Site news

Dec 6 2011

Writers Block? Why not change your blog theme …

If you check this blog regularly, first, God Bless You, and second you probably noticed I changed the theme yet again. I am a theme addict, I admit it. I am always on the quest for the perfect theme (and of course what this entails changes with my moods and ideas). For some reason the last few days I just haven’t felt up to posting reviews and so this is what I occupied my time with.

There was just something about the layout of the last theme that wasn’t quite right. This one allows for more customization and I like the overall style better.

Let me know what you think and I will return to blogging reviews shortly.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Site news • 0 • Tags: , , ,

Oct 21 2011

Niche blogging this ain’t

Statistical meaning of The Long Tail

Image via Wikipedia

Excuse the colloquial and inartful title, but it seems to capture my perspective on this subject.

And what exactly is the subject here? Well, my inability to stick to any particular genre or subject or age group, etc.  It seems to me that basic strategy when it comes to building an audience online is know your audience and give them what they want. Pick what you know, or want to know, and cover it well.  Unfortunately for me, I seem unable to do either. Heck, I can’t even settle on a theme or design for this blog for very long.

(I take that back. My audience is Google and I give them what they want by leaving these review for them to find in their searches. My strategy is bet the house on the long tail …)

But the more specific point I wish to make is that if any one is reading this blog on a regular basis – as opposed to surfing in from search engines (when you have a book report due or when you are looking for reviews in preparation for writing your own, trying to decide whether to read said book, or look for reactions to a book you just read) – then I want to warn you about the book reviews headed your way in the days and weeks to come.

You might already have noted that there has been a higher ratio of non-fiction of late and with a spiritual or theological flavor. This will continue. I am not really sure why but I have gotten onto a theological kick of late and so have been reading books in that realm. I have both more time on my hands and less information to process these days so non-fiction is something I am able to read more of. Right now it’s theology and spirituality but there is sure to be history, culture and politics thrown in as well.

And since I review fiction faster than I do non, I end up with a large backlog of non-fiction books to post on. I tend to post these then as I am able and am in the mood. So in reducing this backlog, I will be foisting more reviews that touch on theology and Christianity.

But as soon as those who enjoy such reviews get comfortable, I am sure I will switch back to reading young adult fantasy or literary fiction or some other genre or focus. But to be fair, the title of the blog is Collected Miscellany. Eclecticism and unpredictability is the name of the game around here.

Hence the title of this post …

By Kevin Holtsberry • News, Site news • 0 • Tags: , , , ,

Oct 20 2011

Cha, Cha, Cha … Changes

Yes, I am playing around with the theme here yet again. Thanks for your patience.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Site news • 0 • Tags: ,

Aug 10 2011

The danger of following your site stats

On a semi-regularly basis something weird happens and my visits drop off a cliff. I have never been able to figure out why but this is a graphic representation:

 

Which then causes this …

By Kevin Holtsberry • Site news • 1 • Tags: ,

Aug 6 2011

Reviewers Block?

Sorry about the lack of content around here of late (thanks to Jeff for stepping up and posting some reviews). I have just not been in the mood to write book reviews. On top of that I have been reading more non-fiction which is harder to review and I have read a couple of ARCs that have not yet been released and I was holding my reviews until closer to the pub date.

I was also trying once again to revive Right Reads (both as a web page and as a Twitter account). The idea was to have my reviews here focus on fiction and my reviews dealing with faith, culture and politics land at Right Reads. I was going to try for niche blogging.

One small problem: I didn’t have the time, energy or focus to make it work.

So. I think I should stop trying to kid myself. I don’t have the time or focus to write serious non-fiction reviews nor to keep content going on two separate blogs. Not. Gonna. Happen.

It seems better if I just let Collected Miscellany be just what the title implies – a variety of content from all over the map. In other words, I think I will just make CM my one and only blog. And stop worrying about it.

Will this have much of an impact? No, as the vast majority of traffic here is from Google searches anyhow. But allow me to keep pretending people read this blog OK? Thanks.

The bottom line is that there will be no niche. Just whatever books I happen to read.

Carry on.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Site news • 2 • Tags: , ,

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