them so clearly I’m still not a real author yet. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I don’t make the rules this is true.
But since I belong to both worlds, I figure it’s time to talk about…
the best vs worst parts of being a blogger and an author
I actually don’t know many authors who do both! At first I was like “omg maybe it’s taboo??? we can’t frolic about in both territories” but also I suspect that authors have no time for it all! But basically I wanted to talk about it because it’s good to be transparent sometimes and you’re all so with me on my author-journey so. 🤗 Here we go.
➸ Uhhh…seeing negative reviews.
I mean OBVIOUSLY. Reviews are for readers, noooot the authors. Awk. But I feel like it’s easy to stumble across negative reviews for my books while I’m still super active on Goodreads and blogs?! Authors always sagely drink their wormwood tea and nod to each other and say, “DELETE GOODREADS.” But then…I’m obligated to review ARCs I’ve requested so, uh, I need to be on there? Also the world would be bereft without me making Six of Crows memes, come on. (Also having people I’m friends with on Goodreads say my book is trash is …😭😂 Yeah I’m gonna go now. It’s so awkward…)
➸ Finding time?!?
I HAVE NO TIME. I haven’t blogged in so long because I have !!! no time !!! I’ve barely read this month and it’s freaking me out. But at the end of the day = do I conquer my TBR? Or do I write my own book? I don’t want to choose. I want it…all.
➸ Being treated as *just* a blogger.
Like I’ve had other authors be super friendly with me, while I sat there like an adorable puppy thinking, “Omg! I’ve made it! Fellow authors want me as a friend!” But then as soon as I promote their book once — boom they’re gone. So I was just a blogger to them. Staaaab me in the heart, why don’t you.
➸ Cringing at the awful things that happen between bloggers and authors.
SO much fault on both sides. From bloggers trash talking authors (I legit saw a thread of bloggers “rating” authors on how friendly/bubbly they were in person; and if they weren’t, then they were being tossed as “bad authors”😳Lots of us are socially awkward introverts, hi.) and selling ARCs and tagging authors in negative reviews. To authors harassing reviewers for their opinions or stalking them (LITERALLY STALKING THEM) or dragging reviewers in subtweets or acting like every reviewer is out to snatch free books and be snarky.
Like, I am on both sides. Why are we all such a mess. I want stand with my blogger friends (we are under-appreciated!) and also side with my author friends (we seriously have a hard job!). GAH.
➸ I don’t want to write reviews anymore!
Like I do want to review books I LOVE. But I feel “meh” about a lot of books and I don’t want to do negative reviews anymore. It’s subjective! Life is subjective!! It’s too hard !! to review !! when I feel fragile about my own books!!
➸ I have the bessssst book community friends!
Ok I’m LUCKY here. I am so immensely comforted, supported, encouraged, and just loved on by the book community (!!!) and it’s frikkin’ amazing. I will never get over this.😍And a lot of bloggers have just been with me from the days when I scrawled scrappy NaNoWriMo novels and over-used gifs, and they’ve watched me fight for these book deal and gone all mother-hen over me and I love you all so much.😘Seriously. This keeps me going.
➸ It’s really boring to read and not discuss, okay!!
I kind of can’t imagine reading a book, nodding to myself, and then sliding it back on the shelf??? No no. I need to take photos of it. I need to write my feels. I need message several friends about what-did-you-think-of-that-plot-twist. I need to add it to lists of books for Top Ten Tuesday posts. I LOVE sharing about books and that hasn’t changed!
➸ I can get the gossip from both sides ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Here to be honest today. 😌But when drama arises, I can generally get the info about it from both sides: what the authors thought vs what the bloggers thought. Not that I chase dramas? Usually they make me annoyed or angry. But sometimes it’s interesting to view from afar. Like I can be one of those dashing people at a famous 19th century opera, using a binoculars to peer at the stage while drinking chocolate milk champagne and wearing spotless white gloves up to my elbows. #mood
➸ Also just being in the book community has taught me so much.
About problematic tropes. About what types of books are missing vs overdone. About just learning from the kind labours of love that marginalised people give out by educating the rest of us. About writing critical reviews and how I can improve my own work because of that. ABOUT HOW TO MARKET!?? All my online success for my books, I directly attribute to blogging and learning how to market and promote books!
➸ People talk to me about my books and I just love that.
You want to flail with me in my mentions about my books? Tell me your headcanons? Yell about my soft bois and their sadness? Tell me the parts you laughed at?
DUUUUUUUUDE. My life span increases by 1000%.😍I don’t even care if it’s not proper author-reader behaviour. It just makes me thrive. Yes yes thank you. And I think, perhaps, because I am a blogger and people already know me — it’s not hard to crash into my DMs yelling about how I ended The Boy Who Steals Houses or what should happen in a sequel. Love love love.
do you blog *and* write books? if you’re not published yet, do you want to continue doing both when you are published? do you think bloggers and authors should stay out of each other’s spaces? 🤔
Honestly I love that even though you are a Proper Author now (yes, you are, don’t argue!) you’re still so approachable and chatty. I mean, in a terrifying how is this person so popular and successful but she actually doesn’t seem to mind being DM’d and tagged and stuff way, but… Socially anxious introvert here too 🙈
I write & review & occasionally blog and flail all over instagram and even though I’m nowhere near published and no-one knows me, I still feel so awkward about writing bad reviews when I’m ranting to be on the other side myself.
fjakdslfad thank you, you are so so lovely 😭💛 I hope the “proper author” feels might catch up? But so far I feel like a small squish of a blogger! (All the socially anxious feels here too, don’t worry.)
Hi, I’m a writer who doesn’t blog because my time off is STRICTLY FOR WRITING (and reading on the days I CANNOT WRITE)
I believe that Authors and Bloggers should attempt to stay out of each other’s universes to the best of their ability!
Aww ok! 🙈 That makes me sad I guess! I don’t intend to stop blogging.
Please DON’T STOP
Dude Cait the reason I love you is because your reader interaction is beyond amazing! It makes little introverted blogger me feel like I’m not approaching a Respectful Scary Author™ . I learn a lot from your little ramblings and it’s just awesome, okay? Don’t stop being who you are.
Unless you exhaust yourself. Take breaks and drink water, please.
afjsdlads can I just say this means a lot to me and is so so encouraging 😭💛 I will staaaaay, until everyone is sick of me (which is probably going to be soon lmao but I’m having fun) and yes I probably should drink more water. Also calm down and stop climbing walls. 😂 Chill out? I don’t know her.
Ahh gosh, Cait yeah I can totally understand why it’s so hard and you’re in such a weird spot. But I love your books and we love you and keep being as amazing as you are.
YOU’RE SO LOVELY 💛💛💛 see this is why I can’t even stop blogging, despite the downsides. My bookworm family is here!!
I both write and blog too – although increasingly I’ve had to step back from blog tours because I found myself spending more time writing about other people’s stories than I did writing my own. But I’ve learned a lot from my fellow bloggers about what makes a book that people want to read and I’ve been grateful for their friendly support too. x
I do get that! I’ve been posting less because it’s like “do I blog or do I WRITE” and it’s more sensible to write probably. But I do try to keep both up. More hours in the day, please? 😂
I want to blog and I want to publish books and now I’m freaking out hehe. I think being part of the book community is necessary, even before finishing a book. You make friends, and writer buddies, and CPs, and fellow readers who love the same books you do. It’s fun! I have no idea how would I survive doing both things, though, time management has never been my thing xD But I think you’re doing great Cait!! I love youuu <3
Yes exactly that! Like I wouldn’t have met ANY of my good excellent and close friends without blogging. And I love the bookworm community here, who’ve really helped me grow and supported me all this way. And like cheered my books on too!! I’m so grateful!
Honestly I want to call you SuperCait now because I’m so amazed by how you can juggle your blogging life and your author life. You’re also one of my most favorite authors and my most favorite blogger so you definitely deserve a superhero title. Just saying.
Anyway, I think authors and bloggers should collaborate while respecting each other’s spaces. I also want peace in the book community so it would be great for authors to respect bloggers’ personal bubbles and vice versa.
Great post as always Cait! 😊💖
afjdklsafd I definitely don’t deserve your kindness 😭💛 you fantastic dragon queen.!!!! Although I totally admit I don’t juggle it all very well atm! Like tonight’s post? where is it. 😂
But I agree with you too: there should crossovers without people being hurt so much! More COMMON SENSE.
I love that you blog and publish … I want to do both, too, and I think you keeping on at it despite the silly expectations is inspirational. Also, I can’t believe bloggers and authors would be so hateful to each other … but the gossip is fun 😉 And why would anyone treat you as /just/ a blogger? I mean if you’re anything you’re /the/ blogger ;D Fun post!
keturahskorner.blogspot.com
Aww you are a kind bean, I appreciate this comment so so much 😭💛
WHAT?! You’ve not received ATPN-based cupcakes yet? This must be remedied immediately! Unfortunately … not by me. Because Australia is scary and so far away, and I don’t even like sleeping for 14 hours, let alone being able to fly for that long. And I do love me some sleep.
So many hard things when you straddle both roles. The negative reviews things seems really hard, but when I talk to author friends who are upset about reviews, I always tell them to go find their favorite book, the one they would die charging into battle to defend, and then look at their one-star reviews. Because they’re there. xD Everyone gets them. You will burn with righteous rage for your favorite author, but also, hopefully, remember that subjectivity means everyone’s not going to love your book, even though they clearly should. Doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s helped some authors I’ve talked to, at least. But imposter syndrome is imposter syndrome. If there were an easy cure, it’d already be patented and marketed and that person would be a billionaire. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I blog and write, and they really are sort of two different worlds. Sort of. But I mean, all the writers I know, published or otherwise, are also readers. They just don’t blog about their opinions. And sometimes, they have to smother all the feels until they spontaneously combust from them, and that sounds like a lot of work. I’m not published yet, but I do hope to keep blogging if I’m ever published, because the blogging community is so amazing, and it’s feeding two different, but similar, parts of my psyche. I can’t imagine ever not writing and being on that side. But having said that, I’m just a hopeless fangirl who needs someone to love the same characters and be broken by the same books, okay? Please and thank you. I can’t be sitting in a vacuum thinking I’m the only one having my soul shrivel up and die from the ending of Thunderhead (and I’m not, thank goodness).
Also, I just got my copy of The Boy Who Steals Houses from BD and ahhhhh I have ARCs I need to finish before I pick it up, but what?! Do I need to worry about that ending now? On a scale of minor foundation damage to 1906 San Francisco earthquake, how concerned do I have to be about the damage to my feels? D:
Awk you are always so kind, Sammie!! THANK YOU!!! (And full warning I have a character named Sammy in TBWSH 😂😜) But yes I kinda need author-cupcakes?? What is this world, that I have no received any yet.
I do hope you keep blogging when you’re published too! I mean, feels change as you go? I was determined not to change at all before being published, but I have, and I’m ok with it. I’m trying to just relax about everything more. But omg Impostor Syndrome is REAL. I constantly feel like an utter fake, but also I really love the blogging community and I don’t want to be without a community at all. That would be so lonely. So here I stay! For now…I hope.😂
I’m struggling with this so much! 😭 I’m trying to between trying to blog still, working full time at a newspaper where I do have writing opportunities at plus the daily tasks I do there, as well as trying to get started on a book. Not to mention I have to cook, clean, do laundry, pay bills…life is life!!
Sunday’s seems to be THE only time I can write so far. And I’m having trouble finding my voice so I’m practicing with fanfiction since it’s been so long. And I think it’s helping because I am getting ideas! And characters.
But I’ve pretty much eliminated personal social media and only focus on blog social media.
If I’m not reading I feel like I should be writing. If I’m not writing I feel like I should be reviewing. So much!! The next month is going to be hard because of major work projects going on. I just don’t feel like doing anything when I get home but I’m going to try to keep a journal beside me to still keep up with writing this time.
Thanks for posting this!
omg Colleen, I can imagine how intense your days must be with no breathing space!! I hope you take care of yourself and don’t work yourself to burn out. 💛 Honestly the time thing is really kicking me right now. I’m about a month behind on keeping up with comments on backlog posts and my TBR is out of control. I feel like I’m disappointing everyone if I don’t keep up. But we’re only human?!
I don’t think you are a disappointment at all, I think you are an inspiration!
I seem to only have two hours on each Sunday so far to write. I’ve been downsizing my blog posts to 1-2 posts a week now. Writing in my journal is helping me this week already. (Huge work project going on.)
I do try to make sure Saturdays are for relaxing and reading.
Again, I think you’re doing great. You’ve been active here and Instagram and have two books published….that is awesome! 😀
Interesting post! I mostly think authors and bloggers should stay out of each other’s space. I’ve never tagged an author in any review, but I’ve had several authors find my reviews and post them all over their social medias. That freaks me out because I don’t write reviews for authors. I used to work in publishing, and a review is VERY different from an editorial letter or a workshop critique. Knowing that an author might be reading my reviews makes me self-conscious. I think it would be challenging to live in both the blogging and author world. I don’t know if I could do it.
Oh absolutely, I am with you. I never comment on reviews, even if I’m tagged…(Although I’ll thank someone in a tweet or whatever.) It just feels like if an author is peering over your shoulder (metaphorically haha) then it pressures the reader? As a blogger, I die if an author sees a less-than-stellar review. And it’s just…negative reviews are OPINIONS and authors shouldn’t be trying to please everyone! I mean proved by the fact that one book can get 1 AND 5 star reviews.
* sorry for crashing your DMs (like, all the time)!! 😅
Pffft, don’t be sorry!! 💛💛 I love chatting!
Yes! We need all those Six of Crows memes 😆 It’s interesting to read about your perspective balancing between both a book blogger and an author, because both are things that consume a lot of time in life. Yet I feel like being a book blogger is one of the best things for an author to be because of all the things you mentioned? I’ve also learned so much about problematic tropes and how to critically think about stories due to writing and reading reviews. Book blogging has improved my writing but also my storytelling and authoring skills in general, so I wouldn’t have it any other way. 😊 Great post, Cait!
Absolutely YES. Blogging has taught me so much I wouldn’t even have thought to improve on my own. Like it’s pulled me outside my own sphere of thinking and I definitely wouldn’t be the writer I am today without a background in blogging. 💛
Aghhh this is my dream!! Blogging is such a wonderful, supportive community. I’ve met so many friends, and it’s also great for book marketing someday, lol. I don’t consider myself well known but I’m working on it for sure!! It’s great to be able to pursue different goals that are related. Tho I never really thought about the drama/awkwardness that’s associated with living in both worlds?? *nervous laugher*
Aww your blog is lovely, Charis, and you have such an epic voice! And hopefully I haven’t scared off anyone from doing both writing and blogging. 😂
I never really thought of what it would be like to belong to both worlds and how complicated it could get. Now that you mention it, I can definitely see that.
I think some readers are kind of heartless when they try to get an author to see their negative review about their book, because… so much work goes into that. Like, RUDE. And crushing as well. Shame on you.
I’m a writer and a reader, and I hope to also become an author. I don’t usually write reviews, but when I do (on Goodreads) I like to give my honest opinion in hopes that maybe the author will read it and use whatever I say to improve. 🙂 So any negative thoughts are kind of given with love, you? I guess? 😂
Also: keep chugging along, Cait! You’ve got this! *sends you cake*
Agh yes, it is really hard to balance…but ultimately worth it because I have a great community here. 😭💛 And the majority of people are so kind!! And honestly I burn myself sometimes when I look at reviews and I shouldn’t. But I have been tagged in bad ones, literally someone tagged me in a review encouraging people to pirate my book so…😥 the bad moments are there. But still the good moments outweigh it!
However I truly don’t think that negative reviews are ever for authors! I mean imagine us all giving our thoughts and how they’d contradict (you might like a character I thought was weak or I might love a plot you thought was slow!)…it would be mayhem for an author to try and write to please everyone.
The best thing about being an author is being told by readers that they were inspired, or that they could visualize what was happening. The worst is not getting feedback.
I do like it when readers tell me my books make them feel something!
I really enjoy reading about your life as a writer! It may even inspire people to start writing themselves. I certainly have a more realistic image of the writer life. Writing a book can seem very intimidating. Now I know it’s a lot of work, but it’s totally possible! I So I like it that you’re writer and blogger. Actually, one of the reasons I read The Boy Who Steals Houses, was because I love your blog! 😊 But I can imagine that balancing the two can be hard.
Aw I’m really glad you enjoy these types of posts then! I always wanted to know what the author-life was like before I was published…although now that I AM published, I know how different it is for everyone and there’s not really a “one experience” to go off. 😂 But it’s still fun to talk about it. And I hope I don’t make it sound too terrifying.😂
I do both as well, although my writing career kind of started before my blogging career? (If I’m remembering this right. Me and dates do not mix well. 🙈) I absolutely love doing both, but it’s very hard sometimes… I’m actually an indie author, so sometimes I feel like people take my blog more seriously than my books. 🙁
I mean don’t get me wrong, as an indie author I’m skeptical about other indie books (“Will this book be proofread and treated like a real book or is this something someone published as a hobby that is riddled with typos?”) but I wish there was a way to show people my seriousness outside of basically telling people who ask me. XP
Oh I totally know how you must feel! I have some indie books that are my all-time HEART favourites, but some are very badly edited (I guess… not edited?) and they’ve really soured the whole industry for indie authors to be taken seriously sometimes, I guess. 😥 But I do get that feel when people seem more interested in your online content than your actual books. It’s hard because I’m grateful but also…!! Like spend a few bucks on our books, people! Support is best shown with reading and reviewing… 😂
It is hard to do both. And as an indie author, we aren’t always taken seriously, because we are still seen as not ‘published’ in the ‘only’ or ‘real’ way. I have only blogged a few times this year myself, because I’m trying to finish novel #3. It is a hard balance and I have limited writing time due to homeschooling, and life in general. But, we are almost to our summer vacation and that is my writing time!!
Oh I totally get how that would feel, and it’s definitely not fair. It is a very different experience to go traditional vs indie, of course, but that doesn’t make you less of an author than anyone else!
Yes I’m blogging and I am writing a book. I will DEFINITELY keep blogging if my book(s) gets published!!!
Bloggers and authors should work together actually cause without bloggers, their review count goes DOWWWNNN. authors should take bloggers more seriously.
Yes!! I love it when bloggers and authors appreciate each other! But I do get why the rift between them gets so big. I mean it’s REALLY hard to see bloggers callously ripping apart one’s work with really snarky language. So I get why so many authors are immediately defensive and think the worst of bloggers? But at the same time 😭 Authors DO need bloggers and they DO need to thank and take care of them, not just use them!! So it’s really hard and there’s a lot to unpack with the fractured relationships between the two eep.
I don’t blog about books or write reviews on a regular basis, but I do follow the book community and occasionally dabble in those things, and it does feel awkward being on both sides. Especially writing reviews when you know what it’s like to be on the other side. I get anxiety just from reading bad reviews on another author’s books now. Even if I haven’t read the book to form my own opinion and/or feel like the reviewer might have some good thoughts. I can’t help thinking what that same reviewer would say about my book. (Though the cold truth – so far – is that reviewers don’t even care about my books.) I am a reader and have been since I was nine-years-old. I don’t want to hide away from the book community just because I’m also an author. I mean, doesn’t it make sense that authors would be people who love books? But I also don’t feel like I fit into the writing/author community, either. Because my process is so different than everyone else’s. And I almost always disagree with the writing “rules” and how absolute they are to a lot of writers.
THIS THIS!!! I am absolutely with you!!! I find it impossible to criticise a book because I’ve HAD really awfully worded things said about my books (and me! Like I do think authors should be left out of reviews 😭) And I *know* that it’s good to criticise and analyse literature. But it’s so so hard to see people ripping apart your work with absolutely no care in the world. So I can’t do it to other books anymore. And that makes it a bit hard because I’m supposed to be reviewing ARCs, whether I like them or not. Agh. (And I find it’s actually hard to gain footing with the author-world sometime if you’re not successful enough?)
I do blog, though I have been rather sporadic with it lately. And I am hoping to get a book queried this year. I probably will keep on blogging because I like having a place in the void to shout about the books that everyone should be reading, but who knows if I’ll keep it up or not. 🙂
*hugs*
Awk, I’m so excited for your querying!! I’m totally cheering you on!!!
Since when has the definition of author changed to exclude someone who writes work on a public internet site aka a blog? The oxford definition of an author is anyone who creates a written work. Therefore, technically bloggers are also authors and thus that argument is null and void. Its like asking a poet or playwright or novelist, etc to stay out of the realm of other types of fiction. Bottom line: do what you want and forget everyone else. Haters will always exist no matter what we choose.
Uh, I didn’t start an argument? My post is merely me musing on what aspects are difficult for me.
And I don’t *want* to forget everyone else or others’ feelings. I want to respect both spaces, and I also want to take care of myself because (as I said in my post) stumbling upon people hating my book is really difficult for me to see. So I need to make boundaries for my mental health’s sake.
Ahh this is such an interesting post, Cait, thank you so much for sharing your experience <3 I am only a book blogger, though I'd dream of publishing a book someday and, if I ever do, I would love to continue book blogging, too, but finding the right balance between the two… spaces, somehow, has to be a little complicated, I would be so stressed out about it ahah. You're doing absolutely incredible and I admire and love both your blogging and your writer-self, Cait, keep on rocking <3
Aww thanks Marie! 💛Awk but I’m totally rooting for you and your books too!! I think finding the balance is going to be different for everyone? It is complicated and it needs careful treading a lot, tbh. But there isn’t any reason why we can’t figure out how to do both, right?
I’ve started writing books and I agree with everything you said! It’s nearly impossible to keep up with everything. I’m debating ditching my blog in favor of writing books full time. Because even though blogging is fun, it’s insanely time consuming and I’m not sure I have time for both? I’m amazed at how well you balance both worlds. You’re amazing!
It’s definitely hard to do it all?! And like I think blogging keeps me reading lots which is good (it makes it less of a solo activity) but tbh like I’m blogging now when I have soo much to read so! I need a way to balance it all.
A MILLION TIMES YES to so much of this! When I first started blogging, I wasn’t even sure what I wanted to post about, or how I’d increase my subscribers, how to interact very well with others in the community, all of it. Bit by bit, I built up all of my knowledge, and contacts, and by the time I felt ready to take the plunge into self-publishing, I had a cheering section at my back, and that was the BEST.
I hear you on the downsides, too! When my other author friends and I discuss books on blogs or social media, somehow, we seem to be in a different level than non-writing book bloggers (at least that’s how I’ve noticed it), and it doesn’t mean we’re better than them, but we do know much more about the process behind creating stories, and I do believe that gives our critiques/reviews a different starting point? I mean, if I know what tropes I would definitely avoid if I was writing a novel with such-and-such a premise or plot in a certain genre…you know, it’s going to form my opinion from a different view than that of a reader who may be very well-read in that genre, but has never written anything beyond a reminder note to pick up milk.
A lot of times authors (even small press or self-pub) will act superior to “just” readers, and that frustrates me, too. And, yes, it is all completely subjective! So for me, negative reviews have also pretty much become a thing of the past – unless I feel it’s a truly warranted discussion – because about a year ago, I realized that if I stumbled on a terrible review of my work, I’d feel really awful.
But you’re right, I think – “having” to choose one or the other doesn’t quite seem okay, either!
Oh oh yes I am with you on all of this! And it’s just so awkward talking to an author now and being (internally) like “omg did I rate their book high enough?? Did I criticise them??? WILL I DIE OF AWKWARD NOW.” Ahem. But then blogging has done so much for me. I can’t even thank everyone enough for supporting me 😍 and I know my books would’ve just been totally swept under the floorboards if not for the blogging community championing me. So maybe I would timetravel back and be more calm with my reviews? haha. But otherwise it taught me SO much. And made me analyse books more, which I definitely think helped me write better.
Also yes, agreed about how you come at reviewing from a different standpoint when you also write. Like I still get mad at books, but less so because it’s all so subjective. And I know how much work goes into this. 😭😂 And how gutting it is to read someone trashing your work. Like I had a “friend” write a scathing review for ATPN and I’m still kind of shaken by it? It was just weird because of COURSE I don’t expect everyone to love my work. But to see such blatant hate of my book and then have them chatting chirpily to me about a different blog post was Too Much and I ended up just deleting their comments and not engaging again. I don’t know if that was the right thing to do 😂 But it was weird!!!
I don’t know about much of this, but I DO know we love you as part of the community, Cait, and we love your books too! If anyone can do both, you’ve certainly proved it!
Aww thank you!! You’re so kind and this means a lot to me 😭💛
Cait, you’re a great blogger, don’t let any of this get you down 🙂 I totally understand having to put your blog to the side occasionally in order to work on your reading and writing. I’m not even published and sometimes writing can be really, really time-consuming. And I feel like what people say about authors staying out of blogger spaces is usually related to the things you were talking about, where authors bully bloggers or comment on reviews of their book? I think what you’re doing seems to work.
Good luck on your writing! I really hope to be able to read one of your books one of these days, but I currently don’t have a lot of money to spend. Oh well, hopefully in the future…
Aww thank you, Becky!! That means a lot to me. 😭💛 And yes there’s definitely some areas it just DOESN’T work for us all to interact. Like I never reply to reviews of my books (unless I’m tagged and it’s positive) because I think that’s way overstepping. And awkward?! But then I see bloggers mobbing books, even pre-publication when they haven’t read it, and it all gets A Bit Much and unreasonable. So much fault on both sides. We just need respect!
Aw thank you! Maybe a library would help you?
I actually published BEFORE getting really involved in the bookish community. I wouldn’t say that I’m part of it, but I do try to keep an eye on what’s going down. I’d honestly love to get involved more as a reader – and I try whenever I can – but I also have a Real Job that cuts into my time.
Honestly? I think we need more people straddling the line, because authors and book bloggers RELY on each other. As an author, I need you book bloggers to read my book and help spread the word about it. As a reader, I need you authors to write books for me to read and fangirl about. And it makes me so sad that there’s a breakdown in communication between us. I hate feeling that being a writer somehow discredits my credibility as a reader, and that being a reader could backfire and harm me as an author. We’re not respecting each other, and that can’t happen if we wall ourselves off into our respective camps.
Do negative opinions stink? Yes, it does. But we need to stop being afraid of each other. Keep your chin up, my friend, and don’t stop doing what you love. You are an amazing reader and a truly artistic writer.
Agh yes it’s the worry about it all backfiring and being discredited? Like I have had an author absolutely attack me/my books because I didn’t rate their book high enough (and I’d forgotten about their book because it was WAY before I was an author. Like I’ve been blogging 7 years and only been a published author for 1 year!) We do need more respect to each other, at all times. But also just not policing each other or overstepping?
Thanks for being so kind though. 😭😭
Okay I have to say that I LOVE how approachable you are? Like, it’s not like you got published and then elevated yourself to untouchable ‘I’m a published author now, bow peasants’ status, but you’re still here for the readers and you love to talk about books and everything and that’s one of the BEST things about some of my favourite authors. So THANK YOU. 💕
omg dangit I have done this all wrong…BOW TO ME PEASANTS. *waves around royal sceptre* 😂 (Ok but truly I am glad you feel this way hehe, because sometimes I wonder if I’m too in everyone’s faces? Or I totally swing the opposite way and I’m like “omg no one remembers me” 😂😂 SO. It’s definitely something I have to balance. And I’m really glad I have so many friends here!! I can’t even ever thank everyone enough!)
Honestly this is a topic I think of a lot, like I would like to get published one day but I also want to keep my Goodreads and maybe blog or something like that? Personally I like it when authors are involved in the community, it makes me like them more so I’m more excited and inclined to try their books even when they’re outside of genres I usually read. Like I started reading contemporary when I learned about ATPN and wanted to see if I’d like your book (spoiler, I did, and now contemporary is one of my favorite genres). Also I think reviewing, reading, and discussing has improved my own writing.
Awk this still makes me massively flail that you tried ATPN 😭💛 Like I constantly have people tell me they don’t read contemporary but tried my book because of my blog? So that’s really encouraging!
I like that you’re a book blogger and a writer. It’s fun and inspiring to see both sides of the literary world. Being forced to pick one or the other when you naturally do both sounds lame. So definitely keep doing what you’re doing! 🙂
I don’t blog about books, but I am a writer and I blog about my writing process and stories. I did think about trying out book blogging, but I’d probably only review books by friends or people I already follow, because it would be more about the fun, communal aspect. Otherwise I’m just too quiet a fan or don’t read enough to be book blogger. xD
Definitely! I think it’s ok to balance both if one can find a way to make it work, without being too stressed? Which is the hard part. 😂
Both being a blogger and being an author are difficult, time consuming jobs! I’m sorry that the two don’t work nicely together all the time! You mentioned not having time, but publishing two books while blogging, Instagramming, writing some more, doing edits, AND moving is INSANE! I’m quite honestly in awe of you!
Awk thank you!! 😭💛 I mean when you put it like that…yeah, I have been doing a lot?! And then I’m so tired at night, I can barely keep my eyes open eep. But I just feel like I can’t slide back when I used to be able to do everything! I have to be kinder to myself probably haha.
I imagine this is incredibly hard to navigate, and I am SO impressed with how you handle it! I will say, that the few authors who do blog and write? Mad respect for them too. And they seem more approachable in general, which is nice- I think because you know that they “get it”, at least. Though you are SO right about BOTH sides being problematic on the reg. And I think that’s the key- neither group is a “bad guy”. There are bad apples in every bunch, but on the whole, MOST authors and MOST bloggers are genuinely decent human beings and it would be great if all involved behaved as such. I CRINGE when I see bloggers being awful to authors. Like hi, these are people too? And in most cases, people struggling with all the same doubt and insecurity and such. I also think that bloggers put authors on a ridiculously high pedestal which is really unfair. Like- yeah your favorite author can write a book you don’t love, but maybe don’t like, rage about it while tagging them? Why is that such a hard concept?!
I am SO glad that you have stayed as active as you can though. I always worry that my precious blogger friends will become famous and leave me hahah. But nope, you’re famous and still hereeee! And I think, in terms of the reviewing, you gotta do what you are most comfortable with. Flail if you want to flail- just throw up a post of how awesome Books X, Y, and Z are if you want! I think I can safely speak for everyone here when I say that we’re glad to have you around in whatever capacity YOU feel best about ♥♥♥
oh oh yes totally! I like it when authors “get it”. Like overall I still feel like a blogger first (oops) and then sometimes an author will go out of their way to thank me for supporting their books and I’m like: “This feels really good and I feel seen.” 😂😂 So it’s also given me TONs of tips of how to treat bloggers who support my work! I know how it feels to get that comment, that like, so I make sure to do it as much as I can. So I guess blogging has really helped me there too?!
But omg both groups are utter disasters so often. And it seems like no one ever learns. 😂 Like we’re due to have a community split about book piracy or if YA is considered “real books” aren’t we? The cycle always comes back… 🙃
Aww but you’re always so kind and supportive and encouraging, SHANNONNNNN THANK YOU. 😭💛
I don’t think you have to write reviews to be a book blogger – lists, memes, discussion posts… There are so many ways to blog about books without reviewing them.
I don’t think bloggers and authors should stay out of each other’s spaces. I just think they have to respect each other as people. So long as no one’s picking fights or doing any of that horrendous stuff you listed, I don’t see why we can’t all live in peace and memes.
This IS true. Although it did strike me how often we bloggers do things centred around negative books? 😂 I don’t mean that as a criticism to the community, because it IS kind of therapeutic to rant and stuff. But yeah.😂 I want to do just positive things now…! Keep safe and less anxious haha.
PEACE AND MEMES. That would be nice.
I definitely love that you didn’t stop blogging after you pubbed your book(s). I so understand not wanting to give negative reviews – even knowing/being mutuals with authors and not liking their books is awkward, so I can’t even imagine the pressure of that. I’m glad there are a lot of positives too, and I hope you’ll continue to blog AND write, because you do both so well. 🙂
Yes, exactly that! And everyone says “oh it’s not personal” but it IS. And omg I’ve felt so bad having authors reach out to me and us get chatting while inwardly I’m like “omgggg did I rate their book high enough in my pre-author days???” 😂 So I’m just going to avoid moments like that at all cost! Only positive reviews!
Oh gosh, it sounds like there’s the potential for SO MUCH AWKWARDNESS when you’re in both camps! But I plan to keep blogging after I’m published too. I just… I have too much to say that doesn’t fit into books, and too many people I want to discuss ALL THE THINGS with, you know? (But reviewing books as an author… sheesh, I don’t know what I’m going to do at that point. Some authors I follow just mark books as “read” on GR and don’t do reviews. And yet I know I’ll want to share my thoughts on the things I read and–gahh, it’s hard.)
SO MUCH AWKWARDNESS. 😬 I swear it is just the wierdest moment when your, uh, friend rates your book 3 stars. Like part of me is all “of course that’s fine, why should they like my work because they like me?” But the rest of my brain is just like: “YEAH EVERYONE HATES ME.” 😂 I mean, it always feels personal, even if it’s not.
I am kind of balancing between just marking off books as “read” and reviewing. Mostly I just review if I love it! It is hard though? Like it would be SO WEIRD to see my fave authors analysing books so I don’t know if I should keep this up. But I love talking about books so…
I guess the other option is to change my GR name and go review all the books without a care in the world?? I dunno! XD
Ooh Cait this was a great post like I can imagine your situation being like the Greek gods with a splitting headache in the HOO series when the Romans and Greeks were fighting 😂 Seriously though, I’m so glad you’re not gonna stop blogging because that would be a HUGE loss to the bookish community!
Ooh ooh do I get to be a greek god?! BECAUSE I ACCEPT. 😂😂 But aw I’m glad you like my blogging still…and I don’t want to leave! There might be less of me here, but I still will be here.
So I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but I feel like I should tell you because it’s TRUE: You are literally the very first blogger I ever started following, and your blog has been SO INSANELY INSPIRING to me in both the blogging and writing worlds and with juggling the two together. Your posts are always so helpful and transparent and hilarious, and I just love your blog so so much. . . And I can honestly say that ever since you published your first book, I haven’t thought of you as “just an author” or “just a blogger”. You’re like this super cool hybrid of the two, and I think it would be so cool if more authors had blogs, as well!
That is so terrible that some authors just use you like that. :(( You’re just as much an author as anyone else, and you 100% deserve to be treated as such!! Not to mention that you’re probably one of the most approachable authors I’ve ever met (does commenting on your stuff count as meeting? I’mma say it does. XD). Usually I’m scared to death to even tag authors in anything (so I don’t. XD), but for some reason I’m just a tiny bit less anxious to tag you about your books. It might be because you’re a blogger, and therefore you feel more approachable, but it also might be because you’re such a kind person who interacts with your readers so well. XD
Also, your book (ATPN) was one of my favorite reads of last year, and it remains to this day one of my all-time favorite contemporaries! I have yet to find another that even compares, which is saying something, as this month I’ve been on a contemporary kick. XD I’m so excited to get my hands on TBWSH!!! XD
Oh! And to answer the questions: I do blog and write books, and I would absolutely LOVE to continue doing that if I ever get published someday! Time will definitely be a problem, but if it’s at all possible, I’d love to keep my blog going and continue to write books, as well. Blogging has become a part of my writing life that I just don’t want to let go of yet. And as far as authors and bloggers staying out of each other’s space, I think it depends solely on the individuals involved. If everyone could just be respectful of the other and acknowledge that not everyone is going to agree wholeheartedly with them, things might be a little better. XD
AWW KENZIE. 💛💛 Seriously, I have all the warm soft fuzzy feels now thank you!!! This truly means a lot to me! Sometimes I feel like I should just, not…blog…oops. Because I feel like I’m going to overstep and make a mess? But then I love this community and I don’t wanna leave.
And oh wow yes, there are cliques in the author world so bad. 😂 And like some I understand! I am not suddenly going to be talking to Leigh Barudgo just because we have the same publisher lmao. But it’s disappointing when new green little authors don’t support each other, but sort of act like this is a war? It isn’t! It is much better to have friends to bolster you!
ajfksdla I’m so happy you liked my books. I was also scared that I’d finally be published and everyone would hate my books because they’d have expected something else.😂 ANXIETY. Haha. So it was a relief that ATPN went down rather well! I am so grateful.
And yesss you WILL get published someday.😌 I believe in you!
So I wasn’t even aware that there was this divide…the online bookish community can be incredibly petty, and I don’t know why people can’t just treat each other like humans. Why not review books if you write them? Who cares? It’s a prickly separation, but people need to realize that they are not their art. Bad reviews from good sources are ways to improve. I guess people are just insecure and jumping at the chance to say someone is lording over them because maybe they’ve accomplished something that other people only dream of…I don’t know. Unsympathetic me says that people just need to get over themselves. Do what you love and don’t give a crap.
On a cheerier note, I’m really glad that you’re keeping up with this blog! I wasn’t even really into YA until I found you, but I loved your blogging style. You’re the reason I even heard of The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King, two of my favorite books now. You’re definitely my favorite blogger and it’d take a lot to top you.
From a reader’s standpoint, I do feel a bit of the pull between the two worlds myself…I keep telling myself I haven’t read A Thousand Perfect Notes because of themes of familial psychological abuse that might hit a bit too close to home for me, and I’ve just requested both ATPN and TBWSH from my library, because I do want to read TBWSH. But part of me wonders if I’m not a bit afraid to break apart this image of you I have in my head? Sort of like meeting a famous person in real life. But, if I say that artists should separate themselves from their work, then I think I can separate the blogger you from your novels. So I look forward to reading TBWSH and whatever you write next!
As always, you’re awesome, and I hope things continue to go well for you.
Oh that’s such a huge compliment that you found favourite books through my blog. EEEP. I’m happy!
As for the negative reviews, well…I actually do NOT think authors should be reading them. It’s so subjective? Like I’ve literally seen people praise an aspect of my book — and then seen other people put it down as a negative. You can’t please ’em all. You have to write a book that is the best you can do + please your editors, etc. I don’t want to read negative reviews because they’re not for me! But I definitely think they have place in the world. I still read negative reviews for other books. 🙈
(I don’t feel famous haha. But I get that it is awkward to want to be friends with someone and hate their work? Lol. I get terrified of this when I make friends with an author and then am like…yeeeah now I hope I love your book! 😬)
I’ve never really thought before about how it might be hard to do both! I mean, other than the time factor. I especially can see how being so exposed to bad reviews of your books would be hard.
If I’m still blogging when I’m published (and I have no reason to think I’ll stop anytime soon), I think I would keep doing it if I’m able! I feel like whenever I do get to that point, the community will have been so supportive and helpful and how can I really stop?? Plus, I love when writers are still at a point where they can talk to their readers and be at a personal level with them. Maybe some might not think it’s professional, but… *shrugs* If it’s working for you, no point in putting a stop to it.
theonesthatreallymatter.blogspot.com
Agreed! Plus it feels like abandonment? I did start blogging as a way to build and audience for when I’d be published but pfft, I have FRIENDS here. And this is my community and I’ve grown so much knowing everyone! I don’t want to leave. Especially since I have a very very small amount of authors who talk to me haha. 🙈🙊
Hi, I really enjoyed reading this article!
(Caution, English is my second language, sorry for the potential mistakes.)
I’m a recent bookstagrammer and will start my blog in a few months. I’m not here to advertise, guys, it will all be written in French. This is only context for my comment.
I’m glad to see such an honest (and funny) article about what I would imagine is a frequent situation for bloggers. After all, many readers also write and wish to be published!
Yep, it’s my case! And I guess a blog, a bookstagram and a Facebook account are all means to know myself better as a reader and a writer…
I’m sensitive. Not shy. Just don’t particularly like to be criticized and I’m trying to let go of my perfectionism. So what better mean to overcome fear of jugement, of imperfections and get into the habit of finishing a text, being satisfied with it (and it’s flaws) and let it go in the world being exposed to eyes belonging to all sorts of people…from overindulgent to fussy than by being blogger? And what better topic than books?
I liked that you said you wouldn’t like to just read, think and put the book back in the bookshelf. I grew up in a family where fiction reading wasn’t a thing. So I’ve done this for years.
Then, when I’ve studied literature and started woking in public and college libraries, I discovered how much I missed talking and debating about my readings. I only discovered bookstagram a few months ago thanks to a collegue and I’m amazed at how much exchanges and mutual growth (not talking of number of followers here) is going on online!
I never dare writing to bloggers or in comments before this discovery. I guess I was embarrassed to do so. But, now, I understand all the work that is behind a blog and what it means for the dedicacted blogger to get feedback. I guess I was a bit old school regarding that, wondering what was the point to interact with strangers I would never meet instead of calling a friend I neglect because of my schedule. But, hey, nothing is mutually exclusive here. And if your friends don’t have/take time to read anymore, why not find fellow readers online?
I would love to be both a writter and a blogger. Understanding two worlds. I don’t think you have to choose. Time is always an issue, unfortunately. I asked myself, why blog instead of finishing one of my novels and getting enough presentable short stories to submit a collection? Because it’s different, because feedback is quick, because you learn different things. I wish you to find the equilibrium between both, but sincerely, your lucky to have that insider view and be part of those amazing communities so enjoy it and let jealous or confused people talk.
So yep, I’m sorry for this palaver. Thanks for your great articles and good luck!
Aw I loved reading this!! And totally relate to a lot of what you’ve said here…so you’re not alone! Like when I started blogging I had no idea you were meant to talk to other bloggers. 😂 It took me so long to figure the whole blogging thing out haha. And it IS good to find friends and people to discuss books with, especially if you don’t have that IRL. I don’t either, so I look to online for all my bookish discussion needs.
oh time is a real issue too. I used to blog so so much, and now I’m struggling to squeeze it in amongst all the reading I need to do + wanting to write. And if it boils down to making the brutal choice: I do choose writing novels because that will last longer. But the benefits of being a blogger are HUGE and I love this community!
Hell yes, to it being boring to just read without discussing it afterwards!
And of course you are a proper author and even though it’s not my place (we don’t know each other) but I’m so proud of you!! You were literally the reason I started my small blog and you’re also inspiring me to continue writing and not get discouraged by the divide between bloggers and authors!
So you do you! And I love that we can come to your DMs and rave about your books! That’s so exciting!! (And who cares about proper etiquette anyways when we can just talk books instead!!^^)
awww this is SO SWEET of you!!😭💛 I feel all warm and encouraged right now ajfkdslad. 😘 (And omg AGREED. Like sometimes I don’t even want to care about trying to sound *professional* …let me flail about books with everyone!!)
You make a good point about the benefits of being in a book-blogging community for the ability to see what’s hot/not/problematic/etc. While reading negative reviews of your own books might be too hard, reading negative reviews of books by other authors and keeping up to date on what readers want (or don’t want) could be super helpful for making your own books better.
Do I think bloggers and writers should stay out of each other’s spaces? No. But… within reason. We don’t want stalking and harassment. But communication between the two groups–if it’s done right–could be a really positive thing, helping writers with their craft and ultimately giving readers more of all the good stuff they crave.
Ooh yes I agree about reading negative reviews! I still definitely seek them out for other books, because it’s good to think from different perspectives. But like obviously it’s hard because two people can say negative things and two people can say positive things…about the same aspect of the book.😂 But it’s still good to analyse and think about!
I love this post! I write but am unpublished and blog about books but also lots of other things (but I tend to only blog about books I love). I’d never thought about whether I’d continue blogging about books if/when I eventually get published. I’d like to – like you, I love sharing the things I’ve read. I don’t think bloggers and authors should stakeout of each others spaces: I think there’s a lot each can learn and benefit from the other. It’s awesome being able to flail at someone whose work has been important to you! (And I imagine it’s quite nice to be flailed at for that reason as well.) As with everything, it’s a question of respect more than anything. If authors and bloggers can operate in both spheres with respect for both roles then there’s no reason it shouldn’t be great. As long as no-one is taking advantage or being horrible then actually there should be a lot to gain.
Absolutely! There *should* be a way to make it all work. Although I suspect that also can end up on levels of how-famous-the-author-is. Like can you imagine Leigh Bardugo running a blog and the millions of comments she’d get?! 😂 But for little-authors I don’t see why we can’t find a way to make them work!
Oh, how I adore this post! This is all my dreams and nightmares rolled into one. My interactions with authors (especially MG authors) is fraught with so much more tension on my part now. I remember one particular author who I connected with on Twitter and she offered me her book for review. I accepted because I was excited to read it. But, there’s always this tiny niggling feeling at the back of my head that MG authors I interact with now might think I WANT something from them on the author side of things–like I”m praising their book (or excited about their book) because I want them to support me in return. Never had to worry about that before. (The next day after I accepted that book for review, I announced that I signed with my agent—and I couldn’t decide if that was good or bad as far as that interaction went). It’s all so much more confusing!!
Oh I totally feel for you, Nicole!! And you aren’t alone with being worried about how things come across. Like I have so so many blogger friends who have absolutely cheered my books on (like you, eep! I’ms o grateful!) But secretly I’m worried everyone will think I’m using them?? Like I only built connections to promote my book. But eep, no you are all my FRIENDS. And I value you so much! But I get worried about the dynamics shifting. And I definitely have lost a lot of friends since I got published. I guess it got too weird, and also some people get jealous unfortunately and just aghhhhh. I understand, but it’s also sad.
Oh, wow, I’m really sorry that you’ve lost friends over it—I hadn’t even thought of that concept, but just the thought makes me sad. I have definitely imagined the awkwardness of blogger friends who don’t like my book or maybe even a teensy bit of jealousy, but in my head it all ends happily ever after. LOL! (Yes, I know I’m naive and probably a little delusional.)
For me, I’d hope that I’d be supportive of my blogger friends in WHATEVER their endeavors are–I guess it’s convenient that I’ve loved your books, but even if I didn’t, I’d like to think that I would have just quietly let that go and still supported you in whatever ways I could. Life is too short to throw away friends!
Nooo you’re not delusional! It’s good to think the best of people! And tbh I want to pretend that some internet friendships just end naturally? But it’s always suspicious when it’s an abrupt cut-off once you have good news in the writing realm or your friendship suddenly turns cutting. 😭 Bleh. But obviously they weren’t real friends anyway.
I want to be like that too!! Supporting my blogger friends in all their artistry pursuits too. 🤗
I really want to write a novel, not to publish or anything, but I really have the drive to write. My only problem is that I don’t have any ideas, not even a smidge… Any advice?
You could try looking up prompts? Maybe on pinterest? Or doing your version of a fractured fairy tale? Those are all things to build off!
Thanks I’ll try these!
Also, P. S., you’re a great motivation!!
I love that you are both an author and a blogger coz we get to see both sides of what are the two bestest types of human beings. Author + Blogger ummm, YES PLEASE
I love this post! Per👏🏽fec👏🏽tion👏🏽
Aww thank you 😭💛 I do like being able to share things from both sides too??? So that’s fun. 🤗
I want to publish someday and I am so thinking about my negative reviews that I write already… so I can see how the reviewing and rating thing gets very very difficult. And stumbling across negative reviews even when people don’t tag you must not be fun at all :/ Ah there is a lot of blogger and author relations.
But I am glad the book community is so supportive and fun. And I would always want to discuss what I read. And yay for being able to get all the gossip hahaha
Yeah it’s very much the opposite of fun to see negative reviews 😭 I know we’re supposed to talk about how it’s all subjective, and I KNOW That, but the heart still gets all wounded and sulky 😂
But, right?! The book community is fab, and I would be lost without you all!
Tbh, I love finding that authors blog. (or youtube or are on instagram all the time or WHATEVER) As a reader, mysterious authors are fun, but at the end of the day, I love seeing who authors ARE. The magical peeps who wrote my best friends.
I would imagine that the struggle is real, tho, when it comes to reviewing books and such. IT IS A TRICKY MINEFIELD THAT I AM COMPLETELY CLUELESS ABOUT 😱
If I were to become a published author someday and were still into blogging, I honestly think I would continue reviewing. Both good and bad reviews. Obviously I wouldn’t be disrespectful (never am) and I would put a disclaimer on every review saying something along the lines of while I am a published author, any review I write doesn’t mean I’m calling my writing better or telling someone else they should write better. I believe every author is their own biggest fan and their own toughest critic. So no one’s going to think they write better than everyone. But I’m all about staying transparent and if I didn’t personally give a book 5 stars, that’s just how it is and it would’ve been the same rating even before I was “published.” I don’t know if that makes any sense at all haha! But those are my thoughts.