Is Blogging Worth It For Fiction Writers: Author marketing pros & cons

Fiction Yogi
May 26
5 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Open book on a table, blurred bokeh background. Text reads "Is Blogging Worth It?" in white, creating a reflective mood.

In this article we'll consider:

Blogging as an effective marketing tool
The cons of blogging
Is blogging right for you?
Tips for successful blogging

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If you're in the midst of navigating the complex (and hair-tearing!) world of book marketing as a fiction writer, you may have considered, or at least had brought to your attention, the idea of blogging as a tool for building an audience, establishing an author brand, and driving book sales.

But does blogging actually benefit fiction writers, or is it just another time-consuming distraction from your actual craft—writing novels?

Let’s break down the pros and cons of blogging to help you decide if it fits with you personally—your strengths, your time constraints, interests and capabilities—and ultimately your marketing strategy.

The pros of blogging for fiction writers

Colorful sticky notes spelling "BLOG" pinned to a corkboard. A yellow note with a lightbulb drawing sits above. A purple feather is in the corner.

Builds a readership beyond your books

Blogging allows you to connect with potential readers before they've even picked up one of your novels. If your blog touches on themes related to your fiction—like mythology, sci-fi tech, or true crime—it can act as a soft introduction to your work, your writing style, and your brand.

For example: A fantasy author blogging about worldbuilding, magical systems, or folklore might naturally attract fantasy enthusiasts.

Improves your SEO and online presence

Consistent blogging improves your website’s search engine visibility. Every blog post is a new opportunity to be discovered via Google, especially if you target niche keywords that your ideal readers are searching for; for example: “best fantasy novels with strong female leads” or "3 true crimes that are stranger than fiction" or “how to write morally grey characters”.

Establishes your authority and voice

Readers like to feel connected to authors; and these days, given the ease of accessibility via the internet, most have come to expect it. If social media isn't your thing, blogging could be a more palatable alternative that allows you to develop a recognizable voice, share your thoughts, and show your expertise (in writing craft, genre knowledge, and/or a particular subject matter).

This builds trust and loyalty—key factors in growing a fanbase.

Creates evergreen marketing assets

A thoughtful blog post written once can continue driving traffic and interest for years. Posts can also be repurposed into newsletters, social media content, or discussion topics in reader groups.

Connects you with other writers and influencers

Blogging, like podcasting, can open doors to guest posts, interviews, or collaborations. Other writers or book bloggers may discover your work through your posts, leading to any number of cross-promotion opportunities, as well as growing your support network.

The cons of blogging for fiction writers

Person at desk facing computer screen displaying "BLOG" and "PUBLISH." Books, calendar, and YouTube icon in background. Bright colors.

Time-consuming with delayed ROI

Blogging takes time, effort, commitment, and learning new skills. Unlike paid ads or newsletter swaps, blogging is a long game. It can take months or even years to see meaningful traffic or conversions to book sales.

If you're under contract or self-publishing on a tight schedule, your time may be better spent drafting or editing your next book, and considering instead a less time-intensive marketing strategy.

Can distract from core brand messaging

Fiction writers often struggle to find relevant blog topics. Writing about your personal life and opinions may attract a different audience than the one interested in your fiction; or providing general writing advice might attract fellow writers but not necessarily readers. If your audience isn't well-defined, your blog can become unfocused and ineffective as a marketing strategy for your books.

Requires consistency

A neglected blog sends the wrong signal. If your last post is dated two years ago, visitors may think you’re inactive, unreliable, or unprofessional. Blogging works best when it’s updated regularly—something that can be hard to maintain during intense writing or publishing cycles.

Bear in mind, too, that depending on what you're blogging about, some posts may need maintenance at a later date—such as, advice updated for relevancy, and links checked to ensure they're still accessible.

Low conversion rate for fiction

Let’s be honest: people don’t always go from reading a blog post to buying a novel, especially if the blog content doesn’t relate closely to the fiction—or worse, the audience the blog attracts are generally not fiction readers! This can make the return on investment disproportionately low.

Burnout and content fatigue

Not everyone enjoys blogging. If it feels like a chore, not only will your posts reflect that, but it will also be near impossible to sustain over the long term. Forcing yourself to blog because “you should” can sap your creative energy and reduce your enthusiasm for writing in general.

So, to blog or not to blog—is it right for you?

💡 Blog if...

You enjoy writing about topics related to your genre or stories, and/or you find blogging is a pleasant palate cleanser when not writing fiction.
You want to grow a long-term author platform, and/or create a body of useful or entertaining content.
You’re playing the long game and not relying on immediate returns.
You have the time and mental bandwidth to blog consistently.

🛑 Skip or delay blogging if...

You’re committed to a high-output writing and publishing strategy, or on a tight deadline.
You don’t enjoy writing non-fiction or personal essays.
You’re struggling to find blog topics that resonate with your readers.
You already have more effective channels, like a thriving newsletter or strong social media presence, and/or prefer to invest your time and efforts in these areas.

Tips for successful blogging as a fiction writer

Person holding a coffee cup, viewing a laptop with a "CONTENT" graph showing colorful bars and magnifying glass, in a bright setting.

Niche down: Tailor your content to your genre’s readers, making it clear what your blog is about, and be consistent with it. For example, horror writers might blog about creepy folklore or spooky experiences; romance authors could write about relationship tropes or character chemistry (in their own books and/or others in the markeplace); crime and thriller writers about real-life crimes; sci-fi authors about the future of tech, or life on other planets and alien sightings.

Repurpose: Each blog post can be used as content for your newsletters and social media posts, thus ticking multiple marketing boxes at once and directing attention to your website or blog hosting platform.

Engage: Invite reader interaction in your posts—ask questions, run polls, or request suggestions for future characters, storylines, book titles, etc, as best fits the scope and style of your blog.

Measure: Track your traffic over a period of time and see which posts bring people in the most. Lean into what works. Remember to maximize SEO by choosing relevant keywords people search for, using keyword research tools or asking AI for assistance.

Diversify: Consider a long-term strategy for your blog, such as whether all content will remain in the public domain; or whether, if successful, some content may be exclusive—hidden behind a pay wall or for newsletter subscribers only.

Finally...

Blogging is a tool, not a necessity. It's one marketing tactic in a toolbox of many. For some fiction writers, blogging is a rewarding and enjoyable way to connect with readers and build a platform over time. For others, it’s a time sink and a chore with little payoff.

Like any book marketing strategy, the key is alignment. If blogging supports your goals and plays to your strengths—go for it. If not, skip it and focus your energy on other marketing tactics, and of course storytelling, which is ultimately what your readers care most about.