It feels like 37 years ago, but I did attend the She Speaks Conference again this year. I was humbled to speak to a room full of women about my journey from writing a blog to writing a book, a phrase that still kind of makes me shudder. Mainly because when you hear “from blog to book” you might be tempted to think that the person who is teaching it values book-writing over blog-writing. And I certainly do not.
I did this session with Andrea Doering, one of the executive editors with Revell Books. She has years of experience in the industry acquiring both fiction and non-fiction titles. She is a professional, and she is a friend. She is also the editor who acquired my book and who I hope to work with for a long time. Do you want to know one of my favorite things she said to this room filled with writers and bloggers at She Speaks? She said this:
“One question bloggers should not ask themselves is, What does it take to get published? If you have a blog, you are already published. People are reading your work. In fact, if you have 2,000 readers, then you already have more readers than 95% of authors who have books in bookstores.”
Andrea and I gave this same talk last year – but last year she didn’t say this. In fact, I said a lot of things this year I didn’t say last year, either. Want to know why? It’s because things are changing, and they’re changing fast. If you have a blog, my suggestion to you is to treat it with respect and make it the best art you have.
But what if you don’t have 2,000 readers? Maybe you have 30 readers. Do you roll your eyes at those 30 readers? Do you think of your work as valuable even if only 30 people read it? Consider this: what if 30 women showed up in a room to hear you speak. Would you see it differently? Would you roll your eyes at them? No way! You would prepare and plan and maybe even get nervous. And you would look forward to meeting with these 30 people who made the effort to show up and listen. Lysa TerKeurst said something similar to that a few years ago and I haven’t forgotten it.
I have a lot more I could share with you about our session at She Speaks and I’m considering doing that next week. Would you want to hear more? What types of things would you like to hear?
I am astounded by the fact that Every. Single. Time. I stop by your beautiful blog I read exactly what I need to hear. This post addresses so much of what I’ve discussed in my head with myself this summer, instead of going ahead & writing & respecting what I do do with my blog.
thank you, for motivating without preaching, and inspiring by example.
yes, would love to hear more! How frequently did you write when you started your blog? how often do you guest post or have guest posts on your blog? do you ever take a break..for summer, etc?
Bought the recording of your session at She Speaks. can’t wait to listen to it!
Yes – I’d love to hear more. I’ve thought about writng a blog but I don’t know where to start. I also get overwhelmed with the business end. I’m worried that in trying it out and finding my way it won’t be the “best” it can be. Will that hurt me later down the line? I love reading your inspirations!
Emily, I was in your session this year at She Speaks and it was one of my favorites. You encouraged me to finally accept that God has called me to write – even to call myself a writer (gulp!). You and Andrea both did such a wonderful job. Thank you!
oh yes! more please! I could not agree more with what Kirsten said – this was exactly what I was suppose to hear today. Thank you and please share more!
Emily, I LOVE this! I’d never pictured the room full of people before, but when you look at it in those terms the visual is quite powerful. And it carries with it a responsibility and a trust and maybe even a healthy dose of excitement.
YES, I want to hear more of what you and Andrea shared. Anything you feel led to share will be awesome.
More, please! As much as you want to share!
In February, when I returned to blogging after a seven month hiatus, I had three followers. Now I am blogging every day and writing way more than I ever dreamed possible. Yesterday I had nineteen followers. Today, thanks to Lynne (of Lily’sQuilts blog), I have twenty five followers. I preached in a church in the Philippines with less people in attendance! (It was Thanksgiving and they had all gone into town!)
I’ve never thought about picturing readers as people in a room. An interesting and encouraging perspective. And yes, I always love the chance to hear more of your advice and experience.
I would LOVE to hear more. It is very exciting to have you share, especially for those of us who wanted to go to the conference but were unable, and for those of us wanting to learn to be better writers and bloggers. Thank you for the courtesy of sharing.
Oh, thank you, thank you!
I guess I would like to hear advice on how to be the commenter of blogs. I feel very led to encourage others in their blog writing but don’t want to merely use fluff to boost an ego (do you know what I mean?). What is a godly way to encourage others by our commenting? Is commenting even necessary or helpful? I wonder…
Keisha – I think commenting is helpful and also necessary. It’s how you build community. But if I were you, I would think of it more as a way to make connections with people rather than to simply encourage – I think if you first connect with people, the encouragement will mean more.
Thank you Emily!
But how do I build community and connect with people through blogs without encouraging and them me?
Maybe I am totally missing something simple here… lol
I’m all ears!
No you’re not missing anything – I think I was more responding to your comment about not wanting to use fluff to boost an ego. Obviously if it’s honest encouragement, that will build relationship. But every comment doesn’t have to be encouragement, necessarily – it can be dialogue, conversation, story, question, or encouragement.
Kind of like what we’ve done here!
Ah yes, I get it!
I have forgotten, you are right. There are many times that it’s not just me posting a an encouraging word. Often that is the spark that ignites action and a dialogue, conversation or story follows. I have never thought about asking a question though. In fact, that is something I’ve done in conversation all the time but never in blog voice. How intriguing!
I thank you for your wisdom.
I want to hear EVERYTHING I missed
When I heard Andrea say those words at She Speaks, they struck me, they kinda took me by surprise. I would have never considered myself ‘published’. Loved, loved, loved your She Speaks session!
I took home a notebook full of She Speaks wisdom, but when it came down to coffee w/ my husband, sharing w/ him what I really gleamed from the conference, this was one of the things. As a little blog w/ a handful of readers, I was reminded that my job is to host a party and pray that I encourage those who attend (and not dwell on those who don’t show up!) It was good stuff, Emily!
I’d love to hear more. And your answer to Keisha is interesting…
Don’t want to sound like I’m anti-encouragement – that didn’t come out right, exactly. It’s still early – off to fill my coffee cup.
i htought i was finished whining about how i wasn’t at the conference, but apparently not. i live 1.5 hours away from charlotte, but because i was already double-booked that weekend, i didn’t go. sigh. yes. i want to hear more from you. and yes. i will be there next year!
I’d love to hear more! Great post. Thank you.
~FringeGirl
Yes, yes, more from She Speaks…be our eyes and hears for those who stayed behind.
Yes please. All of it. Please.
What an awesome statement by Andrea! And this just goes to show where I feel the book industry might be heading more and more. I always thought I wanted to “publish” a book. I am currently working on my 2nd ebook and this excites me to know that I may have more readers than some “published books”!
And I would definitely love to hear all you have to share about She Speaks!
Bernice
Are you overwhelmed?
I’m saying “Hello”! for the first time but I follow your blog daily. Thank you for everything you write. I echo what the other commenters have written today. As a relatively new blogger, I would absolutely love to read (at least) a week’s worth of posts on this subject!
I look forward to reading more of your “art”.
Blessings,
Nancy
I want to echo Kirsten’s words Emily. You always seem to have exactly what I need, and you say it in a way that ministers and encourages. I would love to hear it all – everything you said!
Thank you. I started writing 6 years ago and I began the conventional way. I wrote a book and tried so hard to get it published. It consumed much of my time and energy. I’ve since offered it to the Lord to be shared if/when he deems. (What a concept!
I’ve been spending my time/energy blogging instead (among other things!) I enjoy writing. It is a spiritual process for me and that itself should be enough. Still I find myself checking my stats regularly. When I read the “2000 subscriber” quote in your post my heart sank. Then I got to the “30 people in a room” quote. It was a paradigm shifter for me. I often imagine readers sitting solitary at the computer reading a letter from my heart to theirs, but imagining all 34 of them waiting in a room for me to speak to them — that’s inspiring, and motivating! Thanks again.
I am “de-lurking” today, after several months of reading. I love your blog! I would love to read more about the blogging process and maybe how you can post often, yet still have fresh things to say. I currently have a book review blog, but I also have a personal blog that I “hesitantly” post to from time to time. Reading your blog gives me courage to write.
Emily,
I love this post. It is exactly how I have been feeling. I see people pursuing being published authors, and I love that idea. However, I was just praying and asking the Lord to give me influence with the readers I have and realizing that they are the “audience” that God has given me for this time, and that I am to speak and write to them for now. If publishing a book is in my future well then I will know, but for now I am content to have my blog “be my book”.
Thanks for your beautiful words. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and you are so inspiring. I will soak in whatever you share!
See you soon at Relevant!
God Bless!
Whatever you do for the least of these, right?
I’ve seen a lot of compromise in terms of writing lately, and I don’t want to do that. Whatever I say, I want it to be something I actually believe in, and not something to get clicks.
So there.
That’s my soapbox, I guess.
I’d love to hear more of whatever’s on your heart.
Yes, please! More! I was in your session at She Speaks and took sooooo much away from it. Particularly the little bits that were full of big meaning….my blog is more valuable to me now. Your words were gifts to me from God and I continue to ponder them. Thank you.
HOly Smokes, Batman! That is some dang good insight. I love it. I want to hear more! More about whatever more came from that conference!!!!!!!!!
As the deer pants for water (shout out to the B.I.B.L.E!), I would love to hear more encouragement like that! Thank you, thank you!!!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. Someday I’d like to write a book, just for the sheer joy of it, and to see what comes out of my brain. In the meantime, I’m happy to blog, to get my creative energy out and to really tell people what I think. Lately I’ve been realizing what a honor it is to write and have people want to read, even if it is WAY less than 2000. I’m seeing my small blog as a powerful vehicle that can influence people for…hopefully “the good”. In my case, “the good” means finding Jesus and falling in love with Him and fearlessly running ahead, with hands open to the poor, no regrets.
Mostly I’m influencing myself. I write what I want to be a lot of times.
Anyway thanks for this. So encouraging!
That is a good word, sister! You are right. I would take it very seriously if I got to speak face to face with the 30ish women (and the scattering of men) that read my blog. I think one of the challenges is that – especially when there aren’t many comments involved) so often I feel like I’m blogging blind. Like speaking to an audience I can’t see. (I bet radio would feel the same way.) I’d love some good ways to get past that. Even just what you said – what if they were in my house? – helps but I’d love to hear more of what you shared. : )
I was especially struck by how you likened 30 blog followers to 30 “live” listeners all in one room anxious to hear what we have to say. I had never thought to make that comparison. I’m sure many of us who blog regularly wonder often if there is much value in what we write and share, which is why, ultimately, we have to blog because WE value what we put out there. Encouragement is always uplifting, though, and a positive comment left behind only takes a minute or less of our time. “Make it the best art you have”…. great words. Your “art” is always so inspiring. Thank you, Emily!
Wow, thank you for the encouragement, I’ve never thought about it that way. My blog is small, so I do get discouraged. Just the same, I feel like God has called me to this. I would love to hear what you have to say about blogging and writing from the heart, and staying consistent, even when we don’t think anyone’s reading.
Yes, Yes, Yes! I would love to hear more of what you said this year. I loved your session last year and hated I couldn’t go back to She Speaks this year. Thank you for sharing what I needed to hear today!
Emily, I was at She Speaks this year (my first year going) and had the pleasure of hearing you and Andrea speak. Your talk resonated with me on SO many levels. The one thing you said that has stuck with me from your talk “leave your unique trail of beauty no matter how small it is” I needed to hear that. I attended She Speaks this year not fully understanding why I was there. I just knew I needed to be there. Nearly two weeks later and the Lord continues to speak to me through you all! The one thing I keep hearing over and over…just keep moving forward. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing what you have learned from your journey. It has been so helpful!
Oh! Yes, please! I would love to read some of what you talked about. I have written over 300 posts…a lot to some, not many to others. But there is definitely the desire to some day write a book. It feels so good to read here, though, that I should not discount the writing I am doing now.
When I came home from She Speaks last year, I felt the tremendous weight of “What now?’. I felt like I had to do something big and amazing with all that I had learned. But as I pressed in to the Lord and asked Him “what now?”, He whispered to my heart to be small. To be small with joy. With passion. With fervent love. To write for 1 just like I would write for 100 or 1000, and to love those around me well.
Love your encouragement. Blessings!
Thank you for sharing this. I so often think of myself only as a “blogger” and not as a writer simply because I do not yet have a book on my shelf. I also (wrongly) compare myself and say I am not as good as someone else because of a smaller number of readers. But that’s not true.
I love that I can now consider myself published and that I can see myself as having “readers.” I would love to hear anything at all about She Speaks. Any and all information that can be shared would be wonderful!
You always have something important for me to read. I look forward to meeting you some day Emily. How did you become so wise?
Dana
So much to say. I started blogging to “mark time” towards a goal-our adoption. most of my heart stuff is in one place and the adoption journey in another. I have been praying and can I even say convicted, about even letting those that “know me” in my personal life really know me. Ive been at blogger since day one and have through about wordpress many times. Yesterday I almost clicked on the join now tab but Just dont know the logistics of moving TWO blogs over to ONE place. I am not sure if I have anything unique to say but know that somehow taking a step towards one blog since it is one journey all braided together making one tapestry might cut down the time I am writing- Which is important to me. I cant wait to read more.
Hi Emily, Yes…I would read more. Why? because I was just introduced to you (Thank you SITS) and because I used to work with Andrea D! LOVE…LOVE…LOVE her. Was blessed to have had the opportunity to talk with her last year, and to sell rights to her. And since I have been in the publishing business (sales/rights)…I can completely CONCUR with her quote above.
However, I really needed to hear your encouragement to those of us with 30 followers…yep, thats me, and 50 percent are family! God bless them. Since I cannot attend the conferences I am just as happy to read what people have to share. Thanks for offering…and next time you talk to AD tell her Leah says hi.
I guess I could always shoot her an email, but this might be cooler/hipper way to say hey.
Thank YOU for YOUR blog. Good luck with the publishing side of things too! You have a great advocate on your side!
Oh, I totally needed to hear that advice Emily! That just puts such a different slant on things and my sister and I have tried to take that approach on our blog as we write from our hearts and our experiences. We do it because we feel led to and then trust that the words will reach whomever they are intended for! Thank you so much for offering such great wisdom!
Vanessa
It’s amazing how fast the publishing industry and the internet has evolved and sort of merged. It’s weird to think I’m considered “media” or a “publisher” by today’s standards. For instance, there are book retail shows that give bloggers press passes! I began blogging because as an author I had to, now I blog because I love it.
This was such an important post. I have come to love blogging and the opportunity to interact with other bloggers with similar interests. I appreciate this insight. I’ll be back to read more.
It’s interesting, I have never felt a real pressure to write on my blog and I think it’s because I don’t ever want to write a bunch of junk just to have a current date on my blog posts. Yet, when I see bloggers apologizing for not writing or taking breaks I wonder, am I rolling my eyes at my readers by not writing more often?
I don’t think so, Tracey – I’m one who never apologizes for not posting or for taking breaks as I’m like you – no need for the pressure. I don’t think posting seldom means you’re rolling your eyes at all. On the contrary, it seems to me you value the reader enough to post only when you have something to say.
Ohhh I would have loved to hear your sweet self speak! What fun! I really enjoy your blog. Thank you for all you do in this place!
OH my. I am SO honored to have gotten the opportunity to meet you a week -ish ago and to be able to chat with you in person after your session. It was great to hear your REAL honest journey and kind of how you went about things, and in what ways you did things. It is great to hear your story, and it just connects with me so!
Thank you for taking the step out and not being afraid to stand up and speak to share with us all. Look forward to getting the chance to chat with you again in person (&pick your brain) again REAL soon!
-K
I would love to hear more! I am at a place where I have an idea for a book I would love to write, but am stuck at the “idea” phase. I’m not sure if it’s fear of the unknown or just plain fear that has me stuck in the idea phase, but I would love to hear more of what you have to share…as someone who successful moved beyond the idea phase
I would also love to hear (read) more. Thanks for offering up your wisdom and experience!
I am wondering if I am a strange loner: I don’t consider my blog as “writing.” I blog to teach. Am I weird?
Emily! Such goodness here! Yes, yes, I’m in with the crowd who’s calling for MORE!! Tell us as much as you possibly can! Can’t wait, friend!
Oh, boy, what great insight you share! I would definitely like to hear more. I would have loved to be there, in fact–sounds like a wonderful conference. I’m just so glad YOU got to be there–I know you blessed the socks off your audience.
You want to know something funny? I’ve been writing for years. I’ve taught writing, I’ve edited other people’s writing, I’ve taught writing, I’ve written an article that appeared in a professional publication, and now of course I write for my blog and occasionally for other blogs. Yet when I was recently faced with the task of writing a two-sentence bio of myself, I mused, “Can I list ‘writer’ as a fact about myself?” And I had just about decided that the answer is no. Pshaw! Of course the answer is yes! I think maybe I’ve just feared that if I SAY I’m a writer then I will have upped the stakes for myself. Never stopped to think about the fact that “the stakes” (whatever they are) are already “upped” by my writing a blog. There! I said it! I WRITE a blog. “Write” is the correct verb here.
Ohmygosh.
I’ll bet you can’t say “blog to book” 10x’s fast…..but it is happening for real girl!
Praying for you as you wait, reminding yourself to breathe in and out and trust that it is all worth it. Cause it is!
And, as one who really wanted to go and sit in your session and listen you you speak, just tell me anything you want.
That’s enough for me!
You are right! I am one of those bloggers with about 30 readers
), and no comments. It can be curious to me at times, but I really don’t mind. I blog, write, photograph and be creative mostly just to express the art in me. I know/hope it reaches others.
Yes, more please. My question is, when do you write your posts? Are your kids gone all day at school, or do you write late at night???
Anything you write will be inspiring. Thank you.
Emily,
I had the privilege to attend She Speaks for the first time this year. While in your session, I noticed by a show of hands that I was one of very few who does not currently have a blog. In fact, at this time I have no intentions of creating a blog. So why attend? It was the “published without being famous” part of the session title that grabbed my attention. I’ve had it placed on my heart to share a specific message with others by writing a book. The message is drawn from a significant experience our family endured a few years ago. It is a message of encouragement & hope for others who will experience difficult things along their journey in this world. A message whose central character is the steadfast & faithful Shepherd of our lives.
Understand that I am no one special, I have no specific training or experience with writing, and I have no “platform” in place that would entice a publisher. However, you and Andrea both shared things that I needed. My focus should not be “how do I get published”, my focus needs to be obedience to what God is asking me to do….which is write the message. And I need not be concerned where a large audience for that message will appear from, because I would do better to relate to “just one reader” as I’m writing it. Thank you for investing yourself in the She Speaks conference, and into the lives of other women who are seeking to share their unique message with others.
I was really struck by Andrea’s words during your session. And for the record, you did a great job! I’d love to hear more of your thoughts from the conference.
I would love to hear more! I would like to think that my blog is “professional” and the best that it can be, but I really just started and don’t know much about it all. My goal is to encourage tired mothers to continue because it really is soo worth it, but I don’t always feel like I’m accomplishing that goal. I would love to know how to do a better job and how to reach more readers! Thank you so much for the encouragement! Love your blog!
Emily – love that you got to speak there
I love those women! God has used that conference in my life on more than one occasion to encourage and inspire me… would love to hear how you were encouraged by the sessions too!
What a great point you make! I’m so excited about every new blog reader I get, but I mostly think, “Oh, maybe they’ll read my eventual book!” I forget to think of my blog as published work on its own. Thanks for the reminder!
Wow! That’s a powerful way of looking at things. (I absolutely LOVE the look of you blog btw…) And now that I see your name below me, I’m going to read more about you because I know someone with your name, and from your photo, you could possibly be sisters…
I would absolutely LOVE to hear more! I attended the She Speaks Conference this year too!
I sat at a table for lunch with Andrea last year at Relevant and she was asking us bloggers different questions. I remember her saying this and it’s stuck with me!
I also remember her asking us to think about what we’d have to gain from a traditionally published book. It’s really changed how I approach blogging.
Yes, I want to hear more. I started my current blog as a place to keep all of our out-of-town family updated on my kiddos AND to process, express, share, (sadly) vent, etc. I have always journalled – always – and started blogging in various places in my early twenties. How do I balance memory keeping/sharing with writing what I feel called to write/creating art? I feel like I am trying to do both right now. Is that okay?
Oh Emily, this encouragement is so you! Thank you for sharing, and for continuing to build others up, even when you have succeeded beyond some of our wildest dreams.
Emily, I so appreciate your kind heart and the wisdom you so lovingly offer. I would love to hear more from you on this topic. I really wanted to attend SheSpeaks this year, but it didn’t work out. I do get to attend Relevant, though. I am very excited about that opportunity. I love your beautiful blog and can’t wait to read your book in the fall. Thank you so much.
every time i visit your site, emily, i’m always struck by the genuine spirit of humility here. there is never a sense that you are “above” the rest of us as some superstar blogger {which you are} or a real life author of a book {which you are}…
but a true walk-beside-you-kind-of -sister-in-the-Lord. simply speaking from this space with the motive to help and encourage and cheer the rest of us on!!!
would love to hear more from your session for sure!
Thank you for sharing your insight with us. I’m SO encourage in how you pointed out “what if 30 women showed up in a room to hear you speak. Would you see it differently?”. Wow, I had never thought about it like that before so thank you!
THANK YOU.
HUGS FROM MY HEART