We Need To Talk....Book Blogging - It Is Also About Community

Book blogging is about more than just books. It is also about community. I learned that over the past two weeks. 
I try to keep personal stuff from bleeding over into my blog because I want to keep it focused on writing and books. I'm a writer and a book blogger, after all. Sometimes, though, it helps to share something personal. 
Over the last two weeks I've been dealing with a very sick husband. I won't go into the details, of course, but it involved lots of doctors and hospitals and just general suckiness. There was no fun to be had anywhere for anyone. And I was really worried about him. A few authors and blogger friends know what I have been going through and I am eternally grateful for their patience and understanding through everything. And I want to give a big THANK YOU to all of you other hard working book bloggers out there who have posted fantastic discussions, reviews, and just general silliness that I was able to lose myself in during those waiting room visits. 
I love being a part of a community of bloggers that is so passionate about books but is even more passionate about other people. It's very heartwarming to see people who in some respects could be your competition reaching out to you and just leaving a simple "How are things?" in your inbox. Or a funny reply to a comment that you left them on your blog. The littlest things matter to people when they're going through something big. 
My wonderful husband has, by the grace of God, been given a clean bill of health, for now. We have finally gotten back into the usual swing of things and I can get my focus back on writing and trying to work on this blog. Posts and newsletters will eventually get better. Eventually.....
To all of you book bloggers out there, thank you for the hard work that you do and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your bookish world. It means more than I can ever really express. 

31 Days of Better Blogging: Day 21 - Blogger Love Note

Today is all about sending your favorite blogger some love! Pick your favorite blogger (or bloggers) and send them a quick note of appreciation for all that they do on their blog that keeps you coming back. Keeping up a well maintained blog is hard work and I'm sure it makes a blogger feel good to get a little validation from their readers that their hard work is paying off. 
Be sure to compliment your favorite blogger on your favorite part of their blog or one of their posts that you really liked. Let them know that you enjoy their blog and thank them for their time and effort. Spread the love! 
(Just don't be weird about it) 

Which blogger got your "love note"? 

31 Days of Better Blogging: Day 20 - Reader Survey + Get The Letters for $0.99!!

Today you are supposed to create a survey for your readers. As a blogger, feedback is very important. I like to know what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong that way I can continue to grow my blog in a positive way. If everyone hates my layout, I would want to know so that I can change it to something more user friendly. 
As a thank you for filling out my survey, you will receive a coupon code to get my book The Letters for $0.99 from Smashwords in the format you wish. I will send you the code as soon as I receive your e-mail address from the survey. 

Thank you for supporting this blog! 

31 Days of Better Blogging: Day 4 - Top Commenters

Today is all about your Top Commenters! It's almost like a customer appreciation day at a store. If you shop at a certain store a lot, that store wants to thank you for your return business. If someone is commenting on your blog quite often it means they like what you're posting and make a point to come back time after time. Those awesome people deserve some recognition every now and again because they are part of what keeps you blogging. When you get a comment on a post you worked really hard on, it's super exciting so why not show those commenters some love? 

My blog is still really new so by default everyone who has commented so far is a top commenter. To everyone who has commented on this blog so far, I am truly thankful and I hope you come back again! And maybe I'll even have something cooler than a blog post next time. 
Thank you!