Instead of singing for your supper, how about blogging for books?

Last updated on: April 24, 2016 at 9:49 pm by Carl "Skye" McColman

Instead of singing for your supper, how about blogging for books? 2016-04-24T21:49:52-04:00 Carl "Skye" McColman

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This post is aimed at people who blog, or have a podcast, or in some other way like to express themselves online. If you are not such a person, feel free to skip this, unless you’d like a peek into how book marketing works…

My irrepressible friend Mike Morrell is a publicist who promotes progressive Christian books. One of the ways he does this is by seeking bloggers who would be willing to read his client’s books and write reviews on their blogs. He did this kind of thing for a number of years under the aegis of a prominent progressive Christian website, but recently he has formed his own venture called The Speakeasy. He’s asked me to help get the word out, and so here I go.

It’s a very straightforward deal. Publishers want bloggers to write about their books. Bloggers are always looking for topics to write about. And anyone who loves books would, I suppose, be up for getting some books for free. This is the calculus which drives this program.

If you are approved for membership in The Speakeasy, you will be given access to Mike’s database of books. You pick the one(s) you want, and he sends you a copy (either hard copy or ebook). In exchange, he asks you to read it and write an honest review/response on your blog within thirty days. The honest part is important: this whole program rests on credibility; your readers/listeners need you to be candid with them, and the publishers understand that even a bad review is better than no review.

It’s a pretty sweet deal: there’s no cost to the blogger/podcaster other than your time. You choose what books are sent to you, and you can get as many, or as few, books as you want (I think to stay in the program you need to review at least one a year, and of course, you need to actually review the books you get in order to keep getting new ones). The only catch (which is really an FTC requirement) is that you would need to disclose on the blog that you were supplied a free review copy of the book.

The Speakeasy promotes a wide variety of books, from serious theology to social justice to fiction, although the center of gravity is definitely progressive Christian. Part of why I’m willing to publicly promote this is because Mike is committed to promoting contemplative books, as well as titles related to Celtic spirituality. Full disclosure: he’s promoted two books of mine previously, and we’re negotiating to see if he’ll do my new one as well. Aside from me, he has had some big name authors on his client list, like Brian McLaren, N. T. Wright, and Wm. Paul Young. So this really is a great way for bloggers to have access to some really exciting new books.

Anyway, if you think this might work for you, here’s the link to apply for the program: http://thespeakeasy.info. And even if you are not a blogger, but know someone who is, please pass this on.

Thanks!

Previous Post

August 9, 2012

Journey to the Heart

Next Post

December 7, 2012 The Ethics of Sharing Mystical Knowledge: Meister Eckhart and the Cloud Author

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Activism Announcements Art Books Catholicism Celtic Christianity Christian mysticism Christianity Contemplation Current events Etc. Family humor interfaith dialogue Interfaith Wisdom Interspirituality Lay Cistercians Living the Faith Meditation movies Mysticism Mystics nature Poetry Reviews Scripture silence Spirituality Uncategorized Writing

Select a Month February 2025 January 2025 November 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 August 2023 June 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 October 2013 September 2013 July 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 March 2012 December 2011 September 2011 October 2010 August 2010 March 2010 September 2009 July 2008 January 2008 December 2007 September 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who saw the vision of the valley of dry bones?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Isaiah Daniel Jeremiah Ezekiel

Support this
Column