Help me find great science, environment, and food blogs (please!)

January 8, 2008 11:18 AM

I have a book (non-fiction) coming out that combines environmental history with science and food culture. (The book is about bananas; I don't know if I'm allowed to post a link to my Web site, so I'll refrain.) I've been reading about "blog book tours," where authors work with bloggers to provide interviews, excerpts. or just about anything else relevant to a specific blog's audience. So...I'm asking for people's favorite science (specifically natural science), environmental, and food (food culture and eclectic stuff) blogs. Thanks.
posted by soulbarn to society & culture (18 comments total)

Most science periodicals host blogs by their contributors on their web portals. Check out Seed, Scientific American, Discover. Those are periodicals geared toward a readership that has an interest in science without the advanced degrees.
posted by HotPatatta at 11:33 AM on January 8

Here's an idea. Do a blog search on Technorati.com and search for blogs with posts on Barbara Kingsolver's "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle", Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food", Eric Schlosser's "Fast Food Nation" and other related titles. That'll help you find the blogs that cover your area of expertise.
posted by HotPatatta at 11:37 AM on January 8 [3 favorites]

One more idea. When you find a blog that seems like a good fit, enter the blog's name in Google. Then click on "similar pages" to find some.
posted by HotPatatta at 11:39 AM on January 8

You might want to check out Kevin Smokler's BookTour.com -- he is one of the originators of the "virtual book tour," which mainly focused on blogs about literary fiction. While it's not specifically a blog-tour organizer, it's another good way for authors to be visible online.
posted by mothershock at 11:40 AM on January 8

I read many blogs from within scienceblogs.com. You might check that portal out, since you could also browse by category for bloggers who would best fit your audience. For food I read the Amateur Gourmet and Chocolate & Zucchini

HotPattata's suggestion is good.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:45 AM on January 8

Don't forget New Scientist and the Scientist. Also, Grist for environmental stuff. And if there are science writers who cover the area whom you know, be sure in advance to have your publicist send copies. Salon and Slate, perhaps also.

Oh, and if you can possibly afford it, absolutely hire a publicist. I can tell you from personal (three books published) experience and friends' experience that publishers can completely drop the ball on publicity and that advance size is not always related to their fervor or lack thereof in promoting your book.

Is that yours linked on Arts and Letters today?
posted by Maias at 12:34 PM on January 8

Google also has a blogsearch.
posted by rhizome at 12:35 PM on January 8

eGullet occasionally has Q&A with authors and things like that.
posted by Atom12 at 12:46 PM on January 8

This must be you, right? You can (and should) link it from your MeFi profile, if not otherwise trumpet it from the treetops :) Sounds like a good read.

Would you be comfortable with being on podcasts? There are a number of science podcasts that have guest author/expert interview segments, like Scientific American, Science Times, Guardian Science Weekly, The Naked Scientists, etc.. If you don't listen already, you should have a good browse through the iTunes store's science podcast listings.
posted by mumkin at 12:54 PM on January 8

yes, that's me on Arts & Letters, and that is my Web site. Thanks so much for all the helpful answers. I'm going to get started right away...

again, much appreciation to all.
posted by soulbarn at 12:56 PM on January 8

Polyglot Vegetarian has long, detailed discussions of the histories of particular foods and the words for them; unfortunately he doesn't seem to have tackled the banana yet.

And yeah, definitely link your site from your userpage!
posted by languagehat at 1:10 PM on January 8

For food-related blogs, I'd also suggest Michael Ruhlman's (I've shilled for him twice today! I am not in any way affiliated with Mr. Ruhlam, his books, or his blogs. It's a coincidence. There.)
posted by DrGirlfriend at 1:22 PM on January 8

And when you're ready to promote your book, why not post a link in the Projects section?
posted by kidbritish at 1:23 PM on January 8

Hi - thank you for all the ideas. They're great. A couple of folks have said it's OK to link to my book from this forum, so:

the book is called "Banana: The Fate of the Fruit that Changed the World."

My Web site is www.bananabook.org.

The Boston Globe ran a really nice review last week:
http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2008/01/03/banana_unpeels_the_history_of_a_fruit/
posted by soulbarn at 3:57 PM on January 8

-- A favorite catch-all site for me is Science Daily.

--I queried Google for blog "jared diamond". I thought of the Diamond connection since he often refers to the impact of the development of agriculture on societies. The first few hits looked like possible venues for your work--I'm sure many more avenues await. Also, any journal or 'blog examining anthropology might be interested.

[I'm assuming that the OP is familiar with Diamond's work (e.g. Guns, Germs, and Steel). A short article by him can be read here.]
posted by bonobo at 6:26 PM on January 8

Great leapin' tarantulas. I picked up your book in the library this morning, soulbarn. Nice job!
posted by steef at 6:44 PM on January 8

eatingliberally.org
posted by HotPatatta at 8:00 AM on January 9

Claire Berlinski, to my knowledge, was among the very first to market a book with the help of bloggers. She describes that process here. In the interest of 'full disclosure' we met through her efforts, and became romantically linked for a short, tumultuous season. But that ended in '03. She should be very helpful, and she's really a wonderful person/writer.
I enjoyed yr book by the way, and I also quit the blog in '03.
best of luck.
posted by dawson at 1:02 AM on January 11