Blog Policy
Glad you could stop by the Writing in the Modern Age blog! And thank you for your interest in appearing as a guest author or visitor. :)
UPDATE — January 2023 –> I may start writing my own articles on here for a while, with the occasional multi-author event feature (writing tips/process) or big giveaway. We've almost reached the ten-year mark on the blog and I want to do something special to honor that. Guest spots are unavailable at the moment, thanks for understanding.
UPDATE — September 2022 –> For the time being, I have decided to step away from my blogs to get some much-needed rest (I’ve been hounded with family emergencies, illnesses, and other drama for the past year). This will also allow me time to focus on my writing, and any other projects that come up. I may post something now and then, but they likely won't be guest articles, book features, or author interviews for other writers. I am uncertain when I will begin taking on official blog duties again. Please don’t contact me in the hopes of getting a spot on one of my blogs. If I decide it’s time to resume everything, you may subscribe to this blog (look for the widget on the right side of the blog posts page) and you’ll receive an email notification of the next post. Follow me on social media for more recent news.
Also, you can sign up for a ‘new releases only‘ email for my book releases, or even join my exclusive fan club on Facebook. Additionally, you may keep apprised of my work by checking the ‘My Books' page of my website, browsing the ‘Updates/News' section, or just subscribing to my author newsletter in case I get that going again.
I really appreciate your visit to ILRB! Have a lovely day!
Warm Regards,
UPDATE — January 2023 –> I may start writing my own articles on here for a while, with the occasional multi-author event feature (writing tips/process) or big giveaway. We've almost reached the ten-year mark on the blog and I want to do something special to honor that. Guest spots are unavailable at the moment, thanks for understanding.
UPDATE — September 2022 –> For the time being, I have decided to step away from my blogs to get some much-needed rest (I’ve been hounded with family emergencies, illnesses, and other drama for the past year). This will also allow me time to focus on my writing, and any other projects that come up. I may post something now and then, but they likely won't be guest articles, book features, or author interviews for other writers. I am uncertain when I will begin taking on official blog duties again. Please don’t contact me in the hopes of getting a spot on one of my blogs. If I decide it’s time to resume everything, you may subscribe to this blog (look for the widget on the right side of the blog posts page) and you’ll receive an email notification of the next post. Follow me on social media for more recent news.
Also, you can sign up for a ‘new releases only‘ email for my book releases, or even join my exclusive fan club on Facebook. Additionally, you may keep apprised of my work by checking the ‘My Books' page of my website, browsing the ‘Updates/News' section, or just subscribing to my author newsletter in case I get that going again.
I really appreciate your visit to ILRB! Have a lovely day!
Warm Regards,
***UPDATE for June 2021: This blog site had a major overhaul, and my policies have changed.
Please read the following rules carefully...
Please read the following rules carefully...
Our promos or features include a variety of posts, such as a guest article, author interview, service interview (if your service helps writers/authors in some manner, or even book readers) or character interview, reposted book review (with the permission of the original reviewer), basic book features, blog tour spotlights, new release features or cover reveals, poetry spotlights, and our cool option called The Author's Bookshelf. We also run occasional book giveaways and special features. Refer to the blog schedule (also clickable from the top menu) for clarification about guest spot availability. Blog posts will usually run on Mondays and Fridays. If it falls on a different day, it was likely due to holiday interference or because I didn't receive the post materials on time. Now and then, sponsored content may fall on a Wednesday or Thursday, but I'll try to keep to the usual schedule if at all possible.
This blog was designed to foster creativity, to help writers with any aspect of their careers, at any stage or from any background, and to introduce readers to new authors and books. Keep these two facts in mind:
I will NOT turn this blog into a forum for your inflammatory political views, so don't even try sending those types of articles. That's not the point of Writing in the Modern Age. Additionally, DON'T reach out to me, hoping to get a spot for your article about camping, technology (unless it helps writers or book readers), or basically a topic that has nothing to do with the blog's theme. That tells me you didn't even bother to look at this site.
A BRIEF MESSAGE ABOUT SALACIOUS CONTENT:
We accept all book genres on Writing in the Modern Age, but please know I will NOT post adult excerpts. Curse words and some tough issues are fine. As I can't be sure who exactly visits the blog, it's best to keep everything professional. If you do submit a highly adult or graphic excerpt, and you give me no other options, I will only post the material that I deem fit for the blog. In other words, I'll either cut up the excerpt quite a bit or go grab a better one from Amazon. If it isn't available, then we just won't have a book teaser for that post.
Feel free to approach me with your creative ideas about a blog post. However, please know that I’ve been through too many illnesses, family emergencies, and other drama this year. I may pop in now and then, just to write an article relevant to this blog’s theme, or to post something. Basically, consider me away, working on my books for a while until I state otherwise. I value my time wisely nowadays, therefore I’ve started charging for certain services (check for more information about that below).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Guest spots will start up again in September 2021.
SERVICES AND CHARGES (in US dollars) for blog spots:
***Please note that you are purchasing a future guest spot. In no way does it guarantee you blog post views or increased book sales. No one - not even the most professional blogger or highly skilled marketer - can make that promise. However, we usually have a lot of hits on our posts so someone is bound to see your work.
This blog was designed to foster creativity, to help writers with any aspect of their careers, at any stage or from any background, and to introduce readers to new authors and books. Keep these two facts in mind:
I will NOT turn this blog into a forum for your inflammatory political views, so don't even try sending those types of articles. That's not the point of Writing in the Modern Age. Additionally, DON'T reach out to me, hoping to get a spot for your article about camping, technology (unless it helps writers or book readers), or basically a topic that has nothing to do with the blog's theme. That tells me you didn't even bother to look at this site.
A BRIEF MESSAGE ABOUT SALACIOUS CONTENT:
We accept all book genres on Writing in the Modern Age, but please know I will NOT post adult excerpts. Curse words and some tough issues are fine. As I can't be sure who exactly visits the blog, it's best to keep everything professional. If you do submit a highly adult or graphic excerpt, and you give me no other options, I will only post the material that I deem fit for the blog. In other words, I'll either cut up the excerpt quite a bit or go grab a better one from Amazon. If it isn't available, then we just won't have a book teaser for that post.
Feel free to approach me with your creative ideas about a blog post. However, please know that I’ve been through too many illnesses, family emergencies, and other drama this year. I may pop in now and then, just to write an article relevant to this blog’s theme, or to post something. Basically, consider me away, working on my books for a while until I state otherwise. I value my time wisely nowadays, therefore I’ve started charging for certain services (check for more information about that below).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Guest spots will start up again in September 2021.
SERVICES AND CHARGES (in US dollars) for blog spots:
***Please note that you are purchasing a future guest spot. In no way does it guarantee you blog post views or increased book sales. No one - not even the most professional blogger or highly skilled marketer - can make that promise. However, we usually have a lot of hits on our posts so someone is bound to see your work.
Author Interview |
Character Interview |
Service Interview (promo opportunity for a service which helps aspiring writers, new authors, or book readers) |
Author's Bookshelf Feature |
New Release or Book Feature |
10.00 |
15.00 |
10.00 |
15.00 |
20.00 |
per spot |
per spot |
per spot |
per spot |
per spot |
6 - 13 interview questions |
Multiple questions, from the character's and author's perspective |
All questions are tailored to each individual and their advertised service |
Up to 7 books are covered in one post |
Must focus on one book |
Includes book and author information throughout the post so readers can easily follow your work |
Includes book and author information in the post so readers can easily follow your work |
Includes a bio for the guest and the service, as well as links to products or other types of services |
You have the chance to list and talk up the main books which influenced your life and career (any genre) |
Includes book and author information throughout the post so readers can easily follow your work |
Each author interview you do on the blog changes, so you never answer the same questions every time |
You may provide your character inspiration picture or I can grab it straight from the book cover of the title we're focusing on |
If you're a book author as well, we can plug your work with a well-placed banner that ties to your Amazon page or website |
Includes the added bonus of featuring one of your books, as well as your author information so readers can easily follow your work |
This paid spot comes with a choice of adding four simple book-focused interview questions |
Cover Reveal |
Poetry Spotlight |
Guest Article |
Individual Book Giveaway (there won't be a charge for multi-author giveaways, as I organize those and run them a couple times per year) |
Blog Tour Features (Note: this spot is not guaranteed, it depends on blog schedule availability - we can make other arrangements if I don't have space) |
10.00 |
15.00 |
0 |
25.00 |
0 |
per spot |
per spot |
per spot |
per spot |
per spot |
Must focus on one book or boxed set |
5 - 6 poems get featured |
900 word count limit (I won't complain if it's slightly higher or lower) - no worries, I will add Creative Commons images to the post to make it look good |
Must focus on one book or series |
Must focus on one book, short series or boxed set |
Includes book and author information within the post so readers can easily follow your work |
Includes an intro and writer info at the end of the post so readers can easily follow your work |
You must stick with the blog's theme (writing, editing, or publish tips, an article written about your publishing journey, or listing services/apps to help any writers or book readers) |
Includes book and author information throughout the post so readers can easily follow your work |
Includes book and author information inside the post so readers can easily follow your work |
Feel free to add promo teasers or excerpts of your choice (nothing too adult, though) |
Any poetry theme is accepted, as long as the content is mostly clean |
Guest writer info included at the end of the post, so readers can easily follow your work |
I will use Rafflecopter or a comparative app to conduct the giveaway. Participants may also leave blog comments. I'll promote the contest across social media channels, as well as email interested parties for that book genre. |
Easy and FREE to post, just send me your media kit, including your promo tour sponsor's info (most are highly organized with HTML codes), and a link to an external giveaway |
****Pay here, below, or reach out to me via email so that I may issue you an invoice.
It's worth noting here that I may accept a bartering system (trading a like service or post, if and only IF an author's budget warrants the favor). We can discuss further details in an email.
It's worth noting here that I may accept a bartering system (trading a like service or post, if and only IF an author's budget warrants the favor). We can discuss further details in an email.
Contact me at the same email to get your guest spot scheduled. That way, I have the chance to connect your real name to a pen name and can better keep everything organized.
And, for God's sake, PLEASE learn my name. I am the point of contact for this blog. Calling me by Mariella, Mariah, Mary, or any other derivation of Marie, can get a bit tedious. It's just Marie, as in 'Marie Lavender's Writing in the Modern Age' blog, stated at the top of the page here.
Though I can understand occasional typos and such, to continue to address me by someone else's moniker is unprofessional.
Or, just avoiding a name at all in an email, and then stating that you want to write a guest post automatically leads me to believe you haven't properly looked the site over to understand our theme here. At least say hi and introduce yourself! ;)
Anyway, shall we continue?
As aforementioned, the interviews here are ever popular, whether in the form of character perspectives, service interviews about a company that can help authors/readers, or just an author interview. The greatest thing about our author interviews is that on Writing in the Modern Age, if you as the author have a second/third/fourth one on the blog, the questions change each time, so readers will always get a different take on you, your book, and your life.
****REMEMBER: At this time, my schedule is full and does not allow me to consider writing official book reviews for your titles on this blog. Requests for such reviews will be politely denied, no exceptions. Thanks for understanding.
Authors, I am, however, more than willing to celebrate your new release by offering you a spot on the blog, if there is availability, or at least helping to tweet/retweet a promo if you simply email me. I also have two other blogs. One is the I Love Romance Blog, where I usually host character interviews and other interviews for romance authors, guest posts about romantic relationship, features for the latest releases of romance novels, and romantic poetry spotlights, and occasional giveaways, among other blog posts. Please pay attention to the right-hand side of ILRB for submission calls for specific blog features. My third blog is Marie Lavender's Books and Other Things, which sometimes accepts guest authors in the form of various features. I won't have a set scheduled for that blog, as it's mainly for my personal posts. I do not charge there for guest articles (mainly general topics, unrelated to writing or books), but I will charge a fee for any book spotlights, new releases, cover reveals, author interviews, and kitty character interviews (Yes, that's a thing). The same rules apply to the romance blog. No charge for REAL articles, just book promos. Furthermore, I will always book up Writing in the Modern Age and ILRB first, giving these sites priority, unless I deem the post would fit better elsewhere.
****REMEMBER: At this time, my schedule is full and does not allow me to consider writing official book reviews for your titles on this blog. Requests for such reviews will be politely denied, no exceptions. Thanks for understanding.
Authors, I am, however, more than willing to celebrate your new release by offering you a spot on the blog, if there is availability, or at least helping to tweet/retweet a promo if you simply email me. I also have two other blogs. One is the I Love Romance Blog, where I usually host character interviews and other interviews for romance authors, guest posts about romantic relationship, features for the latest releases of romance novels, and romantic poetry spotlights, and occasional giveaways, among other blog posts. Please pay attention to the right-hand side of ILRB for submission calls for specific blog features. My third blog is Marie Lavender's Books and Other Things, which sometimes accepts guest authors in the form of various features. I won't have a set scheduled for that blog, as it's mainly for my personal posts. I do not charge there for guest articles (mainly general topics, unrelated to writing or books), but I will charge a fee for any book spotlights, new releases, cover reveals, author interviews, and kitty character interviews (Yes, that's a thing). The same rules apply to the romance blog. No charge for REAL articles, just book promos. Furthermore, I will always book up Writing in the Modern Age and ILRB first, giving these sites priority, unless I deem the post would fit better elsewhere.
****ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITY - We also take sponsored posts here, if your company's budget allows it, AND if the post would be a perfect fit for Writing in the Modern Age. Please reach out to me for a quote and details. Email me directly at marieannlavender (at) gmail (dot) com .
(No, I do not pay individuals or companies for this service. There is a fee to get this type of spot, but it guarantees a slot, even if I'm squeezing the post in on a day we don't usually feature articles. For more information about what a sponsored blog post really entails, refer to this link.)
(No, I do not pay individuals or companies for this service. There is a fee to get this type of spot, but it guarantees a slot, even if I'm squeezing the post in on a day we don't usually feature articles. For more information about what a sponsored blog post really entails, refer to this link.)
FREE OPTIONS FOR GUEST POSTS:
1) Guest Articles - (****Stay within the guidelines! Your post must be about some aspect of writing. This includes writing or editing tips, telling new writers about your writing/publishing journey, or even offering some book marketing tips. I will also take a listing of apps that you believe can help writers at any stage of their careers, or even ways to help book lovers find new reads. The sky's the limit, as long as you're not shamelessly promoting your own book - THAT'S WHAT OUR PAID SPOTS ARE FOR. I will do my part, and include enough information about you and your work at the end of the article to entice blog readers to follow you.)
2) Yes, I am willing to accept a 'Guest Book Review' – No, I will NOT write these myself – But please email me if you'd like to gush about a great book that you've read! Don't find this daunting. A book review can be as short as a paragraph, and as lengthy as you like. I will always, always do my best to make a blog post as attractive as possible, regardless of how much you say about the book. I can post about any genre, but if I decide the work might better fit a different blog of mine, I’ll ask if it’s okay to move it there instead.
Book readers and aspiring writers, feel free to leave your thoughts or comments on the blog posts. We always love to hear from you! And if you enjoy a post, I hope you get a chance to share, share, share! ;)
P.S. Commentary provided by guest writers on any subject does not reflect the blog moderator's personal views. Thanks in advance for understanding.
***Proper Conduct for Guest Writers***
This shouldn't need to be said, but given some of the poor behavior I've witnessed in recent years, here it is...
PLEASE have your information for a post sent to me in a timely manner - preferably a week in advance at the latest. I usually need materials for sure by the Friday of the previous week (yes, that means even if your post is coming up on Monday or the following Friday). But for God's sake, COMMUNICATION IS KEY. If for some reason you cannot meet a deadline, please offer the common courtesy of sending an email. Flaking on a blogger is just rude, and even as an author with occasional features on other blogs, I would never do that to someone else. Please know I am human too, and I understand when life gets in the way. But just let me know with a quick email and we're good. I hate having to chase people down and beg them to send in their stuff, ESPECIALLY if I never receive a response. It's a waste of both of our time. Just keep in contact, and I will fully understand if you need to reschedule or require more time to get everything together. You can even reach out to me in a private message on Facebook or via email (to be honest, I rarely, if ever, check my notifications on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok), so we can communicate about any delays you're having. As a blogger, I prefer to be prepared, but things will go smoother if you respect me the way I respect all of you. I don't think that's too much to ask.
In the case that you do need to reschedule, PLEASE let me know as early as possible so I can get another guest settled in for that date. These spots go fast.
****Once again, DO NOT reach out to me, hoping to have an article featured about automotive tools or vehicle parts, or something else which is completely unrelated to our blog's theme (writing/editing/publishing/marketing and guest authors/their books). I can help you if you would like to get a spot for a romantic relationship tips article (ILRB) or a more general topic (MLB). But for anything that should be on a focused site which I do not moderate, it's completely pointless to approach someone like me about it. I won't be rude at all, but I'll try to steer you in another direction, for sure. If that is, indeed, your goal, it would save us both time if you instead reached out to a different blogger. To further help you in your non-writing and non-book related quest for a guest article submission, please visit this list of 5,000 websites which accept guest posts here.
If you're still at a loss for how to behave as a guest writer, please consider the following tips or guidelines for Writing in the Modern Age as well:
https://curatti.com/guest-blogger-outreach-tips/
https://curatti.com/use-guest-blogging-build-business/
https://curatti.com/guest-blogging-outreach/
https://curatti.com/guest-contributor-pitch/
17 Guest Blogging No-Nos that Hurt Your Sales
Many thanks for visiting us! ♥
1) Guest Articles - (****Stay within the guidelines! Your post must be about some aspect of writing. This includes writing or editing tips, telling new writers about your writing/publishing journey, or even offering some book marketing tips. I will also take a listing of apps that you believe can help writers at any stage of their careers, or even ways to help book lovers find new reads. The sky's the limit, as long as you're not shamelessly promoting your own book - THAT'S WHAT OUR PAID SPOTS ARE FOR. I will do my part, and include enough information about you and your work at the end of the article to entice blog readers to follow you.)
2) Yes, I am willing to accept a 'Guest Book Review' – No, I will NOT write these myself – But please email me if you'd like to gush about a great book that you've read! Don't find this daunting. A book review can be as short as a paragraph, and as lengthy as you like. I will always, always do my best to make a blog post as attractive as possible, regardless of how much you say about the book. I can post about any genre, but if I decide the work might better fit a different blog of mine, I’ll ask if it’s okay to move it there instead.
Book readers and aspiring writers, feel free to leave your thoughts or comments on the blog posts. We always love to hear from you! And if you enjoy a post, I hope you get a chance to share, share, share! ;)
P.S. Commentary provided by guest writers on any subject does not reflect the blog moderator's personal views. Thanks in advance for understanding.
***Proper Conduct for Guest Writers***
This shouldn't need to be said, but given some of the poor behavior I've witnessed in recent years, here it is...
PLEASE have your information for a post sent to me in a timely manner - preferably a week in advance at the latest. I usually need materials for sure by the Friday of the previous week (yes, that means even if your post is coming up on Monday or the following Friday). But for God's sake, COMMUNICATION IS KEY. If for some reason you cannot meet a deadline, please offer the common courtesy of sending an email. Flaking on a blogger is just rude, and even as an author with occasional features on other blogs, I would never do that to someone else. Please know I am human too, and I understand when life gets in the way. But just let me know with a quick email and we're good. I hate having to chase people down and beg them to send in their stuff, ESPECIALLY if I never receive a response. It's a waste of both of our time. Just keep in contact, and I will fully understand if you need to reschedule or require more time to get everything together. You can even reach out to me in a private message on Facebook or via email (to be honest, I rarely, if ever, check my notifications on Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok), so we can communicate about any delays you're having. As a blogger, I prefer to be prepared, but things will go smoother if you respect me the way I respect all of you. I don't think that's too much to ask.
In the case that you do need to reschedule, PLEASE let me know as early as possible so I can get another guest settled in for that date. These spots go fast.
****Once again, DO NOT reach out to me, hoping to have an article featured about automotive tools or vehicle parts, or something else which is completely unrelated to our blog's theme (writing/editing/publishing/marketing and guest authors/their books). I can help you if you would like to get a spot for a romantic relationship tips article (ILRB) or a more general topic (MLB). But for anything that should be on a focused site which I do not moderate, it's completely pointless to approach someone like me about it. I won't be rude at all, but I'll try to steer you in another direction, for sure. If that is, indeed, your goal, it would save us both time if you instead reached out to a different blogger. To further help you in your non-writing and non-book related quest for a guest article submission, please visit this list of 5,000 websites which accept guest posts here.
If you're still at a loss for how to behave as a guest writer, please consider the following tips or guidelines for Writing in the Modern Age as well:
https://curatti.com/guest-blogger-outreach-tips/
https://curatti.com/use-guest-blogging-build-business/
https://curatti.com/guest-blogging-outreach/
https://curatti.com/guest-contributor-pitch/
17 Guest Blogging No-Nos that Hurt Your Sales
Many thanks for visiting us! ♥