Q4U: It’s a Blog’s Life

I’ve been thinking about all these publishing blogs, and why we read them. (Yes, I read them too.) I’m interested in hearing your perspectives on the blogs. Feel free to answer any of these questions:

What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

What’s the BEST advice you’ve received from a blog?

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned from a blog?

What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)

Thanks for your answers, and have a great weekend!
.

Rachelle Gardner

Literary agent at Gardner Literary. Coffee & wine enthusiast (not at the same time) and dark chocolate connoisseur. I've worked in publishing since 1995 and I love talking about books!

76 Comments

  1. Anonymous on December 21, 2009 at 12:35 PM

    >It is rather interesting for me to read that blog. Thank you for it. I like such topics and everything that is connected to them. I would like to read a bit more on that blog soon.



  2. Anonymous on December 18, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    >Dear Author cba-ramblings.blogspot.com !
    Excuse for that I interfere … I understand this question. Let's discuss.



  3. Amy Dawson Robertson on November 17, 2009 at 3:14 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    I'm an about to be published writer and want to get a better handle on the industry.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    A few times a week. Occasionally.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?

    How complicated royalty statements are. How muddied the finance end of things is for the writer.

    What are your favorite blogs?

    This one, Nathan Bransford, Pub Rants.



  4. Terri on November 17, 2009 at 2:46 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    Entertainment, diversion, education, and inspiration. As someone in this list aptly said, it's like making the rounds at a giant virtual cocktail party listening in on a lot of conversations.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    I read through my favs during breakfast and lunch. I rarely go a week without checking everyone on my list. I hate to miss commenting on good topics (like this one!) I usually comment 3-4 times a week.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?

    No one thing, just a hard-headed intro to the business side of writing. Best practical advice has been on the query process.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?

    The sheer volume of queries that are heaped on agents! And how fun y'all would be to hang out with.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)

    The ususal suspects mostly – Nathan's (of course), Janet Reid (the better to keep track of the slithery Barbara Poelle), Editorial Ass, The Intern, some agent named Rachelle that I'm not sucking up to, Cake Wrecks, The Killzone (group of 7 thriller writers) and some random hits that I get off of other's blog lists and Twitter (hey, one such reference helped me win a prize in the "Tiara Day" flash fiction contest!)

    Terri



  5. MisterChris on November 17, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?
    Networking, learning about publishing and querying, and writing. All those 'ing' things. 🙂

    How often do you read blogs?
    Every day, when I have the opportunity. In November, not so much… 😉

    How often do you comment?
    Almost daily, if I have a comment. Not necessarily here, I follow a lot of blogs.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?
    Polish your ms. Write a Structured Query (Using Structured Query Language, aka SQL?? i.e. SELECT MyStory FROM SlushPile WHERE MyStory > EverybodyElse's?) and make it shine.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?
    That even a well-written, beautiful story with a perfect query letter, and an engaging synopsis and a gripping hook will not be selected if there isn't a solid market for that genre and story line right now. It IS about the writing, but the WRITING has to be about what the buyers want to READ.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)
    Nathan Bransford
    Query Shark
    JanetReid
    KMWeiland
    AuthorCulture
    PubRants
    ElanaJohnson
    InkyGirl (love her comics)



  6. Cam Snow on November 17, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    >Primary reason: Boredom and procrastination at work.
    Frequency: Couple times a week
    Comment Frequency: Depends on how interesting the post is
    Best Advice: Not to give up after the 174th rejection letter
    Most Surprising thing I've learned: That people who's job it is to read stuff kill time by reading other people's blogs
    Favorite Blogs: Kristin Nelson's is good, Query Shark is another I like



  7. Kate on November 16, 2009 at 11:22 PM

    >I don’t read blogs daily but I do read them voraciously. I have two or three that I scour for helpful information. I am a brand new blogger and I feel like there is a library's worth of writerly knowledge (and jargon) that I know nothing about. Booting up my computer has become a scholarly and creative journey into the world of online writing I formerly knew nothing about.

    The most surprising advice I have found was at http://www.copyblogger.com/ about a month ago. The author of the post was encouraging the readers to find their inner Oscar the Grouch (yes, from Sesame Street)! I thought it was gimmicky at first, but as I read on I benefitted from the author’s comments on how our personalities can effect the individuality and community of our blogs. It made me take a good hard look about what my blog is exactly about and who constitutes my, very small but incredibly appreciated, audience .



  8. katdish on November 16, 2009 at 9:57 AM

    >I read different blogs for different reasons.

    There are blogs I read to stay informed (like yours)

    Blogs I read that make me laugh, think and enjoy the sense of community (like stuffchristianslike.net)

    and blogs I read for the storytelling (like that guy from Virginia – billycoffey.com)



  9. Anonymous on November 15, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?
    My reasons vary. Mostly I read blogs to keep up with the writing world.I am always looking at agent's blogs to see what they are looking for and if they are the right person for me to query. I have gained some valuable information on how to better myself as a writer from blogs.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?
    I read blogs ever day.
    I comment here and there. I have to be honest sometimes I feel like I am stepping into a conversation that wasn't meant to include me. Leaving a comment makes me feel like those part of the conversation will look at my comment and say "Who is this girl and why does she feel the need to comment." Having said that, I still force myself to comment so I can get my name out there and maybe connect with a few people that I am meant to connect with.

    What's the Best advice you've received from a blog?
    How to write a good query.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?
    I have learned that most of the people in this business really seem down to earth.
    What are your favorite Blogs?

    This one will surely be added to my list. I love Nathan Bransford's, Dystel and Goderich, The Rejectionist and many more. I am constantly looking for blogs that will help me become the best version of myself I can be.

    Maribeth

    http://www.ninidee.wordpress.com



  10. ninidee.wordpress.com on November 15, 2009 at 8:31 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?
    My reasons vary. Mostly I read blogs to keep up with the writing world.I am always looking at agent's blogs to see what they are looking for and if they are the right person for me to query. I have gained some valuable information on how to better myself as a writer from blogs.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?
    I read blogs ever day.
    I comment here and there. I have to be honest sometimes I feel like I am stepping into a conversation that wasn't meant to include me. Leaving a comment makes me feel like those part of the conversation will look at my comment and say "Who is this girl and why does she feel the need to comment." Having said that, I still force myself to comment so I can get my name out there and maybe connect with a few people that I am meant to connect with.

    What's the Best advice you've received from a blog?
    How to write a good query.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?
    I have learned that most of the people in this business really seem down to earth.
    What are your favorite Blogs?

    This one will surely be added to my list. I love Nathan Bransford's, Dystel and Goderich, The Rejectionist and many more. I am constantly looking for blogs that will help me become the best version of myself I can be.



  11. randi shaw on November 15, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    >Hi,
    Well, I did add your blog site to my own saying. I have discovered the best blog site. It is, I do love this site.

    I read blogs because I learn, I learn constantly and I enjoy learning from others.

    I remember, back when… I honestly did think I knew it all and that I had no need to listen to what others had to say.

    Oh, yes…you are so smart and you guessed correct, I was in my late teens and felt so sure I had the answers to all of life’s questions and mysteries.

    I guess I can say, "i grew up." 🙂

    I am indeed learning from so many people on this site and other blog sites I visit.

    It is nice to be honest with myself and accept I do not know it all 🙂 In addition, I believe the contents of this site offers so much that I do spend an awful lot of time here reading and learning from the contributors.

    What I particularly like about this blog site it the respect shown towards the point of views expressed by everyone.

    I do not see the tug-of-war I have seen on many sites. sites where the public has an opportunity to post. In many instances, people post only for the sake of posting and state an opinion just to oppose and be different.

    I recently posted and made a comment on ‘speaking wisely’…

    "There is no strength or power in merely stating an opinion, there is however, strength or power when ones opinion is expressed or stated ‘wisely’"

    I love this site, thank you to all who contribute.



  12. Jenn S. on November 15, 2009 at 12:54 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs? I think I differ from most of the commenters in that I'm not a writer. I'm an editor, but for a small Christian press attached to a ministry. My knowledge of publishing was limited to my little world, so I started reading editor, agent, and writer blogs about two years ago. At first I read to gather information. Now I mostly read to keep up with what's happeneing in publishing culture (or, as someone upthread described it, the zeitgeist).

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment? Whenever there's a new post, since I read via RSS. I don't comment often.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog? The advice isn't targeted at me, so I can't think of anything at the moment. But I'm always appreciative of the time that so many agents, editors, etc. take out of extremely busy days to offer free advice.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog? How the returns system works. Utterly baffling.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.) In no particular order: Miss Snark, Janet Reid/Query Shark, Nathan Bransford, you, BookEnds, Booksquare, Moonrat, Elizabeth Moon, Justine Larbalestier, Shrinking Violet Promotions (marketing for introverted writers), Courtney Summers, The Abbeville Manual of Style (for their hilarious rivalry with the Chicago Manual of Style), and my new favorites The Rejectionist and The Intern.



  13. Carla Gade on November 15, 2009 at 1:11 AM

    >I read blogs daily, and comment on them usually when I visit. I do so to learn about the craft and business of writing and to meet authors and other aspiring novelists like me. It has been a wonderful tool and a great encouragement to me.

    I visit Novel Matters, Kaye Dacus, Chip McGregor, Books 'n Such, Seekerville, Writing Fiction Right, Relz Reviews, Sally Stuart's blog, and my favorite authors blogs.

    The best advice was at Novel Matters on Measuring Success as a Christian Novelist and well worth reading – http://tiny.cc/S6VmC

    The most suprizing advice to me when I first started blogging around was to learn how much more than writing is involved.



  14. K. M. Smith on November 14, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    >Primary reason for reading blogs-
    to stay motivated and to gain insight into the publishing industry and what publishers are looking/not looking for

    How often do you read blogs? Several times a week

    How often do you comment? Rarely, only if I have something I feel is valuable to share.

    Best advice? Write the best query letter you can.

    Most surprising thing? I think reading about the level of frustration editors and publishers feel. It's a tough industry to be in these days and only getting tougher.

    Favorite blogs? The Writing Life Too, Editorial Ass, The Rejecter, and Pub Rants



  15. Joe Iriarte on November 14, 2009 at 9:48 AM

    >You know Kathryn, I've heard mixed opinions on reading your MS out loud, but I've recently started doing this and found it extremely helpful. I decided to do this when I had the experience of reading a section to a writers' group, and suddenly discovering all sorts of clunky constructions that I totally didn't notice before. When I went home and tried it with an entire short story, I again found all sorts of sentences I could improve. (I'd also noticed other writers in the group struggling sometimes when they read their own work aloud, and I suspected they were reading it aloud for the first time as well.)



  16. Kathryn Neff Perry on November 14, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    >Rachelle,
    One of the best pieces of advice I received recently about a ms, is to have another person read it out loud to you as you follow along. My husband left to play golf, so I proceeded on my own, editing, changing and polishing. When he came home I thought we should still pick up where we left off. To my surprise and complete amazement—-there were three words my eyes had skimmed over!



  17. Stephanie Shott on November 14, 2009 at 12:51 AM

    >No sucking up here, but I do love your blog and I'm thankful for the advice you so willingly share with others.

    For the most part, I read blogs to learn about the oh-so-new-to-me world of writing and publishing. There are a ton of great blogs, but I can't wrap my mind around all of them, so I stick with a faithful few.

    Other than your blog, my list of "Must Reads" is:
    http://chipmacgregor.com/
    http://michaelhyatt.com/
    http://christianauthorsnetwork.com
    http://wannabepublished.blogspot.com
    http://stuartmarket.blogspot.com
    http://www.cwfi-online.org

    Other good reads for info and fun are:
    http://jeanfischer.blogspot.com/
    http://susanjreinhardt.blogspot.com
    http://www.kathilipp.com
    http://www.kathyhoward.com

    I'm a frequent flyer on the top list and a semi-frequent flyer on the "good reads" list. With three WIP and a full time job, it doesn't leave me time to read much more than that.



  18. Carol J. Garvin on November 14, 2009 at 12:50 AM

    >These are questions that really make me think about things I usually take for granted, but they're good ones so I'll pop out of hiding long enough to give you my answers.

    1. My primary reasons for reading blogs? Initially it was to learn more about what agents want and don't want. Then I became fascinated with all the information about the writing/publishing industry. In the past year it has been to connect with other writers for mutual encouragement and support.
    2. How often? Pretty well every day after my prayer time I move on to check email and then read my favourite blogs as a warm up for my writing. I comment on certain blogs every day or two, and on others whenever the topic prompts me to respond.
    3. Best advice? I went to a couple conferences and was so intimidated at the idea of pitching to agents that I became a babbling idiot. The best advice wasn't anything specific so much as a growing knowledge gleaned from several blogs that agents are actually human and their goals are to help people like me to reach mine.
    4. Surprising? That even publishing professionals will sometimes air their frustrations and anger in public.
    5. Favourite blogs? There are the agent and editor ones I like to check regularly: Nathan Bransford, Rachelle Gardner, Kristin Nelson, Jessica Faust, Jessica Morrell, Chip MacGregor and Janet Reid. Then there are the established writer blogs: Barbara Delinsky, Jack Whyte, JA Kondrath, Carol Berg, Debbie Macomber, Jane Kirkpatrick. And there are some emerging and aspiring writer blogs: Laura Best, Jody Hedlund, Joylene Butler, Dave Ebright, Shari Green, Katie Ganshert. I also like the Inkygirl daily cartoons.

    If you could see all the sites I have bookmarked as favourites you would know that it's impossible to browse through all of them on a daily basis, and I don't. The more involved I am in my own writing the less time I have for blog browsing. Some days I may only read one or two — yours is always one of them (and no, I'm *not* sucking up!).



  19. ~Sia McKye~ on November 14, 2009 at 12:36 AM

    >I publish a blog about authors and their books. The laughter and tears, glitches and triumphs, authors face in the pursuit of their ambition to write.

    I read, probably 50ish blogs a week. Yes, I comment on most of them–at least 90%.

    I also read several agent and publisher blogs. These blogs I may or may not comment. Depends upon the subject. On those I learn quite a bit about costs of production, contracts, and how to: query, do proposals, pitches, marketing/promotion, and trends in the market. In other words, Education.

    Other blogs, similar to mine, I read to find good books to buy, keep an eye on the competition and what they're offering. Plus, blogging is reciprocal. You build followers that way. Word of mouth because they will tout your blog as will authors and publicists. Good buiness.

    Sometimes I'll find an author I've never heard of with a good book, or something about the author will attract me and I'll contact them, either to have them on my blog or to do a review of their book.

    One of the main reasons I have a blog is to build name recognition and to apply the principles on promotion I've learned with the view of being published. Experimenting with viable marketing platforms, if you will.

    It's all a learning process. It's all about the love of reading and writing books.

    That's the short answer, she says, tongue in cheek.

    Have a great week!



  20. Sharon Mayhew on November 13, 2009 at 11:45 PM

    >I blog and read blogs (usually) from 8-10 pm Monday through Friday. I comment when I am driven to comment. Why do I read blogs? I want to be a better writer and to learn about the industry…I can't say a favorite blog. I have them compartmentalized in my mind…I have favorites in many categories.

    Have a great weekend.



  21. Teri on November 13, 2009 at 11:06 PM

    >- I read them to learn while being entertained.

    – I read them whenever they pop up on my reader, and I comment at a direct question, occasionally.

    – That's just too hard for me to answer. On this blog I find helpful (if not inspiring) advice regularly.

    – Would qualify as "surprising", or more accurately, completely interesting? The series on the actual publishing process.



  22. Mechelle Fogelsong on November 13, 2009 at 10:46 PM

    >At the risk of sounding creepily predatory, I write for YA's, and I read a lot of blogs written by YA's. Why? Well, I'm certainly not lookin' for a date for Sadie Hawkins. I just want to know my readers: their lingo, their preferences, their fears, their dreams, their favorite shades of nail polish, etc… Consider it research for my novels.

    I read and comment about two or three times a week.

    Laurie McLean of Larson/Pomada Agency gave some great advice on her blog. She said to focus your novel on a character's unique attitude, a captivating plight, and action. She also suggested avoiding the "laundry lists" of settings and characters' appearances. I keep those ideals on sticky notes, above my desk.

    Intern's blog has surprised me nearly every time I've read it. You know the old saying, "If I were a fly on the wall…" Well Intern's blog gives insight into the publishing industry from the fly-on-the-wall perspective.

    My favorite blogs: The Intern; OfficiallyM.R.S.; TeenReads; Steph Bowe's blog; Sandi Green's allaboutYA on WordPress (Christian YA author w/ excellent links to writers' contests!); YA highway; mylifeisaverage (fantastic place to submit mini-writes); and a wacky kids' blog site called Umphalump. I've got links to all or most of these on my blogroll, so if you're surfing, you can just hit my name and jump to my blog.



  23. Anonymous on November 13, 2009 at 10:09 PM

    >I really enjoy the fiction writing exercises you've provided on backstory, etc. Blogs that don't impress me are the ones by agents who continually complain about how BUSY they are, and how BAD all the queries are, but how SUCCESSFUL and BUSY and POPULAR they and their chosen few clients are. Gimmee a break!

    Like writers, we prefer a little modesty and humility in our agents. After all, where would y'all be without us? lol
    Thanks for a consistently great blog!



  24. Taybot on November 13, 2009 at 9:43 PM

    >ha for the longest time i only read novel journey which is a great blog but i wanted more and was always too lazy to search. now i've branched out.

    http://www.Taybot3.com



  25. writer jim on November 13, 2009 at 8:44 PM

    >I don't even remember how I came across this blog. When I did, I just kept coming back because it was often interesting. I've checked out some other blogs now and then, but they never caused me to want to return. So either I havn't looked around enough, or else this is truly an exceptional one. Thanks to Rachelle.



  26. Marla Taviano on November 13, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    >I subscribe to yours and Chip's. Then I'll read publishing posts that people tweet about.

    Most other blogs I read are all about relationships.



  27. Bill Peschel on November 13, 2009 at 6:05 PM

    >I read blogs every day (at least 117 at last count).

    For publishing blogs (and I'm assuming you mean agents and editors, not book writers and other subjects), I scan to learn things I didn't know before.

    For example, here's a brief summary of the things I'm saving now to read and save later: hiring a publicist; a book review on comedy writing; Facebook strategy; the merits of hiring a pro editor; marketing and promotion; developing a strategy; some material to blog about later (several from Colleen Lindsay's site); stupidly large print runs; good reasons to make your delivery date; on Dan Brown; myths vs facts on publishing (sound familiar?); day in the life of the author … social networking on 15 minutes a day … proposal to publication series.

    Best advice: From Miss Snark to hit up 100 agents to get a true measure of the value of your query. I used it to sell my book.

    Most surprising? Hard to say. There's been so much to learn.

    Favorite blogs: Paperback Writer. Great combination of personality, advice and good links.

    Under the "Book Agents and Editors" tab on Bloglines, Ive got:

    BookEnds, LLC
    Dystel & Goderich
    There Are No Rules
    Janet Reid
    FinePrint Literary Management
    Colleen Lindsay
    Editorial Ass
    Pimp My Novel



  28. Anita on November 13, 2009 at 5:17 PM

    >I'm fascinated by the diversity of people and reading blogs of strange of random people satisfies my interest. I also write a blog and I like exchanging comments.
    I read blogs everyday. I comment as much as I have time to do so.
    I don't get direct advice because I don't ask for it. But I learn from other people's experiences.
    I learned that if you click on "next blog" at the top of the screen, you can end of staring at a pornographic picture.
    I like menonewmom.blogspot.com. We discovered each other and I feel that we are on this new blogging path together.



  29. Shannon Taylor Vannatter on November 13, 2009 at 4:18 PM

    >I read the Seekers daily to learn and get inspiration. I read Chip MacGregor, yours, and Barbour's The Edit Cafe', even before they became my publisher. The last three are purely to learn. I comment, usually on the Seekers, Edit Cafe, or this one a couple of times a month, if something inspires me or is just interesting. I used to read about 3more, but it started cutting into my writing time, so I had to cut down. I usually check the others once a month, when I need a reprieve from writing.



  30. Carol Benedict on November 13, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    >I read yours, Chip MacGregor's, Jessica Faust's, and Nathan Bransford's blogs every weekday. I browse a few others during the weekends. I seldom comment unless I have something relevant to say about the topic of a post.

    The advice and encouragement on the blogs I read keep me coming back. I can't remember where I read it, but the best advice I found is to write what I want to write rather than try to follow the current trend or anticipate the next one.



  31. Eliza T on November 13, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?
    To stay in tune with the publishing world
    To empathize, since misery loves company (I'm smiling as I write this)

    How often do you read blogs?
    Every week day

    How often do you comment?
    rarely; this comment is my monthly quota

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?
    the first draft does not have to be pristine and sparkling; I can revise my way to a great book

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?
    how many authors who must not view publishing as a career to be pursued professionally

    What are your favorite blogs?
    anything by Janet Reid
    Editorial Anonymous
    Bookends
    Nathan Bransford
    Cheryl Klein (chavelaque)
    rubyslipperedsisterhood



  32. Erica Vetsch on November 13, 2009 at 3:05 PM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    Making friends, learning, general nosy-ness? 😀

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    I read some blogs every day, some blogs 3x a week, some occasionally. I comment frequently, particularly on friends' blogs.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?

    Hard to say. There's some great advice that I've come across on publishing blogs…usually AFTER I've already done the thing they warn against doing.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?

    That my editor wants mss single spaced. So much for learning that neat trick of 25 lines per page. 🙂

    What are your favorite blogs?

    Writing related:
    Seekerville

    For general silliness:
    Cakewrecks



  33. joeinlosangeles on November 13, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    >I read a lot of blogs, but all of them have been mentioned here. For me it's market research. I like to know about industry trends. I enjoy queryshark because it's interesting to see how others are shaping their query letters. I can't say I remember much specific advice,



  34. Kelly Combs on November 13, 2009 at 12:48 PM

    >Not to suck up, but yours in the only publishing blog I read regularly. I do follow others on Twitter, and if they tweet about something that interests me I'll take a peak.

    I read to learn about the industry and I do think I've learned alot here. Thank you.

    I am commenting less lately, just because I am feeling like I have nothing relevant to say, (for instance on royalties and character development).

    Most surprising thing I've learned? Some agents suba dive. 😉



  35. Anna Cotton on November 13, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    >I read publishing blogs to glean information that will help me write and eventually publish my own books.

    I read daily, but only comment when there is a question that I feel equipted to answer.

    Best advice: show don't tell.

    Most surprising: agents aren't fire breathing monsters interested in destroying your hopes and dreams. (Or agents actually want to get our queries and are looking for new material).

    Favorites: Ms. Snark's First Victim, Editorial Ass



  36. JDuncan on November 13, 2009 at 11:41 AM

    >There are numerous blogs out there which I've found helpful and still do regarding writing and the writing process. I check numerous blogs each day, reading them when the topic interests me. I even made a little wordpress blog to organize the ones I've found useful over the past couple of years, which others may to, far as that goes.

    http://www.pubblgohub.wordpress.com

    Nathan Bransford, yours, Jessica Faust, Kristen Nelson are the agent blogs I check most often. There are several good group author blogs like Murderati, Genreality, Magical Words, Deadline Dames, and so on. Jane Friedman from Writers Digest has a very good blog. The list goes on. They are great for keeping tabs on things, getting useful insight into the writing process from the actual writing process to the business of publishing. Some are great about replying to commentors. While it's certainly very easy to kill way too much time surfing through blogs, it's manageable if you can monitor yourself. You don't want it to eat too much into your writing time, since it sort of wastes the useful info if you don't have the time to put it to use.



  37. Angie Ledbetter on November 13, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    >I spend time in Blogland because it is the BEST way to build writing community and friendships.

    Best advice I received from a blog was to be true to myself, be real and write/post what I enjoy.



  38. Jm Diaz on November 13, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs? – Entertainment. The occasional insight doesn't hurt though.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment? – Every other day or so… time's scarce.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog? – Lather, rinse, repeat…. Oh, and always photocopy your passport, and write any chance you get. But I did those anyway.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog? – People take offense to others opinions WAY too easily. Tirades ensue.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.) Well,in that case, mine… and Janet Reid's, and Amber Murphy's, and Editorial Ass… there are quite a few for me to list here.



  39. Homemaker, MD on November 13, 2009 at 11:31 AM

    >I read agent/publisher blogs because I'm new to this world. I've published a good bit in the medical world but now that I'm starting to write for the general market I've got a lot to figure out! So I'm reading to learn.

    I am in the blogosphere most weekdays, though try to break away on weekends. I comment when I have a thought to share, maybe once a week per blog or so.

    In the writing world, I read (LOVE) your blog, Chip Mac.'s blog, and Michael Hyatt's blog regularly. I also read a number of homemaking, medical, christian and bioethics blogs (I know, sounds like a wierd combo)

    It's really hard to pick the BEST advice I've gotten since I've gotten so much great stuff…but I guess I'd say that I've learned that I just need to put my fingers to the keyboard and keep writing…



  40. jbchicoine on November 13, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    >My long answer is in a piece I posted yesterday. The long and short of it is: Reading blogs helps me to be a better writer—sometimes I’m even brave enough to comment.



  41. AM on November 13, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    >I try to read blogs every day, but I regularly miss days or weeks due to my paying job, and then I have to I catch up. I comment sporadically.

    Blogs connect me to the publishing industry, and have made it a part of my life. Now that the publishing world feels real to me, publishing is something that I can confidently work toward instead of just dream about.

    So, thank you, Rachelle. I know that just reading blogs can take a lot of time, so writing and monitoring a blog is quite a commitment. And since you don’t represent my genre, I don’t think this can technically count as sucking up.



  42. Catherine Gayle on November 13, 2009 at 10:53 AM

    >I read your blog, Nathan Bransford's, Kristin Nelson's, Janet Reid's (and the Query Shark blog!) regularly. They're all plugged into my google reader and so it is easy to stay up with them every day.

    Why? I like to keep up to date and informed. I rarely comment–maybe once a month or so. Honestly, I'm more of a user with all of this than a contributor. I come for information more so than to be part of a community or anything like that.

    The biggest, most surprising thing I've learned through the process? Agents are human, too. LOL. They have lives outside of rejecting queries with form letters, and they really do care about writers. If they didn't, why would the bother with writing blogs? This has helped me to not be so afraid of the whole querying process.

    Best advice I've gotten from reading these blogs and others? Query, then query again, and query some more. But not until both your MS and query letter are in the best shape you can possibly get them in.



  43. Dara on November 13, 2009 at 10:46 AM

    >Primary reasons: To learn what's going on in the publishing world. If I want to be a published writer, I have to inform myself about how publishing works 🙂 Reading blogs is the best way, for me anyway.

    I read/check my agent/editor blog list EVERY day. I try and comment as much as possible, though that normally ends up being 3 or 4 times a week.

    Best advice probably has to do with learning how to really make a query stand out, although there's been lots of other great tidbits I've learned too!

    Most surprising thing–probably how many queries are received and just how little end up actually getting representation. It really made it clear that I have to work a lot harder to make my story stand out.

    Favorite blogs: obviously yours, Nathan Bransford, Jessica Faust, Kristin Nelson, Janet Reid…just to name a few 🙂 Oh and I'm really starting to get caught up in the Dystel and Goderich blog, although that's just been this past week.



  44. LynnRush on November 13, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    >Happy Friday!!

    I read tons of blogs daily. Wide variety from publishing/agenting to daily scripture and encouragement.

    I love "hanging" out with people online. It's such a blast and I've met some fantastic people.

    I read the agent/publishing blogs to stay connected to what's happening in the writing world and for the advice. I've learned tons from them.

    Also, it's a good way to get to know an agent if I plan on querying them. His/her writing style, his/her likes/dislikes as far as genre, etc.

    So far, I love Miss Snarks First victim's blog big-time! The Books and Such blog is fantastic too.

    Thanks. Have a great weekend.



  45. Matilda McCloud on November 13, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    >I read blogs to keep up with industry news, to pick up useful writing advice, to be entertained, to be part of a writing community.

    I read several blogs everyday. I've tried various stratagems to stop reading them all the time. (So far, I've been unsuccessful!) I comment on about 1-3 blogs a day.

    Best advice: Because Miss Snark was the first agent blog I read, I usually come back to her advice: "Quit obsessing. Write well." (Her archives are still online.) She also emphasized that you need to query widely (at least 100 agents–assuming you're getting some nibbles along the way).

    I have read some surprising things on blogs. After our cat died a couple of weeks ago, I was so sad, but eventually decided to come up for air and get back on the computer. I saw the title of a blog post–Smoke 1993-2009–a friend had written about our cat. How nice is that?

    Other than this blog, I particularly like Nathan Bransford, Rejectionist, Intern, and Editorial Ass. I also read lots of aspiring writers' blogs, book review blogs, etc (full list on my blog).



  46. Carolyn V. on November 13, 2009 at 10:21 AM

    >I read the blogs at least once a day and try to comment on all of the ones I follow. But that doesn't always happen. Why do I do it. I'm still trying to figure that one out.



  47. Amy Sue Nathan on November 13, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    >I've recently felt like I was drowning in blogs, so I've tightened the list that I go to daily and the others are hit or miss, or if I'm up late or extra early.

    I prefer blogs with practical information and advice as opposed to rambles – that tends to be agent blogs and some writing blogs.

    A daily read of mine is http://EricaOrloff.blogspot.com. I check her blog before I get my morning coffee.



  48. T. Anne on November 13, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    >I love reading yours, Nathan's, Chip's. I've learned tons of invaluable information and hopefully averted a ton of mistakes because of it. Also, I love reading the writers blogs. The friendships were an an unexpected perk.



  49. Lori Benton on November 13, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs? Answer: To connect with authors I admire, and to glean insight about the publishing industry and the writing craft.

    How often do you read blogs? Answer: daily.

    How often do you comment? Answer: I'm likely to post a comment on one blog, once a day (although this is the second one today), or every other day. Most often I just drop by to read.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog? Answer: I received some great blog advice about overwriting just yesterday, which I was still thinking about when I woke up at 3:30AM, so I got up and put it into practice, getting in a few extra hours of work time already today (and it's only breakfast!). Is that the best advice I've ever received? Maybe not, but it's the current best.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.) Answer: I also visit Nathan Bransford, Kaye Dacus, Laura Frantz, Novel Matters, and Between The Lines (Books & Such) daily. Many others less frequently.



  50. Timothy Fish on November 13, 2009 at 9:42 AM

    >I skim a lot of stuff on a daily basis. Some of it, I read in more detail. I figure that I’ll occasionally find something I didn’t know. As for what I like to find in a blog, I look for the same thing that readers look for in a book. I want conflict. I don’t mean an all out fight, just some discussion in which the resolution is uncertain. Tell me something and I won’t listen; discuss something with me and I’ll remember; persuade me and I’ll become a champion for your cause.

    I don’t read guest posts. It’s such a letdown when I see some post show up in Google Reader for some blog I follow and I discover that someone else wrote the post. If I wanted to read something that person wrote, I would visit that person’s blog. But I say that on a day that I have my own guest blog of sorts.



  51. CKHB on November 13, 2009 at 9:25 AM

    >How often do you read blogs? Every day! I need to control my internet addition… How often do you comment? I try to comment when (a) I feel I have something of real value to say, (b) the blog post was fascinating and I want to let the blogger know I read it and appreciated it, and (c) when there are very few comments, because I know how scary it can be to put up a post and feel like no one is reading. I comment SOMEWHERE every day, but probably not on the same blogs every day.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog? Practical querying advice from you, Nathan, Miss Snark, BookEnds, PubRants, and Janet Reid. "How do you know when your book is fully cooked" advice from the Intern. "How to have patience and hang in there" advice from my blogging writer community.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog? Perhaps just how much I have in common with people who write and read COMPLETELY DIFFERENT types of books than the ones I like to write and read. We may not be each other's target demographic, but we have actually built real relationships through this internet-thingy. How cool is that!?!

    What are your favorite blogs?
    I could type for DAYS here. I just checked my "blogs I'm following" list, and there are 247. TWO HUNDRED FORTY-SEVEN!!!! At least twice a day I will scroll down that reading list in Blogger and click on whatever catches my eye as far as blog post title, or photo, or "hey, they haven't posted in a while, I wonder what's new"…

    There are probably 2 dozen bloggers for whom I try to read ALL posts. If I have time after I get everything else done this morning, I'll come back and list them!



  52. Scott on November 13, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    I think the main reason is to learn, to educate myself. Well, that was in the beginning, and is still partially true now, but the main reason is the sense of community I've found with other aspiring writers.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    Monday through Friday – no blog reading on the weekends. I try to comment on the majority of the blogs I read. There are times when I feel so out of my league about a certain post, that I may only leave a brief 'great post' comment. Still, even a brief comment lets the blogger know that people are reading their blogs.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?

    I have folders full of great advice – queries, synopsis, basic tips – I've found in the blogsphere. I have bookmarks as well. I think the best advice I ever received was . . . patience.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?

    That I'm only supposed to put one space after a period and not two. When the heck did they change that rule?? Geesh, so much for my style manuals. : )

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)

    I have way too many to mention here. I love Nathan Bransford's blog because there's always a ton of helpful information. Janet Reid's as well. I'm also a fan of Lynn Behler . . . mainly because she has a beagle who makes margaritas. Okay, the blog is full of useful information as well. Your blog – sorry, had to throw that one in. The Literary Lab, The Innocent Flower, Elana Johnson's Blog, QueryTracker . . .

    S



  53. Cheryl Barker on November 13, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    >Like others, the main reason I read publishing blogs is to learn as much as I can and to keep up with what's going on in the industry.

    My other favorite publishing blog besides yours, Rachelle :), is Chip MacGregor's. You two are the ones I read all the time. I've learned tons from both of you. Thanks so much!



  54. Susan at Stony River on November 13, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    >I read about a dozen agents' and editors' blogs, every day as they come into my reader.

    Mostly it's to learn as much as I can about the publishing industry before submitting. The added bonus of course is that so many of you are entertaining on top of the information you're offering, and I think that if I gave up writing entirely I might still read, just to keep up with all of you and hear what's going on.

    Thanks for doing it, btw.



  55. Ash. Elizabeth on November 13, 2009 at 8:56 AM

    >I read them for all the helpful information constantly being posted. Even the ones on publishing clauses and stuff like that I still read despite not needing the information at this point. (still unagented) I read them whenever i check the sidebar of my blog, which updates my list of publishing blogs all the time. The best/most surprising is impossible for me to answer because it changes all the time. I've never read something off a publishing blog that i didn't feel would be useful whether its now or later down the road. My favorite (besides yours) would definitely have to be Nathan Bransford's.

    have a great weekend yourself : )



  56. Simon C. Larter on November 13, 2009 at 8:38 AM

    >I originally started reading the publishing blogs to educate myself on how it all works. Once I'd read the basics about six different ways, I started reading them for the personalities of the bloggers–Editorial Ass, The Intern, Edittorrent, Janet Reid, etc., all make me smile or entertain in addition to educating.

    I read and comment pretty much daily. Yes, it's bad for my WIP…



  57. Anita on November 13, 2009 at 8:36 AM

    >I read blogs about 10 minutes per day. I read a couple of my followers every day. I always go to PAUL MICHAEL MURPHY'S MURPH BLOG every day, because of the "friendships" I'm developing there. I also love UPSTART CROW because they're witty and smart and some day I'll query them. I only comment on a couple blogs per day.



  58. Rowenna on November 13, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    >I read several blogs close to daily. My reason is that I feel it's become more important for an author to understand the publishing world, and as I had no clue about the publishing world, this seemed like a good way to get multiple perspectives on the industry and try to piece together a decent understanding of how things work and how an author fits into the picture.

    I read far more than I comment–to be honest, it's often a bit intimidating to put my thoughts out there on a business I don't know a ton about! But I'm trying 🙂

    Best advice? It's impossible to pick, considering I learned almost everything I know about queries, synopsese, royalties, the publishing process, etc, through blogs and other online resources. But it's probably the oft-repeated confidence booster of the inimitable Miss Snark–get to yes.

    Favorite blogs besides this one…Janet Reid makes me laugh, Nathan Bransford has a great stockpile of advice, and I enjoy agencygatekeeper.blogspot.com as well.



  59. Joe Iriarte on November 13, 2009 at 8:35 AM

    >I read publishing blogs to be a part of the conversation. If you read enough of them, you can see that there's a zeitgeist, that many bloggers confront the same issues at the same time, roughly. I imagine this as a giant conversation in a virtual bar. As an unpublished writer, I'm not the one holding court, but I get to stand on the periphery, hear what people in the business are focusing on, occasionally throw my two cents in, and be heard.

    I've commented enough on some sites to become familiar to the regulars and to the blog owner. I once chatted with an agent at a conference who recognized me from her own blog. I don't imagine that will do much for me if my writing isn't up to snuff, but if my writing is what an agent is looking for, then if I've also demonstrated myself, outside of the query, to be thoughtful and intelligent, well that certainly can't hurt.

    I read and comment in waves. There are periods where I read every day and comment every day. When work gets particularly heavy, though, I have to cut back on my blogging if I want to have any time to write. Sadly, sometimes I have to cut back on my writing if I want to get all my take-home work done. 🙁

    I have received so much good advice from blogs. I see some comments above me suggesting that they haven't received much good advice from blogs, and I have to wonder if they're only looking at agents' blogs and not blogs of editors and writers too. I'm constantly bookmarking blog posts on this or that element of craft, or linking to them on my own blog–mostly as an easy way of making them findable for me later.

    I'm not as hung up on how to write query letters as most people seem to be. I feel confident in my ability to write a pretty good one. Still, the best query letter advice I got was from Kristin Nelson's blog–in fact, her blog is probably *why* I feel pretty comfortable with them. From this blog, I got good advice on what questions to ask when you get the call from an agent, or when you look over an agency agreement, which I shared with my wife when she was recently offered representation. (!) I've found tons of good short story writing advice on Jim Van Pelt's blog. The Alien Romances blog frequently has good writing advice as well–even though I don't write romance! Storytellers Unplugges and SF Novelists often have good advice as well. A lot of times it's not even the blog itself that has the great advice, but rather a blogger will link to some awesome article someone else wrote.

    Some of my favorite blogs that I haven't already mentioned are Mary Robinette Kowal's, Editorial Anonymous and Editorial Ass, and Kate Testerman's. I follow more than forty on my feed reader, so there are a lot of excellent ones I'm leaving quite a few out.



  60. yarnbuck on November 13, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    >Reasons for Reading? (1)Craft Council (2) Industry Trends

    How Often do I read? Daily

    How Many Blogs? 4

    Comment Frequency? 1 in 10 reads.



  61. DL Hammons on November 13, 2009 at 8:22 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    Two reasons. The first and foremost is to learn and hone my craft. The amount of FREE, useful information on these blogs is staggering. The second is to keep my finger on the pulse of the business. To not be informed is to be ignorant, and that's a word a severly dislike!

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    I keep track of about twenty blogs daily. How can you find time to write when your reading so many blogs? Well, thankfully they don't all post every day. I don't consider it a chore, mopre like going to class.

    But I don't comment very often at all. That's more of a personality flaw than a comment on the blog, though.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?

    Perseverance.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?

    That agents are people with feelings and aspirations themselves. I'm not kidding. It's easy to treat this business more like a process, a machine, and lose sight of the men and women that make it go.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)

    The sun and the moon rise and fall on this blog. Sorry, I never play fair. 🙂



  62. Betsy Ashton on November 13, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs? To learn tips about writing, finding an agent, what to do right, what to avoide.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment? At least four times a week and try to comment at least every other reading. But only when I have something to add.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog? Keep cranking out pages.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog? How stupid some people can be. To wit, read Query Shark on a regular basis and see.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.) Suck up time. Yours. Everything by Janet Reid. Nathan Barnsford. Chuck Sambucchino.



  63. Betsy Ashton on November 13, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs? To learn tips about writing, finding an agent, what to do right, what to avoide.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment? At least four times a week and try to comment at least every other reading. But only when I have something to add.

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog? Keep cranking out pages.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog? How stupid some people can be. To wit, read Query Shark on a regular basis and see.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.) Suck up time. Yours. Everything by Janet Reid. Nathan Barnsford. Chuck Sambucchino.



  64. Liesl on November 13, 2009 at 8:01 AM

    >I love getting advice and inspiration from professionals in the industry. I also hate to make mistakes. I'll take all the help I can get.

    I read blogs everyday, (though I don't read everything I follow every day. Only if it's something I really care about.) I comment at least once a day, when the mood strikes and the topic invites.

    BEST advice-
    "Read the damn instructions."
    -Janet Reid

    Favorite blogs-
    Query Shark- It's a query critique blog but you learn a heck of a lot more about other stuff too, and I love Janet Reid's frank style. No beating around the bush!

    Upstart Crow- I feel like they always have something to say that I haven't thought about, and it's usually brief.



  65. Krista Phillips on November 13, 2009 at 7:37 AM

    >I usually read at least A blog a day (ahem, yours) but a few times a week I treat myself to perusing other blogs too. I try to comment most days, but sometimes I'm in a hurry and don't.

    Best advice? Um… this is a hard question. Blogs have really helped "grow" me as a writer, so I've received a lot of information/advice that I've put to use.

    Favorite Blogs? Besides yours, regarding agent/editor blogs, I read Steve Laube's infrequent posts, Chip's, and the booksandsuch blog.

    But I also LOVE reading the blogs of other writer as well… it's so nice to network with them and know that I'm not alone in the craziness! Seekerville is a good one, and wow… there are so many I love I can't list them all… which is why I limit myself to reading them only once or twice a week. If I read them all, I'd never get any writing done!



  66. Mick on November 13, 2009 at 7:10 AM

    >I find reading the various blogs a small way for me to feel apart of the writing community. Some of the information I have received from the different blogs has been wonderful. It is nice to know what an agent or publisher is expecting and that other writers run into the same issues that I do. I read a few blogs everyday. This being one of them. Never before have I commented on any blog but this post and the questions associated with it could not go unanswered in my opinion. The best thing I have ever learned from a blog is the whole piece you did on royalities and publishing costs. I found that fascinating. I never knew what all went into a publication. You and Michael Hyatt are my favorite bloggers. Thanks for letting me into your world and please keep writing the blog!



  67. Shelby on November 13, 2009 at 7:07 AM

    >*Primary reasons for reading the blogs? I'm looking for inspiration.. in writing and living. For example: This week I read a post by writer Alexander Chee at indiebound.org — this post was titled 'You write what you read'.. through his blog links, I found another article/post of his on his about Annie Dillard, another writer and his former teacher. I found inspiration there. All were fascinating reads. But they pointed me toward better writing – AND I was just flat out entertained and inspired too.

    THAT is why I read (read anything really).

    *How often do I read blogs? Every morning when I wake up when the house is still quiet (about 4 am), I read through my list of usual suspects. Then at 6 my kids are up and the house is hopping and at 7:30 ish I get quiet again until I have to put my shoes on and head to work at 9. Sometimes (not real often tho) I will read blogs at night before bed. Usually I'm just too tired.

    *How ofent do I comment? I usually leave half a dozen or so comments in the mornings when I find that I have something of substance to say. If I don't have anything to say, I let it be.

    *BEST advice I've received from a blog? Hmm.. best advice of all time? Don't know if I can promise this is it (it is early you know), but definitely best advice in the near past is from what I learned from Annie Dillard (by way of Alexander Chee) – watch the adverbs. Too many adverbs can cause reader confusion. Watch gerunds. Re-learned what a gerund is. Use active verbs. Count your verbs. Print extra copies of sections of your manuscript. Literally cut out sentences (only the very best ones), then past them on a new page and re-arrange them in the best order. Write around those.

    *Most surprising thing you've learned from a blog? Another hmmm…(again, not of all time.. but surprising nonetheless) I would have to say I'm surprised that my interests have so very much expanded since reading the blogs-blogs in general (writing ones included). Case in point: Until I started reading some blogs (a couple years ago), I had no interest or knowledge really in photography – now I do. A blogger suggested I give it a go, and they suggested a couple books.. and I was off. I surprised myself with a wee knack for it. Now my kids have taken up the interest too.. so that's even better.

    *Favorite blogs?

    1. Nina Camic-Other Side of he Ocean (she's a law professor in Madison, WI-photogger and writer and overall most interesting soul).

    2. Curmudgeon-Second Effort (he's a sole practitioner lawyer in Chicago who writes of his career and family in a most humorous way).

    3. A Good Blog is Hard to Find -features Southern writers and their new books and perspectives on writing. I am Southern so this matters to me hugely..(adverb I know).

    4. Carrie Heim Binas's blog – newest fave… she has great links to things like the John Irving interview.. love that stuff.

    (This has to be one of the longest comments ever in my history of comments .. there might be one other longer one out there-it's probably over at Curmudgeon's place.)

    Cheers.



  68. Carradee on November 13, 2009 at 6:50 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    I find them interesting.

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    I read 'em every (other) day or so; I comment whenever I feel like it. Probably a few times a week.

    …I'm afraid I have no idea on the "best" and "most surprising" questions. My memory doesn't work like that.



  69. Jody Hedlund on November 13, 2009 at 6:13 AM

    >My absolute favorite thing about blogs is the friendships I've formed with other writers. We've become a community who supports and encourages one another. And it is awesome! All of my writing friends blogs are my fav's.



  70. Katie Ganshert on November 13, 2009 at 6:08 AM

    >I read publishing blogs to stay informed and connected. I read a few agent/editor blogs, but also writers' blogs. I enjoy celebrating with others, learning more about the road to publication, and feeling connected to this community.

    Some of my favorite blogs are writer's blogs. Two of my favorites that come to mind are Jody Hedlund's blog and Billy Coffey's blog. I'm always excited to read those two. They both happen to be your clients…must mean you have good taste, right? 🙂



  71. karencollum on November 13, 2009 at 5:19 AM

    >Hi Rachelle

    My primary reason for reading blogs by agents/publishers/authors is to continue to educate myself about the business that is writing. Although in terms of my writing, nothing replaces actually sitting my butt in a chair and writing regularly, the rest of the writing world can seem overwhelming and confusing at first. I've found blogs a great way to get my head around the pragmatics of writing as a business.

    I read blogs just about every day, usually in the evenings when the kids have just gone to bed and I'm winding down. I'm subscribed to the ones I like so I just have to look at my list to see who has published something new.

    I often comment on a blog, especially if it's something that I've really enjoyed or found helpful. I have a blog myself and I really appreciate people taking the time to leave me a message and I try to reciprocate.

    The best advice I've received from a blog is hard to pinpoint – I've got so much advice! I think recently it has been around the topic of how to query agents successfully. And writing what you love.

    Hmmm…the most surprising thing for me is how approachable and genuinely nice agents and editors are. I know it probably sounds strange but I don't believe I've ever met an agent or an editor in real life (perhaps you are all figments of imagination??) Being a stay-at-home mum with 3 little kids and a husband who is a pastor and is working nights and weekends means that I don't get many chances to get out to seminars and workshops. I have found that reading blogs gives me similar information and gives me a chance to network – not in a self-serving way necessarily (although contacts are always good) but I feel like I'm part of the writing community now, particularly in Australia.

    My favourite blog right now is Mary Kole's http://kidlit.com – Mary gives straight up advice on the reality of writing as a career and some excellent tips too. Plus she chose my query as equal 3rd place in her query contest so that might have just a little to do with it 🙂

    I think overall, blogs help me feel less isolated and more connected to the writing community and they certainly increase my knowledge base.



  72. wendy on November 13, 2009 at 3:49 AM

    >I mainly read blogs containing info about writing and the publishing life.

    I read my favourite blogs every daily. I comment mostly daily, too.

    The best advice came from a blog post by Miss Snark detailing writing techniques.

    I was amazed to read that Nathan Bransford managed to get a publishing deal for his children's novel. I suppose I needn't have been. He's a talented guy.

    Nathan's blog is my favourite as he gives so much info away and is such an entertaining writer. I like the welcoming atmosphere there and his people's skills. These are things I look for in all the blogs I visit regularly. 🙂



  73. Sarah N Fisk on November 13, 2009 at 2:58 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    information, to stay motivated

    How often do you read blogs? How often do you comment?

    I read everyday (Google Readers is amazing!). I rarely comment, maybe once every two weeks – only when I have something worth saying

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?

    Show don't tell. I mean, I've always known it but I love being reminded over and over again. It helps me think twice about every sentence I write.

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?

    Sorry, no answer to this one.

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)

    My favorite is still Miss Snark. I also enjoy Nathan Bransford's blog and Pub Rants quite a bit.



  74. Kimberlee Conway Ireton on November 13, 2009 at 2:46 AM

    >Wow. I'm clearly up way too late, if I'm reading Friday's blog and it's still Thursday (my time, anyway)!

    I read a few agent blogs–yours, Nathan Bransford's, Kristin Nelson's, Chip MacGregor's, though yours is the only one I check daily (sorry to be a suck up…). The others I read when the topic interests me. When I first started looking for an agent, I read agent blogs religiously, hoping for the magic key that would open the door for me and my manuscript. Now that it's dawned on me there is no magic key and that, even if there were, reading agent blogs isn't it, I've dialed back on the blog-reading. Like everyone else, my time is limited, so I'd rather use it writing than lurking about trying to find something that isn't there.

    Which is not to say agent blogs aren't helpful. They are, hugely. I've learned a lot about the process of finding an agent, about how to write a query letter, and about how much garbage agents have to wade through (that was the most surprising thing to me–that some writers don't bother to read submission guidelines or personalize their query letters!). I've also learned how hard this business is, for everyone: Agents get rejected, too.

    My favorite new writing blog is Story Sleuths, launched last month by a couple of children's book writers who examine award-winning YA fiction for clues to the success of the book.



  75. Aimee LS on November 13, 2009 at 2:14 AM

    >What are your primary reasons for reading the blogs?

    How often do you read blogs?
    EVERY DAY.

    How often do you comment?
    2-3 Times a week

    What's the BEST advice you've received from a blog?
    – Make sure your ms is polished til it shines before submitting.
    – Specifics on writing queries, synopsis' and writing techniques

    What's the most surprising thing you've learned from a blog?
    – How many agents put themselves out there and make themselves available to writers on a daily basis!

    What are your favorite blogs? (Besides mine, of course! No fair sucking up.)
    Chip MacGregor, hands down. Besides yours 😉