Thursday, July 24, 2014

eightysixed

As you guys know, I have a serious love for reading. All kinds of books, I could just read forever. (I've already read about twenty books this summer, and plan on getting a couple more in before my nursing program starts). So when I got an email from Emily Belden of Total E-Bag, a blogger turned author and known as the Carrie Bradshaw of Chicago, talking about her memoir Eightysixed, I jumped on the chance to read it! 



Now, to be honest, I was slightly nervous when I saw that it was a memoir. Sometimes they can be dry and boring, or stories that you don't really care about reading. But thankfully, that was not the case with this! It's her own personal experiences of her early twenties, and I found myself completely enthralled! I seriously read the entire thing in under a day (while munching on some popcorn, of course). I found myself laughing and sending certain quotes to my friends, and then feeling my heart break with her goodbyes and breakups. I could describe the book myself, but I don't think anything's better then Emily's own description.
"It's basically like if Bridget Jones was a Chicago foodie who dated Mr. Big and Christian Grey at one time or another. It's a seriously addictive, fast-paced read about trying to navigate your 20s in the big city. In the end, it does something for the soul; I really, truly, 100 percent believe that."
If you like reading at all, or even if you don't, this is an absolute must read!

And for all the bloggers out there who have considered writing their own books, Emily has given the Top Five Tips for Bloggers Who Want To Become Bloggers!


1) Don't Abandon Your Blog: A lot of bloggers think they can't keep up their site while also working on a book. Not only is that not true, but it's detrimental to the cause. You've got to keep your audience entertained, hooked on your content, and sharing your material so that they are all chomping at the bit for your book when it comes out.
2) Make Friends: Your best friend as a blogger is...other bloggers. Make friends in real with with the authors of your favorite blogs. They'll love sharing the news of your writing progress and merging their audience with yours can only lead to bigger, better things.
3) Consider Making Your Book an Extension of Your Blog: The easiest way to turn blog readers into book readers is to give them more of what they already know and love. I blogged (and still do) about 20-something life in Chicago. Eightysixed is the mecca of what it's like to be just that. Therefore my readers were excited to finally have something more than 400 words to sink in their teeth into.
4) Research, Research, Research: When it comes time to pitch the concept of your book - or a full length manuscript - make sure you get it into the hands of the agents and publishers who would be most drawn to and excited about your content. This takes a fair amount of research (and a bit of Twitter stalking), so make sure you do your due diligence.
5) Patience is a Virtue: Book-writing and publishing is a very long process. It took me 3.5-4 years total from start to finish and can take up to 7 before Eightysixed, the movie, comes out. But if writing is your passion, then there is no greater reward. So stick with it! 

And to sweeten the deal even more, Emily has provided discount codes to get her book, for both paperback and e-book!
Paperback: 20% off
Coupon Code: 2NPRU7QM 
e-reader Kindle/Nook: get the book for under $5.
Coupon Code: AR54R

So don't waste another second and go read Eightysixed! 
-Kylie

And don't forget to enter the Preppy Bows and Sass giveaway!
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8 comments :

  1. Great review girl! I agree, memoirs can be a bit boring so I'm glad to hear this wasn't like that!

    <3, Pamela
    sequinsandseabreezes.blogspot.com

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  2. Oh my gosh so excited now! Need to read this!

    xx Cara
    www.carascliche.com

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  3. Looks like a great book! I'll have to check it out!

    Anna
    alilyloveaffair.com

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  4. we love love love Emily she's seriously the sweetest and her book was amazing! glad to see you enjoyed it as well :)

    xo
    Brittani and Katie
    www.pleasantlypetite.com

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  5. Oooh, this sounds like a great read! :)

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

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  6. I so need to read this! I am a book addict too and will read anything with words! This sounds like an awesome book :)

    Maggie
    www.PolishedClosets.com

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  7. I LOVE those key fobs! So cute. Also, that sounds like an amazing book :) Emily Belden's blogging tips are fantastic.

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  8. Interesting! :) Love those tips. Sometimes blogging itself can feel like a ton of work. I like to manage my time so I don't feel like I am overwhelmed with all that I have to get done in a day!
    xo Erin
    www.winkandatwirl.com

    ReplyDelete

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