It’s hard to get back up from a downfall. Last year was a tough one for me and my blog suffered because of that. I talked a little about this on Twitter but everything ultimately came down to how I lost my motivation and passion.
Books, however, never fail to uplift me. They were the reason I started this blog in the first place. Now, books are the reason I’m renewing my passion for book blogging and making exciting new changes.
Yes, Stay Bookish began as a way to help me hold on to my love for books. But it also gradually became a way for others to discover and indulge their love for books. This blog has been one of my biggest achievements in life and I’m proud to say I reached 300k views on the blog at the end of 2016!
Having achieved this milestone, I finally feel ready to open the blog’s doors to fellow book nerds who wish to contribute to the book community through this platform. After all, success isn’t worth anything until you share it.
Stay Bookish is Expanding!
When I say I want to expand the blog, I don’t mean I want to get more followers or make the blog some kind of ‘big’ hit. What I mean is I want to grow a community, one that nurtures love for books. I want to develop this blog into one that gives readers a place where they belong. If I can, I want to provide a safe space for book lovers, where diversity is valued and appreciated. I want to boost underrepresented voices and allow them a platform to reach out to other bookish people as I have through this blog.
While it’s been an honor, laying the foundations of this blog, I think it’s time to welcome other book nerds who are willing to take on the same mission I’ve always had: spread the love for books.
Coming soon: New YA eZine
I once had this idea to create an e-magazine focusing on YA lit. Despite the time that has passed since then (a year and a half to be exact), this has continued to be a dream project of mine.
A good number of people showed interest back when I pitched the idea, and while I wasn’t equipped to execute this project back then, I hope now that I am, especially after attending Phil Young Star’s e-zine workshop last year during The Philippine Reader and Writers Festival, just as many people will be on board with working with me to bring this e-zine to life.
Join the Stay Bookish squad
I’m looking to form two epic teams of bookish people, one to help me create the e-zine and another to blog with me on here. And I hope that you, yes you, will be interested in joining me.
For the e-zine team, anyone who loves books can become a contributor! You can contribute features, articles, recommendations, photos, art, skills, or even your support for promotion. I would love to assign people definite positions too, should anyone be interested in staying on the team for several issues or for the long run. Here is the sign-up form if you’re ready to take part in this awesome e-zine project!
For my blog squad, I will be more selective because I want to work with people I get along with splendidly and who will have Stay Bookish’s best interest at heart. I’m looking for blog squad members who will be there with me through this blogging journey, through thick and thin, highs and lows, and of course, reading and blogging slumps. I hope I’ll find 2-4 wonderful book nerds who’ll bring new opinions, perspectives, and ideas to the table (alongside great book recs of course), who’ll help with blog decisions or content creation, and who’ll fangirl with me about books. If you’re up for all this, go answer the interview form so I can get to know you! (It’s a bit long but please bear with me! I want to find the right people. Know that I’m rooting for you. For us. LOL I sound like a romance novel, don’t mind me it’s past midnight here.)
If you’re reading this and don’t have the time to work on an e-zine or a blog but do want to help me find members for my teams, do enter the giveaway below for a chance to win books! This is also my thank you giveaway for everyone who’s visited the blog and helped me reach 300k views. Your support means the world!
When you fall down, what comes next is not just about getting back up. Sometimes it takes a leap of faith into trying exciting, scary, new things and reaching out to others that will help you rise, brighter and better than before. I can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store for Stay Bookish.
36 Responses
Congrats on 300K views, Hazel! That is a HUGE accomplishment! I’m sending good vibes your way for a great 2017. :D Also, E-Zine sounds SUPER interesting! I will definitely have to check it out. Good luck with finding members for Stay Bookish! :)
Thank you so much, Maddie! I’m excited to see who’ll be joining the pack and how the e-zine will turn out 😊
Just signed up for… haha I think you already know that if you already checked the responses. Love the idea of the e-zine. I cannot wait for the excitement that 2017 has in store. Much love always, Hazel. ❤
Hi dear! Happy 300k blog views to you! That’s such a big milestone. I wish you all the best in finding the new members of your blog. Also, I’m really glad you’re pushing through the YA e-zine! I can vaguely remember the conversation we had about it and of course, I’d be happy to contribute! Have an awesome, 2017 and I hope to see you soon, Hazel!
THIS IS SO EXCITING!! i’m in love with this e-zine idea, i just signed up! i’m so happy you’re back and pushing forward to fire up your motivation. Go Hazel!!! ❤
Last year was tough for me too but congrats to reaching 300k!! *hugs* and finally the e-zine is coming!
Congrats on the 300k! That E-Zine is something I’m definitely interested in, however present plans (the one I told you through chat *wink*) hold me back! I’ll be a #SUPERStageFriend for it though! Will support and share it to the world <3 Can't wait to see what's in store for Stay Bookish.
P.S. I wanna hang with you guys soon! :(
Congratulations on the 300k! You totally deserved it! You are one of my inspirations why I created my book blog! And I’m happy for the idea of YA e-zine and I would love to contribute (even though compared to others, I am just no one! I am not confident with my works, that’s why, but for the love of books and the idea of working with you, my favorite blogger ever and also with amazing people, I think I would take the risk!)
I am happy for your achievements! Here’s to more!
Congratulations, Hazel! Yay for hitting such a great milestone, and I’m excited to see what you have planned for Stay Bookish in 2017. Especially interested in that e-zine ;D *wanders off to fill in form*
Yehey! Congrats on 300k views! Keep up the good work😊
Thankyou for the chance!!
Congrats 300K+ views, that is a crazy number. I’m amazed. And I love the idea of an e-zine for books. I know we have blogs to demonstrate our love for books and a place for everyone to talk about books but there are similar things for other hobbies so why not books. I cannot wait to see what comes from it. I would say I’d contribute but YA is such a small area of my reading and I’m not sure I’m the right person to help. That being said I would happily tell everyone I knew about it and I would be first in line to get reading so maybe I should be brave.
Congratulations! And good luck to your new project. :)
Congratulations on your 300K views milestone! :) Looking forward for the e-zine! :)
Congratulations on 300k views. That is awesome! :) Thanks for the giveaway, too. *crossing my fingers*
Whoa, congratulations on 300k views! I’m really excited for the e-zine project – it sounds like something
i’m really interested in reading, and I would definitely love to do a piece or two for it!
I also really like that you want StayBookish to be a community, and how you’re looking for a blog squad, haha! Sounds like it’ll be a really fun experience when you find the right bloggers! :D
What cool books! Thank you for the contest!
Congrats on 300K views and good luck with the search! :D
Congratulations, that’s a lot of views! What a great idea to do an e-zine, I’m looking forward to reading it, and reading the new contributors on your blog, the more positive discussions about books and diversity and just good things in the world the better.
Congratulations on the 300k!!! I have loved your blog ever since I discovered it. I am also excited for your e-zine and blog squad team, I hope I can be one of them ^_^ More power to you and your blog, Hazel! xx
Congratulations on the 300K views that is awesome. I haven’t checked in on your blog in a long time but your plans for its future sound exciting.
Congratulations! :)
Huge congratulations on the 300K views, this is incredible! I always love reading your blog posts though I know I don’t stop by enough to comment on them, this is something I need to be working on for sure :) I absolutely love your e-zine idea, I signed up and I hope to be lucky enough to participate, this is a fantastic idea! All of the best for the bloggers search as well, I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Stay Bookish next! :)
Yay! Happy 300K Views! I’ve loved this blog for so long, and it’s so amazing to see it grow. Lots of love <3
Hiya! I’ve been interested in starting a book blog for a long time but not wanting to fully dedicate myself to it. For that reason, I’d love to join you as a coblogger! Email me at fragmentsofthestars23@gmail.com and we can talk from there :) I’m also a huge champion of diversity so yaa :)
This sounds amazing I would have loved to join but I don’t have the time. I will however keep spreading the word :)
I am so excited about these new developments taking place on your blog, Hazel! The magazine sounds incredible and I know that loads of people would be interested to be a part of of it in some way.
Looking forward to witnessing your plans unfold
x
Nihaad | Read & Seek
How fun that you’re starting your own zine! Sounds like a fun new direction for you and it’s great that you’re launching ahead. It’s one thing to have an idea and another to bring it to life, so go you! Hope you get great interest and find people you mesh with well. Good luck with it all!
Congratulations :) I’m so happy for you. I do know that I love to read your blog and I’ve already seen so many recomendations from you. Thank you :)
I literally just found your blog and OMG I’M SO GLAD I DID.
Firstly, IT IS SOOO PRETTY. I was just obsessing over your design and colours and….
And SECONDLY, I love how exciting everything is especially your blog posts. LIKE OMG.
And Thirdly, a GIVEAWAY!!!!!! Can I just celebrate?
Woo hoo!
300K Views!That’s super awesome :)
Congratulations :)
I would really like to follow you on Youtube but the link won’t work for me and I can’t seem to find one this blog… :(
so many views! congrats
Congratulations on 300k (and still counting) views on your page, Hazel! Good luck on your upcoming e-zine! I’m sure it’ll be successful! All the love. 😊💕
From the bottom of my heart, I hope you have a fantastic year, Hazel! ♥ You absolutely deserve it! And even though I’m not the right person to help you with your e-magazine or your blog *my English is not that good, for one thing*, I hope you find many people willing to work with you, with the same passion you have for books :) You’ve come up with these amazing ideas, and I cannot wait to see where they take you! Best of luck, girl! :D
Good luck on your e-zine, Hazel!! I love YA literature, so I think it’s a great idea! Looking forward to reading it :D :D And congratulations on 300k views!