[Nimea]

So, what blogs turned their bloggers into writers with book deals? (For those who don't know what a blog is: also knowns as weblogs, see Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog) for all you want to know. But I guess a lot do know about them - since some members here have blogs, and not only on the new and cool sffworld feature (http://www.sffworld.com/blogs.html). ;) )

And yes, I am not talking about authors who decided to blog as well or always blogged (for example Matt Stover has a blog or Cory Doctorow who is part of the well-known boing boing (http://boingboing.net/) blog . . . and a lot of others). I am talking about those bloggers that managed to sign a deal through their blogs.

Did you read the blogs before the books? Did you find the books first and then the blogs? Did you ever hear about his before? :eek: What do you think about this?

Three examples:
Most famous maybe: Wil Wheaton (http://www.wilwheaton.net/) who most people knew at the nerdy little boy on Star Trek - Next Generation. I came to his blog because of browsing various blogs and found him to be a funny and smart person with real stories full of heart. So far I read his first book Dancing Barefoot and really liked it. Just a Geek is on my to-buy-list.

Another interesting non-fiction blog turned into book - and this really is the blog turned into book - is Salam Pax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salam_Pax) 's The Baghdad Blog (http://www.thebaghdadblog.com/home/) . Actually he now writes a new blog, but you can find both links in the wiki entry I linked to.
That this book came out not only might have promted more (general and broader) interest in weblogs IMO, it also was something at that time I thought to be just what one should read to get informed . . . It is the web diary of a young Iraqui living in Baghdad and living through the war. (This is really interesting - not only the story of how it became a book. I just think I need to mention: we all do know the rules about politics on this board, do we? ;) )

The third actually is not a blog I will link to from this forum due to it being PG-13 - the forum, not the blog . . . *ahem* A woman in a certain old service sector wrote about her life and many people (not only in the blogosphere but also in the UK press) wondered if this is for real. One publisher smelt money - or whatever ;) and offered her a deal. The book is out this month and I ordered it. :D Okay, I will at least give a "name": Belle de Jour. Maybe I will say some more about it when I read the book . . .

Actually, these are the only examples I know off and am not sure if there are any others out there. But then again, there are also blogs out there that are not diaries but publish ongoing fiction.

I somehow think this could be worth discussion, don't you? :)

Any other examples? Any opinion on it?

[FicusFan]

The only one I know of is not really a blog.

But an academic, who wanted to write children's books, posted part of her fiction on an on-line writers group (compuserv) I think. Her story was not YA, but something she was working on as practice. She set it during a historical period about which she knew nothing, so she would have to research it (which she enjoys and knew how to do for her non-fiction writing).

Her inital audience was the other writers and wanna-bes in the group. But the buzz spread about how fabulous her story was and lots of outsiders came in and started reading, and talking, and buzzing. Eventually an editor with a NYC publisher read it and she ended up with a book contract. Her series has 5 of the 6 books published, with several short stories in anthologies, and a Reader's Companion and another spin off series.

Her name is Diana Gabaldon and her first series is Outlander , the second is Lord John .

[Jacquin]

ThingsmygirlfriendandIhavearguedabout was a great blog. I understand the writer is now a pro author.

[FicusFan]

So I heard. It became an email list I think. Things My Girlfriend and I have Argued About was also a very funny book. I also have his 2nd book around here somewhere, too.

[Nimea]

Things... rings a bell. Mmh, any link to the blog or the author's name? (Could try to google it, but I am lazy :) )

I always wondered what the story behind Gabaldon was . . . ;)

[FicusFan]

His name is Mil Millington. He is English and his GF is German. The website is here: Things... (http://www.thingsmygirlfriendandihavearguedabout.com/). He had some kind of problem with posting on-line so now he just does it by email apparently.

[Nimea]

Thanks, Ficus. :)

Did anyone here read any of the books that came to life due to the author's blog?