Showing posts with label Contact Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contact Me. Show all posts

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Ways to Read My Blog

September 7, 2014

Hello All and Welcome!

Now that my blog, "One Writer's Life," is back on schedule, I want to thank the readers who have hung in there with me - and also to welcome folks who are coming to this blog for the first time.  I'm glad that all of you are willing to take a little time out of your busy days to read my ponderings on life.

There are several ways to be able to access this blog which I would like to share with you in today's post.

1.  By Email

One of the easiest ways to receive my blog posts is by subscribing for email delivery.  All you have to do for this option is going to my blog - "One Writer's Life" - and in the right hand column locate the option, "Follow By Email," then type in your email address and hit "Submit."  You will receive a notification email asking whether you want to subscribe, so be sure to click the link in that email letting Blogger know that you do indeed want to subscribe.

2.  On the Blog Itself

If you want to read this blog directly from the website itself, hosted by Blogger, then all you have to do is go to "One Writer's Life" and you can read not only the most recent post, but any or all of the posts to date.  This blog site is searchable if you are looking for a particular post or theme.  There is also a list of the most popular posts, and many other helpful elements.

3.  On My Website

My blog is also available to be read on my website - www.stephenarhodes.com.  If you go to my home page, you will see a tool bar at the top of the page.  Choose "Stephen's Blog" and you can read the most recent posts there.

4.  By Mobile Device

If you have a tablet like an iPad or a smart phone, my blog is designed to fit your screen.  To access it on your mobile device, all you have to do is type in your browser the address of this blog - http://stephenarhodes.blogspot.com/ - and you'll be able to read it on the go!

5.  Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ Notifications

When I publish each post, I also add links to it on my Facebook page, Twitter account, Pinterest and Google+.  If we are connected on any of these social networks, then my new posts will show up in your feed.  You can click on them and read that way, too.

6.  By RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

Lastly, you may like to keep up with blogs or other internet postings by using RSS.  To receive posts this way, just go to my blog page - "One Writer's Life" - and locate in right hand column (it's at the very end, so you'll need to scroll down to find it).  You may subscribe there - both to receive the posts themselves and also to receive follow-up comments by fellow readers.

However you choose to access my blog posts, I just want to thank you for making time to read them.  It's hard to be a writer if you don't have any readers!

Oh, and One More Thing... Please COMMENT

From the very beginning, I envisioned this blog to not just be a creative outlet for me, but also to be a source of community to those who read it.  I would be very appreciative if you take time to comment on posts that you find interesting or thought-provoking.  I value feedback and want to know what you are thinking too!  There is an option on each post to post a comment on the blog's homepage.  If you post there, others will be able to read your comment and respond, creating a conversation in our little online community.  If you prefer to comment to me directly instead, you can use the email submission form on the blog or else just email me directly - stephen@stephenarhodes.com.  I would love to hear from you.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Cheers,

Stephen

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Online Poll Results

January 25, 2014

Good Morning, Faithful Readers!

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your support.  As of today, there are 143 of you who have subscribed to receive my blog musings by email.  In my opinion, that's an amazing beginning for a blog that's only a few weeks old.  I greatly appreciate your willingness to take this journey with me.  Writing on a regular basis was something that I did frequently before my illness.  Now, almost 12 years into Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, writing regularly is an act of faith - and hope.  Thank you for giving me a reason to do this.  After all, who is a writer without readers?  So, thank you, thank you, thank you!

Today's post is kind of a "catch all" of things I want to share with you - the first of which are the results of our online poll about future blogging topics.  I appreciate those of you who took the time to weigh in.  If you didn't get a chance to participate, don't worry, there will be other polls down the road.  Reader input is something I highly value.

Online Poll Results

First Place:

* My Anti-Bucket List (Things I Would Never, Ever Do)

Second Place:

* My Experience of Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Third Place (tie):

* My Adventures in Crock Pot Cooking

* Someone Who Has Inspired Me

So be on the lookout for these topics in coming days and weeks.

Kindle Giveaway Ending Soon

The contest for the free Kindle giveaway is still ongoing and will continue through January 31st, next Friday, at 11;59 p.m.  To be eligible for the free Kindle giveaway, a person must visit my blog website - http://stephenarhodes.blogspot.com/ - and subscribe to it through the "Follow By Email" option.  Also, you will receive an email confirmation email from Feedburner which requests that you confirm you want this subscription.  If you do not confirm, you will not be subscribed, so please do so.  I notice that some of you who have subscribed to the blog have not yet confirmed your subscription.  Please do so by this coming Friday.

If you have friends, family or colleagues whom you think might enjoy receiving this blog by email, then feel free to forward this posting on to them.  Let them know about the free Kindle giveaway and encourage them to subscribe before Friday.  This really helps me build my audience.

Check Out My Website

I have a professional writer website.  This is a key component of my online platform.  If you haven't seen it or visited it, then I encourage you to do so.  The address is:  http://stephenarhodes.com/Home_Page.html.  There is information about me, my first book, and my upcoming book projects.

Social Media Connections

If you are a Facebook or Twitter person, then I invite you to follow me:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenarhodeswriter

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenARhodes

Why All This Online Activity?

One of the main reasons why I have started a blog, created a professional website, and have become more active professionally on social media is to create what the publishing industry likes to call "an online presence or platform."  At the end of March, when I submit the first 100 pages of my newest book to a literary agent in New York, one of the things that she will want to know beyond whether I am able to write well is if I have an online audience for the potential book.  Agents and publishers want to know if an author has a following and a possible audience so that my book will be successful if published.  In the current publishing environment, it's just not enough for a writer to write, but to also be able sell the book after it is written.  This is why I am so active online even as I plug away at my manuscript.

Thanks once again for your support.  If you would like to contact me, feel free to email me at: stephen@stephenarhodes.com.

Cheers,

Steve