What makes book bloggers Tick? An interview with a book blogger
What makes book bloggers tick?
A Book Blogger Highlight: Kenchi Reads
What makes book bloggers tick? Book bloggers often interview authors for spotlights. I wanted the book blogger to have the opportunity to be interviewed - for once.
In this article, I have a chat with a book blogger and bookstagrammer: Kenchi of Kenchi Reads ( https://kenchireads.wordpress.com/ ).
Me: Hey Kenchi. How did you get into book blogging?
Kenchi: When I started I was just reading books for fun. Eventually, I decided to try and start my own book blog. I even created my own bookstagram account (IG: @kenchireads), and everything just went into place.
I love interacting with authors and reviewing books for them.
Me: Nice! I love people who do reviews out of pure passion and enjoyment.
Do you only do them by request, or do you also use net galley?
Kenchi: Most of the books that are sent out to me are from authors that sent me book review requests through my email. The others are from authors that I reach out to on Twitter and ask if I can review books for them.
Sometimes, it's the other way around.
Me: What kinds of things inspire you to reach out to authors?
Kenchi: If the book they wrote peaks my interest, I will reach out to them and try to review it for them.
Also, I like having authors sign their books before sending them out. It just so it feels more personal.
Me: That is always a nice touch, isn't it?! Having the signature.
Have you had authors you reached out to turn you down, or do most of them happily respond and coordinate with you?
Kenchi: Some have turned down my offer. Usually, it's because I live far away from them. But also, I do understand that it can be expensive to send out books to the Philippines.
The main reason I ask for physical copies is because I like the feel of reading a physical book. My second reason is that I usually take photos of the books I review on my bookstagram account.
Me: It does cost a bit to send it there, to be honest. But, having someone who you think will really appreciate reading your work is more than worth it. For me at least.
Aside from your blog, do you write in any other form?
Kenchi: I usually post my reviews on Goodreads as well, since most of the authors I review for ask me to do it. I oblige and started posting every review there as well.
Me: Sure, Amazon and Good Reads are very important hubs for any author to have reviews. That's really nice of you to post it on both.
Kenchi: I think the reason why some authors won't send it out to me as much is because they are indie authors and they do everything from their end. I don't really put pressure on them.
Me: Do you write fiction yourself?
Kenchi: I have thought about writing my own novel before. I realized later on that I'm better off as a reader rather than a writer.
Having a broad imagination is a talent. I think I have a normal amount of imagination so I can't really pull it off as well as others.
Me: Fair enough! The world needs readers perhaps even slightly more than it needs authors…
Kenchi: I do feel happy and tingly when I see a book that I reviewed before and is now sitting on a shelf at one of the bookstores where I usually check out new releases from.
Me: I'd never thought of that aspect, thanks for sharing that! It must be rewarding in that sense to feel like a part of the process of getting that book onto the shelves and into the hands of more readers (especially when it's independently published and not from a major publishing house).
Kenchi: Definitely! I like when I can share it with my friends that the book I reviewed a couple of months ago is hitting the shelves at our local bookstores.
Me: Last question: What is your least favorite aspect of being a book reviewer, blogger, and bookstagramer?
Kenchi: I think that some people won't give you the time of day to check out your blog if you don't have enough followers. I'm fortunate that I know a couple of reviewers that have a decent amount of followers and still interact with me even if I don't have that many.
Me: In that sense, both authors and bloggers have a common struggle. Finding their audience.
In my experience, it takes a lot longer than I first expected it would. But I think the struggle only draws more out of me, so I try to embrace it in both its ups and downs. That doesn't always work out so great, but coming back to it always takes it one step further.
Kenchi: Once, I was able to review books for Peter James, and now his book series has a show in their country. It just amazes me sometimes.
The struggle is part of the process and it really is what makes your work more rewarding.
Me: You never know how far a ball can roll until you throw it!
Well, I have to get going, but thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Kenchi: No problem at all! I enjoyed talking to you. It's always great to meet new people!
A Book Blogger Highlight: Kenchi Reads
What makes book bloggers tick? Book bloggers often interview authors for spotlights. I wanted the book blogger to have the opportunity to be interviewed - for once.
In this article, I have a chat with a book blogger and bookstagrammer: Kenchi of Kenchi Reads ( https://kenchireads.wordpress.com/ ).
Me: Hey Kenchi. How did you get into book blogging?
Kenchi: When I started I was just reading books for fun. Eventually, I decided to try and start my own book blog. I even created my own bookstagram account (IG: @kenchireads), and everything just went into place.
I love interacting with authors and reviewing books for them.
Me: Nice! I love people who do reviews out of pure passion and enjoyment.
Do you only do them by request, or do you also use net galley?
Kenchi: Most of the books that are sent out to me are from authors that sent me book review requests through my email. The others are from authors that I reach out to on Twitter and ask if I can review books for them.
Sometimes, it's the other way around.
Me: What kinds of things inspire you to reach out to authors?
Kenchi: If the book they wrote peaks my interest, I will reach out to them and try to review it for them.
Also, I like having authors sign their books before sending them out. It just so it feels more personal.
Me: That is always a nice touch, isn't it?! Having the signature.
Have you had authors you reached out to turn you down, or do most of them happily respond and coordinate with you?
Kenchi: Some have turned down my offer. Usually, it's because I live far away from them. But also, I do understand that it can be expensive to send out books to the Philippines.
The main reason I ask for physical copies is because I like the feel of reading a physical book. My second reason is that I usually take photos of the books I review on my bookstagram account.
Me: It does cost a bit to send it there, to be honest. But, having someone who you think will really appreciate reading your work is more than worth it. For me at least.
Aside from your blog, do you write in any other form?
Kenchi: I usually post my reviews on Goodreads as well, since most of the authors I review for ask me to do it. I oblige and started posting every review there as well.
Me: Sure, Amazon and Good Reads are very important hubs for any author to have reviews. That's really nice of you to post it on both.
Kenchi: I think the reason why some authors won't send it out to me as much is because they are indie authors and they do everything from their end. I don't really put pressure on them.
Me: Do you write fiction yourself?
Kenchi: I have thought about writing my own novel before. I realized later on that I'm better off as a reader rather than a writer.
Having a broad imagination is a talent. I think I have a normal amount of imagination so I can't really pull it off as well as others.
Me: Fair enough! The world needs readers perhaps even slightly more than it needs authors…
Kenchi: I do feel happy and tingly when I see a book that I reviewed before and is now sitting on a shelf at one of the bookstores where I usually check out new releases from.
Me: I'd never thought of that aspect, thanks for sharing that! It must be rewarding in that sense to feel like a part of the process of getting that book onto the shelves and into the hands of more readers (especially when it's independently published and not from a major publishing house).
Kenchi: Definitely! I like when I can share it with my friends that the book I reviewed a couple of months ago is hitting the shelves at our local bookstores.
Me: Last question: What is your least favorite aspect of being a book reviewer, blogger, and bookstagramer?
Kenchi: I think that some people won't give you the time of day to check out your blog if you don't have enough followers. I'm fortunate that I know a couple of reviewers that have a decent amount of followers and still interact with me even if I don't have that many.
Me: In that sense, both authors and bloggers have a common struggle. Finding their audience.
In my experience, it takes a lot longer than I first expected it would. But I think the struggle only draws more out of me, so I try to embrace it in both its ups and downs. That doesn't always work out so great, but coming back to it always takes it one step further.
Kenchi: Once, I was able to review books for Peter James, and now his book series has a show in their country. It just amazes me sometimes.
The struggle is part of the process and it really is what makes your work more rewarding.
Me: You never know how far a ball can roll until you throw it!
Well, I have to get going, but thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Kenchi: No problem at all! I enjoyed talking to you. It's always great to meet new people!
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