A while back I started seeing ads pop up whenever I was on Blogger or my gmail account. These ads were for a site called Blog2Print, which claimed they could make your blog into a book. The idea intrigued me, but I never actually clicked on the ads because I figured I didn't really have enough stuff written, and what would I do with a book like that anyway?
So I kept writing and sharing meaningless details of my personal life with the world.
Then, about a month ago, I was reading another blog (the author is someone I don't actually know in real life, but I found her blog somewhere and started reading it, and now here we are), and in passing she mentioned how every year she makes her blog into a book.
"Genius!" I said to myself, as if I hadn't already considered the idea multiple times. Then I immediately went to Blog2Print.
Long story short, I ended up getting myself a book. It came in the mail last week, and it's way more awesome than I thought it would be. This isn't actually saying too much, since I didn't think it would be that awesome to begin with, but still. If figured if it sucked, it could at least write a post to warn everyone against it. But that obviously isn't happening.
The website isn't the most user friendly, but once I figured out what I wanted, it wasn't that hard. Basically, you can choose either a hard cover or soft cover, black and white or color. I got a black-and-white soft cover book, which ended up costing me $17.95, including shipping. The color hard cover costs something outrageous like $45 or $50, so I don't suggest you waste your money. But for $18? Totally worth it.
The cool thing about the site is that you have the choice to include pictures from your posts and reader comments. I didn't get comments added in, because, well, up until a few months ago, I didn't get a whole lot of comments anyway. But I also didn't get them added because they didn't seem necessary. However, even though I didn't include comments, I still like the fact that I could have added them if I wanted to. You can also choose which posts are included in the book. Some posts are better than others, obviously, and there were a few I didn't include because, well, I just didn't want to.
There are a few options for structure and placement. You can choose to maximize the page usage, which will condense paragraphs and move photos around to use the least amount of pages. Or, you can sort of customize it yourself. I chose to maximize page usage, so for some of my posts the pictures are in a weird place, like all bunched together at the bottom of the page. It isn't terribly annoying, but if there's a next time, I'll probably try to do more customization. It does print italics and bold, which is good to know, and it makes a lovely table of contents for you (mine goes on for three more pages):
You can also choose from a number of different covers. I almost went with a yellow cover that had a flower on it, but in the end I chose the basic one that says "blog" all over it. I love it. You can also choose the photo that goes on the front cover and pick a different photo for the back cover. Another cool thing is that you can choose a title, so you can name the book whatever you want; it doesn't necessarily have to be your actual blog title.
So what's the point of printing your blog? Well, technically none, I guess. But I for me, I feel like the past year has been an important one--a big one, rather. A lot happened to me, and because of this blog, I got to document it all. I told some funny stories (like this one about my search for eggs, which might be my favorite), planned my wedding (see the "engagement" link on the left sidebar), trained for a half marathon, and set goals for myself.
It's not like I expect people to want to sit down and read my book for hours, but I like the fact that I have it all printed out.
So what's the point of printing your blog? Well, technically none, I guess. But I for me, I feel like the past year has been an important one--a big one, rather. A lot happened to me, and because of this blog, I got to document it all. I told some funny stories (like this one about my search for eggs, which might be my favorite), planned my wedding (see the "engagement" link on the left sidebar), trained for a half marathon, and set goals for myself.
It's not like I expect people to want to sit down and read my book for hours, but I like the fact that I have it all printed out.
The bottom line: If you have ever wondered what exactly you're supposed to do with your blog posts, or if you've ever toyed with the possibility of getting them printed at some point, I do recommend Blog2Print. They'll fix you up just right.
Also, I should also mention that the size of my book is somewhere around 8.5 x 11. Like, the size of a piece of paper.
Also, I should also mention that the size of my book is somewhere around 8.5 x 11. Like, the size of a piece of paper.
YES! I've been wanting to do this too. Except I was trying to shove mine into a blurb.com format. Did it pretty much set itself up? I seriously want to know everything because I was already going to do it.
Yes, it basically set itself up. It wasn't hard once I figured out what I was doing. I honestly wished I could have customized it a bit more, but like I said, I think that's because I chose the option to maximize page usage, so it automatically moved my pictures where they would fit best...not necessarily where they should have been in the actual post. But it really doesn't bother me. I did like that I could choose which posts to include. If you have any other questions, let me know!
Just a word to the wise: I have also used Blog2Print. I have a garden blog, "Sowing The Seeds," since 2010. The first two books I did were wonderful, so I had no worries using them again. I received two new books in December. I was VERY unhappy--the pictures were extremely saturated--some almost to the point of being black. I immediately let them know and I just received word, after sending them pictures of some of the pages, and they are not standing by their product, even though the pictures on my blog, as well as photo books I have made with Picaboo, Shutterfly, Mixbook, and others, had the exact same pictures, and the color was right on. The offer no reprints, no refunds, but a 20% coupon to (you won't believe this!), use to print them again! Why would I do that and risk the same mediocre results?! $200 dollars wasted. I will have to reprint the books, but you can be assured, it will not be with Blog2Print. I am actually going to report them to the Better Business Bureau--others need to know of their poor customer service.
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