Dear Google followers...

Thank you for your wonderful support over the past 3.5 years. I have had a lot of fun so far and plan to continue for more years to come.

I have recently made the move to a Word Press blog, and I am discontinuing the Blogger and Google+ accounts. Because of this, some of you who follow me via G+ or Google Friends Connect will no longer receive my blog updates. I would love for you to continue following THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT, and I encourage you to either follow me by email subscription or an RSS feed. Both options are available by clicking this link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/twimom227/SjSU

Once again, thank you so much for following me and my blog!

Happy Reading,

Jen aka Twimom227

PS. The blog name and URL has not changed. I'm still at www.twimom227.com

 

For those that didn't see my drama unfold on Twitter and Facebook a couple weeks ago, my blog was flagged as spam by Blogger and deleted. After much panicking and a few drinks - I am happy to report that I got it all back. But because of this, I've decided to finally make the move to a self-hosted blog on WordPress. Moving to WP is something I've been contemplating for about a year. I'm also going to be doing some redesign with the help of the very talented Parajunkee.

Of course nothing works as seamlessly as I want. We've run into a delay, and right now you cannot find me at twimom227.com. In order to see the blog, you need to go back to the www.twimom227.blogspot.com address. Not a big deal, except this means that none of the internal links on my blog will work until we get moved to WP. Everything is there - and if you need help finding something, please email, tweet and/or FB me! Thank you for your patience!

Feed Readers...

As most of you know, earlier this year Google announced that it was closing the doors on its feed reader, Google Reader. On July 1, 2013, those of us that use Google Reader as a means to capture posts from all of the blogs we "follow," will no longer have that service. I rely heavily on Google Reader to keep me up to date with my favorite authors and review blogs. I also use it to follow friend and family blogs. There is no way I'd be able to keep up with each of these sites if I had to visit each one separately.

I have purposely been avoiding the news and panic, knowing that eventually someone would find a good alternative and figure out how to transfer the feeds. So now that July 1 is approaching, I thought I'd reach out to you all for some help!

For those of you that subscribe to some sort of feed reader service...

What service do you use? What are the pros and cons of that service? 

Did you transfer your feeds from Google Reader? If so, how did you accomplish this and was it difficult?  

Where do you access your feed reader (via computer, phone, tablet, etc.)? I currently only use my laptop to read feeds and blogs.

Thanks for stopping to chat!

Managing Social Media...

Today I had two reviews posted on That's What I'm Talking About, and with each post comes publicity. I recognize that without even modest exposure, my blog would collapse into obscurity. So I Tweet (2-3 times per day per post), use Facebook, Google +, Amazon, GoodReads and Shelfari. Also, if the book came from a publisher or author, I need to send them a link via email. And then there are sites like NetGalley and Edelweiss, where you post the review and a link to your post. Bottom line... posting reviews and publicizing them takes up a lot of time. Time I could be reading. Or writing new reviews. Or socializing. Or playing with my kids. :-)

Recently I discovered Twitter Feed, a site that will take my blog feed and post it to both Facebook and Twitter. It's really help boost views on Facebook, but not a ton of new hits on my blog. However, it does save time - especially when I'm busy because it at least hits two social media sites for me. As much as it helps, I would like it if I could schedule it to post to Twitter more than the initial tweet (say, 2-3 times per day). I'm still looking for something that will help more.

So... what about you... How do you manage your social media? Bloggers: where do you post reviews and how do you publicize posts? Readers: where do you look for reviews? Those who use feed readers: do you ever link through to the site, or do you just get your views on the reader?

Thanks for stopping to chat!

Guess Who is 3 Years Old?

That's right! Today THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT is 3 years old and I'm in the mood to celebrate with a big GIVEAWAY!

But before we get to the prizes, I first want to thank each of you for supporting me over the past 3 years.

* To my readers... I want to thank you for stopping by often and leaving me a comment or two. I'm also thankful to those who have told me how much they appreciate what we do on a daily basis. Hearing from you keeps me going on those tough days!

* To my fellow bloggers... Thank you for the support, help, friendship and laughs. There are too many of you to name each individually, but I hope you know how much you've meant to me over the years.

* To the authors... Thanks for writing such great books for us to read and review! Thank you for saying hello on twitter. Thanks for sending me books to read. Thanks for supplying my habits!

* To the publishers... Thank you for sending authors and books my way. I enjoy the interviews, giveaways and guest spots from authors.

* To my review team... Thank you for putting up with my texts and emails, bugging you about posts, reviews and ideas in my head. Thank you for your friendship and support!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout these first three years!

Now for the giveaways....

I have 63 books in eight (8) sets that I am giving to YOU! I also have a ton of Romance Trading Cards. Plus every winner will receive a pen and bookmark thanks to Lara Adrian. The books will be one giveaway and the romance trading cards will be a separate giveaway. You can enter (and potentially win) both contests. Details and entry form are located below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you to everyone! I look forward to sharing books and more with you over the next year!

Happy Reading!

Advertising

This coming Monday is the 3rd Blogiversary for That's What I'm Talking About. As I approach this milestone, I am thinking about ways to improve my blog and provide the best possible product for my readers. I haven't made many changes to my blog over the past couple of years, and now I'm considering a redesign. I am also considering hosting more contests with a wider reach and other features that readers would like to see.

One of the things about trying to improve and expand my blog is that it costs money. Currently I have no funds coming in to support my blog, and everything I spend comes out of my pocket. I'm not complaining - my blog is more than a hobby, it is a big part of my life. So I don't mind spending money when I do.  However, I've been thinking about adding advertising to the blog to help with some of the changes I'm considering. The thing is, I don't know much about it or even where to begin. So today I'd love to pick your brain about advertising...

If you are a blogger: Do you use advertising? How do you reach out and get the ads? Do you do your own designs? If you are willing to talk shop, please leave me your email.

If you are an author: Do you like to purchase ad space? Do you have criteria such as blog hits, that you consider before purchasing an ad? Do you design your own ads?

If you are a reader: Do ads influence your decision to buy a book? Do you have strong feelings about seeing ads on book review blogs?

Any input you all have is greatly appreciated!

Happy Reading!

Blog Hopping

Today I wanted to chat about reading blogs and blog hopping. I have been reading various author and review blogs for four years now.  In the beginning, I added new blogs to my feed-reader almost every week. But over the past year, my blog hopping and finding new-to-me blogs has all but diminished. I check my feed-reader 1-2 times per week, and I do a lot of skimming. One thing I've noticed lately is a mismatch between the blogs I follow and the type of books that I like to read. What has happened is I now follow a lot of blogs that don't review books in the genres I most enjoy reading. I don't know if their reading habits changed over time, or if I just tend to read too narrow a scope of books, but it's not really working for me any more.

So I'm on the hunt for new-to-me blogs. I'm looking for blogs that primary focus on book reviews and discussions in the paranormal romance and urban fantasy genres. I'd love your feedback!

What blogs to you read religiously? Can you suggest a blog/s that focus on reviews of paranormal romance and urban fantasy books?

Happy Reading!

Happy Thanksgiving to my US readers (and joyous Thursday to those outside the United States!) As traditional, I am going to take a few moments to give thanks.

I am thankful for my family, especially my babies (who have gotten so big!). They fill my life with joy and frustration, but I love them more than life. And thank you to my husband who works tirelessly to keep us all comfy and safe.

I am thankful to have a home, food on the table, safe place to live, a great job, my health (and health insurance).

I am thankful to my friends, both online and in life.

I am thankful for being able to write this blog. I am thankful to my review partners, the authors and publishers, the books, Twitter, and mostly the readers who come by and read That's What I'm Talking About.

I am thankful for a hot cup of tea and a morning off so I can just relax.

There are so many more things I could and should list, and I keep them in my heart. Everyday I give thanks, but most especially today, when I can share my thanks with those around me. 

I wish for you a safe holiday, and for those shopping tomorrow - may you find great sales. If you'd like to take a moment to share what you are thankful for, please leave me a comment. I'm always thankful for comments!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This marks my 1,000th post here at That's What I'm Talking About! WOW! I can't believe it. I've been doing this (with a LOT of help) for almost 3 years now.

I also noticed that I'm almost up to 600 Google Friend Connect followers. What a blessing to have reached so many readers.

Thank you everyone - authors, publishers, my review team, fellow bloggers and tweeps, but most of all - thank you to those that take the time to read my blog, leave a comment and say hello!

Happy Reading!

Jen

Hi all! Once again, thanks to everyone who reads my blog! Whether you subscribe via email or a feed, stop by from Twitter or Facebook links, enter a contest, or just pass through, I am glad you have found me!

As I mentioned a week ago, I've been trying to fix some problems with my feed and working on streamlining some of the feeds. One thing I discovered is that I have two (2) email feeds. I don't know how to fix that, and after MUCH help from the awesome BOOK VIXEN, I have made progress.

Now I'm going to ask a favor. I am trying to find out how many of you read That's What I'm Talking About... from an email subscription. If you are currently subscribing, can you leave me a note? Also, I am trying to only have one email feed in case something happens and FeedBurner goes away later this month. IF you currently subscribe via email, can you UNSUBSCRIBE and then RESUBSCIBE using the new form on my left side bar? This way, I'll have most of you under one feed, in case something happens and I need to move you!

NOTE: If you joined up after October 1, 2012, this does not apply, you are on the new feed. However, if you do unsubscribe and redo, it won't hurt the subscription! You have the "correct" subscription if the subject reads: That's What I'm Talking About... RRS

As of right now, nothing will happen to either feed - so if you don't move, you'll still receive your daily feed from the blog. However, if FeedBurner dies, I will only be able to move the current feed.

I appreciate your patience with me as I try to figure all of this out!

Thank you! and Happy Reading!

That is IF one occurs...  I've been messing around with FeedBurner trying to figure out how to best reach readers. I have made a couple changes and I don't know if it will impact the RSS feed or the subscribe by email feed. BUT if you don't see anything new for more than 3 days, then something did happen.

If you want to know more about some of the changes that *may* happen at FeedBurner, please read the post over at PARAJUNKEE.

If you notice any problems with the blog if you read via RSS feed or email, please let me know ASAP. Contact me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com.  Thanks!

Happy Reading!

• Will there be authors attending that I enjoy reading? 
• What is the overall size of the conference? 
• What is the author-to-reader ratio?
• Are there forums/workshops that appeal to me as a blogger or reader?
• What is the cost? Are meals included? What is hotel like?
• Where is the local - have I been there before?
• Are any of my fellow bloggers and/or tweeps attending?

Just a quick note to let you all know that That's What I'm Talking About... is now on Facebook!

ALSO - I've updated the sidebar with an easy-to-use "follow me" icon widget!

You can now find us:

TWITTER
FACEBOOK
Google PLUS
GOODREADS
SHELFARI
Plus the Amazon Store!



Where do you hang out? Which Social Media sites are best for readers, authors and bloggers? Is there somewhere else we should be?

Thanks for your support and Happy Reading!

Sunday Snippets is still on a hiatus. Thanks for stopping by.

Happy Reading!



P.S. If you are a fan of Sunday Snippets and would like it to stay, please leave me a note or send me an email.  Thanks!