So, I was struggling to think about what to post on Thursday since I stopped with the novellas. I’m going to stick with the Sneak Peek day and maybe even toss in some unedited scenes from the 5th book that I’ll be starting Monday. That should be a lot of fun.
I’m also going to try my hand at having guest bloggers in an act of returning the favor. I’m not sure how to do this and the idea came when real-world friend/fellow blogger/original Nimby, zombiephreak, and I were talking about his blog. I made the offer to him and he’s going to write something up about his thoughts on what makes a good Amazon reviewer. He doesn’t pull punches and has gotten into a few debates with thin-skinned authors, so I think it will be an interesting perspective for authors to see.
So, does anybody have suggestions for how to do a guest blogging? I’m thinking of posing a question or topic if the person wants one. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Legends of Windemere 
I need to do more guest blogging, but I usually bring in people who have more knowledge of the subject than I do. Like poetry. Or publishing. Or something of that nature. But topics are cool too, especially if the blogger has a different POV from you.
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I was thinking along the lines of something they seem passionate about. For the first one, my friend is an Amazon reviewer. For authors, I might ask them about their process or how blogging helps them. One of the difficulties I had with a few guest blogging posts was that I didn’t know what to talk about. That’s probably just my issue though.
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Those sound like super good topics right there. I’d go with them.
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Thanks. You want a week from this Thursday for a guest blog? I’m curious about the effect mental illness has had on your writing. If you’re comfortable with writing about that topic. Do you think art in any form is a healing and coping method?
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Of course I would be comfortable and I’d love to! So yes!
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Great. My e-mail address is slepsnor@yahoo.com for when you want to send it. I’m looking forward to it because I know a lot of people who use art to help with their mental illness.
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I wouldn’t know how to begin…could be like when you began bloggin the first time, start with one thing and just branch off from there. You’ve already go one blogger in your friend you mentioned.
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That’s why I was thinking of a topic. Look at the person’s blog after they agree if they want a prompt.
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Sounds like it could work…
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Writing what you’re passionate about seems to be the way to go. What about guest blogs on tips for writers about querying or submitting to publishers? And um is this is a general call out for guest bloggers? I was thinking about writing a quick blog post about ways to stand out in the slush pile and could do it here if you like. (Picture me looking at you with those large, puppy eyes. Yes, I’m rather golden retriever-like.) I read manuscripts for a publisher for many years. So many publishers have stopped taking unsolicited manuscripts. Even that publisher (which will remain nameless–I still freelance for them) has stopped taking manuscripts for the slush pile. But some still take them.
I usually write short posts and try to keep to the positive. Sorry. It’s the way I’m bent. Probably won’t be as exciting as the Amazon reviewer’s post, but it might be helpful. 🙂
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A general call and invitation. I’m still forming the idea. I was thinking of making the guest blogging thing more about spreading the word of other blogs, including those that are not about writing.
I think I would ask you for your opinion on the direction of manuscript submission and if we’re seeing a major shift in tradition. Is the method of manuscript submissions going away due to self-publishing? Has the door become even harder to get through over the years? Why do you think that is?
I have a feeling I’m going to be gathering several guest blog posts before the first day arrives.
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A major shift? To a degree, yes. My publisher stopped taking slush pile manuscripts because of the cost of returning them or sending rejection letters to those who refused to include an SASE. But sure, self-publishing and the policy to take only agented submissions has decreased the snail-mail submission count. But editors still call for manuscripts from people they meet at conferences. Some publishers, particularly religious publishers and smaller presses, still take unsolicited manuscripts. But yes, the door seems harder to walk through.
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I was actually asking the questions and forgot to ask if you want to write a guest blog that I’ll post up. I have the next two Thursdays taken, so I can give you the third if you want it.
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Hi there. I’d say give a topic or a question and give to a review first so you have a little more say of the direction that your blog will go for the day. But I guess the nice thing about a guest blog is that it gives you the day off right? So you don’t want to have to put a lot of work into it.
I know for me my blog is my baby. While I’m all about sharing my community and building others up, I sure as heck don’t let just anyone babysit my kids without a full ‘back ground check’! lol
I’m sure whatever you decide will be the right choice for you and your blog. 😀
Cheers and continued success!
Jennifer
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That’s why I’m thinking of invitation or giving a topic after some research. I think I’m fortunate that I’ve met so many friendly, fun bloggers, so I don’t feel like I’d ever run out of material. 🙂
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Eeek! I have never guest blogged. Wouldn’t have a clue what to suggest.
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Hmmm. It’d probably be something about love. Can love truly conquer all? 😛
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Gee, it’s a bit late (my time) to get philosophical. In my mind, yes. In reality, perspective would be imperative.
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See. There is a question that I can pose to you for a guest blog post. 🙂
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But I just answered it. I have nothing more.
It’d be a short post! 🙂
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I sense you’re providing me with a challenge. 🙂
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I think it’s a great idea! It would be a chance to discover new-to-each-other bloggers, and give you a bit of time off. 🙂
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Definitely. I’ve already got my folder made for the submissions. 🙂
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Instead of subject matter how about choosing one of your favorite bloggers, shoot them a note and ask them to send a guest blog of say up to 500 words and let them choose the subject. Eventually you will have a virtual farmer’s market of subjects. (you might even have to rename your post to Charles and Friends on Thursday)
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Possibly. If a person has a topic then I’m more than willing to let them run with it. From personal experience, I find it hard to decide on a topic when I have no guidelines. Also, there is always the chance that a question I want to ask someone in a comment can be better answered through a long post. I’m going to play it by a case-by-base basis.
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I think your idea for providing a topic is excellent. I have guest blogged before (not so much with Nerd in the Brain), and I felt a bit like the floppy, sad fish because I wasn’t sure which direction to take something or how the other blogger wanted me to tie in.
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I’ve been there. I tend to ask if there’s a specific topic that I should write about.
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I’m under so much pressure now! 🙂
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Just relax and think of all those horrible books and great books that you had to read to get to where you are. Let your inner critic take control and avoid cursing.
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I think it sounds like a great idea, Charles. I have great faith that you will figure out all the details 🙂 I think it does help to have some guidelines for the Guest Blogger…makes it easier for everyone all around!
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Thanks. I’m thinking it’s going to be a lot of fun.
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Me! Me! Pick me! 😀 That is all!
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Where to even start since you do so much? 😀 Unless you have an idea of what you want to write.
Actually, there is something that’s said a lot that I’d like your opinion on. Many people I talk to say they are unable to write poetry. Do you think there’s a poet hidden in everyone? If that’s too corny then you’re free to pick another topic. 🙂
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I like it. I pound something out and send it to you in about a week or two? Sound good?
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Sure. I have the first two weeks set, so I’ll give you number three.
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Hooray! Reading your Bieber story now……….. 😉
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Apologies in advance. 😉
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I loved it. Well done sir, I am bowing to your superiority now.
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Thanks. My reader is acting up. Did you post yours yet?
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Not yet. After reading some of these, I feel very inadequate now. Time to put my big boy pants on and “revise” it into something readable.
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Ah, big boy pants. I usually call it vodka or rum. Depends on what the store had on sale. 🙂
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