I’m pleased to welcome Jacob Collins today to talk about book blogging.
Jacob is in his early twenties. He has been an avid reader for as long as he can remember, he recently discovered a true passion for crime fiction. When he was younger his favourite books were the Horrid Henry books by Francesca Simon and he always used to be up his local library with his Mum.
He is also an aspiring author and his dream is to hopefully see his own book on the bookshelves. he also enjoys psychological thrillers and some historical fiction.
One of his great loves about blogging is helping to promote new authors. There is great talent out there and more writers are being discovered all the time.
Welcome to the blog, thanks for stepping away from yours for a few minutes to answer some questions about book blogging.
Thank you for having me, Rebecca.
We’ll start with the easy questions and then see where we go from there!
How long have you been book blogging and what prompted you to start?
I set up my book blog in June 2016, I always used to leave reviews for books I’ve enjoyed on Amazon but it was since I joined Twitter a couple of a years ago and spotted all the great book bloggers out there that I knew I had to join. It’s such a great community to be part of.
Tell us a little bit about your blog, what will blog readers find there?
I mainly review crime and psychological thrillers. I have also recently started taking part in blog tours. Occasionally I run giveaways on my Twitter and Facebook page.
What’s your favourite part about book blogging?
Definitely being part of a great community, chatting to authors online and I’m always thrilled when someone has bought a book based on my review.
What has been your highlight since you started?
Since joining the book blogging world it has given me confidence to attend literary festivals which I wouldn’t have done so on my own a couple of years ago. I think one of the highlights for me has been meeting some of my favourite authors. Last year I attended the Killer Women Festival and I got chatting to a couple of people there who I am now in contact with on Twitter and Facebook. One year I will attend the Harrogate festival, sadly I can’t make it this year but I’ll definitely try and get there in 2018.
If you could carry on blogging but stop doing one thing (that’s maybe a necessary part of the process now) what would it be?
I would love to be able to blog full time, as there isn’t enough time in my week to read all the books on my pile. I would definitely read a book a day if I could give up the day job.
What advice would you give to anyone who is considering starting a book blog?
Definitely engage with the book blogging community. Everyone who I have met on social media is very friendly and it’s a great support network for anyone who is starting out. Also join up with Netgalley. Netgalley offers bloggers and reviewers the chance to read books ahead of publication. It’s a great way for getting the buzz about a book going. I think it’s also important to write honest reviews, when I first started out I was worried about upsetting writers by posting a negative review, but if you can give constructive criticism I think it will always be useful.
How much time does it take up?
A lot more time than I thought it would when I first started out. Per week I tend to post three book reviews on my blog, sometimes it may even be only one; I wish I could post more.
What are your reading habits like?
I much prefer reading a hard copy of the book rather than on my Kindle although I have used it a lot more recently. I always buy a hard copy of the book if I have read the Kindle version and enjoyed it.
What state is your TBR (To Be Read) pile in?
I’m constantly adding books to the pile, its expanding all the time and I don’t think I’ll ever get to a point where I’m on top of things. I’m reading four books at once at the moment. I also have a load of books waiting to read on my Kindle. That’s the beauty of having a kindle, you don’t have to wait for an Amazon parcel to be delivered, it’s there and waiting instantaneously, but it can be very addictive.
What do you drink while reading?
I’m addicted to tea and I can always be found with a cup of tea in hand whenever I’m reading.
Where’s your favourite place to read?
I can read absolutely anywhere, I don’t have a specific favourite place but I do love lying in the garden on a hot day with a book and soaking up the sun at the same time.
What book would you recommend, that gets little attention, that you haven’t really seen talked about? And why, what is it about this book that you love?
That’s another hard question. I recently read Trust Me by Gemma Metcalfe; it’s only available on kindle at the moment though. I thought the storyline was a very original idea and the tension was great.
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these. It’s been a pleasure having you.
You can find Jacob on his blog | Facebook | Twitter
Marina Sofia says
Four books at once? And I thought I was being adventurous with about 2-3 on the go. I completely sympathise with Jacob’s wish to do full-time book blogging though! Wish I could too.
Evelina says
Haha, it’s more like 6-7 on the go for me 😀 my kind of readers, both of you!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Constructive criticism is appreciated. (Most authors don’t want to admit that, but we do appreciate it.) Cool you’ve found such great support in book blogger community.
Margot Kinberg says
I couldn’t agree more about the great blogging community. I feel very privileged to be a part of it. And all those books going at once? Impressive!! Thanks, both, for the great interview!
Robert rees says
That sounds great – I am impressed with your consumption! I am looking for reviewers so I hope you don’t mind if I attach this link my novel – its on NetGalley.
http://www.troubador.co.uk/book_info.asp?bookid=4415
Many thanks and keep up the good work!