Comments on: Why Your Blog Should Be Your Book’s First Draft

By: Stephanie Baffone

Stephanie Baffone — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:56:16 +0000

Thomas,
Everything you say makes sense to me! I appreciate how concise your message is and on point.
Always something to sink our teeth into!
Stephanie

By: Ken McConnell

Ken McConnell — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:34:17 +0000

I put the first draft of my debut mystery novel online as I wrote it. I would guess that five people saw it. But I was largely unknown at the time. Now I have been blogging for several years and in a couple of months, I will start writing my next mystery novel. I expect that I will double my viewers this time. Seriously.

Both of my novels and most of my short stories are available for free on Scribd. I do believe in Tim O’Reilly’s “Obscurity is the Enemy” concept. I also believe that as an unknown writer, everything I sell in paperback had better be available for free in digital form. Yes, Cory Doctorow is my hero!

I do not expect a book publisher to find me and want to publish me, no matter how big or small my platform is. My only concern is that I come to press with a new book every year, and that each new book is better than the last. Growing my audience year after year is more important to me than getting a Cinderella contract. Because even with said contract, if you don’t have an audience, you won’t get another contract.

To be a successful author you need to keep writing and keep releasing new books, until your back catalog begins to earn enough to eat on. Expecting your first or fifth book to suddenly be your tipping point, is unrealistic and putting your drafts online is only one small part of getting an audience.

Also, get on Twitter. It is impossible to measure the value of speaking to other established writers as you learn your craft.

By: Tami Boehmer

Tami Boehmer — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:19:29 +0000

I am writing a book and just started a blog a few weeks ago. I wish I would have done this sooner. I am quickly getting a following but was told by an agent they usually want someone who has about 10,000 followers.

I agree with your post that the quickest way to reach people is through blogging and other social network tools. My blog is for cancer survivors and I feel good that I am able to reach and help people now.

By: Kimberley Payne

Kimberley Payne — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:09:04 +0000

I like this advice and plan to put it into practice for my next non-fiction book!Thanks.

By: Alexander

Alexander — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:10:54 +0000

So you forgot an important one: it keeps you writing. It prevents the nasty habit of opening up a document, re-reading it, perhaps making some small edits (or perhaps not) and then closing it without really adding anything. By breaking a book down into narrowly focused, roughed-out sections, posting regularly on the same topic without repeating oneself, one writes a book as a matter of course.

By: Andrea J. Wenger

Andrea J. Wenger — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:34:53 +0000

This strategy could work well for some writers. But I think it’s risky, for a couple of reasons. First, many publishers won’t go near anything that’s appeared online in any form, so you’d be limiting your pool of potential publishers. Second, some writers don’t have the temperament to expose their writing to criticism at the first draft stage. My blog post on first draft critiques explains why: http://wp.me/pwENu-2C

The decision to blog the first draft of your book should be part of a well thought-out marketing strategy, not a whim. Make sure you understand your goals, as well as your level of tolerance for negative comments from random critics in the blogosphere.