Today please give a warm welcome to Debra, who blogs at The Book Enthusiast.
What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
I'm just crazy about books and talking about them. I can chat someone's ear off if they give me the chance! :)
How long have you been blogging?
I started the Facebook page in Nov. 2012 but really started seriously in January 2013.
Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I think what makes our blog unique is that we really do focus on the indie author. New authors are given a shot yet we try to sprinkle in the more popular authors as well.
What genres do you write about most, and why?
There are a lot of bloggers now on The Book Enthusiast and overall we review books with a romance theme I guess. We all have very different tastes in books. I know I personally will read/review almost anything.
Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?
When I first started blogging I felt pressure to review everything I was asked to review. I was all by myself and I just couldn't take the pressure and put the call out there for some help. I was so so fortunate in getting a group of ladies that are awesome, loyal and love blogging as much as I do. We respect each other and we all contribute to the blog in our own way. I feel very lucky in finding such amazing women to work with.
What's one book you think everyone should read?
That is like the toughest question to answer. Near impossible. However, I would say Sempre by JM Darhower and its follow up Sempre Redemption.
Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
I guess I do when the book is like epic. But normally no.
What's your favorite place to read or blog?
I don't really have a favorite place. I just fit it in when I can.
Is Amazon.com the evil empire? Discuss.
I don't think it's an evil empire - without it we don't really have ebooks and the indie author isn't able to get their work out there on such a huge stage.
As with any company I think they can improve. The biggest thing is the 7 day return policy they have in place. I've learned lot about the back end of things since blogging and for a 99 cent book I think an author earns something like 15 cents after all the fees.
Samples are provided to readers so I think there really isn't a need for a 7 day return policy. I can see having a one day return policy because mistakes do happen - I've purchased a book once by mistake. It's easy to do but 7 is extreme. I can read like 3 books in 7 days.
Book shelfie time! Take a "shelfie" of your bookshelves and share it with us.
What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?
I've learned a ton! Most of it is probably boring stuff for the average reader but overall I think most bloggers are willing to help each other out. I know often there is a lot of negative thrown out there on Facebook but no one ever shares the positive.
I have a promotions site and I work with a ton of bloggers daily. I've not had a bad experience with any blog. I think if you are nice to people they are nice back - that goes for life in general, not just blogging. :)
Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?
Oh I'm a cover whore! I'm drawn in by covers but the blurb needs to be strong. The combination of the two can really help an author sell books and create interest.
One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
How To Kill a Rockstar? by Tiffanie DeBartolo is a book that I just don't see or hear about often. I can't say it's a book no one likes but just not talked about a lot with the bloggers/readers I know. However, it is an awesome book and I highly recommend it.
To DNF or not to DNF?
I've only ever had one book I just couldn't finish. I always try to finish each book.
What's one book that intimidates you?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
I totally want to go to London so there are a few books I've read that part of the reason I love them so much is because they take place in or around London.
How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
Between my promotions, work, and blogging they take up a lot of my time, but when I just need a break I love spending time with my nieces an nephew. They keep me laughing! :)
What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
I tend to think the books are better period. However, the Twilight series is probably the most popular "book to movie" movies I've seen recently that were just bad.
I thought the first one was the best and as they got bigger and bigger the movies just got worse. Sorry. I LOVED the series but the movies just didn't do it for me - although I saw them all.
What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?
Sorry I don't read reviews on other sites. I just don't have time.
What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
I'm the Serial Reader!
Thank you for joining us today, Debra!
Remember to check out Debra's blog, The Book Enthusiast, and leave a comment or question for her below!
What's the meaning behind the name of your book blog?
I'm just crazy about books and talking about them. I can chat someone's ear off if they give me the chance! :)
How long have you been blogging?
I started the Facebook page in Nov. 2012 but really started seriously in January 2013.
Tell us a bit about your book blog. What makes it unique?
I think what makes our blog unique is that we really do focus on the indie author. New authors are given a shot yet we try to sprinkle in the more popular authors as well.
What genres do you write about most, and why?
There are a lot of bloggers now on The Book Enthusiast and overall we review books with a romance theme I guess. We all have very different tastes in books. I know I personally will read/review almost anything.
Every blogger feels pressure at some point. What's something you feel pressured to do or not do on your blog? How do you deal with it?
When I first started blogging I felt pressure to review everything I was asked to review. I was all by myself and I just couldn't take the pressure and put the call out there for some help. I was so so fortunate in getting a group of ladies that are awesome, loyal and love blogging as much as I do. We respect each other and we all contribute to the blog in our own way. I feel very lucky in finding such amazing women to work with.
What's one book you think everyone should read?
That is like the toughest question to answer. Near impossible. However, I would say Sempre by JM Darhower and its follow up Sempre Redemption.
Writing in books: Yes or hell to the no?
I guess I do when the book is like epic. But normally no.
What's your favorite place to read or blog?
I don't really have a favorite place. I just fit it in when I can.
Is Amazon.com the evil empire? Discuss.
I don't think it's an evil empire - without it we don't really have ebooks and the indie author isn't able to get their work out there on such a huge stage.
As with any company I think they can improve. The biggest thing is the 7 day return policy they have in place. I've learned lot about the back end of things since blogging and for a 99 cent book I think an author earns something like 15 cents after all the fees.
Samples are provided to readers so I think there really isn't a need for a 7 day return policy. I can see having a one day return policy because mistakes do happen - I've purchased a book once by mistake. It's easy to do but 7 is extreme. I can read like 3 books in 7 days.
Book shelfie time! Take a "shelfie" of your bookshelves and share it with us.
What have you learned from other bloggers or your readers?
I've learned a ton! Most of it is probably boring stuff for the average reader but overall I think most bloggers are willing to help each other out. I know often there is a lot of negative thrown out there on Facebook but no one ever shares the positive.
I have a promotions site and I work with a ton of bloggers daily. I've not had a bad experience with any blog. I think if you are nice to people they are nice back - that goes for life in general, not just blogging. :)
Do you judge a book by its cover, or its lover?
Oh I'm a cover whore! I'm drawn in by covers but the blurb needs to be strong. The combination of the two can really help an author sell books and create interest.
One book you like that no one else seems to, or vice versa?
How To Kill a Rockstar? by Tiffanie DeBartolo is a book that I just don't see or hear about often. I can't say it's a book no one likes but just not talked about a lot with the bloggers/readers I know. However, it is an awesome book and I highly recommend it.
To DNF or not to DNF?
I've only ever had one book I just couldn't finish. I always try to finish each book.
What's one book that intimidates you?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy.
If you could go to any literary destination, where would you go?
I totally want to go to London so there are a few books I've read that part of the reason I love them so much is because they take place in or around London.
How about non-book related hobbies? What do you do when you don't feel like reading?
Between my promotions, work, and blogging they take up a lot of my time, but when I just need a break I love spending time with my nieces an nephew. They keep me laughing! :)
What's your favorite book to movie adaptation?
I tend to think the books are better period. However, the Twilight series is probably the most popular "book to movie" movies I've seen recently that were just bad.
I thought the first one was the best and as they got bigger and bigger the movies just got worse. Sorry. I LOVED the series but the movies just didn't do it for me - although I saw them all.
What are 3 favorite posts or reviews you've read by other book bloggers?
Sorry I don't read reviews on other sites. I just don't have time.
What is your reading personality? (via quiz at http://www.bookbrowse.com/quiz/)
I'm the Serial Reader!
Thank you for joining us today, Debra!
Remember to check out Debra's blog, The Book Enthusiast, and leave a comment or question for her below!
Thanks for stopping by for an interview!
ReplyDeleteI am curious about not reading other blogs. As a blogger, don't you want to support other blogs out there by reading and commenting? What about the interaction that is so amazing within this community?