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01/26: Some thoughts on book blogging...

1/26/2014

11 Comments

 
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Happy Sunday, guys!

I know I don't share my personal opinions or thoughts very often. 

However, I've been thinking about this a lot recently, and decided it would be worth writing about. 

-J

Some thoughts on book blogging...

I'm not sure that any of you have noticed, but I've been a little stressed recently. 

I've been stressed, because I've been noticing in the past couple of months, the rise of bloggers who have joined book blogging solely for the purpose of getting ARCs. 

While I'm definitely not trying to point fingers or speculate on the motives of these bloggers, this ARCs or Die! attitude came across my radar, when I noticed that some of the bloggers were utilizing sketchy, shortcutting behavior to push their way to the top - e.g. in one specific case, "borrowing" questions that I've used in my Q&As with authors before. 

(Seriously. One of the questions is so specific, I was flabbergasted when I saw the blogger reuse it. If you're going to copy from me, shouldn't you at least change the question a little? Just so you're not being that obvious?) 

In that particular case, the blogger has been rewarded for it, by receiving ARCs and getting access to authors, whom she interviews using my questions. And while I generally operate under the idea that book blogging is a community effort, I'm not going to lie. I was angry. I was depressed. No one likes feeling like someone else is profiting off of their work. 

In fact, I was so bummed, I spent a good week after discovering that my questions had been "borrowed" by this blogger, asking myself why I blog at all. What's the point of working to spread book love, if plagiarists can gain splashy numbers so quickly? Was I making any sort of positive impact at all? 

However, after a series of events yesterday, I've definitely changed my tune. Yes, I'm still angry about that blogger plagiarizing my work. But yesterday also reminded me just how much of an impact a single individual can have, when spreading a genuine love of books. 

First, I received a lovely letter from a thirteen-year-old friend yesterday, telling me how much she loves a Scholastic ARC I've sent her:

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(I love the fact that she automatically assumes I know all the coolest authors!)
Just the idea that my decision to send her an ARC has inspired an entire classroom full of people to read a book, makes me ridiculously happy. 

(Also, Kat Falls: we need a sequel, stat!)

Second, I hung out with a group of awesome writers/bloggers/publishing professionals at Katherine Longshore's book party for Manor of Secrets yesterday. 

Hearing how the writers were all in different stages of their publication journeys, and how bloggers and publishing professionals were joining together to help spread the love for their books, was so inspiring to me. 

Not only did I walk away from yesterday evening knowing that I could genuinely help spread the world for an up-and-coming writer in a positive way, but also knowing that they had my back too - both in terms of blogging and in writing - again reminded me of why I do this. 

Third, I received a very sweet email from a children's book writer, who enthusiastically introduced me to his upcoming title, and asked me if I wanted to review it. 

The fact that the writer sought me out, trusting me to help spread the love for his work, again reminded me of how lucky I am to do this. Even if I can reach just one person about this author's new title, who knows how many people that person can reach - as evidenced by my thirteen-year-old pal? And isn't that more than worth it? 

The bottom line here is: I'm not a big fan of bloggers who are currently gaining popularity in book blogging for the wrong reasons, especially when they take shortcuts. 

But yesterday was a strong reminder that those other people also shouldn't matter to me. 

So who cares if they're gaining a ridiculous number of stats or twitter followers with their tactics? That's all immaterial. Because at the end of the day, I know that any ARCs or attention I've received from authors or publishers have been legitimately gained through hard work. 

I know that the friendships and relationships I have with the publishing, writing and blogging community is one built  on genuine respect and friendship, and that they've changed my life, just as I hopefully have helped change theirs. 

I know that I'm genuinely making a long-term impact with the reviews, ideas and books I put out in the world, and I'm impacting and inspiring readers, in a positive and forever sort of way. 

As Tom always reminds me: this is a marathon, not a sprint. And I'm going to enjoy every moment of it. 

Also, to the blogger in question: Take this as notice that I know what you're doing. However, I'm not going to call you out. Instead, I urge you to use your own work in the future - you're going to find it all the more satisfying. Trust me. 

11 Comments
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction link
1/26/2014 10:21:23 am

I am SO sorry this happened to you! This truly is my worst fear. I spend such a long time preparing for an interview and constructing original content I would be devastated if some one took my work as their own. Honestly, if I ran into someone doing this I might email them personally. Such a hard thing to have to deal with. I hope this gets resolved in a peaceful manner. I'm sorry this has made you doubt blogging and happy that when you've needed it you were rewarded with such a beautiful note and interactions.

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Jess
1/27/2014 01:47:30 pm

Thank you so much for reading and responding. :) Having your support means a lot. <3

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Meredith @ Pandora's Books link
1/26/2014 11:03:51 am

I'm so sorry that happened to you!!! I'm seeing this kind of thing happen more and more, with bloggers stealing what's not theirs and refusing to give credit to the blogger they took the idea from. It's horrible and uncalled for and I hope it doesn't happen to you again!!

As for people who blog only for ARCs... Sigh. If you blog only for ARCs, blogging will quickly become not fun. It can't all be about ARCs. It has to be for the love of the authors and the love of spreading the word about awesome authors and awesome books. Those people will quickly find that the work, time and effort needed to maintain a blog is not worth it just for the free books. If their heart isn't in it, they will crumble.

Thanks for posting such an important post! <3

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Jess
1/27/2014 01:59:38 pm

Thank you so much for all of your <3 and support. :)

And yes, absolutely. If you're only blogging for ARCs, it's just going to get exhausting after awhile. You're right - their heart WILL crumble.

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Jess
1/27/2014 02:00:05 pm

Thank you so much for all of your <3 and support. :)

And yes, absolutely. If you're only blogging for ARCs, it's just going to get exhausting after awhile. You're right - their heart WILL crumble.

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Crystal @ Crystal in Bookland link
1/26/2014 01:33:11 pm

So sorry this happened Celeste! I see the whole "ARCs or Die" thing ALOT lately. Definitely not the right reason to be blogging. I'm glad you were able to find your way back to all the good reasons you do what you do! Keep your head up & let karma take care of those other ppl. ;-)

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Anna link
1/26/2014 01:40:38 pm

Unfortunately book bloggers using 'nefarious' means to get ahead or to get ARCs or people becoming book bloggers JUST to get ARCs... is nothing new. However, the friendships and the community - when it's not being blah - is well worth the fake people you have to wade through. There are some amazing people and amazing blogs out there that make everything else worth it. Also, like Meredith said, if people are just in it for the ARCs, it'll be more like a job to them, rather than fun - like it's supposed to be - and they will quickly realize that.

I'm just glad that you have people to remind you that not all of it is bad :)

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Amie
1/27/2014 03:48:53 am

I'm so sorry this happened to you J *huggies* It's really sad to see some bloggers get started simply because they want ARC. We blog because we want to share the love of reading and making new friends who have the same interest as us. So it's just no fun anymore if free book is their goal of blogging =(

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Nikki link
1/27/2014 05:55:55 am

Omg, that is awful!! I can't imagine what kind of mindset one has to be in, to think it's ok to steal peoples' content. Wouldn't success via someone else's work feel so empty?? At least, I hope it does. And really hope that person sees this post, because seriously, you are being so kind by not bringing their name into it and calling them out in public. If they keep up the plagiarism, I hope people start noticing. =/

That said, THIS: "Because at the end of the day, I know that any ARCs or attention I've received from authors or publishers have been legitimately gained through hard work." It sucks that your work is being used by someone else, but that definitely doesn't negate the work that YOU have done for YOUR success. And that's what you should be proud of. <3

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van
1/27/2014 02:27:40 pm

I'm sorry this happened to you, that really sucks. I thought people would know better now to stop plagiarizing. ..when will it ever stop?!

I totally agree bout seeing the sudden increase in bloggers...only blogging for arcs. Some people are just arc crazy...seen it on twitter. Blogger showing off a boat load of ARCs only to complain how they don't have enough. Mind you, said person only been bloggin for less than 3 months. Ridiculous.

But I'm glad you're sticking around! And the letter above was so great and sweet...warms my heart just reading it! :)

Awesome post J! Keep up the amazing work!

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Chelsea
1/28/2014 03:45:45 am

I am so glad that you found the inspiration to keep going. People are only plagarizing you in the first place because your blog is so awesome. Never give up doing what you love for a few people. I think the people that support you way outnumber a handful of fakey bloggers. Keep at it girl!

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