Forgotten?

I hope not.

I know it’s been a long time. I also know some people are going to think my reasons for not writing are total crap. I think I should let you know what they are though.

I quit smoking, and I did it in what is probably the worst possible way, cold turkey. That phrase makes no sense. I like turkey, even if it’s cold. I didn’t like quitting cigarettes. I went through some horrible withdrawal, then I got sick.

I’ve had a craptacular month, but I’m getting back into things. Now I’m doing it all without nicotine. That is extremely weird.

Priorities

When my schedule started to return I had to prioritize, since I’m trying to do several blogs at once. Thanks to certain posting requirements on another blog, that meant I had to focus solely on it until I could get back into the swing of things. Either that or drop that blog completely, which I didn’t want to do.

Now that I’m learning to write without smoking I’ll be posting here again.

I wish I had a cigarette.

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I don’t know if you’re aware of what Google has been doing since October. If not here’s a short version.

Google decided to hide the Page Ranks of sites that made paid posts and linked without using the non-standard “nofollow” tag. They didn’t do this to all the sites that they could have, just the ones least likely to cause them trouble.

What does that mean?

It means FanaticSpace.com suffered a penalty. I’ve been honest about making paid posts to try and pay for expenses on the site. That’s just not enough for Google, even though their own guidelines tell you to write for people and not search engines.

Can it be fixed?

I’ve thought about this for a long time. Should I add “nofollow” to the paid links and ask Google to reconsider? Should I just accept the penalty and continue as if nothing happened?

I came to the conclusion that I need to comply with Google’s demands. No matter how much I dislike it, I can’t fight Google. They’ve got too many people brainwashed into believing it’s about search results. If I try to fight it, I’ll wind up like the guy from the picture up top.

I’ve added “nofollow” to all the paid links. I’ve also filed for reconsideration.

Now I just have to go to sleep and await the mercy of the pod people Google.

: FanaticSpace, Fanatic Space, Site News, Internet, Blogging, Google, Page Rank, Googlesmack, Googleslap, Reconsideration Request, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Pod People

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I was contacted by author Kaza Kingsley about a month ago. Looks like FanaticSpace is going to be participating in a blog tour. This will be my first one, and if things go well it might not be the last.

Here’s one of the questions, come back on January 10 to see how she answers.

Who would win in a fight, Harry (Potter) or Erec? Oh, and none of that “They’d be on the same side” stuff either, just assume they were both tricked into thinking the other one was evil…

Erec Rex Book Reviews

Kaza Kingsley was kind enough to send me review copies of the first 2 Erec Rex books. I was going to hold a giveaway once I’d read the books. I just can’t bring myself to do that, since she took the time to autograph them to me. Don’t worry though, I will be holding an Erec Rex book giveaway. I just won’t be giving up my copies.

Who is Kaza Kingsley?

Kaza Kingsley is the author of the Erec Rex book series. The Erec Rex books are fantasy books for young adults. They’re filled with mythological references and a dramatic story. Just the kind of books I like. Perfect.

Whoops, almost started the reviews early.

If you’d like to know more about Kaza Kingsley then stop by during the tour, she’ll be checking in to read the comments and answer your questions. I’d also suggest you check out her blog, The Memory Mogul.

To learn more about the Erec Rex books check out the Official Erec Rex Website. You can also get a sneak peek at the books.

First 3 chapters of Erec Rex: The Dragon’s Eye (Book 1)

First 2 chapters of Erec Rex: The Monsters of Otherness (Book 2)

What is a blog tour?

A blog tour is an online version of a book tour for authors. Several sites agree to post an article about the books or author. Fans get to say hi, ask question and get to know them. The posts are scheduled to run consecutively, much like the appearances on a book tour.

It sounds like a great way for fans to interact with an author they like and with each other. How could I say no?

Kaza Kingsley Blog Tour Dates

Here are the sites participating and the dates scheduled.

January 7 – A Fort Made of Books

(The tour post is up Kaza Kingsley interview)

January 8 – Books4Ever

( Kaza Kingsley Blog Tour )

January 9 – Baseballs and Bows

( The Erec Rex Blog Tour )

January 10 – Fanatic Space Blog

( Kaza Kingsley Blog Tour )

January 11 – Bibliophile’s Retreat

( And Now Presenting Kaza Kingsley and her Erec Rex Series )

January 12 – Children’s Literature Book Club

( Kaza Kingsley is here today! )

January 13 – Stephanie’s Confessions of a Book-A-Holic

( Kaza Kingsley Blog Tour 2008 )

January 14 – A Year of Books

( Blog Tour )

January 15 – Author Chris Rettstatt’s blog

( Kaza Kingsley and Erec Rex )

January 16 – Deliciously Clean Reads

( Kaza Kingsley on Blog Tour HERE! )

January 17 – Into the Wardrobe

( Kaza Kingsley Blog Tour )

January 18 – Real Gurlz Magazine

( Our Interview With Kaza Kingsley )

January 19 – Chauceriangirl

( Guest Starring: Kaza Kingsley )

Bonus Days

January 20 – Kaleb Nation

( Interview with Kaza Kingsley )

January 21 – The Jay

( The Jay Interviews Kaza Kingsley )

January 22 – Young Adult (& Kids) Books Central Blog

( Blog Tour: Kaza Kingsley )

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Make sure to check out the Blog Tour, and be sure to come back here on January 10.

: Fandoms, Books, Fantasy, Fun Stuff, Internet, Blogging, Blog Tour, Kaza Kingsley, Erec Rex, The Dragon’s Eye, The Monsters of Otherness

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone (Beth) who responded to my previous article “Book Reviews or Book Discussions?“. Book discussions won in a landslide, but like the 2000 American Presidential Election it’s been overturned. Not by an antiquated electoral college, but by practicality.

Looks like I don’t have enough active readers to start up a discussion about, well, anything. Not yet at least. I’m too damn stubborn to give up though. So I’ll do reviews for now. Once things get rolling and we get some regulars, then we can start up some discussions. I’ll bring this up again in the future, once the site is more active.

Or when Gore is President.

: Fandoms, Books, Opinion, Blogging, Book Discussions, Book Reviews, Book Club, FanaticSpace, FanaticSpace.com, Fanatic Space

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I need your opinions

After the posts by Donna and myself, I’ve decided that I should make books a larger part of the site. I’d like to do more posts about books and reading. What I’d like your opinion on is the structure of those posts.

1. Should I review books I read?

Or

2. Should I open a discussion about a book?

I can see pros and cons for both of those. I’m just not sure what you’d rather see here. That’s why I’m asking you.

What’s the difference?

This is how I imagine these working. If you have other ideas please let me know.

Book Review

• I would choose a book, or let you vote on a book.
• I’d read it and take a few notes.
• I’d come back to the blog and write up a review. It’s pretty straight forward.

Book Discussion

• I would choose a book, or let you vote on a book. That’s the same.
• I’d write a post on the blog to announce what the book is.
• A reading deadline would be set. That way people know when the discussion will start, and will know when to finish the book.
• People that want to join in would, I hope, read the book.
• After the reading deadline I’d come back here and officially open the discussion. I would include some of my opinions and my questions about the book. It wouldn’t be a full review though.
• I would update the post with some, or all, of the relevant comments from the discussion for a period of time. This would make the relevant comments about the book easier to find and make things easier on people taking part. A long list of comments can be hard to follow sometimes.

What do you think?

Does this sound like something you’d be interested in? Do you have any other ideas? I’d appreciate your thoughts on this. I’d really like to make this site something we could all enjoy together.

: Fandoms, Books, Opinion, Blogging, Book Discussions, Book Reviews, Book Club, FanaticSpace

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I’ve had some things I wanted to write that didn’t fit in here or on AnimeFansOnline. So I decided to start a personal blog for all that miscellaneous stuff. I’m lucky that I have a fairly unusual name, it wasn’t registered. Well, the “.eu” was, but I don’t live in the Eu. I’ve registered www.JasonWigley.com and I’m putting a WordPress blog up.

I’m hoping that it will give me a chance to write different kinds of posts and also make FanaticSpace better. At the very least it will move the non-fandom stuff out of here. That should help to keep this site on topic.

So say goodbye to meta-blogging on FanaticSpace. No more blogging about blogging here. Unless I’m writing about a fandom blog, because that still fits in here.

If any of my friends here want to link to it or review it, I’d appreciate it. Give it a little time first if you want to review it. I’m busier than ever now.

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I joined Facebook a short time ago. I’m more active there than I’ve ever been on a social site. I’m still getting to know it, but it seems great so far. I’m trying out a few things with the groups over there.

Looking for group.

I tried to find a group for people with fan blogs and couldn’t find one. Not a problem, I just created one. So if you have a fan blog about games, movies, TV or what ever you’re a fan of then check out Fandom Bloggers on Facebook.

One of us. One of us. One of us.

The group is open to anyone with a fandom blog. If that’s you, then stop by and check us out. Get to know your fellow bloggers. Talk about your fandoms. Talk about your blog. This could be a great way to find other stuff to be a fan of.

Debating negligible differences, the favorite sport of fans everywhere.

What is a fandom blog? That’s really a matter of opinion, so I’ll give you mine. If you’re a fan of something and you write a blog about it, then it’s a fandom blog.

What isn’t a fandom blog? Celebrity gossip blogs are not fandom blogs.

What’s the difference?

• If you write a blog about Paris Hilton and focus on her acting talent (Please, don’t laugh. Well, not loudly.) and her work as an actress, then it’s a fandom blog.
• If you write a blog about Paris Hilton and focus on what she wears and who she’s dating, it’s a gossip blog.

As the group name implies, gossip blogs need not apply.

: Fans, Fandoms, Blogs, Blogging, Fandom Bloggers, Internet, Facebook, Facebook Group, Games, Movies, TV, Celebrity, Gossip, Celebrity Gossip Paris Hilton

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

This is a pretty darn good AMV. I found this one when I was looking for a different one. I’m posting it here because it doesn’t quite fit with the ones I’m planning to post on AnimeFansOnline, but I wanted to share it anyway.

Speaking of Angels.

I was going to post this later, but since I’m talking about Angels I’ll post it here.

Angel over at WorldOfAngel.com is giving away $100. That could buy a lot of anime. Well, it could buy some anime. As expensive as it’s getting an extra $100 would help. So go check out the contest rules and enter. If you win, feel free to send a little thank you this way. *L*

: Anime, AMV, Send me an Angel, Real Life, Ah! My Goddess, Blogging, Blog Contest, Youtube, Internet, Fandoms

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I added the BlogRush widget. Maybe it’ll bring in a few more readers. We’ll find out in time.

There is a problem though. One that I hope will be fixed. The widget gives no option to resize. That’s just bad design. It breaks my layout if I try to put it in the sidebar. That’s why it’s way at the bottom of the page in the footer.

I can not be the only person this is happening to either. With all the blogs out there using many, many, different themes I’m sure this is happening quite a bit.

Seriously guys, a one size fits all widget? You have got to be kiddin’ me.

: Blogging, Internet, BlogRush, Site Design, Bad Design

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.

I’ve tried to monetize this site to make it self sustaining. One of the ways I’ve been experimenting with is sponsored posts. I’ve tried to make sure that the sponsored posts are on topic, or at the very least make them fun. I think I’ve done pretty well. I’ve controlled myself when looking for sponsored content. Sorry, I’m afraid you’re not likely to see a post about vaginal reconstruction on this blog.

Goin’ Postal.

I’ve been signed up to Pay Per Post since the tail end of July. It’s been pretty good to me. I’ve managed to make about 50 bucks with Pay Per Post. That will go a long way to paying hosting fees next year. One good thing about Pay Per Post, they seem to like openness. I’m updating you on how this part of my blog is going, and they’re paying me to do it. As long as they run things that way, I’ll probably stick around.


What are your thoughts?

What do you think about sponsored posts? Are they a good way for a blog to earn it’s keep? Are they a necessary evil of blogging? Are they a festering boil that should be cut out of any blog they’ve tainted?

: Blogging, Money, Sponsored Posts, Sponsored Content, Pay Per Post

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FanaticSpace - Everyone loves something.