A couple of years ago, I started my book blog just to have a quiet corner on the internet where I could talk about the stories I loved. I had no clue what I was doing, but I kept showing up, one post at a time.
Today, that little passion project has grown into something bigger, with steady readers and even a bit of income.
In this blog, I’m sharing how to start a book blog from scratch. From choosing your niche to hitting publish on your first post, I'll walk you through it all, step-by-step.
Step By Step Guide to Start a Book Blog
Here’s your step-by-step guide to starting a book blog, broken down into 7 easy, doable steps.
Step 1: Choose a Blogging Platform
The first step to starting your book blog is picking the right platform, it’s basically your blog’s home. You’ll want something that’s easy to use, has solid customization, supports SEO, and gives you room to grow (and maybe earn) later on.
While options like WordPress, Blogger, and Wix are out there, Dorik Blog Creator stands out for how beginner-friendly and feature-packed it is.
No matter your tech skills, Dorik AI makes launching your book blog simple and smooth, so you can focus on what you love: writing about books.
Let’s look at why Dorik is a great fit for your book blog:
Why Choose Dorik?
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Clean, user-friendly interface
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Create a site with AI in just one prompt
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Built-in AI text generator and AI Image generator
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Drag-and-drop editor (no coding headaches)
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Flexible design and layout customization
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Super simple content management
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Smooth third-party integrations (marketing, payments, more)
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Built-in SEO tools to help you get found
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Unlimited bandwidth and storage
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Custom Collections for organizing content
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Responsive customer support
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Premium-level features at budget-friendly pricing
Step 2: Select a Blog Name and Domain
Now that you’ve picked your niche, it’s time to name your book blog, something that reflects your personality and passion for books. The name you choose should hint at your content (think reviews, reading lists, or literary thoughts), be easy to spell, and stick in people’s minds.
Keep it short, relevant, and preferably SEO-friendly so your blog shows up when people search for similar content. If you are not sure where to begin? Explore blog name ideas or try Dorik’s AI business name generator. It’s a handy tool that gives you creative, bookish name options in seconds.
Once you find something you love, check if the domain name is available. Stick to familiar extensions like .com or .net if possible. For example, if your blog’s name is “The Reading Nest,” try securing thereadingnest.com or a close variation.
Related Read: .Com Vs .Org
With Dorik AI, you can easily connect your custom domain or use a free subdomain during the 14-day trial if you're not ready to commit just yet. Just be sure to check that your chosen name isn’t trademarked to avoid any legal issues down the road.
Step 3: Design Your Book Blog
Now is the time to make your blog look amazing. With Dorik AI, you can build your site in three simple ways: use AI to generate it instantly, pick a pre-made template, or drag and drop your way to a custom design.
No tech skills needed, just your bookish flair.
Method 1: Create Your Blog With AI
First up, let’s see how you can create your book blog in minutes using Dorik’s AI-powered site builder. Just follow these quick steps:
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Click Sign Up on Dorik’s website. Open your account by providing a valid email address.
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After signing up, you will land on your Dorik Dashboard. Select "Create Site Using AI" from there.
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Enter your blog name, a short description, and choose your preferred language.
That’s it. Dorik AI will instantly generate a clean, professional-looking blog, ready for you to tweak and make your own.
You can customize the generated website and publish when you want.
Isn't it easy? You can generate your book blog with a single prompt in Dorik AI. Here, I am attaching the screenshot of the website it generated.
Related Read: How to Write Prompt for AI Website Builder
Method 2: Create Your Blog With a Template
If you want a ready-made design, Dorik has nearly 100 beautifully designed templates across different categories. Just follow the steps below to create your site with a book template.
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Go to Sites > CMS > Create New Site from your Dorik dashboard.
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Then, type "book" in the template search bar. You’ll find several book-related templates ready to go.
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Preview the templates that catch your attention, and click "Use Template" to start customizing your chosen design.
Customize the template however you like, it’s your space, after all.
Here are a few quick tweaks you can make to give your blog that personal touch:
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Add or remove pages based on what you want to share
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Upload your logo to make the site feel more you
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Edit headlines, titles, and descriptions to match your tone
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Use AI to generate stunning images for your blog
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Let AI help you write catchy headlines, full paragraphs, or even rework entire sections
The best part? You can do all of this in just a few minutes with Dorik AI, no tech stress, no wasted time.
Method 3: Create Your Blog from Scratch
If you’ve got the time and want full creative freedom, building your book blog from scratch is totally doable and kinda fun too.
Here’s how to get started:
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Head to your Dorik Dashboard > Sites > CMS > Create New Site
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Select Create From Scratch
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Use the drag-and-drop editor for building your layout from the ground up
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Add sections for blog posts, an about page, or anything else you want
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Play around with colors, fonts, and design elements to match your vibe
This option gives you total control over your blog’s look and feel, so you can shape it exactly how you imagine.
Step 4: Choose Your Blog Type
Before you dive into writing and reviewing, take a moment to think about what kind of book blog you actually want to create. Are you into a specific genre? Do you love giving recommendations? Or maybe you’re passionate about helping others write their own books?
Your blog can be super niche or broad, it’s totally up to you. Think about what excites you most and the kind of readers you want to connect with. A focused blog often attracts a loyal audience faster, but a general blog gives you more freedom to explore.
Here are some popular book blog types to consider:
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Book reviews
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Book recommendations
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Writing tips and how-tos
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Deep-dive critiques
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Book discussions and reading reflections
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General bookish content
If you're leaning toward a genre-specific blog, here are some popular options:
Fiction Genres:
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Romance
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Fantasy
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Action & Adventure
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Horror
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Thrillers & Suspense
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Sci-Fi
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Classics
Nonfiction Genres:
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Biographies & Memoirs
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History
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Religion & Spirituality
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Poetry
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Self-help
Pick what feels right, you can always evolve as you grow.
Step 5: Grab Books
You can’t run a book blog without, well... books! In the beginning, start with what you already have, books you've read, own, or borrowed. As you grow, you’ll want to expand your shelf and get access to fresh reads regularly.
The good news? There are plenty of ways to score books, free, cheap, or even with early access. You can also join book networks or subscription platforms to keep your reading list full without breaking the bank.
Here are some great places to find books for your blog:
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Public libraries (the OG source!)
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NetGalley – for early review copies
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Little Free Library – find or donate books in your area
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BookishFirst, Edelweiss, Fierce Reads, Penguin Teen, HMH Teen
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Penguin Random House, Harper Collins – check their review programs
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Subscription platforms like Scribd, Audible, Kindle Unlimited, BookBub, Bookmate, ManyBooks
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BookCrossing – track and trade books
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Nook by Barnes & Noble, Paperback Swap, Bibliomania
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Garage sales, thrift stores, or just swap with friends and family
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Even check out Freecycle or Craigslist for hidden gems
Bottom line: build your blog library without spending a fortune, there’s no shortage of places to find great reads.
Step 6: Brainstorm Blog Topics & Write your First Blog
Now that your book blog is all set up and looking great, it’s time to start writing. Coming up with blog topics can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get into the flow, the ideas will keep rolling in. Think about what excites you as a reader, that’s where the best blog posts start.
Need a little inspiration? Here are some book blog-friendly topic ideas to kick things off:
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Personal takeaways – Share your thoughts, lessons, or feelings from a recent read
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Genre guides – Recommend must-read books from your favorite genre
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Reading challenges – Document a 30-day or year-long reading goal
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Book vs. movie comparisons – Dive into what worked (and what didn’t)
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Listicles – “10 books that made me cry,” “5 books to get out of a slump,” etc.
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Author spotlights – Share your favorite authors and why their work matters
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Behind-the-scenes – Talk about your reading habits, bookshelf setup, or how you choose your next read
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Bookish opinions – Share a hot take or debate a popular book ending
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Overcoming reading blocks – Tips for getting back into reading when you’re stuck
Bring your personality into every post, your voice is what will keep readers coming back. Just start writing, and trust that your ideas will grow with every blog you publish.
Step 7: Publish & Promote Your Book Blog
Once your first blog post is written, give it a quick polish, check for typos, clarity, and overall flow. If possible, ask a friend or fellow reader to glance over it too. After that, add a clear meta description, hit publish, and celebrate your first step into the book blogging world.
But don’t stop there. Publishing is just half the job, the next big move is getting your blog seen. The more you share it, the more likely it is to reach fellow book lovers who’ll appreciate your take.
Here are a few ways to promote your book blog:
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Repurpose your content – Turn your book blog post into a short video, carousel, infographic, or even a podcast snippet
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Add CTAs – Invite readers to download a free reading list, sign up for your newsletter, or join your book club
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Social media sharing – Share 3–4 blog-related posts per month across Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter. Use carousels, reels, or short quotes to keep it fun
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Use automation tools – Schedule posts so you’re not stuck online 24/7
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Join Subreddits – Share thoughtful posts or book takes in niche communities. Don’t just drop links, join the conversation
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Guest post – Reach out to other book blogs or literary websites and pitch unique article ideas. It helps build your credibility and brings in new readers
Publishing is the start, but promotion is what keeps your blog growing. Get the word out and let your passion for books do the rest.
FAQs
Do book bloggers make money?
Yes, they do. Book bloggers can earn by monetizing their content through things like affiliate marketing (earning a small commission when someone buys a book through their link), sponsored posts, or even selling digital products like reading planners or e-books. |
Can you get paid to read books?
Absolutely. You can get paid to read by reviewing books for publishers or websites, joining ARC programs, or even narrating audiobooks.
Can I get paid to type?
Yes, you can. Many people earn money by typing on freelance platforms. From data entry and transcription to writing simple content, there are plenty of typing jobs out there. It’s a legit way to earn, especially if you're just getting started.
Wrap Up
Starting a book blog isn’t about getting it perfect, it’s about loving what you write and sharing that love with others. It takes time and consistency, but if books light you up, this can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do.
If you’ve been wondering how to start a book blog, the answer is simple: start because you love it. If it makes money later, great. If not, you’ve still created something meaningful around what you love. So go for it, start your book blog and see where it leads.
