Thursday, January 3, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #130

Welcome to the Feature & Follow


Gain new followers and make new friends with the Book Blogger Feature & Follow! If this is your first time here, welcome! You are about to make some new friends and gain new followers -- but you have to know -- the point of this hop is to follow other bloggers also. I follow you, you follow me.

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and you must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.



How To Become a Featured Blog?

We pick our featured blogs randomly each week from the blogs who participated the week before.

Please be sure to feature your e-mail address clearly on your blog. Either on the main blog, on a Contact page, or on an About Me page. If I can't find your email easily, I will choose a different blog to feature.


Our Feature - Lost in Thought

1. When did you start blogging?

I started blogging almost a year ago. Actually, my one year blogoversary will be happening on the 12th of this month! Time has really flown by. I started after finding out about reading challenges (and realising they were easier to do with a blog) and happened to stumble across a few blogs and then I thought of making one myself. I like to think I’ve come a long way in a year and learned a lot about blogging, reviewing, publishers etc. I love blogging and I’m quite proud of myself for sticking to it for a full year even though I’m quite busy in my personal life. I love the book blogging community and love books and reading in general so it’s always fun and never ever a chore.

2. What is your favorite part of book blogging?

Writing posts and having lovely comments off other bloggers especially when it comes to reviews. After spending ages writing reviews (and it takes me so long!) and worrying about its quality I love reading comments off others saying that they enjoyed reading it, or that they added the particular book to their wishlist. I also love my readers and followers. After creating my blog I can remember doing a dance of pure joy when I had my first follower haha. You could swear I had won a million pounds or something, but it was a great feeling! I've also met so many lovely book bloggers whom I consider friends, it's been great.

3. What is your favorite book(s)?

The Lord of the Rings. Just pure amazing stuff. You should all read it and get lost in Middle Earth with all its adventures. I also love George R. R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. It has been an obsession of mine since reading it. I just love epic fantasy. But also since blogging I've read some great YA books and my favourite reads of 2012 were definitely Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Cinder by Marissa Meyer and The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa.

4. What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?

Receiving books of publishers is up there with the best. I love Netgalley but when I had my first paperback book from a publisher in the mail I felt like I had made it haha! I squealed in delight when it came through the letterbox! I've loved having the chance to work with authors and publishers; it's been awesome. I’ve had the chance to read and review some amazing books so it is definitely one of the best things to happen!

Q: What New Years Blogging or Writing resolution have you placed on yourself?


I actually think I'm going to do a whole post about my blogging resolutions.

Essentially I want to (1) comment more, because I've become bad about it; (2) write reviews more frequently, because I've become lazy; and (3) actually get serious about my blog redesign that I want to do.

As for writing, I'd like to write more. I'd love to write original fiction, but for better or worse, fan fiction is what pops into my head most. I don't necessarily mind this since it's good practice. For the first time, I have a story arc inside my head that could actually become novel length. It's a Harry Potter fan-fiction - one of those canon missing moments. I've written a few chapters and am quite pleased with it. I want to write more before I start putting it up online. Having a long connected story is a first for me, since I usually write a lot of fan fiction one-shots.


Now for the Follow Fun!

With GFC going the way of the dodo bird for many bloggers, there is no better time to start following blogs via RSS feed. If you use a reader, it would be great if you followed my RSS directly.



We have a new button, so update your blogs if you are used to doing this meme!

Gain New Blog Followers
<a href="http://parajunkee.com/category/ff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4710921228_e3140444bf_o.png" /></a>

RULES

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
  3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
  5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
  6. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
  7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers
  8. If you're new to the follow friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
CAPTCHA:
If you have CAPTCHA word verification enabled on your blog, please take it off. It makes it much more difficult for readers to comment. Please look at my CAPTCHA Eradication Post to learn how to get rid of it.
Happy Follow Friday! Come back at midnight CST for the Facebook & Twitter hop!!

**Sorry to those of you having trouble with the linky. It's working fine for me. Try reloading a few times. When this issue has come up in the past, that usually fixes it. Or give it a few minutes and maybe it'll get better.

54 comments:

  1. I can't wait for your post about your resolutions.

    Mine: http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/2013/01/follow-friday-52.html

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  2. These are all goals that I have for myself as well. I'm always telling myself I'm going to totally redesign my blog.

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  3. New to this! (:

    My FF:
    http://fangirlhostess.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-follow.html

    New follower via GFC

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  4. I don't see the Linky sign up thing. ??? Am I the only one?

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  5. I would love to see you goals for 2013 post! I read fan fiction so much when I was younger. I actually read Newsies fan fiction (I was addicted!). If I were a writer, I would totally write fan fiction. To make stories end how I want them, or to develop a story for a secondary character.

    Good luck on your writing!

    Also, I like you blog design - but I am very partial to flowers :)

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  6. Happy New Year Alison!

    I've touched upon New Year's related topics but hope to do a dedicated one on Blogging and Writing once I figure it all out! (smile)

    In the meantime, trying to enjoy the Journey (my 1 word for 2013) and focus more on what I've done and less on what I have not accomplished!

    Looking forward to seeing the changes you make in 2013!

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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  7. Yeah me too, can't find the linky...

    Great resolutions, very simple but obviously it requires a lot of work.

    New Follower
    Nena Manchester Funk

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  8. These are excellent goals. I try to comment as often as possible, but can always do more. Also, over the holidays I found myself dragging with the reviews. I wish you luck with your resolutions. My FF. Old Follower :D

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  9. Another great question Alison! I like your response and good luck with the writing.

    My FF @ Marilyn's Mystery Blog

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  10. Alison we no longer have the Mr Linky? Anyhow, I love the question this week as I've made huge Blogging Resolutions!

    Here's my Feature & Follow Friday post.

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  11. hopping through :) great resolutions! my own are similar. best of luck on your fan fiction and best wishes for 2013! old follower

    aspen
    http://inner-aspen.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-and-follow-friday-new-year.html

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  12. Great goals set! Im interested in your writing you should post snippets here :) Look forward to reading more of your reviews!

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  13. Great goals. I agree I am so bad with commenting and some days I feel too lazy to write any sort of review. As for the writing I know you'll do amazing. I hope everything with your blog and your writing go well and I can't wait to see your remodel. 8)

    Old Follower!
    http://reesesreviews.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-follow-15.html

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  14. You have really great resolutions and the fan fiction sounds interesting :)

    Old Follower! http://www.fortheloveoffilmandnovels.com/2013/01/feature-follow-10.html

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  15. I like ur resolutions, similiar to mine as well, I have started on a novel and am hoping to finish it this yr. :)

    Old Follower :)
    "BookShelves Of Dreams"

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  16. Good luck with the writing. I've never tried writing fan fiction. Sounds cool.

    old follower:
    http://booksojourner.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-follow-8-bloggingwriting.html

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  17. Looking forward to reading more on your resolutions.

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  18. Best of luck with your goals and happy new year :)
    Old follower.
    Ivana @ Willing to See Less

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  19. Thanks for letting my being featured :) Great question this week too :) Good luck with all your resolutions!

    I can't see the link so here is the link to my FF post: http://lostinthought-becca.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/feature-follow-10.html

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  20. I love this first question for the year! Very apt.

    Feels great to return to the bandwagon and join in this fun feature. :)

    My FF post: http://mybookmusings.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-follow-friday-05.html

    Old follower. :)

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  21. Nice! Sounds like you have it all planned out!

    Good Luck!

    Here's my Follow Friday

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    Old Follower :)

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  22. Good choices.

    Happy Friday
    http://wickedlydeliciousbookblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-and-follow-3.html

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  23. Thanks for hopping by! I get lazy about commenting, too. I definitely need to do more of that!

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  24. This is my first time participating in the Feature & Follow hop. Thanks for hosting it. Great interview! My blog: http://postfornow.blogspot.com

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  25. I can't see the linky, but this is a great question. Here is my FF! http://mystic-reviews.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/follow-friday-2.html

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  26. Happy Friday Alison! Hope you have a great weekend :)

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  27. Thanks for hosting Alison & congrats to Lost in Thought for being featured :D Love the LotR answer & most of the '2012 favorites' reads mentioned are on my reading list for 2013! Great resolutions all around!
    Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Great resolutions! I hope to be able to read the HP story of yours someday. I really like what you say about fanfic being great practice. Couldn't agree more!

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  29. Great resolutions :). I'm the same on reviewing and commenting!

    Shame Linky doesn't seem to be working :(.
    Old follower.

    Here's my FF :)

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  30. I've gotten a touch lazy with my reviews too Alison! Well, maybe burnt out is a better way to describe it, but either way I haven't been writing as many reviews lately. I think my goal this year is to keep it to 3 a week. I'd been bumping it up to 4 and that was just too hard for me to keep up with, so I'm going back to three after taking a little reviewing break:) Hope you have a great weekend!

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  31. I've followed for a while, but new commenter -

    Here's my FF: http://kats-tale.livejournal.com/27126.html

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  32. Terrific goals! I need to get better about commenting more too. Thanks for stopping by My FF this week. Old follower :)
    Traci @ Mad Hatter Reads

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  33. Great resolutions and good luck on following through :P
    I don't have any, resolutions aren't really my thing.

    Old follower

    -Nyx @ Unraveling Words

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  34. Happy new year! I said the same thing :)

    http://itchingforbooks.blogspot.com/2013/01/feature-and-follow-31.html

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  35. I been refreshing for a while and cannot get the linky to work at all.

    Great resolutions though :) I wish you luck with them!

    My FF

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  36. Yea, I can't get the linky to work from either page.

    My FF

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  37. Alison this is so fun I want to join in some time. Do you guys post the list of prompts anywhere or do we just check on the party day?

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  38. I'm brand new to this linky, and blogging in general! So my main goal is to find followers that actually talk! Hopefully this linky will help in that! ;)

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  39. I'm new to Follow Friday, such a cool way to gain new followers and to find great blogs, but I can't seem to see the linky. I refreshed my mac many times, tried it on my iPad and my iTouch, still no luck. Oh well, I will try again next week! But, I did do a FF post here: http://glamglory.blogspot.com/2013/01/follow-friday.html
    and followed all the required ones :) Thanks for all you who will pass by my blog in advance & follow.
    Reyna
    Tweet me @glamourglory

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  40. We have similar resolutions this year! As for your writing, I hope your HP story online soon because I would love to read it. Old follower.

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  41. Great resolutions...I think a lot of us have similar ones! Also, good for you with having aspirations to write!

    Old follower, commenting 'cause Linky isn't working for me... :)

    My FF: Coffee Bean Bookshelf

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  42. Thanks Alison for stopping by and commenting on my FF post.

    The linky still isn't working for me, and I've tried another browser and re-loading. Parajunkee also doesn't have the linky.

    For those that want to use the linky, some bloggers have added Feature & Follow Friday's linky on their blogs, one that I can view isJC's Book Haven. You can add your FF post on the linky there and also use it to follow others.

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  43. Great resolutions. Good luck with your writing and the blog re-design, although I have to say that I love your design :)

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  44. Happy New Year!
    All very good resolutions! I really need to comment more, I'm so slack at it at the moment!
    I also want to post more reviews, why is it that we can read a book in a day but reviews sometimes take us weeks or even months to get around to?
    I want to spend this year writing more! I'm so good at getting distracted by pretty blogs! =D

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  45. Best of luck with your resolutions! I'm one of the very few book bloggers that is not a writer. I envy you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)

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  46. Blah, no linky? Anywho!
    Congrats to lost in though!
    My Feature and Follow

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  47. I couldn't see the linky either, but New follower via GFC and new to Follow Friday! Here is my 1st FF post here: http://GlamourGlory.com/2013/01/follow-friday.html
    -Reyna
    @glamourglory

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  48. I've been trying all day to find the Linky, still no luck.
    Good luck with your goals Alison!!
    Here's My FF!
    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace
    old Follower :)

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  49. Great answer! :) I love HP fanfiction! I would love to read yours! Old follower hopping through! You can visit my F&F here. Have a great weekend! :)

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  50. I want to redesign my blog as well, honestly, its annoying. I hope you can achieve all your goals! Thanks for hop'n by--

    ~V

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