Pat's Fantasy Hotlist: Why is it that. . ?

I've received more than a few emails pertaining to these two topics since last summer. . .

Some are wondering why this blog doesn't appear on John Scalzi's list of top SFF blogs. They tell me that based on what the author is looking for in terms of parameters, the Hotlist should be on that list. If I'm not mistaken, Scalzi's Top 50 is based on technorati rankings, which means that it's based on the number of links a blog gets. From what I understand, traffic is not one of the variables in this equation, so I really can't elaborate more on the subject. I recall a thread on http://www.malazanempire.com/ last summer, encouraging people to link me so the Hotlist would make Scalzi's Top 50. I was flattered, of course, but I didn't really lose sleep over something like this. I remember Scalzi's first list being more about authors, which could also explain why a review site didn't make the cut. As you can see, I have no idea whatsoever why I'm not in that Top 50. Perhaps you guys should ask John. . .:-)

On a related note, many seem confused by the fact that http://www.locusmag.com/ doesn't link any of my reviews/interviews/giveaways/yada yada yada. If memory serves me right, the Locus website did link my Q&A with Joel Shepherd last fall, as well as the Terry Awards (my year-end awards). If I'm not mistaken, those are the only two posts they ever linked from the Hotlist. As to why they don't link more of my stuff, again I have to plead ignorance. Perhaps it would be better to ask them directly. I don't know if I'm considered as "competition" or something of the kind. It might be that they have enough of their own reviews and interviews. I really can't say. . .

Of course, it is within the realm of possibilities that they simply don't like what I do!:p I wish I could help you out, but as you can see I'm rather clueless myself. . .

9 commentaires:

Anonymous said...: Erm, I've got to be honest and ask - why would people care? Anyone can link to anyone and they can do so, or not, for a myriad of reasons.

I'm rather flummoxed to think enough people have commented on it for you to make a post about it! What a bizarre world this is.

Sure more traffic and exposure is desirable but why people would query this is beyond me. I'm not trying to be a smart arse or anything but I really am intrigued as to the importance of links like that apart from upping your profile and why your readers would question their absence.; 10:25 PM
Patrick said...: Jebus: I have come to realize that some of my readers are very loyal!:-) Nothing wrong with that, of course!

But I have to admit that I'm at times a bit dumbfounded by some of the comments I receive in my inbox. It's odd what makes certain people tick or not...

At least people care, which is probably the nicest compliment one can hope for.:-); 10:33 PM
SQT said...: I like you better as a well kept secret. ;); 3:33 AM
John Joseph Adams said...: If you want Locus to link to your posts, you have to email Mark Kelly and suggest he post a "blink" pertaining to your review/interview, etc. If they posted one for your Shepherd interview, perhaps Joel (or someone else) submitted the link to Mark.; 7:45 AM
Anonymous said...: They are jealous of your progress...
Or maybe sqt(???) is right, we want to keep you to ourselves.
This is the ONLY SF/Fantasy site that I return to regulary.; 8:13 AM
Patrick said...: Well, I'm not sure if I'm such a well kept secret anymore!;-)

I'm really happy with the way things are going now, and I'm not losing any sleep about where I'm linked or not linked, etc.

Still, it appears that some SFF fans would like this blog to be linked more often in a great many places...:-)

Can't fault them for that!:p; 10:37 AM
Shawn C. Speakman said...: I wish you'd link some of the other great blogs out there -- might help you get some reciprocation. While yours is largely informational, others out there are writing great and well thought out analyses of new releases and also having some great interviews done. Just a thought to show the benevolence of one Patrick of Hotlist.; 1:17 PM
Larry Nolen said...: Like John Joseph says, Mark Kelly of Locus Online usually depends upon people emailing him links for possible inclusion in the "Blinks" section (I believe he holds a full-time "day" job and does this on his own dime, more or less), so perhaps sending him emails with links to the interviews would be best (those and the first, "in-depth" reviews of just-released books are what are posted there, depending on volume).

As for Scalzi, who knows? You could ask him, I suppose, but it again may be a matter of running in different circles. I highly doubt anything personal would be behind it.

And I'm still waiting for you to take the time to learn how to do the new, easier way to add links to the Blogroll! :P; 12:31 AM
Patrick said...: Larry: I updated to the new version of Blogger earlier this year. But for some reason, the template didn't update, so I still have to do everything by hand...

Shawn: I'd love to link more stuff. But the sad truth is that there are so many blogs/websites on my list of places to visit, that I can no longer check them out on a daily basis. I used to be able to do everything while eating breakfast before going to work. And now, I managed to miss the birth of Ken's baby...:-( I'm not too proud about this, especially since Ken has been an internet friend for a while now. I'm trying to keep track of everything, but it's impossible to do that nowadays. So I'm at times around a week behind on a lot of stuff... And since the Hotlist is taking up a lot of my time (much more than I ever thought I'd be putting into this project), well you do the math!;-); 11:06 PM