Incorporating Authors into Your Blog

[Tracie Yule]

Right now, I'm not conducting any author interviews on my blog. I've seen other sites do it, but I want to do something a little different that is a bit more creative. I would like to offer authors some topics to guest post on my site. Would authors be receptive to this idea?

Next, what authors do I choose for my site and when? After I've read the book (and I liked it), do I offer a guest post? What if I don't like the book, should I never offer a guest post?

How do other bloggers handle authors on their site?

[Ruth J. Hartman]

Hi,

I haven't have authors on my site yet, but I was fortunate enough to be on others' blogs. I had a virtual book tour earlier this year. It was so much fun! If you'd like to see how the schedule was set up, etc, feel free to look at it on my blog.

www.ruthjhartman.blogspot.com


Good luck!

Ruth

[Wendy Gillissen]

As an author I have just been interviewed for the first time (by Sassy Brit of Alternative-Read.com), and it was a lovely experience! The interview was conducted by e-mail but that works fine for me, it is an informal medium and it gives you time to consider your answer before you give it (which is a good thing for me as I tend to be impulsive;) It's also nice to be able to answer whenever you want to within a certain timeframe, it is less pressure on an already busy schedule.

The other thing that made it a great experience were the questions: some in-depth, about the book and its background, and some quirky and personal, just enough to spice up the interview and make it more lively.

I agree it is essential the interviewer have at least an inkling of the background of the author and what the book is about. I have been interviewed for my other job as a dream worker, and remember several times having to keep myself from rolling my eyes and walking out. Interviewers who don't prepare make for shallow interviews and irritated interviewees!;)

[Jaime Huff]

Ooohhhhh I can't wait to read your interview with Sassy! She is so awesome and you are so awesome and this will make for pure awesomeness, LOL!

[Wendy Gillissen]

LOL! Thanks Jaime:-D The interview is here (I hope it's o.k. to post a link here?):
http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2009/10/interview-wendy-gillissen-author-of.html

[John Gorman]

I know this thread is over a month old, but it is a great topic. I have recently begun doing author Q and As on my blog, but before that I had had some guest blogs. I have also guest blogged for others. I think it's a great way to foster growth in the book loving community. In fact, I am still pursuing guest bloggers. If you are interested in making a guest appearance please let me know.l

I'm at http://jgpapercut.blogspot.com

Best regards,
John

[Morgan Mandel]

I've hosted many authors at various times at my site at http://morganmandel.blogspot.com , as well as at my group blogs. I don't have the time to figure out interview questions, so I very rarely do it that way. I usually ask for a profile jpeg, a book cover jpeg, buy link, website/blogspot, bio, blurb and a writing related post. Those are my standard requirements.Sometimes hosts offer to give a contest gift, but not usually. Also, it's helpful if the guest comes and comments at least a few times during the day to establish a presence, and beforehand advertise about being there. I advertise in many places on the day of the blog, but not before, since people tend to forget.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

[Harvee Lau]

I have had a Q and A with a few authors after reviewing their books. Just posted one with mystery writer Susan Arnout Smith, if you are interested in seeing the questions I asked and her responses. http://bookbirddog.blogspot.com/2009/10/susan-arnout-smith-mystery-...