Platform Building Campaign for writers

Most of you know that both of my books are self-published, but a lot of people are amazed at how well they're doing.  I've heard the question, What's the secret? a few times and I never fail to refer them to my blog. I've worked hard on this blog, but more than that, I was able to connect to other blogs and bloggers through it. I'm taking this opportunity to build it even further through a campaign pioneered by a fellow writer.

Rachael Harrie is a blogger and aspiring author of YA Horror and she started the Writers' Platform-Building Campaigns as "a way to link writers, aspiring authors, beginner bloggers, industry people, and published authors together with the aim of helping to build our online platforms. The Campaigners are all people in a similar position, who genuinely want to pay it forward, make connections and friends within the writing community, and help build each others' online platforms while at the same time building theirs."

If you're interested, you can read about what's involved in being a Campaigner, and the idea behind the Campaigns. For my followers who are writers, it would be great if you can join in the campaign, because with these things, the more the merrier. I already follow and read the blogs of some other campaigners and I can assure you that they're all very helpful in sharing posts on how to write better, and also about querying, publishing and promoting. See you there.

Blog Abandoned

When I read this article on GHOST BLOGS, I couldn't help nodding my head.

I'm talking about those strange spaces on the Internet that haven't been closed; they remain up, abandoned, their owners disappearing into the ether. There is no final post at the top announcing the cessation of the project. On the contrary, the most recent post (which is sometimes years old) usually gives no sense that the blog is coming to an end. It's like walking into a house and finding the table fully set with a warm meal but devoid of people.

I'm never sure what to do with these blogs on either the enormous blogroll I keep or in my personal blog reader. I usually leave them up on the blogroll because I figure the archives could still be helpful to someone seeking information. I also usually leave them in my Google Reader because there have been a handful of times that the person has -- years later -- popped back on (and, let's face it, I'm too lazy to prune my Reader).

Personally I have over 800 blogs in my reader, though more than half of them are ghosts. There are some that I take personal. Bloggers that I really liked, I thought we had a connection, or maybe were writing a series and just abandoned them. I'll list some of them below.

- QMoney of Discovery for women, only recently updated after 6months.
- Solomon Sydelle, finally replied my twitter message yesterday, but her blog?
- Naijadaydreamer is AWOL, she mentioned a tasking job, but still! And she owes me a story, and a book.
- Betrayed Naija Wife, I want to assume it is well with her life now
- September to Andrea on my life, hope she and family are doing well.
- Let me not even talk of the really old timers...Where is Baroque, Nolimits, Mancee, Kay9, etc...

What about you? Do you miss any blogs? Why do you think owners abandon their blogs?

The Don Jazzy/ DBanj Oliver Twist Phenomenon

Or you can call it the Nigerian takeover of Youtube. A few weeks/ months ago, all the rage was planking, and that was just for fun o. Can you imagine the foolywang that will ensue now that people will be paid for jonzing? I'm sure most of you guys have heard of the Don Jazzy and Dbanj's Talent Contest where the winner can get up to $2500 in cash?

Record a video clip of yourself or your group dancing/jonzing, upload to YouTube and email the link to oliver@mohitsrecords.com
It’s that simple.
1st Prize: $2500
2nd Prize: $2000
3rd Prize: $1500
4th Prize: $1000
5th Prize: $500
Top 10 entries will be part of the Official Oliver video
Top 50 gets a FREE Koko Mobile Handset

I've always believed it was a matter of time before the number of Nigerians on the social media platforms exploded, and the success of my books through blogs and Facebook seemed to bear me out. Recently, Nmachi Jidemma of CP-Africa called for more connected Nigerians to start blogs arguing that writing about day-to-day Nigerian life will overwhelm our reputation for internet fraud. Akin of NigeriansTalk responded that Nigerians cannot write good enough English to speak of blogging. When we discussed these posts, Atala made the very valid point that vlogging (video blogging) did not require one to know how to write English.

Fast forward to the tail end of last week and the above announcement by Dbanj and his group. Talk about vlogging raised to power 10, and you don't even have to say a word. Even simpler, you don't have to look intelligent or smart. Who knows, maybe the opposite will snag you the prize! So, while I don't know that this is what Nmachi had in mind, it is certainly going to provide a new influx of Nigerians and Nigerian content onto the interwebs; Youtube primarily with sharing via Twitter and Facebook.

OK, after all the turenchi, am I tempted to do an Oliver video? LOL...no comment, for now. What about you?

Picture Weekend - SADE Tour in Seattle

How is everyone? Hope the weekend is going well? I'm still sticking with my plan of taking it easy today, but I think in addition to reading, I'll be doing some writing as well. Atala is going for a long bus hike and street discovery in another part of town and wants my company, but naa...it's good for couples to spend some time apart, or so I hear sha. :)

One of those days...

www.folksy.com

Do I have to say more? Anyway, thank God it's Friday. I'll just be vegging out at home, and maybe read a few happy books. :)

Have a good weekend, people.

MWP - FabXchange Swapping Events in London

FabXchange formerly known as The Wardrobe Swap party (WASParty) is the eco-friendly swapping (exchange of clothing item between women) event created by childhood friends Ronke Odewumi and Detola Amure, who call themselves 'The SwapQueens'.

Ronke Odewumi is a fashion designer and business consultant who loves and lives fashion and everything fashion. Her dream is to build her fashion brand Enii Akinbo. She is always willing to give fashion and style advice. Ronke is married to her best friend who supports her fashion aspirations and keeps her in Jimmy Choos.

Detola Amure is an aspiring fashion savvy business analyst whose passion is to completely declutter her wardrobe and that of every woman in the UK in an environmentally friendly way. She is a goal getter, loves networking and reading. She is married to the man of her dreams and has a drop-dead gorgeous daughter.

Ronke and Detola decided to create the eco-fabulous FabXchange when they found fashion treasures in each other’s wardrobes that they didn’t seem to need and realised that between them, their friends and women in the UK was a mountain of clothes rarely worn and sitting in wardrobes all over the UK. Thus was born the exchange or swap idea.

The next swap party by the SwapQueens themed; “Starve the landfill” is holding on the;

Date: 27th of August,
Venue: The Rock Tower, Tufnell Park Road, N7 0PS
Time: 2p.m prompt.

There is a fabulous shoe give away by MifaniShoes at the event. All the details can be found on www.fabxchange.co.uk

Frequently Asked Questions - Authorhouse and Book Promotion

Hi,
I'm from India. I was looking to publish my poetry book with Authorhouse(UK). Just wanted to know if I can rely on them with regards to the promotion of my book. As this is a poetry book so what are your suggestions- are there enough poetry lovers. Can I take this step ahead?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

____________________

Hello,

Thanks for your mail. I think there are enough lovers of poetry but I have to tell you that Authorhouse will not promote your book. You have to do all the marketing and publicity for your book if you go with them. However they will make sure the book is available in many places so that you can reach a much wider audience, in India, America, Europe and beyond.

Good luck with your writing.

Myne

The Face of Babs - help me decide

It's a new week, people, do I have some goodies for you! :)

I said on the last excerpt that you guys should expect a Babs side of the story soon but when I got ready to share another snippet from my WIP, I got into a debate with myself on the picture to use for him. I want you guys to help me decide.

To be honest, my male lead in this work in progress started life as Wale, he was supposed to be one of the side characters from A Love Rekindled (Kevwe's roommate in Uni). Back then, his namesake, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje - previously of LOST, was my visual cue.

Just Some Housekeeping

I've recently been accepted into the BlogHer Publishing Network, an advertising community for women bloggers. I know some of you must have noticed the ads at the top and side of the blog, and I hope it's not too distracting. The service is not by clicking so please do not feel obliged to click, unless of course, you find something that might be useful for you. This is also a disclosure that you may be seeing some product reviews in future. Hopefully, I'll be able to pass some of the value along to my readers too.

Some Herstory: It seems fortuitous that this opportunity comes in the month of my second year anniversary of blogging. Blogging has really given me a lot of options, and becoming a Blogher member is one of them. I joined the Blogher site in March and applied to the waiting list soon after. An affiliate approval came in June and I got the full membership just this August. While I look forward to great things, you can also join in by applying through the site's program for bloggers.

Have a great week ahead, everyone. I appreciate you all.

How I broke my hand

Did anyone try to guess how I broke my hand? One person on Facebook said something that made me go, huh? Ehmmm...no, nobody beat me up. I might be an author but my life is not that exciting yet, :) So what really went down? I'm sure some of you put two and two together from the pictures I used for the Confession Time post, helmet = biking = fall?