In my last post at my other blog, How to Blog a Book, I discussed the reality that numerous blogs continue to land publishing contracts and become books–enough to constitute an ongoing trend, in spite of what some industry experts have previously stated. Actually, I disclosed that the number of blog-to-book releases in October 2011 alone, at least from what I can tell, are just about equivalent to the height of the blog-to-book craze in 2009.
I reported that three blogs turned into books had been released just this month alone:
- Martha Alderson’s, The Plot Whisperer
- Dmitry Samarov’s HACK: Stories from a Chicago Cab
- Sarah Wu’s (aka “Mrs. Q) Fed Up with Lunch
However, I later read that prizewinning investigative reporter and now executive editor of The New York Times Jill Abramson’s book, The Puppy Diaries, was released in October as well. That brought the number up to four blog-to-book deals in one month–that I know of.
If the publishing industry picks up and publishes an average of four blogs as books each month, that’s 48 per year. In 2009, industry experts estimated 50 blog-to-book deals were completed; another industry expert claimed the number was a bit higher — 60. Whichever number you choose to believe, if the deals continue at the current rate this year easily could compete with 2009, especially if you take into consideration the likelihood that more than four blog-to-book deals might be made and published per month.
And anything still goes. Galleycat.com reported that Tumblr blogs continue to be hot when it comes to getting picked up by agents and publishers. For example, Julie Haas Brophy landed a book deal with Villard for her blog, Sh*t My Kids Ruined. A take off on her blog, the book will include commentary and photos of destroyed objects, rooms, and children.
Here’s the thing. You can do better than producing a blog, and later a book, with funny or stupid photos and a small amount of copy. You can blog a book with value or valuable information. You can blog a book that touches someone deeply, solves a problem, changes a life. Not that there’s anything wrong with simply giving someone a good laugh. That has value, too.
But you can do blog a valuable book, and the time to do so is now. This is a super time to be a writer and a blogger. There are blog expos and digital and print book conferences everywhere you turn. Take advantage of the opportunities — and the technologies. Blog your book now.
If you want to find out how, check out my blog, How to Blog a Book. All the information is there. And my blogged book, How to Blog a Book, Write, Publish and Promote Your Work One Post at a Time (Writer’s Digest Books, April 2012), which landed me a traditional publishing deal, will have double the great information.
If you want one-on-one coaching on how to blog your book or turn your existing blog into a book, please feel free to contact me.
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