The term blog wasn't coined until 1999 and yet by 2004, it became Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year. Globally, the number of blogs is more than doubling quarterly. Here to offer a unique overview of the emerging phenomenon that even armchair observers will find curiosity-satisfying is Dispatches from Blogistan: A Travel Guide for the Modern Blogger.

Filled with practical, easy-to-implement advice for making blogging more enjoyable, useful, and profitable, this book covers everything from blogging and how it fits into the history of journalism to practical tips for planning and managing a blog, attracting and retaining an active readership, and even generating revenue. Written by noted technology journalist and interactive media veteran Suzanne Stefanac, the book's fresh and succinct design; quotes and commentary from noted and celebrity bloggers (authors Bruce Sterling, Steven Johnson and Cory Doctorow, Craig Newmark of craigslist.org, NPR news commentator Farai Chideya, blog pioneer Justin Hall among others), accompanying blog site; and more, make this a blog book like no other!

Technology journalist Suzanne Stefenac explores the history, popularity, and controversial elements of online journals or "blogs," particularly ones that are political in content. She discusses the precedents of open discourse that made blogging possible, and responds to the notion that political blogs threaten traditional journalism. Also, much of the book discusses strategies that make a blog trustworthy, readable, popular, and enduring, including some software basics. The author guides readers in how to find good blogs on a particular subject, and profiles some successful political blogs. A glossary is included. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Suzanne Stefanac has written about technology and its social and business implications for more than fifteen years. She is currently Director of the American Film Institute's Digital Content Lab.

DISPATCHES FROM BLOGISTAN

a travel guide for the modern blogger

by Suzanne Stefanac

I.      learning from the past

         chapter 1. the urge to blog not new

         chapter 2. the printing press as cultural catalyst

         chapter 3. journalism evolves toward public discourse

II.      mapping the territory

         chapter 4. blogs as newsrooms

         chapter 5. blogs as linkfests

         chapter 6. blogs as diaries

         chapter 7. blogs as watchdogs

         chapter 8. blogs as marketplaces

 III.      optimizing for success

         chapter 9. packing your toolkit

         chapter 10. anatomy of a blog page

         chapter 11. promoting your blog

         chapter 12. writing that engages

IV.      making a difference

         chapter 13. copyright and the new commons

         chapter 14. free expression and censorship

         chapter 15. open source roots showing

V.      blogging the future

         chapter 16. bloggers consult their oracles

VI.      appendices

         blog glossary

         interviewee bios