Sam Gridley is a Philadelphia-based author of fiction and satire. For samples of his work, a bibliography, and other data, visit the fairly static pages at Gridleyville.com.
He started this blog because his agent told him that, to be a successful author, one must have a blog. The conversation went something like this:
Agent: Look, everybody’s blogging now. You have to do this to promote your new book.
Sam: Isn’t that the publisher’s job?
Agent: Yes and no. Publishers always need the author’s help.
Sam: But I don’t know anything about promotion.
Agent: That doesn’t matter. Just blog about what you’re expert in.
Sam: OK, I’m expert in walking my dog, picking up his—
Agent: I mean, on the subject of fiction or literature in general. Maybe advice for young authors, that kind of—
Sam (interrupting): My advice for young authors is simple: Get a real job.
Agent: —or, for instance, your ideas about the future of the novel, e-book trends, that kind of thing. Your reflections on the literary scene. Just put down your daily thoughts.
Sam: Daily thoughts? I’m lucky if I have one thought a month.
Agent: Well, that’s probably true of most people, but when has it ever stopped a blogger?
Sam: I see your point.
Agent: And once you get the blog up and running, you should do Facebook and Twitter. Plus, if there’s any chance your book will be used in a college course, we’ll need an online instructor’s manual, a customizable test bank, multimedia slides, video clips, interactive study tools …
Sam: How about a cookbook?
Agent: Cookbook?
Sam: As an online supplement, 100 One-Handed Recipes for Novel Readers, so people can make dinner without putting down my book.
Agent: Great idea! See, you’re a natural at this!
Thus encouraged, Sam has begun this blog, but so far he has failed to deliver any recipes.
November 1, 2010 at 8:12 am
[...] Gridley blogs over at The News from Gridleyville and has one of the funniest about pages around. Its well worth the [...]
November 22, 2010 at 3:25 pm
I was walking through the blogosphere this morning searching for a reason to avoid doing something productive, when I discovered your blog. I write a blog called The American Writer at blog.tomeubanks.com. I enjoyed the few posts I read and will visit again. I approach my blog with a similar prescient attack on successful marketing of my novel, Worlds Apart. Onward.
November 22, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Thanks for the kind words, Tom. I’m amazed that anyone finds this blog. The need to escape work, though–I know that very well indeed.
August 31, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Dear Sam,
I’m writing to you today because Ann de Forest suggested that you might like to join my social media campaign/ experiment. We are trying to send my book, Alice Bliss, around the world via bookcrossing.com, an international phenomenon that works something like sending a message in a bottle. More info on that, below.
I’m excited about the campaign and I think it has the potential to be really fun as well as get the book to readers I would never otherwise meet or find.
I hope you will join us.
Thanks so much.
Laura Harrington
Help us send Alice Bliss all around the world.
This summer, book bloggers from across the United States and the globe have the unique opportunity to participate in an exciting, new international adventure. Laura Harrington, author of the novel Alice Bliss, is pleased to invite you, a book lover and blogger, to be a part of Where’s Alice Bliss?
What Is Where’s Alice Bliss?
Where’s Alice Bliss? is a campaign to send copies of the novel Alice Bliss to as many countries and U.S. states as possible. Through bookcrossing.com, copies of Alice Bliss will be registered and tracked as they travel around the world, passing from one reader to the next. Your bookcrossing ID (BCID) allows you to follow your book wherever it goes. It’s like a passport enabling your book to travel the world without getting lost. Once your book is registered, you will leave it in a public place with a note inside for someone else to find, read, and pass on, like a modern-day message in a bottle. You will be part of an international movement encouraging readers to read, register, and release books for others to enjoy.
How Do I Join?
If you are a teenage or adult book blogger, you are invited to request a copy of Alice Bliss through lauraharringtonbooks.com. Click on the “Where’s Alice Bliss?” page and fill out the submission form. The copy you receive will have a bookcrossing book plate on the inside with our “Where’s Alice Bliss?” logo. Please go to http://www.bookcrossing.com to register your book and get your book’s unique bookcrossing ID (BCID). Put the BCID in the space provided on the bookmark. This number will allow you to track your book’s journey.
What Do I Do When I Get My Copy?
Upon receiving your copy of Alice Bliss, you should read and review the book before logging on to bookcrossing.com and following the instructions to “release” your book to someone new. Photograph or video your “release” and upload your images to your blog and/ or Tumblr account and send us a link.
Goal:
We want to send Alice to four continents and all 50 U.S. states
How Can I Follow Alice?
You can find out where Alice is by going to wheresalicebliss.wordpress.com, see pictures and videos of Alice all around the world on wheresalicebliss.tumblr.com, and get Where’s Alice Bliss? updates by following WheresAB on Twitter.
Laura Harrington’s debut novel, ALICE BLISS, Pamela Dorman Books, VIking/Penguin, available June 6, 2011:
“This may be the Our Town of the 21st Century.” Anne Roiphe, author of Epilogue, a Memoir
ALICE BLISS is a “People Pick” with 4 out of 4 stars.
ALICE BLISS: “The Best Books of the Summer” Entertainment Weekly.
ALICE BLISS has been selected for the Barnes&Noble “Discover Great New Writers” program.
Read more at:
http://www.lauraharringtonbooks.com
http://www.facebook.com/LHarringtonbooks
Find out @ wheresalicebliss.tumblr.com
wheresalicebliss.wordpress.com
Twitter: WheresAB
Sign up to participate @
lauraharringtonbooks.com
August 31, 2011 at 4:42 pm
This sounds like fun. I’ll go to the URL and sign up.