Becoming a Blogging Hero
A few months ago, I received an email from someone claiming they were a New York Times Best Selling Author – Michael A. Banks. I thought it was a joke, but I checked his background out and he was telling the truth! Mr. Banks wanted to interview me for a book he was writing called “Blogging Heroes” and told me he has already interviewed authors of some of the biggest blogs out there – Joystiq, Blogroll, Autoblog etc. Apparently, the editors of “Blogging Heroes” heard of my blog from the all the Link Trains I was doing in the summer and asked Mr. Banks to contact me to see if I’d like to be in the book. I was extremely honored to be asked and set up a phone interview with Mr. Banks, which ended up lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. He asked me a lot of questions about Link Trains and gaming the system, so to be honest, I’m not sure how I’m going to be received. I just wanted to tell the truth and pass along my main message which was that my “success” can be attributed more to my network of bloggers than anything else.
The book is scheduled to come out in late November, so keep a look out for it. Actually, I’m probably going to announce the release of it as soon as I find out about it. Look for me at your local Borders . . . I’ll have some signing dates ready for everyone as well 
Oh, and don’t forget about Blogging The Movie – I think I’m going to be in that, too. Lord, if my head gets any bigger, I’m not gonna be able to get through the doors.
Here’s some excerpts from the book if you’re curious:
Do you have advice to offer new bloggers?
My advice on getting more traffic is to participate in other blogs. You need
to participate by commenting and supporting other bloggers.
Meet people who share some of your interests—even if the interest is just
reading a particular blog. If you can do that and produce quality content,
you’re going to develop a rapport with just about everyone you approach.
Your reputation will precede you.
What do you find gratifying about blogging?
Networking. The fun has been meeting people from around the world.
There is nothing more gratifying than that, and knowing you’ve been able
to help people—just increase their rankings, or plant a seed in their mind
to help them be more creative and do things. Meeting people and watching
them grow—that’s been the most satisfying part.
I look at the whole blog thing as a big party, and everybody is trying to
meet each other—trying to build their cliques, as with any social function.
There are always cliques. And there’s always that one person who is just
trying to meet people, and right now that’s what I am.
How did you climb to the Top 100 so quickly?
I’m not going to lie and say, “I did this on purpose.” I really attribute it to
my network of blogger friends. The people I started blogging with all pretty
much started to blog at the same time as I did. We met one another on John
Chow’s blog [http://www.johnchow.com] and commented on John Chow’s blog
because we were trying to get noticed. And we linked to each other. We
would start dialogues in the comments sections.
Wiley Publishing has given me permission to post a link to my chapter, so give it a read and let me know what you think: Blogging Heroes – Mr. Gary Lee
Also, Boing Boing has posted their Chapter, so if you want to read, go check them out as well!
Delia, 
I guess I actually have to go buy an iPhone now! 
great post! i will definately put it to use when considering adverting!
I was checking some of my stocks this morning and after laughing at how much Apple (AAPL) stock can rise at the slightest of iphone announcements, I noticed that Yahoo (YHOO) also jumped significantly today. At first I thought it was due to the new quality based pricing that Yahoo had implemented, but then found out that Jerry Yang is back and head of Yahoo as CEO.
It’s been about a week since I cancelled my cable service. I decided to do it now because 1) the NBA has finally come to the dreadful end 2) all my favorite television shows such as 24, House, Lost, Heroes and Greys have come to an end. At about $85 a month for basic cable, HBO, cinemax and all the HD channels, I thought the cost was little too high for watching only a couple hours of television a week, which normally would be comprised of reruns on HBO of Batman Begins or any movie that I already have in my movie library. I say only a couple of hours because I’ve been downloading my tv shows for the past couple of years to watch it when I want and commercial free. So watching television was something I did to relax and just pass the time.
CC, 
ms danielle 11.41 am on 25.10.2007 Permalink
that’s so cool. you’re my hero!
but i agree, it’s all about networking and participating with other bloggers, in a constructive and intelligent manner. with the tons of blogs out there, it’s the only way to get noticed.
Hannes Johnson 3.46 pm on 25.10.2007 Permalink
Wow, congrats! That’s pretty cool
Not too shabby having your name on a book cover
ジェイソン (Jason) 6.12 pm on 25.10.2007 Permalink
Wow, it’s incredible to think of all the people that have become well known thanks to John Chow’s site.
Congrats!
Jeff Kee 10.30 am on 26.10.2007 Permalink
NIIIICE you’re a celebrity now..
and now i have the honour of meeting up with a celebrity in Vegas!!!
CC 11.11 am on 26.10.2007 Permalink
You are the most famous blogger I know! Dude, congrats.