A Cozy Girl’s Guide to Starting a Book Blog

This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosure here.

Blogging doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive or even perfect. If you’ve ever wanted a small corner of the internet that is just for your thoughts and opinions you want to share, this guide is for you. 

I started my book blog (Cynthia in the Wild’s previous content over the last 3 years) with very little time or experience, and a lot of love for fantasy romance. 

Three years later, Cynthia In The Wild is read by thousands each month and while things are changing a bit around here, I’ll always have a soft spot for the early days of cozy blogging nights and figuring things out as I went. 

So let’s talk about how you can start your own book blog, without feeling overwhelmed. 

Decide What You Want to Write (& For Who)

When I first started writing, I wrote about a few different genres. Mystery, Fantasy, Thrillers, and Romance. 

Eventually, I realized I was writing a bit all over the place and decided to really focus in on Fantasy Romance. As that was the majority of what I was reading anyway. 

Alongside picking a genre, do you want to focus on reviews, themed reading lists, or journal your reading journey? 

Is your audience someone who loves cozy fantasy, spicy stories, or dark academia stories? 

The clearer your vibe is, the easier it will be to create content that feels like you while also building brand recognition. 

But don’t be afraid to just start and figure this out as you go. I decided to just start and figure it out as I went. 

Tip: Create a Pinterest account and create moodboards of colors, images, and fonts you like that match your blog’s energy. 

Choose a Blogging Platform

Whether you are ready to start your blog as a cozy hobby or to really grow a book blogging brand, you’ll need to start with a platform.

However, where you start does matter in the long run. 

Personally, I decided I wanted to grow this into a business and so I chose to host my website with SiteGround, I kept my theme simple by starting with Astra and now using Ashe Theme. 

I also pay monthly for Canva and use Unsplash when I need to sub a picture. 

But if you decide that paying for hosting and buying a domain (which I also bought through SiteGround) then going with a free option will work just as well.

Consider options like Blogger, WordPress.com, Medium, or Tumblr. 

Don’t be afraid to invest early on. If you put the work in, you’ll get your investment back. 

But if you want to keep it low key, and as a hobby, do that! 

Tip: Don’t overthink the tech behind your blog. Done is better than perfect and you can always change down the line. If you start free and want to upgrade to paid, or pay now and then downgrade to free later, you can do that too. 

Write Your First Posts

Start with 3-5 posts you’re super excited about sharing. Maybe write about your favorite books or create fun lists of book recs with different themes. 

For example:

• Your all-time favorite read
• A review of your most recent five star read
• A list of books with a certain vibe (cozy or high stakes)
• Why you started your book blog/an introduction

When you’re just starting, don’t worry too much about your SEO or ranking in search. Focus on writing good articles like you’re talking to a good friend. 

Tip: Pick a few writing rituals that will help when you don’t have motivation to write. A lo-fi playlist, a favorite drink, or even romanticizing the process. 

Add A Touch of Personality 

While it’s helpful to use your favorite book bloggers or researching book bloggers, don’t feel pressure to make your blog look like theirs. 

The beauty of blogging is that you now have a blank canvas you can make fully your own. 

Tip: If you use Canva or another similar design tool, make a few branded templates for Pinterest or social media that can easily be reused, so everything feels more put together. 

Share It (Optional)

You don’t need to blast your blog on day one or send your URL link to everyone in your contacts. 

I still haven’t openly shared my blog. I don’t have a lot of other readers in my life and they would have no interest in my book blog and only support it because they care about me. 

There are other ways to share it though, here are a few:

• Pinning your posts on Pinterest
• Joining bookish groups on Facebook
• Sharing links in your social media bios
• Reaching out to smaller bloggers to say hi

Tip: Set small goals and celebrate them! Maybe your first 10 page views, your first comment, or your first 5 posts. Every milestone matters. 

Optional: Monetize It

If you’re curious about earning money from your book blog one day, that’s totally doable! Just remember that depending on your niche, how quickly or slowly your audience is growing, and what platform you choose, monetization can look different across every blog. 

Some beginner friendly options:

• Affiliate programs like Bookshop, BAM, and Book Depository
• Utilize Canva Pro to make printables, reading trackers, or guides and offer them as digital products in a shop on a platform like Etsy or Gumroad
• Once your traffic grows, apply to ad networks like Google Adsense or Mediavine Journey

*Just a note, ad networks won’t accept blogs on Medium as Medium has its own monetization program, but you can on platforms like Tumblr or Blogger, just be sure to read the fine print. 

But I will say, don’t focus on money in the beginning. You won’t see it. Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint.

That’s why I really suggest whether you want to invest upfront or not. You can monetize with free platforms, though it may be limited.

If you’re gonna take time on any aspect of starting a blog, take time to understand the difference between a hobby blog and a blog that can grow into a business. 

Then start and work on making it better a little every day. 

Final Thoughts: Your Blog, Your Pace

You don’t need to blog daily or pay out lots of money for the perfectly aesthetic theme.

The beauty of book blogging is that you love books and now you can create a small space on the internet that is all your own to yap about them. 

I’m rooting for you because running my book blog the, last 3 years brought me so much joy and taught me a lot about running a blog and the more business aspects of having a blog. 

I did monetize through Mediavine Journey once I hit 10k monthly sessions. 

So it is possible! Let me know if you have questions in the comments!

I hope this post was helpful and when you do start your book blog, share your blog in the comments and I’ll check it out. 

You Might Also Like: My Cozy Blogging Routine