(Despite the fact that Krista alerted me to the reality that I had 50 posts in 2 weeks, I feel like I need to say the following.)
While I really enjoyed yesterday's conversation, it has come to my attention that some bloggers were hurt by one of the commenters. The commenter in question knew that what they were going to say would cause some drama, and chose to remain anonymous.
This to me is a perfect example of why this is a community. We see issues, we get our feelings hurt, the pettiness and competition of real life invades this space. We are still people learning how to interact with one another in a medium that is different. And maybe in some ways we are more honest than we should be sometimes, because yes we can hide under anonymity.
To my real life friends, I have jokingly referred to myself as a blogger's advocate. Nothing gets me going more than to see people slam bloggers. I have seriously entered into many conversations especially in the book publicity realm to defend bloggers. I believe every blogger has a voice and a place in the blogosphere if they want to claim it. Are there bloggers just trying to snag a free book? Of course. But it's not my job to police that.
I read a wide range of bloggers and there are some excellent writers and reviewers out there who I feel deserve a wider readership. Just as there are authors out there I think deserve a wider readership. It's just the way these things go.
To all who read this blog...I appreciate each one of you. I feel so thankful and lucky that anyone would want to read what I write. I can't wait to meet so many of you this year in person! And if I've commented on your blog before, that means I'm reading and enjoying your blog!
And all apologies but I have a ton of more posts this week!!! 
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Blogging: Community, Connection, and I love Bloggers
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18 comments:
Trust me, Amy, I doubt any of us mind that you post so much! What a thoughtful and wonderful response to the more difficult parts of the conversation yesterday. Thanks for bringing all of this up, I've really enjoyed the discussion.
50 posts in two weeks? Wow. Yesterday's discussion was one of the best we've had in the blogging community. Thanks so much for bringing the question up.
One of these years, I hope to meet a lot of other bloggers too. However making a trip so far from home is a hurdle I may not be able to manage for quite some time.
However, whether I ever do or not, I will always feel priveleged to be part of such a community regardless of its quirks and issues.
Wow, I completely missed all the drama. First of all, happy blogoversary!! You are one of my most favorite bloggers and although we've never met in person, I enjoyed working with you on BBAW last year.
To the person who commented that there are parasite blogs all over the place, didn't we all start somewhere? I have no idea who the top tier bloggers are in that person's estimation, but "because you are not an established book blogger" is no reason to not permit everyone who wants to blog to blog. I started my blog and was at it for more than a year before I actually realized that there was a community of book bloggers out there. And yes, I consider this a community. I may have stronger connections to some bloggers over the others, but that's true of every community to which I belong.
Amy, keep on doing what you do. You enrich my life just like the rest of our community. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Great discussion! We don't all have to agree on every point, that wouldn't be an interesting community. Remember how dull they found themselves in *The Truman Show* ? :)
I would love to meet face-to-face with many that I interact with online. The Portland retreat is not good timing for me ... working on getting BEA to become a reality ... In the meantime, anyone heading to the Boston area is welcome to give me a shout!
What Meghan said - no such thing as too many Amy posts! So keep them coming please :D And this post is a perfect example of why I love your blog.
I seriously have no idea how you manage to put out so many posts! I struggle with my one a day!
Anyways, regarding blogging. I honestly could see truth to all of the comments made yesterday. It's not a competition. We all go into it for different reasons. Some are casual bloggers, others are more intense. There's room for them all. And that room is getting bigger all the time. I wish I could read them all.
We appreciate you and your wonderful reviews and thoughtful posts! Keep up the great work!
I didn't get a chance to comment on your post yesterday, but I actually agree that it is both - we connect, and through connecting, we build a community. Certainly I know i am building one, slowly, through all the wonderful people I've met who love books, and they are moving into my life to become friends. And what is community other than shared interests, as you so aptly describe?
So congratulations on your 4th anniversary, and I do enjoy your blog very much. Is there any cake left? :-D
Great response, Amy. You're a gem! I can't wait to meet you.
Sorry to have missed any drama, but, then, sounds like I was meant to. No need to get on my soapbox over something so "silly". I don't mean to down play anything, but opinions are just that. Everyone has one, just like they have armpits (or name your own stinky part here. : )
I personally enjoy this, and several other book blogs) very much. So, keep up the good work to all of you and God Bless you!
Very nice post Amy! Keep 'em coming :)
I opened Google Reader this a.m. and saw 5 new posts from you! I don't know how you do it.
I'm not sure what is 'top tier' to Anon but you can't please all the people all the time.
You are a posting machine! :)
I missed the discussion yesterday but just went and read through it all. Wow. That is about all I can say and I think Carl's response was exactly what I would want to say if I was as well-spoken (written?) as him.
Happy Blogiversary!
I love that you post so much - it balances out my average of 2 a week ;-)
I skimmed through the discussion but like anything else I think there are a variety of motivations among book bloggers. That's what makes the variety of blogs I read so interesting. Some are more 'professional' reviewers who crave ARCs and others are like me who are more casual bloggers. I don't seek out ARCs or enter book giveaways or have any desire to participate in a blog tour. I'm not in this to develop a following or make money or track stats. I just want to read and post about what I'm reading. If that makes me less of a blogger to some folks - so be it. For me it's about reading other peoples thoughts about the books and developing a network of bloggers whose tastes I've come to know over time. Some of them I've already met in person and some I sincerely hope to meet someday
I read lots of different types of blogs. There are some who I don't really have common reading tastes, but I still enjoy what they write.
Carl said it all so well that I'm just going to shut up now.
Missed that Anon comment the other day, and just read it. Can't say I have come across any crappy book blogs. To me blogs are an extension of someone and their space. If you don't like it, don't read it. Suck it up Buttercup!
Amy, I appreciate what you write everyday. Whether it's fun or serious, you're just saying hello to everyone. Unfortuantely I live on the East coast so we'll prob never meet. However, I'm sure we would laugh quite a bit over a cup of coffee.
Besides, we are both fans of Buffy and LOST, so how can we not be awesome :)
I got to these posts late, but I found the discussion interesting. I just want to say, Amy, that I think you did a great job in leading the discussion and keeping the environment for it under control as well as inviting. I hope that makes sense. My words are failing me right now. :-)
wow 50 posts in 2 weeks, congrats. And I love reading your blog! And I would gladly accept you as my blogging advocate any day.
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