Blog a Romance or Horror Novel

You might assume that only nonfiction writers blog books. Not true. Novelists also blog books. They claim it makes them better writers and helps them produce more compelling manuscripts. And they blog novels in a variety of genres, including  romance and horror readers, and benefit in the process.

So take the hot men and sexy women on the covers of your romance books and plaster them all over your blog. Instead of keeping those steamy love scenes (should I call them what they are—sex scenes?) on the pages of your books, publish them on the Internet.

And share your horrific tale post by post. Get people to sit in front of their computers biting their nails and waiting breathlessly for the next “installment”—the next post that tells them what shocking, weird, or terrifying event has happened to your main character (or has been caused by your main character).

Yes! Start telling those juicy and scary tales, sharing those can’t-put-‘em-down plots in the blogosphere. Why? Because blogging books gets your book written and promoted quickly and easily. That means you develop fans. Fans equate to potential readers of your book.

Why Blog Your Thriller or Romance Book

Here’s the thing. In the traditional publishing world, great ideas and stand-out writing are not enough to turn aspiring authors into successful published authors. You must prove to publishers that you and your idea have got what it takes. And you can do that with a blog.

A successful blog with lots of readers acts like a beacon to agents and publishers. They see a blog with a lot of traffic and subscribers as a successfully test-marketed book idea. Thus, your ability to attract readers to your blogged book might just land you a book deal—if not for this particular blogged romance or horror novel at least for your next one. Why? Because you’ve developed what in the publishing world is called an author platform—a fan base. People who will buy your books.

If you don’t land a publishing deal, or you don’t want one, the platform you build as you blog your book will help you produce a successful self-published book. Over time, blog readers develop a relationship with a blogger. They then tend to purchase whatever that blogger produces, such as a book. Hook them on your great novel, and they will continue purchasing your books over and over again.

And don’t worry that your blog readers won’t purchase your book once it is published. They will want a souvenir from their favorite blogger and novelist. And it’s easier to read a book than a blog, especially if they missed any posts, or “installments,” along the way. Most book readers prefer to hold a book in their hands as well. Plus, you produce the first draft on your blog. The printed or digital book offers them a polished version with some extra content (that you will have craftily planned out ahead of time to entice them—and possibly a publisher—to purchase the book).

If publishers don’t want your previously published work, they will want your next novel. The fact that you created a built-in readership ready and willing to purchase your next book will entice them to offer you a contract.

How to Blog Your Thriller or Romance

So, how do you blog a book? Easy. Here are some simple steps:

1. Plan out your book’s content.
2. Come up with a table of contents.
3. Break the contents down into posts-sized pieces (300-700 words—not your whole chapter).
4. Write and publish your posts on a manageable schedule (2 to 5 times per week).
5. Create a manuscript at the same time as posting on line.
6. Each time you write, publish your posts.

Now, go set your blog on fire with your next romance novel. And watch readers and publishers flock to the flame.