Earthian Hivemind turns 5

Actually, it has turned five last week on 16th but, as it happens, I was neck-deep in preparing the submission filed for my non-fiction book on the space sector. Now that the book is not complete (about 90%) but in the capable hands of my editor, I can stop holding my breath and looking at what I have not done this last year.

As it turned out, an awful lot, especially for my blog. Not surprisingly, the book has taken a big chunk of my work hours… and all my free time.

Pretty much all the reading I have done was research for the content and, while pleasant (I do love space in every possible form), it has reduced my book reviews almost to a halt. The reviewing I’ve carried out has mainly been TV series and a few movies, and even that, not that much.

I have written less posts overall, too, a puny 75 compared to more than one hundred of the year before.

I was quite lucky, to be honest, to have kept a healthy following and views, even though I didn’t manage any growth compared to 2017. I think the interviews of some exceptional editors have contributed to that.

In terms of visitors, the US kept on top of the list, followed by the UK, Canada, Europe, India, Australia, and Japan (and I know what these they have come for: posts about Gundam)

In terms of popularity, the posts more read of the year were about history and historical fiction, which gave me a good insight into the profile of my readers. Good, because this kind of content is going to increase in the future.

That was 2018. Now plans for 2019.
With the book (almost) out of the way and completely out of my radar in Spring, I’ll devote more time to this blog and carry on with a project I have meant to start a year ago, and that I had to delay: publishing original microfiction and poetry on a separate page here, contributed by the best writers of flashes I can find. I’ll announce more in a couple of month time, once I am ready to go.

In terms of my own fiction, this year I have written only a handful of new fiction (mainly flashes and micro) and some poetry, but nothing compared to 2017. The positive news that I’ve managed the number of qualifying sales and I am now an active member of HWA (Horror Writer Association). This also means I wa able to enrol in their online writing workshop, which I am enjoying immensely.

I’ll finish this blogiversary post with a huge and warm thanks to all the people who have taken the time to offer comments and suggestions over the year, and much needed support. Thank you so much! I wouldn’t be here without you. I look forward to another great year in the blogger community.

10 Comments

  1. Calmgrove

    Happy Blogversary (or whatever the accepted term is) and thanks for the retrospective and news of what’s to come—I do like your mix of science facts, historical reviews and other matters, even if I don’t always comment. As the solstice rushes towards us (sorry, a bit of anthropomorphising there) I hope the season and its aftermath brings you all you want and need in terms of fulfilment!

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      Thanks so much! Fingers crossed for another good year, for both of us 🙂

      Reply
  2. Tammy

    Congrats on both your five year blogging mark and your book! I’m super impressed about your HWA status!

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      Thank you, Tammy! and Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  3. sjhigbee

    Huge congratulations on your blogoversary – five years old is a real achievement when running a blog takes so much time and energy, Steph:). And I’m very impressed that you have managed to become a member of the HWA – even more so as you achieved this while writing your non-fiction book! It seems 2018 has been an excellent year for you and I hope that 2019 is even more so. Happy Christmas, Steph:))

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      Many thanks Sarah… 2108 was a great year, and for you, too! Merry Christmas 🙂

      Reply
  4. ccyager

    Happy anniversary, Earthian Hivemind! Looking forward to at least another five years of interesting reading here, especially about space (and MARS!)! Congratulations on the book. Turning over a book to an editor is a double-edged sword I found — on the one side, it’s a relief; then on the other, it’s a panic. May the editing process be productive and fruitful!

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      Many thanks! and yes, you’re so right…!

      Reply
  5. maddalena@spaceandsorcery

    Congratulations, and Happy BlogBirthday! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Steph P. Bianchini (Post author)

      Thanks so much!

      Reply

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