Last week Marta gave us an informative primer on a growing trend: how to publish your own book via self publishing. Not only is self publishing becoming more prevalent, but she noted that several of today’s hot books were self-published. Building on that idea there’s another new format that might land you on the best seller list: blogs.
Blogs are normally thought of as a way to share your own personal reflections on life, whether it be on politics, your job, your hobbies or passion or just your everyday dealings with those around you. Now however blogs are becoming another way to break into the world of publishing.
Last Sunday’s NY Times featured an article about a woman who has a blog dedicated to living life as Oprah would. She already has an agent and is hoping for a book deal. There are quite a few published authors out there who started out in the blogosphere.
Food related blogs seem to translate well into popular books. Hungry Girl by Lisa Lillien is currently on the NY Times best seller list. Her blog about her struggles with food and dieting led to this successful cookbook filled with recipes and tips on dieting and weight loss. Chocolate & Zucchini by Clotilde Dusoulier began as a blog about all things food that Clotilde wanted to share with her friends. Julie and Julia: 365 days, 524 recipes, 1 tiny apartment kitchen was author Julie Powell’s attempt to document her re-creation of all Julia Child’s recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Many bloggers write about their jobs and give their own personal perspective on the working world. Waiter Rant by Steve Dublanica will give you new insight about the restaurant industry from the waiter’s point of view. One of my personal favorites is Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas, which began as a posting on McSweeney’s literary journal. Mr. Douglas has written an irreverent look at the public library, from the librarian’s side of the desk.
The latest blog to book that just appeared on the NY Times best seller list is Stuff White People Like by Christian Lander. This is a humorous, satirical look at the types of things that well educated, liberal white people seem to treasure. You will be laughing along with Mr. Lander as you read this one. (Incidentally, the Sunday NY Times is #46 on Lander’s list.)
So if you’ve always wanted to write your own book, you might want to consider starting out with a blog. If you need a lesson on blogging, be sure to investigate our own upcoming library program on this topic. You never know – you may be the next blogger to appear on the best seller list.
