Blog Post Ideas for Fiction Authors

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“Start a blog” they say.

“It'll be great for building your fan base” they say.

Sure. And for about a week as you write out the obligatory “welcome to my new blog, my name is Author N. Authorson and I write books and this blog will be about my journey and how I went about writing those books.”

But then what?

This is one of the questions I get asked the most, “what are some blog post ideas for fiction authors?“

So, I've decided to put together a list of blog post ideas that fiction authors can use on their site.

In our digital age, where the written word dances on screens rather than parchment, authors like us are bestowed with a remarkable tool – blogging. It's not just a platform for sharing personal musings or the latest cat videos; it has become an indispensable resource for writers seeking to connect with readers, showcase their talents, and build their author brand.

The Importance of Blog Posts for Authors

Why should we, as authors, invest our precious time and creative energy into crafting engaging blog posts? Well, dear friends, the answer lies in the sweet symphony of benefits that blogging brings to our writing journey.

Firstly, blogging allows us to establish an intimate connection with our readers. Through the magic of words dancing across screens or ink soaking into paper pages, we can transcend distance and touch souls across borders.

Our blog posts offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into our writing process – from tantalizing teasers about upcoming projects to insightful reflections on the craft itself. This peek into our literary world creates a sense of camaraderie between author and reader, fostering loyalty and cultivating a dedicated fan base.

Secondly, dear authors, let us not forget that blogging is a powerful vehicle to showcase our writing prowess. It provides an avenue for honing our skills by regularly crafting thought-provoking content that engages readers' minds and hearts.

By sharing snippets of our work-in-progress or shining the spotlight on completed manuscripts through captivating book reviews or recommendations – we build anticipation and intrigue around our writing style and subject matter. A well-maintained blog can serve as an ever-present portfolio that attracts potential publishers or agents who seek fresh voices in literature.

The Benefits of Blogging for Authors

Blogging is not just an endless abyss where we pour our words; it presents tangible benefits that ripple through our writing endeavors, dear colleagues. Firstly, it allows authors to establish their online presence and forge an author brand. Through consistent blogging, we cultivate a unique voice and style that resonates with our target audience.

By sharing insights into our literary passions, experiences, and expertise, we create a persona that readers can connect with on a more personal level. Furthermore, dear friends of the quill and inkwell, blogging provides us the invaluable opportunity to refine our writing skills within an interactive environment.

The feedback loop created by reader comments and engagement fuels our growth as writers. It fosters an environment of continuous learning as we explore new genres or experiment with different writing techniques based on the interests and preferences of our audience.

Last but certainly not least, blogging has become a powerful self-promotion tool in today's publishing landscape. By regularly sharing captivating blog posts related to our work or broader literary topics, we attract potential readers who stumble upon our digital musings through search engines or social media shares.

This organic reach expands our readership beyond the confines of traditional marketing channels. So dear fellow authors, take up your virtual pens!

Embrace the world of blogging as an essential companion to your writing journey. The benefits are manifold – from forging connections with readers to refining your craft – all while leaving breadcrumbs for potential publishers seeking fresh voices amid the vast sea of literature.

Fiction Authors can Blog About Book Reviews and Recommendations

Reviewing Recent Releases in Your Genre

As an author, immersing yourself in the latest releases within your genre not only keeps you up-to-date but also offers an opportunity to engage with fellow authors and readers. Writing reviews for recent releases is a fantastic way to showcase your expertise while providing valuable insights for your audience. When reviewing a book, go beyond summarizing the plot.

Instead, focus on evaluating essential elements such as character development, pacing, writing style, and thematic depth. Be honest but respectful in expressing your opinions so that readers can trust your recommendations.

Remember to highlight both strengths and weaknesses of the book while maintaining a balanced perspective. Engage with other reviewers and readers through comments or social media platforms for further discussion and exchange of ideas.

Sharing All-Time Favorite Books and Why They Inspire You

In addition to reviewing recent releases, sharing your all-time favorite books allows you to reveal glimpses into what has shaped you as an author. These beloved works not only demonstrate exceptional storytelling but also provide insight into the themes or literary devices that captivate you.

When discussing your favorite books, delve into specific aspects that inspire you most—the memorable characters, the intricate plot twists, or the lyrical prose. Explain how these elements have influenced your own writing style and encourage readers to explore these literary gems for themselves.

By sharing your personal recommendations and the reasons behind them, you forge a connection with your audience based on shared literary experiences. This fosters a vibrant community of book enthusiasts who value your suggestions and eagerly await future reading recommendations.

Blogging About Your Book's Journey Into Existence

Writing a first draft is a thrilling accomplishment, but the true artistry lies in refining that raw material into a polished manuscript. As an author, self-editing is an integral part of the writing process.

To ensure your work shines brightly, familiarize yourself with self-editing techniques that will help you identify common writing pitfalls to avoid. From eliminating excessive adverbs and redundancies to tightening dialogue and improving pacing, honing these skills will elevate your storytelling prowess.

Once you've completed the initial round of edits on your manuscript, it's time to embark on revisions and proofreading—the meticulous stages where you fine-tune every aspect of your writing.

During this phase, pay close attention to sentence structure and grammar while also considering broader elements like character arcs and plot coherence. Seek feedback from beta readers or critique partners who can provide fresh insights into areas that may need improvement.

Give Your Readers a Voice

As you build up your blog, your community of readers and fans will naturally grow.

This is huge once you realize just how much closer blogging can bring your community to you.

People who follow your book's journey through your blog take on a deeper role than simple “readers”—they become fans. And like any fandom, they will collect as many bits of information about you and your book as you can put out there.

From there, many fans can become super fans just by being brought into the creation process:

• Ask for feedback about your book in the role of an alpha reader, sensitivity reader, or beta reader
• Ask for opinions on cover designs
• Hold polls about the direction of a character's arc

This might sound a lot like I'm telling you to turn over your creative process to the readers and follow their whims, but I'm not. What I am advocating for is for you to allow the readers, specifically your fans, to feel more like co-creators rather than observers. When they are able to do this, they get more invested in your success and your book's success. And you don't have to hand over a lot of power to achieve this. You can simply narrow down your choices to 1-3 different book covers, all of which you like, and ask them to vote between them. Or you can narrow down your choices for character direction to 1-2 choices, all of which you like and can plan for, and ask them to vote between them.

As you work on your book and get it closer to publication, bring your community in on some of those last-second decisions about minute details and they will jump at the chance to help you.

More Blog Post Ideas for Fiction Authors

Need a specific list of blog post ideas you can use? About this list of 69 blogging prompts you can use to create content on any social media channel, email newsletter, or blog to start building your online community and getting the word out!

About your Characters

1. Blog about the inspiration behind your characters. How did they come to you? What or who are they based on? How did you come up with their name?
2. Blog about the character you just killed. Why did you kill them? How did you react to their death? What did their death mean to the other characters in your book?
3. Blog about your character names. Is there a theme behind the names of your characters? What inspired them all? How do you come up with names?
4. Blog about those deleted scenes. Why did you decide to delete them? What had inspired them in the first place? How did their deletion impact the story?
5. Blog about characters not in your book. Who were your character's influences and parents that didn't make it into the book? Did they have a mentor when they were younger who wasn't included in the finished book?
6. Blog about the other aspects of your characters that were cut from the story. What was their first job? What kind of food do they like to eat? Is there some detail that didn't make it into the book (or got cut from the book) that helped make them who they are?
7. Blog about your characters in a different way. If you were to write a poem to one of your characters, what would it say? What if one character wrote a poem about another character? What about songs?
8. Blog about your characters when they're not in your story. What types of food do they eat? What do they do on a date? What do they like to do on their day off when they aren't entertaining you?

About your Setting

1. Blog about the inspiration behind the setting. Why did you choose that setting? What memories do you have of there? If it's a world you built, what did you base it on?
2. Blog about the landmarks. What are some interesting landmarks or tourist traps in your setting? How and when did they get founded? What role do they play in the overall setting of your book?
3. Blog about the businesses. What are some of the stores and shops that aren't really in your story that much. What role do they play in your setting? Do any of your characters have a favorite shop?
4. Blog about the geography. What are some of the prettiest landscapes in your book? What about some of the most dangerous? Are there any stories or legends born straight out of the landscape?

About Yourself

1. Blog about your inspiration for this story. Where were you when you came up with the initial idea? What made you decide to turn this idea into a book? What parts of this story are based on something that happened in your life?
2. Blog about places you visit that helped inspire your story. Is there a coffee shop you frequent that made it into your story? Do you have a personal story about one of the other shops in your story? What's a memory you have from your childhood home that helped inspire your story?
3. Blog about your influence in the story. Which of your personality traits show up as part of your characters? Do you have a shared history with one of your characters? What was it like learning about another point of view to include in your story?
4. Blog about your journey with your characters. What did you learn about yourself as your characters journeyed through your story? What life lessons did you pick up as you continued to write your book? How have you changed or grown throughout the writing process and how does that show up in your writing?

About Your Readers

1. Blog about a time you met one of your readers. Have you been to a book signing? Have you ever met a reader while you were out in public somewhere, like at a grocery store or at a book store? Do you have a photograph of you and one of your readers?
2. Blog about a time a reader gave you a shout out on social media. Has anyone created a video in which they unboxed one of your books for the first time? Has one of your readers written a blog post or review of one of your books? Has another author posted a review about you or your book somewhere on social media?
3. Blog about some things your readers like. Have any of your readers ever asked you a question about your books? Do your readers have a favorite scene or character? Have you ever based one of your characters on one of your readers?

About Your Life in General

1. Blog about some of the books you like. Was there a book that inspired you as a writer? What is a book you could read over and over and over again? Who are some of your favorite characters?
2. Blog about some other authors you like. Did another author inspire you to start writing? Have you ever met one of your favorite authors? If your favorite author were to read your book, what do you think they would say?
3. Blog about book events. Is there a book signing happening soon? Are you getting ready to release or rerelease a new book? Do you have an author friend who is getting ready to release a new book?
4. Blog about movies. Was there a movie that inspired you as a writer? What movie would you love to novelize? Is there ever a movie that is better than the book?

Final Thoughts About Blogging for Fiction Authors

As authors venture into creating engaging blog posts that captivate their audience's attention while staying true to their writing craft, exploring niche subtopics can be immensely rewarding. Whether it's sharing the secrets of worldbuilding, honing self-editing techniques, crafting effective marketing strategies, or delving into rarely known details like the power of book cover typography, these specialized subjects offer unique insights and opportunities to connect with readers on a deeper level.

Embrace these niches and embark on a journey that not only enhances your writing expertise but also establishes you as an influential voice in the literary world. Let your passion shine through and inspire others along the way.

When all else fails, if you're really having a hard time coming up with blog post ideas, you can always ask your readers what they want to know about. Publish a post on your favorite social media platform and invite your readers to ask you a question. You can also use websites like Answer the Public to find ideas for even more blog post ideas.

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