Why Westbow Maybe a "Go"

Okay. I'm sure you've heard by now that Thomas Nelson Publishers is transitioning WestBow Press(one of my faves back in the day) into a Self-Publisher entity with the same name, WestBow Press.

If you look at the numbers, last year about 300 books released were indies(500000 books published last year total.) This upside down reality makes you pause. Thus, it would be unwise for Thomas Nelson not to get a piece of that pie. Moreover, WestBow will have some type of distribution relationship with some of Thomas Nelson companies.

Now the challenge of course would be will bookstores recognize the new WestBow? Will authors be forced into the buy-back program for their books?

There is a lot to discuss. Michael Hyatt is chopping it up at his spot, all my writer's forums are talking about it, along with a few agents. Let's take a seat and see what develops as WestBow is put into play. In the meantime, I would love to know. If you could selfpub your book under a CBA publisher, would you do it?

Christian Fiction Blog January Top Ten List 2007 ScreenShot

During this time of year I began compiling a list of fiction books written with a Christian worldview. One of my purposes for Christian Fiction Blog has always been to champion books written by Christian authors, who for whatever reason weren't published under the Christian Booksellers Association(CBA.) So every year I pull these books together for my readers and people like me who values a compelling and well-written story over any other read.

In the fall I compartmentalize these lists by genre, topic, subscriber feedback, candid book store manager chats and bookclub presidents polling. Some examples of my lists were:

• Christian Fiction's October 2009 Top Ten List
• Best of 2008
  

If you want to take your blog to the next level, then I encourage you to create a list, because:

• Lists are user friendly for your blog subscribers. Simply they are easy to read.
  
• Lists can be downloaded and printed for bookclub presidents and blog readers who need a good booklist before they began purchasing books as Christmas gifts.
  
• List's visual simplicity make it easy to read on a smartphone (Blackberry, Palm, iPhone.)
• Lists build blog credibility because it takes snapshots of your great blog content.
• Lists are media friendly. Media outlets can easily pull your lists for filler items for the publications.
• Lists can be used to bring unique visitor's to your site. I often take my lists and duplicate them on Amazon Lists. Here's an example: The Last Good Reads of the Summer. There a gazillion of other places online to post your lists.
  
• Lists can help decrease your bounce rate. If you embed links in your list that direct readers to other areas and posts on your blog readers will stick around longer and may become curious about what else you have on your blog.
  
• You can monetize your blog using lists. You can become an affiliate member of a bookstore or a book like 31 Days to Build a Better Blog.
• You can turn your blog into an industry source using links. My blog is a source not just for Christian book publishers, but literary publicists, authors, and agents. You may even see my content repackaged on other blogs...(we'll talk about that later.)
• You can use lists in your sidebar to showcase your favorite blogs or books. Check out the CFB sidebar.
  

Your homework assignment for Day 20 is up at the 30 Days...the Facebook Group.

For those of you who aren't members, if you have a great book list on your blog, please drop the link in our comments so that we can take a look at them.

National Book Month & the Continuation of 30 Days to Build a Better Book Blog

My Placemement of Tia McCollors The Truth About Love in WalMart

This is Day 20 of 30 Days to Build a Better Book Blog. We are still on Book Blog Content. And we're still learning how to build a better book blog. If you want to join our Facebook Group to continue the discussion, receive homework assignments, ask me questions about how to optimize your book blog and to meet other book bloggers like you, then visit the page and request an invite. As you can see I am not blogging everyday and we are well past September when the book blog event began. Since this is National Book Month we are continuing the series. Let me further add that you can do the 30 Days at your own pace.Once you have completed the entire series you will receive a I survived Book Blog BootCamp Banner and a Booblook Blog Certified badge for your site, as well as other goodies like contacts to obtain free books and invitations to join bookstore affiliate programs. So if you're a book blogger why not get in, while this thing is available open source.

Also I recommend that for bloggers--all kinds-- to take part in Problogger: 31 Days to Build a Better Blog. I completed the series and it changed my blogs life years ago. I redo the series every year to stay current and update. Click here to get more information about Darren's great series.