Changes to The Mad Reviewer in 2014

So the results of my poll are in and I’ve decided based on the results as well as my own observations that I’m going to be making a few changes around here in 2014.  Just so everyone stays in the loop, here are some things that will change:

1.  I will use a new theme.

This is obvious because I chose a new theme for 2013 as well.  A year with Coraline has taught me that clean themes are certainly the best, so now I’m torn between Nuntius, Quintus, Truly Minimal and Fusion themes here on WordPress.  I’ll probably narrow things down in the coming weeks, but my new theme will definitely be clean.  It’ll just be different enough to change things up a bit.

2.  I’m going to be doing more articles/rants.

As you guys know, I don’t rant just for the sake of ranting.  I haven’t been truly annoyed at something for a while, which is why there haven’t been any rants.  So instead, in the new year I’ll be doing more research-based articles similar to Why Girls Hate Game of Thrones–A Rebuttal as well as The Hunger Games and Ancient Rome.  I may even do articles about my favourite figures in history and talk about some of the better portrayals of them in historical fiction.

Basically: be on the look out for some more serious articles in the new year.

3.  I’m going to try to reopen review requests by next fall at the latest.

I had been aiming to have my review requests all cleared up by Christmas, but that’s not going to happen.  My bosses are taking a two week vacation so I actually get two weeks off as well and I’ll try to clear as many books as I can.  Will I finish them all?  Probably not.  But I’m aiming to have everything clear by spring and failing that, fall of 2014.

Fall is probably a more realistic estimate considering that summer is always ridiculously busy at work and because I have taken on a second job.  I’ll be sending out the occasional review request to authors, but I won’t be taking any review requests from them.

4.  I’m going to include some new features.

I’ve been getting a little bored with my current cycle of posts, so in the new year I’m going to change things around a little.  I’ll still be posting mainly reviews during the week, but on the weekend I’m hoping to have a discussion post and maybe something new like a blogger profile.  This is all very tentative since I don’t have anything concrete actually thought out, but I would love some suggestions for things to spice up my blog.

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Well, what do you think?  Do you like some of the changes?  Do you have any suggestions for new things to spice up my blog?  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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