Welcome to another Featured Blogger Friday. This week I am delighted to welcome up and coming Tassie author, and blogger, Kate Gordon.

Welcome Kate. 

Firstly, why do you blog?

I started off blogging because I was a librarian and “Library 2.0” was very big on blogging! Now, I blog because I love reading author blogs and getting an insight into the mind of the people I admire. I figured, since I’m about to become one of these “author people”, I should let people have an insight into my mind. Not that I expect to be admired. I just kind of feel like, since I’m such a blog junkie, I should give something back.

What do you blog about?

Mostly books and writing. I work in a book shop. I am a writer. That’s my world and it’s all I really know! Occasionally, I’ll blog about other things that make up my world – my friends, music, movies, my husband, my psychotic cat … yes, I have been known to be a cat blogger! I try and blog every Monday and, really, I just blog about the first thing that comes into my head!

Who is your target readership?

Ooh! Hard one! I guess, at the moment, my readership seems to be other writers, people associated with the publishing world, and bloggers. I guess people interested in books and writing are interested in the blog because that’s what it’s primarily about! Hopefully, when Daisy Blue comes out, I’ll get some teens reading. Hopefully I won’t seem old and boring to them!

How often do you blog?

Once a week. I wish I did it more but I don’t have the time!

How much time do you devote to blogging?

Probably about an hour or so a week? My husband does my website and he actually spends a lot longer on it than I do. Bless him!

Do you have a favourite blog post? 

My personal favourite is a post I did about my girlfriends. I like it because it’s a tribute to the wonderful ladies who have been such a huge support to me in my life, and I smile whenever I see it. I also had fun writing a post about the music that inspires my writing, because I love a chance to share great music with people. It was also an eye-opener to read the comments about the music that inspires other writers.

What do you see as the benefits of blogging?

As a reader, I am a total glutton for information about writers. How they do what they do, why they do it … even things about them that aren’t to do with writing – their families, the music and movies they love, their pets. Maybe I’m a voyeur, but I know I’m not alone. The reason I blog is to return the favour, and because it’s fun. I love to write, obviously, and blogging gives me a chance to write stuff that’s not “proper” writing. Plus, I can just hit “publish” and people can read it. I don’t have to submit it and hope it gets accepted. It’s just an enjoyable pastime!

What blogging platform do you use and why?

WordPress. I did use Blogger, but the Husband Bear found out that WordPress can do blogs AND websites so, when he made my website, he chose WordPress. I’m still getting my head around it.

Do you have a favourite blog to visit (other than your own)?

I love your blog, obviously! And Alien Onion is always good fun. Persnickety Snark, Sandy Fussell and Tansy Rayner Roberts  all give good blog, too. Paige Loves Books  is good for (often local) booky news.

Lastly, when you are not blogging, what else do you do?

I work in a book shop, where I’m in charge of the kidlet area, and the kidlets themselves (in the form of the Fullers Ferrets book group – all 400 of them), and the YA area as well. When I’m not there, I write as much as I can, do yoga and zumba, listen to metal and country, and hang out with the Husband Bear and Mephistopheles Danger Gordon. It’s not a bad life :o)

Thanks for dropping in, Kate. Good luck with the release of Daisy Blue.