Tuesday, September 18, 2012

New Plan?!

Yeah...like this.
Recently I've been debating on discontinuing the weekly ANSA posts.  After discussions on Twitter and through email with J.Scott Sharp, I have decided to take a little break from ANSA posts.  Before everyone freaks out, gets angry, cries, moans, or squeals in pain... know that you have two more weeks of ANSA posts before they will be discontinued (that's the rest of September).


I'll explain my decision...

Why are you doing this?
1. The ANSA posts are the least *clicked on* posts each week on my blog.
2. I'm not getting enough support from everyone involved to continue these posts.  They take me at minimum of two hours to write each week.  It's not as easy as it looks.
3. It's been like pulling teeth to get authors to sign up for the Oct-Dec slots.  I can't get a single person to fill those slots and I've asked over 30!
4. The comment section has gotten too quiet on the ANSA posts.  Scares me.
5. I love writing them, but nobody seems to be reading them (except the select few I know read them weekly).
6. Simply because, I think it's time for a change.


But...I love the ANSA posts HilyBee! Please don't get rid of them!
If there are enough people (not a set number I'm looking for) who want the posts to continue, I will restart the posts after a two week hiatus in October AND if I can find authors to fill the slots. heh.

What are you going to write instead of the weekly ANSA posts? Will there be something else that is a weekly post?

Option 1) A Book a Week (needs a better title) - I'll pick out an Indie author's book that I think sounds good or one that is on my TBR list.  I will then write a post that week telling you about the book, maybe adding in an excerpt if I can get one, and then give you a short bio on the author.  The following week (or two depending on the length of the book) I will review the book and tell you what my next book is.  Links will be provided like always to the information.  These posts will be either weekly or bi-weekly depending on the length of the book I choose to read and how much I have going on for regular book reviews.

Option 2) Author Shorts - Each week I'll pair up with an author and we together will write a short story.  The short stories will not connect together unless the same author pairs up with me.  The stories will vary in length, but will be no longer than 1 page long (so very short).  The authors will also have the option to write it without my help if they would like to.  At the end of the post there will be a short bio of the author who wrote/co-wrote the short and links to their sites of course.  This will either be weekly or bi-weekly depending on how quickly we can write the shorts.

Option 3) Cover of the Week - I'll post a picture of my favorite book cover of the week.  It won't have to be an Indie author, but most likely will be.  I'll talk about the cover art, the book, and a short bio of the author.  This post will be weekly.  Definitely needs a catchier name too (any suggestions?).

Option 4) Suggest a Topic - Suggest what you think would make a good weekly post.  What do you want to see each week?

Tell me which option you like the most - you can select more than one, but try not to select more than two.

Which option do you like the most?
  
pollcode.com free polls 
Will you still do other posts?
I'll still do book reviews, non-ANSA interviews, guest posts, blog tours, etc. but those will be sporadic like they normally are.

So my followers and friends, what do you think?  Do you approve or disapprove?  Since I write for you and me, your opinions matter!  Please tell me what you think in the comments, in a tweet, in an email, or even on Facebook.  Are you confused, or have a question I didn't answer?  Just ask!  Happy Planning Day!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

What??!

OMG I'm so sad to hear about this, and EXTREMELY sorry I didn't support the cause more so you wouldn't feel like you have to scrap the idea. I personally loved ANSA, but absolutely should have commented more, and I will encourage others to do the same.

Thing is though, I just moved house, so only just got the internet back…popped on to your blog to check things out and found out this TERRIBLE NEWS!! :(

I do know how it feels to put your heart into something for little or no recognition though, and it sucks. I like the sound of Author Shorts, and if you need any help at all, you know where I am :)

Steph

HilyBee said...

I knew you would be sad Steph. I haven't exactly been happy about the decision either. I'm still not 100% sold on getting rid of it either.. we'll see what happens. I've been trying to promote WU more on Twitter, I know I've been slacking! Sorry!

Unknown said...

No, no! Don't worry at all :) I completely understand, and even I'VE been slacking on promotion of WU. I've been meaning to talk to you about that anyway - I'm taking the community in a radical new direction and would love for you to join me :D

I hope others weigh in on this ANSA issue though. Don't do anything crazy just yet!

<3

HilyBee said...

Sounds good Steph. I hope so too!

Francelia Belton said...

Hmm, I just discovered your website; (found you through Twitter), so I don't know what ANSA is. Regardless, sorry to hear you weren't getting much interaction. It's hard to follow all my favorite blogs, but I'll make it point to visit yours when I can, whether you come back to ANSA or not. ;-)

Have a great day!

HilyBee said...

Welcome Francelia!! :D It's a pleasure to meet you. ANSA was a weekly author interview where I featured an *undiscovered* author. I might bring the series back in a little while, but for now I'm hitting the pause button. :)