[quote]BookExpo America (BEA) is the big book convention held in New York where authors, bloggers, and publishers get together and makes every book lover cry – either in joy (because they were able to attend and get to meet authors and get ARCs) or in sadness (because those who are unable to attend have prior engagements).

Since I get go to BEA, I’ve decided to take part in Armchair BEA, which is basically a virtual conference for people who cannot attend the actual convention. Let’s get this started, shall we?[/quote]

#1 tip: You need a gorgeous website design.

Lots of people judge something by how it looks, and the web design is the first impression that readers get when they visit your blog.

Say I visit a blog that has a black background with neon green color in a Comic Sans font or narrow content area or extremely cluttered everything, will I want to stick around to read the content? No. I’m more inclined to close the tab and go somewhere else. Your web design can essentially make your readers stick around or drive them away. (You want the former!)

I love when blogs I read have a fabulous designs. It makes me want to twirl in its awesomeness. I have listed the blogs/websites with designs that I love. (None of which include my blog design, which is an automatic “duh, this is a fabulous design, but no ego boosting for me.” Most of the designs I showcase here don’t use too much, but they have great illustrations, colors, and lettering that makes them stand out.

THESE PAPER HEARTS

[note note_color=”#BFD1D1″ text_color=”#ffffff”]Design by These Paper Hearts · Illustrations by Julianna Swaney[/note]

When I saw These Paper Hearts‘s current blog design, I’m pretty sure my eyes turned into hearts. I am a fan of Julianna Swaney’s work; her illustrations have a whimsicalness that just works. The design does a beautiful job of accommodating the header illustration, which I love because I’ve seen many designs that have illustrations that just doesn’t work with the layout. The colors are great because it complements well with each other and it’s not too muted. (And did I talk about that header already? ;D)

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[quote]BookExpo America (BEA) is the big book convention held in New York where authors, bloggers, and publishers get together and makes every book lover cry – either in joy (because they were able to attend and get to meet authors and get ARCs) or in sadness (because those who are unable to attend have prior engagements).

Since I get go to BEA, I’ve decided to take part in Armchair BEA, which is basically a virtual conference for people who cannot attend the actual convention. Let’s get this started, shall we?[/quote]

This is my third year doing Armchair BEA, and although I yearn to be where the excitement is in New York with friends, I’m equally excited to partake in this event and get to know people!

Tell us a bit about yourself: How long have you been blogging? Where are you from? How did you get into blogging?

I am the fabulous Cee! I run this awesome blog, The Novel Hermit, where I’ve been book blogging for two and a half years! Things I love: books (YA, general, romance, alllllll of them!), typography awesomeness, cover design, heists/thieves, found families, comic books/graphic novels, lady superheroes, and the one and only Eyebrow King Lee Pace.

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BookExpo America (BEA) is the big book convention held in New York where authors, bloggers, and publishers get together and makes every book lover cry – either in joy (because they were able to attend and get to meet authors and get ARCs) or in sadness (because those who are unable to attend have prior engagements).

Since I get go to BEA, I’ve decided to take part in Armchair BEA, which is basically a virtual conference for people who cannot attend the actual convention. Let’s get this started, shall we? 

TOPIC: Expanding Blogging Horizons

What do you think about when you think about going beyond blogging or expanding your horizons?

I honestly haven’t thought too much about what I want to do beyond blogging or when I want to expand my horizons. I’m pretty happy with the blog. It’s slowly growing, and it’s amazing to see the progress I’ve made. I don’t feel like I need to change anything to expand my horizons. I like it the way it is. However, in the back of my mind, I do want to gain contacts in the publishing industry. That would be really good, especially since I want to get into that industry some day.

Have you branched out into freelance writing or even published a novel of your very own?

Does getting my short stories publish at my college’s literary journal count? (I say yes.) I want to make my career out of writing (any type really), so let’s hope I find a job in the editorial department. I do want to publish my own novel one day, but at this point in time, I’m not in a rush. I admit that I actually have never finished any books I started writing. I lack the stamina and the attention span. (Killers to my creative juices.) I certainly would love to get my work traditionally published. One day.

Have you thought about moving into a different venue like podcasts or vlogging?

I’ve entertained the thought of vlogging for just a second or two, but that thought quickly disappeared because speaking is hard. I’m not the most articulate person when it comes to free-styling, and I don’t want to sound robotic when I read off a script. Writing is my one true love. I don’t think I could part ways to go to a different platform like vlogging. It wouldn’t give me the same joy that writing does. Besides, I express myself better through written words. I like it that way.

What do you see in your blogging future?