Blogger Guide for Authors: Engaging Both Readers and Writers

Blogging can be a powerful long-term tool for fiction authors to build an author platform – if done strategically. As publishing expert Jane Friedman notes, author blogging today isn’t about keeping an online diary; it’s about creating interesting content that gets shared on social media and discovered through search. In other words, a blog can continually attract new eyes to your work. A Blogger (Blogspot) blog offers a free, easy platform to showcase your voice, connect with readers, and network with fellow writers. Author Jody Hedlund found that her blog not only became a “home base” for her professional presence, but also helped build a team of supportive writer-friends who later championed her books. The key is to balance content that serves both audiences – delighting your readers with literary insights and engaging writers with craft and behind-the-scenes perspectives – all while reinforcing your author brand.

Below is a structured guide with practical tips on what to blog about, how to design your Blogger site for maximum impact, examples of successful author blogs, ways to drive traffic, and best practices for consistency, voice, and design. Let’s dive in!

Creating Content That Appeals to Readers and Writers

The heart of your author blog is its content. To attract readers as well as fellow writers, focus on topics that overlap both interests. Make sure your blog topics align with the books/genre you write – your blog is an extension of your author brand. Here are content types and ideas that tend to engage both audiences:

Behind-the-Scenes & Writing Process Insights: Pull back the curtain on how you create your stories. Share the inspirations for your characters, settings, or plot and anecdotes about your writing process. For example, you might discuss how a classic fairy tale inspired a modern twist in your novel, or blog about interesting research tidbits you uncovered. This kind of behind-the-scenes content delights readers (who love to see how their favorite stories are made) and provides valuable insight to writers. Allowing readers and writers into your creative process can be very effective and engaging. Consider posting snippets of deleted scenes, character backstory that didn’t make it into the book, or “day in the life” writing journal entries. These humanize you to readers and simultaneously share craft perspective with writers.
Book News, Updates & Exclusive Previews: Keep your audience in the loop about your publishing journey. Announce upcoming books, share cover reveals, release dates, tour schedules, award news, etc. Fans will appreciate being the first to know about your new releases or events, and fellow writers often enjoy seeing the “author life” in action. Make these posts more engaging by adding personal commentary – e.g. why you’re excited about a cover or an excerpt from the work-in-progress. You can also offer exclusive content such as a free sample chapter, a short story set in your book’s universe, or a behind-the-scenes newsletter for blog subscribers. Many author blogs treat this like a mini “press room” combined with personal touch. (Just be careful not to post only promotional updates like tour dates with no other content – readers may lose interest.) A great example of this balance is YA author Molly Snow’s Blogger site, where she announced new releases and giveaways, and invited readers to sign up for her e-newsletter to get first notice of book launches.
Literary Commentary, Book Reviews & Recommendations: If you’re a writer, you’re almost certainly a reader too. Sharing your perspective on literature can attract like-minded bibliophiles. Consider blogging about books you love, classic literature, or current reads in your genre. You might post thoughtful book reviews, “best of” lists, or essays on literary themes. This positions you as part of the literary conversation (appealing to readers who enjoy discussing books) and also draws writers who are always looking for reading recommendations and analysis. There’s always fresh material to discuss – from a novel that inspired you, to commentary on literary trends or awards. Many authors maintain a “book blog” style section because there’s always something new to write about in the world of books. For instance, crime novelist Martin Edwards runs a long-standing Blogger blog where he reviews mystery “Forgotten Books” and discusses crime fiction history, alongside updates on his own series – content that intrigues both mystery readers and fellow writers in the genre. By sharing what you’re reading or your take on literary news, you give readers interesting content beyond your own work and establish common ground with the writing community.
Writing Advice and Craft Lessons (Framed for All): Posts about the craft of writing can strongly appeal to aspiring writer followers. Share writing tips, lessons learned in your journey, or reflections on storytelling techniques. Just remember to frame these in an accessible way, so that even non-writer fans find them interesting. For example, a post on “How I Develop Characters” can intrigue readers curious about your methods, while offering concrete tips that other writers can use. Topics like overcoming writer’s block, finding inspiration, or editing insights can dual-serve both audiences. Author Jody Hedlund observed that many of her blog readers were fellow writers coming for writing and publishing insight – and while not all of them became fans of her fiction, a good number did support and even help promote her books. The takeaway: writing-focused content can indirectly grow your reader base too (writers are great word-of-mouth allies!). Balance is key – as Hedlund advises, it helps to “continually keep in mind what your readers will want and need” so your blog doesn’t become too insular. Write about craft in a passionate, engaging way, and connect it back to stories or emotions readers understand. This ensures your blog is not just a personal writing journal, but a platform that invites discussion and interest from everyone.
Personal Stories and Author Life: Don’t be afraid to let readers get to know you – the person behind the books. Many readers love feeling a personal connection to authors. Share selective personal anecdotes, life updates, or musings that relate to your writing life. For example, you might recount a real-life experience that inspired a scene, share photos from a literary festival you spoke at, or talk about the challenges of balancing writing with daily life. These glimpses make your blog warm and relatable. They can also inspire other writers by showing how an author navigates everyday challenges. In your Blogger posts, you could include things like travel journals (if you visited a location used in your novel), highlights from a book signing or virtual event, or even fun “extras” like character sketches and quizzes. Be intentional: tie personal posts back to storytelling or creativity when you can (so they remain on-brand). As one writing coach notes, “many readers like to know the people behind their favorite stories,” so sharing a bit of yourself can deepen reader loyalty. Photos and candid reflections (to the extent you’re comfortable) will humanize your platform – just keep the tone consistent with your author persona (see Voice in best practices below).

Pro Tip: Strive for a mix of content across these categories. This way, you’ll alternate between posts that cater more to readers and those that cater to writers – eventually many will appeal to both. For instance, a behind-the-scenes writing post might get shared in writer circles, bringing new visitors who then discover your books; a book review might attract a reader who then also reads your “how I wrote this” article. Over time, you’ll build a cross-pollinating audience. Also, ensure your content ties back to your own work or genre when relevant – an author blog should ultimately funnel interest toward your books. Even when you branch out (say you write historical fiction but also love gardening – if you blog about gardening, perhaps relate it to themes in your writing or a scene in your novel). Keep the connections clear so your blog reinforces your identity as an author, not a random lifestyle blogger. In short, provide value (insights, entertainment, useful information) for readers and writers alike, and they’ll keep coming back.

Optimizing Your Blogger Layout & Widgets for Engagement

One advantage of using Blogger is its simplicity – you don’t need to be a web designer to create a functional, inviting blog. However, it’s important to configure your blog’s layout and features in a way that encourages visitors to stick around, explore, and connect with you further. Here are some tips on using Blogger’s layout and gadgets (widgets) to support engagement, easy navigation, and newsletter sign-ups:

Enable Clear Navigation: Make it easy for people to find key information. In Blogger, you can create static pages (like an About page, Books page, etc.) and link them in your menu. Use the Blogger “Pages” gadget or a link list in your layout to create a simple top navigation bar or sidebar menu. At minimum, have an “Home” (blog) page and an “About the Author” page. Other useful pages might include Books/Published Works, For Readers (with extras like book club questions or upcoming appearances), For Writers (linking your posts on craft or offering services if you have any), and Contact. YA author Molly Snow’s blogspot site, for example, has a top menu with pages for About, a Shop (to buy her books), Media & Speaking info, testimonials (“Others Say”), an email list sign-up, and contact info – all conveniently accessible. A clear navigation menu helps readers quickly find what they’re looking for and signals a professional, well-organized site. Tip: If you have distinct content streams (say, writing tips vs. book news), consider using Blogger’s Labels as categories and adding a gadget for “Labels” or creating custom menu links to those label pages (e.g. a link that filters all posts tagged “Writing Tips”). This way, a writer visiting your blog can click “Writing Advice” and see only those posts, whereas a reader could click “My Fiction” or “Book Updates” to filter relevant posts. Logical navigation like this makes your blog user-friendly for both audiences.
Use Sidebar (or Header) Widgets to Engage: Blogger allows you to add various gadgets in the layout (usually in a sidebar or footer). Choose a clean template that includes a sidebar – this is prime real estate to showcase important elements on every page. Here are some recommended widgets to include:
- About/Profile: Add a small About the Author blurb with a photo at the top of your sidebar. You can use the “Profile” gadget or simply an HTML/Text gadget with a headshot and a few lines introducing yourself (genre, key books, perhaps a tagline). This immediately gives context to new visitors – they see who you are and what you write. It’s a personal touch that can encourage someone to explore more. For example, Martin Edwards’s blog includes a brief bio noting his awards and latest novels right on the sidebar, establishing his credibility to any new reader landing on a post.
- Email Subscription / Newsletter Sign-Up: One of the most important engagement tools is capturing emails so you can stay in touch with your audience. Blogger doesn’t have a built-in newsletter service, but you can integrate one. The classic method is to use the “Follow by Email” gadget which relies on FeedBurner to send new posts to subscribers. This requires a quick setup (creating a FeedBurner feed for your blog and activating email subscriptions). Once configured, you can display a “Subscribe via Email” box where readers simply enter their address to get your new blog posts in their inbox. Keep in mind FeedBurner’s email service became unreliable after 2021 (Google ended its support), so many Blogger users now use alternatives. You can embed a signup form from a third-party email service (like Mailchimp, MailerLite, or ConvertKit) using an HTML/Javascript gadget. For instance, you might create a free Mailchimp list for your author newsletter and then paste their embed code into a Blogger gadget, effectively placing a newsletter sign-up form on your blog. Decide whether you want to send every new blog post to subscribers (FeedBurner style), or have a periodic author newsletter that you’ll manually send – if it’s the latter, make that clear (e.g. “Join my mailing list for monthly updates & exclusives”). You can even do both. Whichever route you choose, make the email sign-up highly visible – near the top of the sidebar or as a pop-up. Molly Snow, for example, put a prominent “Be On My Email List” page in her Blogger menu and frequently reminded readers to sign up to hear about her next book release. Growing an email list is gold for an author platform, so use Blogger’s gadgets (or pages) to facilitate that.
- Search and Archives: As your content grows, help visitors find things with a Search bar gadget. Blogger offers a simple “Search this Blog” widget – place it near the top of your sidebar. This way, if a visitor is looking for a specific topic (say, “dialogue tips” or a review you wrote), they can search your site easily. Additionally, enable the “Blog Archive” gadget (which can display a list of months/years and post titles) or a “Popular Posts” gadget. These widgets showcase your content and invite browsing, keeping readers on your site longer. For example, showing your Popular Posts (most viewed or commented) can entice a new visitor to click one of those highlights. An archive by date helps those who want to explore your older posts systematically. Both readers and writers will appreciate an easy way to navigate your past material.
- Labels/Categories: If you use labels (tags) for your posts, consider adding the “Labels” gadget in your sidebar. It will list all your tags (you can configure it as a cloud or list). This provides a quick way for someone interested in a specific category of your posts to find them. For instance, a reader can click the “Behind the Scenes” label or a writer can click “Writing Tips” label, if you use such tags. It’s another navigation aid to cater to different interests.
- Social Follow Buttons: Use an HTML gadget or the “Image” gadget to add icons or links to your social media profiles (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) in a visible spot. You want to encourage readers to follow you on other platforms as well. Even a simple text like “Follow me on Twitter @YourHandle for daily updates” with a link is good. There are also third-party services to generate social icon widgets for Blogger. Additionally, ensure each blog post has share buttons enabled (Blogger has an option to show share buttons for Twitter, Facebook, etc. below each post). This makes it easy for readers to share your content to their networks, multiplying your reach. Check your Blogger settings to make sure the share bar is turned on – those little Facebook “F”, Twitter bird, and Pinterest icons are key for viral potential.
- Comments and Engagement: Blogger will include a comment section by default. Encourage engagement by ending posts with a question or invitation to comment (e.g. “What do you think of this topic?”). Also, adjust your comment settings to be user-friendly: for instance, allow Name/URL or anonymous comments (if spam isn’t too bad) so that non-Google users (like some of your readers) can comment without hassle. Respond to comments to foster community – even a brief “Thanks for reading!” can make a reader feel seen. Engagement breeds engagement; when people see lively discussions on your posts, they’re more likely to return or contribute.
- Other Useful Widgets: Depending on your needs, you can add “Follow” gadgets such as the Blogger Followers (Google Friend Connect) – though that’s less common now – or a RSS subscribe link for tech-savvy users. If you have other presences or communities (Goodreads author page, YouTube channel with book trailers, etc.), you can link those too. Some authors display badges or awards on their sidebars (e.g. “Winner of XYZ Award” or membership in a writers’ association) as images – these add credibility (social proof) for new visitors. You might also include a small “Buy My Book” image/button that links to an online store. For example, an image of your latest book cover in the sidebar that, when clicked, goes to Amazon or your publisher’s site – a subtle promotion that’s always visible. Blogger’s HTML gadget lets you easily add such images with links. Just be careful not to clutter the sidebar with too many elements; pick the most important ones that enhance a reader’s experience and connection with you.

In summary, use Blogger’s layout tools to make your site intuitive and interactive. A well-structured blog typically has a clear header (with title and nav menu), a main content area for posts, and a sidebar with supplementary info. Stick to a design that highlights what readers value: content and easy ways to explore more. By providing navigation aids, engagement prompts, and subscription options, you transform a simple blog into a robust author platform. All of these elements help visitors feel oriented and invited to join your community – whether they came for the writing advice or the book news.

Examples of Effective Author Blogs on Blogger

To inspire your approach, let’s look at a few authors who successfully use their blogs (including Blogger/Blogspot) as part of their platform. These examples illustrate different styles that appeal to both readers and writers:

Jody Hedlund’s Blog (Writing & Community Focus): Jody Hedlund, a bestselling inspirational romance author, started on Blogger and used her blog primarily to share writing and publishing insights. She built up a large following of writers by discussing topics like craft, time management, and industry tips – while occasionally sharing personal updates and book news. This dual focus created a supportive network; as she noted, many writer-readers of her blog became promoters and buyers of her novels when they released. Hedlund’s blog is a great example of fostering community: her comment sections were lively, and she often engaged with commenters (which in turn encouraged loyalty). For content, she wasn’t afraid to mix writing how-to posts with reflections on her own journey to publication – giving unpublished writers valuable knowledge and giving fans a window into her career. Takeaway: Providing generous value to fellow writers can indirectly grow your fanbase; many of Jody’s blog readers felt personally invested in her success and helped spread word about her books. Also, she organized her site smartly: as her career grew, she added static pages on her official website for “For Readers” and “For Writers” to complement the blog content. Even if you’re focusing on Blogger, you can emulate this by structuring your labels or pages to serve those two groups.
Martin Edwards’s “Do You Write Under Your Own Name?” (Reader & Genre Focus): Martin Edwards is an award-winning crime novelist who has maintained a Blogger blog for years, catering to mystery enthusiasts. His blog strikes a nice balance between literary commentary and author updates. Many posts are part of ongoing series that appeal to readers, such as his “Forgotten Book” reviews of classic crime novels and essays on crime fiction history. These draw in fans of the genre (who might discover Martin’s own books in the process) and also establish his authority among fellow writers (especially those writing mysteries). Scattered among these are posts where he shares personal news – for example, announcing when his novel Hemlock Bay was shortlisted for an award and sharing his gratitude and motivations – which let his readers celebrate milestones with him. He also occasionally writes about his writing process or influences in a way that’s interesting to the general mystery reader. Takeaway: If you are knowledgeable or passionate about a niche related to your fiction, blogging about that topic of interest can attract your target readers. Martin’s readers visit for his insightful content on crime fiction (not just to hear “buy my book”), and in doing so they become aware of his own novels and credibility. This example shows how an author can effectively become a resource for an audience (in this case, mystery fans and writers), which in turn builds his platform.
Jade Varden’s Blogging Approach (Blending Types): YA author Jade Varden (author of the “Deck of Lies” series) once described common patterns in author blogs. She pointed out some authors run a pure “author blog” (basically a diary of their writing life), others run a “book blog” (focusing on book reviews and book-related content), and some do a mix. Varden’s own blog posts combined writing advice (her “Writing 101” series) with personal updates and industry commentary. On her Blogger site, she identified good examples: Molly Snow (mentioned earlier) as an example of an author who blogged about her works in progress and daily writing happenings in an entertaining way, and Annalisa Crawford as an example of a personal-life blogger who mixes writing and daily life interestingly. The lesson here is that there’s no single formula – you can choose a style that fits your personality. What matters is that your content is engaging and true to you. If you’re naturally funny and open, a personal mix blog can work great; if you’re more of an educator at heart, leaning into craft how-tos or literary analysis might be your forte. Study authors you admire who have blogs: see how they use their voice and what content hooks you as a reader. For instance, Neil Gaiman’s journal (not on Blogger, but as an example) attracted readers by being conversational and giving glimpses into his imagination; an indie author’s Blogger site might attract peers by demystifying the self-publishing process. Find examples in your genre and note what you like. Emulate the qualities (not copy content) – such as their tone, their balance of topics, or how they layout information – to craft your own compelling blog presence.

In short, successful author blogs tend to either inform, entertain, or inspire (often all three). Whether you take a community-building approach like Hedlund, a content-expert approach like Edwards, or a hybrid like many indie authors, remember to keep your blog reader-centric. The examples above show that when you share meaningful content (not just self-promo), you draw people in. And by using the friendly, informal medium of a blog, you build personal connections that a static author website might not achieve on its own.

Driving Traffic to Your Blog

You’ve set up a rich blog with great content – now, how do you get people to actually find and read it? Growing traffic to an author blog can take time, but consistent effort in a few areas will pay off. Here are strategies to attract both readers and writers to your Blogger blog:

Leverage Social Media: Promote your blog posts across your social channels to pull in followers who might not otherwise check your blog. Whenever you publish a new post, share a teaser or snippet and the link on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (you can use a swipe-up link in Stories or a bio link), and any writers’ groups or book communities you belong to. Craft the caption to highlight what’s in it for the reader – e.g. “New on my blog: 5 books that changed how I write – including some hidden gems for literary fiction fans!” or “I just posted a behind-the-scenes look at how I developed the protagonist in my upcoming novel. Fellow writers, I’ve also shared my outlining template. Check it out [link].” Use relevant hashtags when appropriate (#WritingCommunity, #AmReading, #LitFic etc.) to reach a wider audience. Social media can drive significant traffic, so make sure those share buttons on your blog are working (test them). Broken or missing share buttons are a lost opportunity – most blog traffic comes from people sharing to Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest, so you want readers to effortlessly post your link to their networks. Also consider creating pinnable images for your posts (e.g. a nice graphic with the blog title) and sharing on Pinterest, which has a large community for writers and readers. Engage with the community on each platform: respond to comments on your shared posts, and occasionally reshare older blog posts on slow weeks (new followers might have missed them). The goal is to continuously funnel interested folks from social media to your in-depth blog content.
Network & Participate in the Blog Community: One of the most effective ways to grow your blog audience is through genuine engagement with other blogs and bloggers. Find other literary writers or book bloggers on Blogger (or WordPress) and visit their blogs, comment thoughtfully on their posts, and perhaps even collaborate. As author Anne R. Allen advises, “nobody can follow you if they don’t know you’re there” – you have to go out and meet people in the blogosphere. Leaving insightful comments on popular writing or book blogs can entice their readers to click your profile and discover your blog. Many authors (especially in genre communities) do “blog hops” or mutual guest posts. Consider joining blogging groups or events – for example, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) runs a monthly blog hop for writers; participating would both give you content (you’d blog in response to a prompt) and bring other writers to your site. Guest posting is another powerful tactic: write a guest article for a writing blog or a literary website that your target audience reads. At the end, your bio will link back to your blog, potentially bringing in new readers. Similarly, invite other authors to write a guest post on your blog (they will likely share the link with their followers, sending them your way). Building these relationships in the blogging community creates a network effect – your peers will support your content and you’ll support theirs. Not only can this increase traffic, it also enhances your reputation among both readers and fellow writers.
Optimize for Search Engines (SEO): Search engine optimization may sound technical, but for a content-focused author blog, a few simple practices go a long way. Use descriptive, keyword-rich titles and headings for your blog posts so that Google knows what they’re about. For instance, a post titled “10 Writing Lessons I Learned from Jane Austen” is more likely to be found via search than one titled “Thoughts in April”. Think about phrases a reader or writer might search: “writing dialogue tips”, “best literary fiction of 2020”, “how to write unreliable narrator”. If your post addresses those topics, incorporate those phrases naturally in your title, first paragraph, and labels. Essentially, “say what you mean, mean what you say, and the robots will find you” – straightforward, clear language about your topic helps search engines connect your content with queries. Blogger by default handles a lot of SEO basics, but you can also: fill out the search description for each post (enable “Search Description” in your Blogger settings and write a one-line summary with keywords for each post), use heading tags (H2, H3) for subheadings (which you can do in the Blogger post editor) – these not only structure your content for readers but also emphasize keywords to search engines. Additionally, try to get backlinks to your blog from other sites: whenever someone else (or you, in a guest post) links to your blog, it boosts your search ranking. Over time, if you consistently post valuable content, you may find that you start getting organic traffic via Google searches. For example, someone googling “literary fiction writing tips” or “best novels about WWII” might land on your relevant blog post. That’s a new potential fan landing on your platform for free! So, as you craft posts, consider the search “hook” – a unique topic or question you’re answering that might have SEO value.
Cross-Promote in Reader & Writer Communities: Tap into existing communities of readers. If you have a newsletter, mention and link your recent popular blog posts in it. If you’re active on Goodreads as an author, you can synchronize your Blogger feed to your Goodreads profile (Goodreads has an “Author Blog” feature that can automatically display your blog posts – effectively exposing them to your Goodreads followers). Participate in forums or Reddit (e.g., r/writing or r/books) not by spamming your link, but by being a contributing member and occasionally sharing a truly relevant blog post if it answers someone’s question or fits a discussion. For example, if a Reddit thread is “How do you stay motivated to write?”, you could share your blog post about writing routines, with a brief helpful comment. Similarly, at the end of guest lectures or interviews, mention your blog as a resource. Offline, if you attend writer meet-ups or book clubs, let people know you have a blog where you discuss X or Y – it’s part of your author identity. All these little channels funnel interested readers and writers to your blog.
Consistency and Patience: A quick note – building traffic takes time, especially if you’re starting from zero. In the beginning you may feel like you’re shouting into the void. But consistency (discussed more below) combined with the tactics above will yield growth. One reader at a time, one share at a time – it adds up. Don’t be discouraged by low numbers initially; focus on building a catalog of high-quality posts. As Anne R. Allen puts it, blogging isn’t a “build it and they will come” situation – you have to give people a push and actively invite them. Over months and years, your content’s discoverability increases and your network expands. Many authors see a snowball effect: maybe only 10 people read your first month’s posts, but a year later, hundreds are reading each post because you’ve gained followers, email subscribers, Google search rankings, and social media traction. Stick with it and use each post as an opportunity to reach more people.

Best Practices: Consistency, Voice & Design

Now that we’ve covered the what and how of content, layout, and promotion, let’s highlight some overarching best practices to ensure your blog truly serves as a strong author platform:

Be Consistent (but Sustainable): Consistency is arguably the most important factor in blogging success. This applies to both your posting schedule and the thematic focus of your content. Set a realistic goal for how often you will post and stick to it. It could be once a week, or twice a month – whatever you can sustain long-term. An erratic posting schedule can lose readers; if you disappear for months, visitors might assume the blog is abandoned. It’s better to post modestly but regularly (e.g. one substantial post every 2 weeks) than to burn out after a flurry of daily posts. Many fiction authors find that 1-4 posts per month is manageable alongside writing novels. To maintain consistency, consider creating an editorial calendar or at least a list of topic ideas so you’re not scrambling for what to write. You can even write posts in advance and schedule them in Blogger. Consistency also builds expectation: your readers will start looking forward to “new post Mondays” or your monthly roundup. That said, if you need a break (e.g. for a deadline), communicate it – a quick note like “no post this week, busy editing my novel – back soon!” is better than silence. Also, maintain consistency in content balance: if you’ve established that you post a mix of content (as above), try not to let any one type dominate for too long. For example, if you suddenly post five writer-tip articles in a row with no news or personal updates, your reader fans might lose interest. Rotate through your content categories to keep all segments of your audience engaged.
Cultivate Your Authentic Voice: One of the joys of an author blog is that it showcases your narrative voice outside of your books. Write your posts in a voice that reflects your personality and the tone of your fiction. If your novels have a witty, conversational style, let that humor come through in your blog. If you write in a lyrical literary style, your blog can be a bit more down-to-earth but should still carry your sensibility (perhaps thoughtful, introspective). Consistency of voice helps brand you – readers who love your book’s voice will be thrilled to find the same style in your posts. In fact, one reader commented that if they’re attracted to a writer’s voice in a novel, they hope to find that voice in the author’s blog as well. So, avoid adopting a completely different tone just because it’s a “blog.” Be natural and be yourself – whether that’s scholarly, snarky, poetic, or goofy. Blogging is an informal medium, so even if you write high literature, you can be a bit more personal or chatty online while still staying you. Also, remember that voice develops over time. Many authors find that blogging regularly actually strengthens their overall writing voice. Jody Hedlund suggested that blogging is a great place to experiment and find a comfortable, unique style in your writing. Treat your blog as a creative playground in that sense. However, also align your “blog voice” with your author brand: if you write dark, gothic novels, a bubbly comedic blog voice might confuse your audience (and vice versa). It doesn’t mean you have to mimic your novel narration, but aim for cohesion. Ultimately, authenticity resonates – both readers and fellow writers will respond to honesty and passion. If you’re excited about a topic, let that enthusiasm shine (passion is contagious, as Hedlund notes). And don’t be afraid to show some vulnerability or share lessons from failures, not just successes – that realness builds trust and relatability.
Design for Readability & Branding: The design and look of your Blogger blog create a first impression about you. Aim for a clean, professional, and genre-appropriate design. You don’t need a fancy custom template; even Blogger’s default themes can look nice with some tweaking. Use a legible font (Blogger lets you adjust fonts – pick something simple and not too small). Keep your text paragraphs relatively short and broken up with subheadings or bullet points (like this guide!), because online readers tend to skim. Ensure there’s good contrast (dark text on light background is easiest to read for most). Choose a color scheme that might reflect your book covers or genre vibe – for instance, a mystery writer might use dark blues or grays, a romance writer might use a warmer palette – but stay subtle; readability comes first. Consistency in design elements (colors, header image, font choices) will make your blog look polished and in harmony with your author brand. For branding, consider making a simple banner or header image that includes your name and maybe a tagline or a book image – upload that in the Blogger layout as your header for a personalized touch. Also, upload a favicon (your photo or logo) to appear in the browser tab – small details like that add credibility. Importantly, make sure your blog is mobile-friendly. A lot of readers will access your posts from Twitter or Facebook on their phones. Most of Blogger’s newer templates are mobile-responsive (there’s a setting to enable the mobile version – use it). Check on your own phone how the site looks. Avoid elements that break mobile layout (like extremely wide images). If you use a sidebar, know that on mobile it typically shifts below the post content, so key actions like subscribing might be less visible – thus, you might also incorporate CTAs within or at the end of your posts (e.g. “Enjoyed this? Join my mailing list for more.”). Overall, a fast, uncluttered, easy-to-navigate design will keep visitors on your site longer. Don’t overload with too many widgets or heavy media that slow down loading, especially on mobile. It’s a balance: you want to provide useful features (as discussed earlier) but without making the page visually overwhelming or slow. A good practice is to periodically view your blog as a new visitor would and see if anything feels confusing or extraneous. Cut what you don’t need. A well-designed blog “feels” welcoming and professional, which can only enhance a reader’s perception of you as an author.
Keep the Blog Useful and Focused: As you continue blogging, periodically audit whether your content is serving its purpose. Are you providing value (entertainment, information, inspiration) in each post? Every post doesn’t have to be monumental, but it should have a takeaway or point that a reader (or writer) can appreciate. Also ensure you’re tying things back to the big picture: your books and your platform. It’s a soft sell – you’re not overtly advertising in each post, but you might have a gentle call-to-action like “If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes peek, you might enjoy the final novel – check out MyBook which is available now!” or mention that an issue you discussed is what drove you to write your upcoming story. This keeps your author work in the periphery of the reader’s mind. Additionally, use your blog to highlight your expertise or passions consistently. If someone stumbles on one post, what impression will they get? Ideally, that you’re an interesting writer with a particular voice and area of interest. If you start posting off-topic content (say, political rants unrelated to your literary work or random product reviews), it might dilute your brand and confuse or alienate your core audience. It’s fine to express yourself – it’s your blog – just always ask, “Is this something my target readers or fellow writers would care about or benefit from?” If not, consider saving it for personal social media or a private journal. Keeping a focused theme (with some personal seasoning) will make your blog stand out as the go-to place for certain content, which helps grow a loyal readership.
Engage and Listen: Lastly, remember that a blog isn’t a one-way broadcast – it’s a platform for conversation. Engage with your readers and listen to their feedback. Pay attention to which posts get the most comments or shares; that’s a clue to what your audience loves. Encourage discussion by asking questions in posts, running the occasional poll (Blogger has a poll widget you can add for fun surveys), or hosting Q&A posts where you answer reader questions. You can even invite input on something – e.g. show two potential book covers and ask for opinions (fans love feeling involved, and writers may chime in on the design aspects). When readers or other writers take the time to comment, try to reply, even if just to say thanks or to continue the discussion. This builds a sense of community and loyalty – those commenters will come back. Also, consider moderation settings: a healthy comment section (free of spam and abuse) is important. Blogger allows comment moderation or word verification – use them if needed to keep the environment friendly. Show appreciation for your readers; maybe do a small giveaway for blog subscribers or a shout-out to frequent commenters. These gestures turn casual visitors into an invested audience.

Conclusion: Building a long-term author platform via a Blogger blog is absolutely feasible for a literary fiction writer. It requires a combination of compelling content, smart use of the blogging tools at your disposal, and genuine outreach. By writing posts that serve both readers and writers – from insightful commentary to practical tips – you position yourself as both an engaging storyteller and a valuable resource in the literary space. By designing your blog for easy navigation and interaction (utilizing Blogger’s gadgets for menus, subscription, and more), you make it welcoming and sticky. By consistently promoting and networking, you’ll grow your audience over time. And by staying true to your voice and brand, you ensure that your blog strengthens your identity as an author. Remember, an author blog is a marathon, not a sprint: it’s about nurturing relationships and visibility that will support your career for years to come. Done right, your Blogger blog can become a vibrant hub that keeps readers and fellow writers coming back – not only to read your posts, but also to ultimately read your books.

What are your thoughts? Anything you would like to add to the conversation?

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