My 2008 DIKs
(from debut - June 2005 *)
My January column
My February column
My March column
My April column
My May column
My June column
* Co-authored Oct column
 What was begun as an online journal of the books I read evolved...or maybe it devolved...to also feature behind the scenes goings-on at All About Romance from my perspective (mostly based on my personal feelings - okay, it's a personal pity party); topics I've gone over ad nauseum in commentary at AAR, including the nature of reviews and online behavior; and my non-cyber life (including family and items in pop culture that capture my interest, which is just about everything). Please do not violate my trust. I restricted certain AAR-related and personal entries for a reason...to keep them as private as possible. Now that my blog is read-only, to access restricted entries you must already have a password; if you do, hold onto it so that you can continue to read restricted entries. This blog is not part of All About Romance. I ask that you keep comments or questions regarding restricted blog content off of AAR. |
AAR's Annual Reader Poll
On Monday our annual reader poll begins, and will run through midnight, February 17th. Nearly every year I make a change or two in the poll, but this year I've made far more changes than usual. One category that seems to give readers trouble now has a new name. Another category has been expanded into two categories, and yesterday I came up with a brand new category altogether. |
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So the calendar is set, the ballot form and accompanying text checked, edited, and double-checked, and next I've got to adjust my database for the category changes and additions. One of our pollsters asked if I'd need their help tabulating votes, but because it really helps me stay in touch with our readers, I said thanks, but no thanks. Yes, it's a tremendous amount of work, and with so much new this year, it'll be an interesting ride. Gee, I wonder how long it'll take before somebody tries to stuff the ballot box?
Making sure there is no drive-by voting and/or ballot box stuffing in order to ensure that the poll is representative is like trying to weight two sides of a scale equally. Because getting a large number of readers to vote is equally as vital to the poll's success. I'm asking all of you who read this blog to help spread the word. The more who vote, the more representative the results. But if you send readers our way on an author, publisher site or blog, or email newsletter, please, please, please, make sure that it is understood that we are not looking for fangirl voting. If too few categories are filled out or there is straight-ticket or nearly straight-ticket voting, a ballot will be discarded.
Honestly, I can't wait for it all to begin!
TTFN, Laurie Likes Books