Edit: My apologies! Somehow CATPCHA turned itself back on. I hate that thing. I've turned it back off! Sorry for the p.i.t.a. to comment bit! ~Tiffany
This is a Feature & Follow Friday, hosted by parajunkee & Alison Can Read. Basically, you hop on the list, follow them, follow the featured blogger, and follow everyone else that signs up. I'm excited to discover more of you to read!
The topic this week is --
Q: Confess your blogger sins! Is there anything as a newbie blogger that you've done, that as you've gained more experience you were like -- oops?
I am a new book review blogger, so I am probably committing book reviewer sins left and right as I find my comfort zone. I've joined up with a few Book Blast tours and that's making me feel like I'm starting to get the hang of it, even as my site is still pretty ... haphazard to look at. My biggest mistake is that I do not yet have a review policy. I am a member of netgalley and sign up for ARCs when I can!
I'm looking forward to getting to meet all of you!
I checked out the review policy of 5-10 other blogs and used that as a basis for my own policy. And then since the original policy went up, I've made a couple minor edits. It's definitely a good thing to have!
ReplyDeleteNew follower.
My FF
I totally followed this advice and got a basic one up there tonight. Thank you! :)
DeleteThanks for the follow. The cool thing about book bloggers is that everyone had to start with zero followers. We all had to figure out what we wanted to say and how we were going to say it. And they are such a neat bunch. Have a question, ask, cause someone will answer it, like Lizzy above about the review policy, which come to think of it, I do not have. Yikes! Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteYes this Hop/meme has me realizing what a great community book bloggers are! Nice to meet you and Happy Friday!
DeleteI just started accepting book reviews. I haven't made a review policy yet, but I look forward to doing it soon. Your blog is cool, BTW!
ReplyDeleteNew Follower via GFC
My FF @ The Creative Forum
Happy Reading :)
Hi! Thanks for connecting with me and thanks! I look forward to reading your reviews!
DeleteWelcome to the world of Book Blogging. I didn't do any reviews when I first started. I'm just getting into it now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my FF :)
I'm following you back thru GFC.
Marilyn @ Marilyn's Mystery Blog
Hi Marilyn! Thank you for following me back! I am looking forward to seeing your reviews and reading your blog! :)
DeleteWelcome! The great thing about book blogging is someone is there help you if you have a question. I started in August, but was part of a group blog and left in December due to scheduling conflicts and different agendas. I learned a lot and decided to go on my own a few weeks after I left that blog. It's been an interesting journey but I've been more welcomed by fellow bloggers than I was with that group. In terms of a review policy-I have one and basically you want to outline what you will accept or won't. It will change over time and you don't need one right away. Get a feel for the genres you want to review and go from there. Also your review style will change. It's okay to experiment to know what works for you and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Literary, etc
(new follower via Twitter & Networked Blogs)
Hi Jessica! Thank you. As I was hopping around last night and seeing everyone's blogs, I visited their review policies to get a feel for what I should toss up there. I'm definitely still experimenting! :)
DeleteHey Tiff!! I made it here!! whoop whoop!! Don't over commit yourself, put everything in a calender, and dont do too many reviews... otherwise you will have fun!!
ReplyDeleteThanx for visiting my FF!
Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
Hooray! :) I got my google calendar ready to go! :D
DeleteCongratulations on becoming a new book blogger! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's extremely rewarding and tons of fun!! Everyone has to start somewhere and it's a real learning experience along the way. As for your review policy it's helpful to look at other bloggers policies and and get ideas on creating your own - that way you can make sure the essentials are covered! So far it looks like your blog is really coming along, it looks really cool. I look forward to reading your reviews! Have a fantastic weekend!
New GFC Follower.
My FF Here!!
-Seirra @ Dear, Restless Reader
Hi Seirra! Your blog is so pretty and I love your title :) Thank you for the advice!
DeleteNice to see a new face in the book blogging world congrats and hang in there. I think making your own policy takes time to find what you want, advice take your time and be honest don't be afraid to say what you want you are the person reading the book and writing the review. Me personally I used to take Self Pub books and now I don't anymore, don't let any people bully you. Just a little experience advice LOL thanks for stopping by my blog returning the follow:)
ReplyDeleteKrista@KristaReads
My FF
Hi Krista! Thank you for the advice. I admit to a little trepidation on reviewing when I came across what could only be termed as bullying on goodreads. Yikes! I'm jumping in with both feet anyway. :)
DeleteAh... A Review Policy is the first thing my fellow blogger Janhvi and I wrote when we started our blog! I hope you write yours soon :D And your blog isn't haphazard, I think it's pretty cool, love the design! I love dogs! :P
ReplyDeleteNew follower here! :)
Here's my Feature & Follow Friday post.
Happy reading!
Sarika @ The Readdicts
Hi Sarika and Janhvi! Thank you! And I think you guys were smart. I've read a few self-published books already, but before this blog. While some were great, others were not and I had a hard time being constructive!
DeleteWelcome to the blogger world :D *hugs* come check out my post too :D
ReplyDeleteNew follower
http://lite-rate-ture.blogspot.com/2013/03/feature-and-follow-friday.html#links
Thanks, Chyna! I love how you broke up Literature into Lite Rate Ture for your blog :)
DeleteThe book blogging community is fab and always ready to help :-)
ReplyDeleteNew follower. My link is http://kvlovesbooks.blogspot.co.uk/
Kirsty @ All in One Place
I'm so glad :) It's such a warm welcome with this meme! I like your site design :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower!!:)
I have not big sins too.
Here is my FF. http://goo.gl/u1Tiw
Hi Athina! Thanks for stopping by; I returned the follow! :D
DeleteBeing the control freak that I am, lol, the Review Policy was about the first things I did as soon as I began to review, haha. But don't worry too much about it, looooots of people don't even bother to read our policies so sometimes I wonder why we work on them to begin with, lol!
ReplyDeleteAll jokes aside though, it's a good idea to work on one. It helped me find a direction for my blog even if it's still more on the eclectic side. But it's eclectic with clear flavors, lol.
And between you and me, your blog is cute to look at, not haphazard. There's always room for fiddling and improving everything and anything (OCD again, lol), sure thing, but your place is nice to look at, cute and 'clean' - no clutter. My OCD-ness approves xD
Following you back, thanks for stopping by my place and best of luck with your blogging career. It's not a paid one, but it is a career, lol.
Have a fab weekend!
Woohoo! Thank you! :) I have this feeling that I could go crazy with buttons and sparkly stuff and then my page will never load for people. LOL have a great weekend and thank you for the welcome!
DeleteOoh nice! New blogger! It's a fun hobby of mine! I love reading and this is the only way I can gush about the books I read since not many people share my love of paranormal books!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and following my blog! Returning the follow!
Have a GREAT weekend!
NEW Follower :D
Hooray! Let's gush together! :D
DeleteHi! Thanks for dropping by! I'm glad you like my blog design.
ReplyDeleteI followed you back on NB. :)
Thank you! :)
DeleteIt took me a while to figure out what my review policy was going to be. I think it's worth spending time on. Thanks for stopping by my FF. I followed back:)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I managed to whip one up tonight, but I think everyone is right in that as I learn and grow, I'll be tweaking it. Nice to meet you!
DeleteHi Tiffany! Welcome to the Book Bloggers Club :) There are heaps of friendly bloggers out there that would be willing to help so if you need any advise or if you have any questions don't be afraid to ASK!
ReplyDeleteMy Feature & Follow Friday.
Have a great weekend!
Thank you! I love your site design, especially those social networking buttons. Adorable!
DeleteWelcome to the blogging world! It´s always hard in the beginning but you learn as you go :)
ReplyDeleteNew follower!
Here is my FF: http://ratherbarefoot.blogspot.se/2013/03/follow-friday.html
Thank you! This is quite different from the personal blog I had for several years. That could just be flimflam and venting. haha. Thanks for the follow! Coming to visit!
DeleteWelcome to the book-blogging sphere :) I agree that coming up with a review policy is important, and at the same time, it's not the easiest thing to do. I first just wrote that I would always be honest in my reviews, that if I didn't like a book, I would give it a low star-rating and explain why in writing. Now, it's a bit more fleshed out, but it might still not be on it's final version.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by
my FF post earlier. I'm a new GFC follower :)
Even as I was drafting mine up tonight, I was thinking it is going to need a lot of revisions as I get more and more into this! :) Thanks for following! :)
DeleteWelcome to book blogging. And I actually really like your site! :D A review policy will probably come naturally as you come into your own. You'll get lots of weird review requests and, rather than wade through them, you'll start to shape your policy. I found that my permanent "Pages" were all this way. I didn't create them until I had need. Well, thanks for visiting my blogs earlier. Now following you via GFC. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to book blogging world! :)
ReplyDeletePrepare for a lot of strange/random review requests, and don't accept them all. That was one of my biggest mistakes. Though it gets easier later on to figure out what works for you.
Thanks for stopping by my FF earlier. Following you now. :)
Hope you'll have a wonderful weekend!
I did some research on review policies before I went live with my blog. I knew that was something I wanted to have in place. I visited several different blogs and saw how they had their reviews policies and then tailored mine. The best part about blogging is the community, so never be afraid to ask questions or advice from others. I've only been blogging about 7 months and I've learned a lot from my blogger buddies. Thanks for stopping by this week and I'm following you back via GFC :)
ReplyDeleteTraci @ Mad Hatter Reads
Review policies are a great thing to have in place...though I'm not sure they are "required" by any means. I too just looked at what others had and followed their lead.
ReplyDeleteMost important thing I've learned about that though.... is not to be afraid to say "no thanks" to someone requesting I read their book. I always am honored and grateful I've been asked but bottom line is that I'm not interested to read every book asked of me. Some people have a hard time saying no - so my (unsolicited) advice, don't be afraid to decline! Save your time and energy for the ones that really speak to you.
New follower via GFC.
Holly @ Words Fueled by Love
New GFC follower!
ReplyDeleteI have 2 blogs you can follow :)
"Literary Quill Promotions"
"BookShelves Of Dreams"
Thank you for stopping by my blog and following me. I'm following you back. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you for following me!Just followed back!Great blog! :)
ReplyDeletehaha, I'm thinking of just deleting my review request page, it gets tiring when a self-publisher wants you to read and review their book and it really isn't all that good (content, grammar, spelling, etc.) I mean I've read some really great self-published works, but sometimes I just think "Agents and Publishers are there for a reason," lol! NetGalley makes all this so much easier! Thanks for following! I'm following back :)
ReplyDelete-Novel Reveries
Thanks for following Imagine a World!
ReplyDeleteNew follower via GFC :)
Welcome to blogging! I think you'll be fine :D
ReplyDeleteOne thing you should do - TAKE OFF CAPTCHA. Trust me - do it.
Thank you for visiting my blog! I've followed back via GFC :)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I swear it turned itself on. I HATE CAPTCHA. lol Thank you for the heads up. I made sure to find it and turn it off again!
DeleteIt hasn't been long since I started blogging, so I know how you feel.
ReplyDeleteNew follower:)
Here is My Feature and Follow Friday
:)
Jackie @Jackie's Book World
Yeah my weekend policy is to develop a review policy. My big issue is that I don't really NEED many review books. I have oodles, but I want ALL the books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my F&FF, I'm now following you.
LisaILJ @ I’ll Tumble for YA
That's a great goal to have, but I've found that it doesn't stop people from sending you loads of stuff you've stated you don't review lol! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Following you back via GFC!
ReplyDeletehttp://fortheloveofliterature.com/
following back :) review policies are funny... I find most authors don't even read mine! I get requests for books that are no where even close to my prefered genres. When I see a nonfiction request, I just think "really? did you even look at the policy?" I do not do nonfiction.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blogging world! Seems to be a lot of newcomers for this meme this week. xD Love your blog, and I look forward to reading your reviews! :D
ReplyDeleteFollowed back.
Daphne @ Reading Until Dawn
I actually just love the look of your blog. I remember too when I first started not having a clue on what to do. I kinda had to guess on how to do things. Welcome to the blogging world though.
ReplyDeleteFollowing you back :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't have a review policy for a very long time. Thanks for stopping by following you back!
ReplyDeleteI think your blog looks awesome and so far you're doing a great job :) Your policy will come along fine I'm sure!
ReplyDeleteSee you around! ;)
Florentine @ Readiculously Peachy
Thanks for the follow! Following you back on GCF
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks good!!!!
I too have no policy on Read Review. But ill figure it out when i start getting some :) at least I hope i start getting some LOL
Have a great weekend
Michelle
http://love2readalways.blogspot.com
Because reading is better than real life
Thanks for following me, I am following back via GFC! Happy Friday!
ReplyDeletesame like you, i started without review policy! I also have a netgalley account but I don't use it now.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by my blog, new follower here!
Hi there! Returning the visit and follow :) A review policy helps a TON as you go along, but it's alright to feel your way around at first and just sort of find out what will work best for you :)
ReplyDeleteI like Netgalley too. I didn't form a review policy until after 6 months of blogging.
ReplyDeleteNew GFC Follower: kassandralopez32
Thanks for following http://pinkyjustlisten.blogspot.com/
Isn't this such a great community to be a part of? Look at all those answers to help get a review policy :D I love it! I'm not going to add anymore there because really they have said it all. I do love Netgalley and find it hard to accept reviews since I'm downloading all those books from there. Thank you so much for stopping by my FF and following. New GFC follower :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI haven't even started blog tours yet, I am still trying to get the hang of it, like making a comfortable schedule for myself and whatnot.
ReplyDeletethanks for stopping by my blog!!
ReplyDeletei think you blog looks great :)) Love pink and purple!!! It took me awhile to get a review policy, too actually. Good to have though!
New follower!!
Jeanine (http://reviewingromance.blogspot.com)
Welcome to book blogging! Thanks for stopping by my blog, following you back!
ReplyDeleteReview policies are absolutely essential :)
New follower!
My FF
Ah.. the review policy. I only got mine up some 2 weeks ago after seeing that every other blog had one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow and stopping by my FF. Following back!!
P.S- So not a haphazard blog! Simple and clean is what it is.
Lovely blog! Thanks for visiting. New follower. My STS
ReplyDeleteI'm new to Netgalley, just got my first approval, and it does sound like fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. New follower via GFC :)
Book blasts are the best way to start - they're easy. Cover reveals too - plus they are pretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my FF! :)
Julie~ at New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads
Hi, from a new GFC follower.
ReplyDeleteGood answer! :)
http://coffeecookiesandchilipeppers.blogspot.com/2013/03/feature-follow-13.html
I love that you've joined in our Friday fun and I look forward to reading more posts from you. Thanks so much for becoming a follower of my blog! I'm now following you back via GFC and wish you lots of great reading ahead.
ReplyDeleteThe Scarf Princess
Great answer! Thanks for stopping by. I'm a new follower!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. :D
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blog world. Hope you love it as much as me! It's a great community :)
Review policies are a good idea to have and useful for requests.
The background puppies are cool, but to me they totally distract me. lol
ReplyDeleteCome check out my F&F!
Wow, you learn fast, a review policy is up there already!
ReplyDeleteThank you for dropping by, Tiffany! I am so grateful for Blogger's scheduling feature. It makes life easier.
Following you back via GFC :)
My Book Musings
Welcome to the community! There are a lot of free templates out there that you can try, I did than and eventually had mine professionally designed and I love it (not necessary though!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow, I'm following back :)
Hi, I'm a new follower by GFC and email! :) I've been blogging for a little over a year, and I still feel like I'm probably making mistakes here and there. It'll always be a learning process I think. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, I am jealous. 80 comments! Following you back. I think you are doing great in the new book blogger (for you) space. My FF
ReplyDeleteWelcome! :) I like the look and feel of your blog. So kudos! One of the best things about book blogging is that there is always something new to learn and a fellow blogger who can help you learn it. ;) Always make sure you're having fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow - I'm following you GFC now too. :)
Welcome to the blogging world :) GREAT answer, I'm still pretty new myself and as you learn you find out what works. We all make mistakes anyways! Thanks for stopping by & following me ♥ I am now following you via GFC & NB!!
ReplyDeleteMicheline @ Lunar Rainbows