Cherry-Ann Carew, author of Whisper of Lies
http://writetasticsolutions.wordpress.com
1. Cherry-Ann, what do you enjoy most about having a book blog or author blog?
As an author, writing coach and editor, I delight in sharing my knowledge via blog posts and articles that assists novice writers in their writing quest.
2. What functionality does your book/author blog serve for you?
It’s another medium by which I can not only impart my knowledge to help others, but to also promote my books, services and e-courses, as well as communicate my writing experiences and journey.
3. Please describe your blog layout and functionality.
I like to keep things simple and WordPress.com that hosts my blog has some fabulous selection of themes. I’m currently using the Spectrum theme that in my opinion is beautiful, colourful and fresh. It sports a clean layout with one main column and a sidebar on the right and it supports custom menus, background, and header image, so I can configure the look to my liking. Pitching views is the title of my blog, followed by: Writing & Editing Hints, Tips, Articles & Videos that serves as the tag. The blog in its entirety is pleasing to the eyes because of the colours, yet the content serves its function as a communication tool. In addition, categories, recent posts, archives, widgets, comments and share buttons all aid in the functionality of giving my blog exposure.
4. Do you feel it is important for authors to have a book blog or author blog and if so, why?
Absolutely! Blogging is an extension of writing outside of books. It started off essentially as an online journal. In the current climate, it’s a phenomenal medium that writers’ should use as currency to gain readers and followers. Writers can get help in a variety of areas by asking questions whether it’s feedback on a book title they are unsure of, asking others to beta read chapters or draft manuscripts, gain opinions on other’s experiences with self-publishing versus traditional publishing, place media releases, images, videos, add a subscription box, journal their writing/publishing journey, give feedback to other writers, ad infinitum. Blogging, too, allows one to be creative and brings you closer to readers who share the writer’s passion for writing. Further, by consistently sharing experiences and tips, writers will become more visible, and that is the core of being a successful writer. In addition, the more the writer is seen sharing useful information and their human side, others will be drawn to them fostering the writer to become empowered and confident.
5. Did you have help creating your blog or did you design it and set it up yourself? (If you had help, if you recommend that service, please mention their name and web address.)
I set up my blog via WordPress.com and used their themes and plugins to design to my liking. It’s a rather simple process.
6. What else would you like to share about your book/author blog or how it has benefited you to have this blog?
Many of the examples outlined in #4, and more, I use to communicate with readers and followers. It has benefitted me in various forms. For instance, I am contacted to participate in workshops, affiliate programs, telesummits and guest blog because my blog affords me a level of visibility. In addition, when my novel, Whisper of Lies was launched, my blog was instrumental in propelling its success, and continues to.
Whisper of Lies book trailer:
