Dogs have been shaming and embarrassing themselves throughout the ages. What’s new is the perfect platform for sharing such behavior through hilarious and adorable pics on Pascale Lemire’s Dogshaming.com. Lemire took some time out to fill us in on the history and work that goes into running this incredibly popular and addictive site:

Q: When and why did you start Dogshaming?

A: I started Dogshaming in mid-August. It all started when my fiance, Mike, and I caught our more mischievous dog under the bed, chewing on Mike’s underwear. There was only the elastic band left. After laughing so hard that we cried, we started to get concerned. Was he going to be okay? Then he threw up part of them and the rest…well, you know. So Mike thought it would be funny to shame him, so he took a picture of Beau, which I posted on my personal blog. Within 12 hours, we’d amassed over 600 likes. So we started up Dogshaming, and the rest is history.

Q: How many picture submissions do you receive on average?

A: We receive probably over 500 submissions a day.

Q: From those submissions, have you found that any particular breed tends to be more frequently shameful?

A: Oh, yes: pitbulls, wiener dogs, labs and weimaraners are some of the most submitted.

Q: What pets do you have? Have they been featured on the site?

A: I have two weenies. They’ve both been showcased numerous time on the blog.

Q: What do your family and friends think of the site?

A: Everyone thinks it’s so funny. I’ve been really fortunate to have received very little backlash from this blog.

Q: What blogs do you read?

A: I read quite a few personal blogs from friends, but the popular ones I check are The Frogman, CuteOverload, Buzzfeed (we were featured in the 54 Best Tumblrs Started in 2012) and Awkward Family Photos.

Q: How much time do you spend on Dogshaming daily?

A: I spend approximately 6-8 hours a day working on submissions, Adoptable Fridays, correspondence, charities, etc. I’m a one-woman show, so it’s a full-time job!

Q: How much do you correspond one-on-one with readers?

A: I try to respond to all inquiries on Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr within 12 hours. I am very active as our readership is the reason we’re still in business. Often, our readers have good ideas on how to improve the site.

Q: What joys did you not expect when you started the site? What pains?

A: The Adoptable Fridays is definitely the most fulfilling part of the blog. Being able to help these wonderful dogs who have no permanent home definitely makes up for the less fun parts. Every once in a while, I’ll receive a lude picture as a submission, or someone will tweet us about how terrible our site is and that we should quit Twitter. But then I realize, I have 18,000+ Twitter followers for a reason, and more than how many people read our blog every day? One person who hates our blog vs. hundreds of thousands who love it. Makes it easy to get past the negative.

Q: Which post has made you LOL the most?

A: Having seen close to 50,000 submissions, it’s hard to remember the ones who make me laugh. I think this one is probably one of the funniest, though.

ADVERTISERS: Make sure to check out Dogshaming’s current 300×250 and 160-wide ad units. Use Discount code “Blogads25” to receive 25% off when you purchase an ad within the next week. Dogshaming will donate another 25% of your purchase amount to an animal rescue center.

For those looking for thoughtful reporting of news in the media, then Jim Romenesko’s self-titled site is one not to be missed. Romenesko is a well-respected and highly influential thought leader in journalism and media circles. College Media Matters recently said that “Romenesko is fast becoming a social media machine,” so join Romenesko’s Twitter and Facebook following in addition to making JimRomenesko.com one of your must-read sites.

When and why did you start professionally writing?

I started working at the Milwaukee Journal after graduating from the Marquette University College of Journalism. From there, I went to Milwaukee Magazine, where I was senior editor. I’ve specialized in crime reporting, technology reporting and media coverage at various publications and websites.

How would you describe the content of JimRomenesko.com?

The site covers what’s important and interesting in the media world, from my perspective. I try to make it of interest to both journalists and media consumers who don’t work in the news business.

What do your family and friends think of your blogging?

They think it’s the perfect line of work for me! They know I’ve always been interested in the Internet — I first went online in 1989 — and that I was blog pioneer, starting my own site long before the word “blog” came into being.

What blogs do you read?

I have dozens of them in my RSS feed and bookmarks folder — everything from Gawker to Slate to Gizmodo.

How much time daily do you spend writing for the site?

I am generally at my computer by 7 a.m. and try to shut it off at 5 p.m. I then switch to casual browsing on my iPad. If I see something that *has* to be tweeted or posted, I turn my computer back on and go to work.

How much do you correspond one-on-one with readers?

I get emails, Facebook messages or Twitter DMs daily. Sometimes they’re sending tips, and other times it’s just a compliment or criticism.

What joys did you not expect when you started blogging?

I never guessed that I’d attract such a large following; I remember (in the late 1990s) when I was happy to get 100 visitors a day. I now have over 41,000 Twitter followers.

What pains?

It’s my fault, but I’m rarely able to turn off the computer and take a vacation. I don’t feel I can let my sites go dark for an extended period of time.

What’s something your readers don’t know about you?

I was a family newspaper publisher at age 8, and still have those “newspapers” in my archives. I lost a tooth while producing one of those papers, and there’s blood on the paper as evidence of it. (“Actual tooth blood,” the story states, with an arrow to the stain.)

What’s been one of your favorite stories/topics to cover so far?

The  Jayson Blair/NYT saga was very interesting because it toppled Times editors and, quite frankly, put my site on the map in media circles. Here’s how the Los Angeles Times described my role in that scandal.

ADVERTISERS: For the next week, use Discount Code “Blogads50” to receive 50% off a rectangle, sidebar or square button ad on JimRomenesko.com!

With the holidays just around the corner, Bruno Bornsztein and the team at Curbly have been providing great DIY and crafting ideas that are perfect for seasonal home decor. No matter what the season, though, Curbly is always featuring inspiring and innovative home improvement “how-to” ideas. Stay connected with Curbly on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, too!

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

A: I’ve been blogging since about 2002. I was in journalism school at the time and wanted a way to ‘practice’ what I was learning. I started out by setting a goal to write something (anything) every single weekday for six months, and I was able to do it!

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst home-improvement blogs?

A: We sit at an interesting intersection between do-it-yourself and design. Our readers love seeing the latest trendy designs and inspiration, but they also want to know how to make things themselves that are truly unique and express their own personality. We try to address that by doing a mix of content: curating what we think is good from around the web, and creating original projects, tutorials and roundups that can’t be found anywhere else.

Q: What do your family and friends think of your blogging?

A: I think they think it’s great, but kind of mysterious. People are always really curious; especially about my work/life schedule. The question ‘But, how do you make money off that?’ comes up a lot. (more…)

Blogger Alex Balcerski features the lighter side of sports on Ride the Pine. The site brings energy and fun to sports news with entertaining posts and videos added each day. Keep up with the latest updates on Facebook and Twitter, as well!

Ride the Pine's Alex Balcerski

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

A: I started blogging and developing Web sites back in 2005 when I was the co-host of the Scotty and Alex radio show.  I developed our website and wrote the daily recaps of our show with pictures, links, etc.  The engagement with our audience over the web was somewhat rare during that time in radio so it helped us achieve success at our first station in Atlantic City, NJ and generated enough of a buzz to grab the attention of the brass at CBS Radio and eventually landed us at WYSP in Philadelphia doing 4-hours of talk every weeknight.  I loved every second of it, we talked pop culture, news, sports, worked with all the major Philly sports teams and interviewed some really cool celebrities.  When the talk radio landscape started to shift in 2007, I found myself without a job and struggling to find a creative outlet.  It was only natural to head to the internet and I developed a couple of websites including RideThePine.com.

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst sports blogs?

A: The most unique thing about RideThePine.com is our video show (creatively called) Ride The Pine.  I originally started the Web site to feature this 3-5 minute show that would focus on the lighter side of sports, the best videos of the week, and my (poorly crafted) jokes.  After just a few weeks, it was featured in iTunes as a “New and Noteworthy” podcast.  There is not another sports blog out there that does a video show like ours.

Q: What do your family and friends think of your blogging?

A: I was explaining to my mother the other day how the site has just exploded over the past six months and she said, “I always knew you would be famous.”  My mom always thought my radio show was a little too dirty and constantly ignores the fact that our show reached millions of people every night in Philly.  On the other hand, my wife can never understand why anyone even goes to my site (haha), but she is unbelievably supportive and puts up with a lot of ESPN watching.  My friends just keep getting annoyed that I clog up their Facebook feeds with my links, but there is nothing more satisfying than putting out an article that gets a lot of likes and comments from my friends. (more…)

In addition to being a Fox News contributor and hosting “The Alan Colmes Show” on FOX News Radio weeknights from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. EST, Alan Colmes covers the latest newsworthy political issues on his blog, Liberaland. You can also keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter!

Liberaland's Alan Colmes

Q:  When and why did you start blogging?

A: I began blogging on a lark during Thanksgiving weekend three years ago. I had a free day and thought it might be a way to spend an afternoon. I never thought it would evolve the way it did.

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst political blogs?

A: Hard to describe a flavor, but we work to aggregate some of the best stories on the web. Our goal is to be quick, timely, and engaging, not full of long, dull political commentary. I like to think if you come to us, we’ll give you some of the most important and best liberal stories and content at any moment, then we’ll send you on your way.

Q: What do your family and friends think of your blogging?

A: Thankfully, my family and friends have accepted that I have an obsessive personality, and I’m always all-in. They tolerate it, and me. (more…)

Alexandra Stafford is the blogger and chef behind Alexandra Cooks.  In addition to sharing her delicious recipes, Stafford draws in food lovers with captivating photography of her creations in different stages of the cooking process.  Work up an appetite on her site, and then go join her on Facebook and Twitter!

Alexandra Stafford of Alexandra Cooks

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

A: I started blogging in 2006 when I started working as the food editor for a small Philadelphia newspaper. I wanted to keep track of all of the food I was discovering in the city as well as at home, and blogging seemed like a good way to chronicle everything.

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst other food blogs?

A: Gosh, I don’t know. For awhile, I was very focused on the local-food movement and shopping only at farmers’ markets and buying only humanely raised meats and dairy products. Now, I’m still focused on supporting the local-food movement, but care most about featuring in-season ingredients. There are so many good food blogs out there, and I can’t really pinpoint how mine stands out — perhaps too many photographs ?

Q: What does your family think of your blogging?

A: My family, my mother in particular, are my biggest fans. They all subscribe to the email feed and couldn’t be more positive/encouraging/enthusiastic about every post. When they don’t receive an email for a few days, I get emails asking, “What’s going on?!”

Q: Where/how did you learn to cook?

A: My mother taught me to cook. I grew up eating homemade everything. My mother considers all things bottled — salad dressings in particular — repulsive. I learned to make homemade bread in elementary school. I was spoiled for sure. After college, I worked at a catering company outside of Philadelphia — Peach Tree and Ward — which was a blast, and then at a restaurant — Fork — in Old City Philadelphia. That’s where more than anything I became a more efficient cook. I loved my time in a professional kitchen but it wasn’t something I could do forever. I have such respect for kitchen workers — tough work, long hours.

Q: How much time daily do you spend blogging?

A: I probably spend about three to six hours a week blogging? I’ve never kept track. That’s terrible. I don’t blog every day, and I suppose every week is different. Some recipes take longer than others. Sometimes I take a million process shots, and editing those shots is time consuming. But between cooking, photographing, writing, and responding to readers, I would say six hours a week is about right.

Q: What blogs do you read?

A: So many! My favorite food site right now is food52.com. And I love my daily Canal House Cooks Lunch email.

Q: How much do you correspond one-on-one with readers?

A: At the very least, I try to respond to every comment that is a question. When I share the same enthusiasm for a comment, I often respond as well. When readers email me, I always respond.

Q: What joys did you not expect when you started blogging?  What pains?

A: I did not expect to receive so many emails from readers who share my enthusiasm for certain foods or recipes. It brings me such joy to read an email from someone who has had success with a recipe and who has brought joy to his/her family or friends or significant other or just for his/herself in the process. Nothing makes me happier, truly. The pains I have experienced are pretty trivial overall. Sometimes I feel torn between blogging and the other priorities in my life, and sometimes I feel stressed when I can’t find the time to blog during the week. I’ve learned, however, that when I start feeling this way, I just have to step back and keep perspective. Readers likely aren’t as concerned about not seeing a current alexandra’s kitchen post as I am.

Q: What’s something your readers don’t know about you?

A: Hmmm. I just had a baby… haven’t gotten around to blogging about it yet, so I suppose few readers know that. What else? My husband is an officer in the Marine Corps. I didn’t grow up in a military family, so moving around the country and enduring deployments was new to me. It sounds silly, but having a blog helped me so much during deployments. I spent time in the evening writing, photographing, editing, posting — not worrying/thinking about my husband. More than anything, life in the military has taught me to cherish our moments as a family together.

Q: What are some of your favorite recipes that you’ve featured on Alexandra Cooks?

A: I have so many, but here are a few of my favorites:

Homemade Pizza

Fresh Corn Polenta

Easiest/Best Ribs

Homemade Granola

Blueberry Buttermilk Breakfast Cake

Buttermilk Scones

Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

All-Time Favorite Brownies

Orange and Olive Oil Cake

Homemade Tomato Sauce

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Baked Overnight French Toast

Chez Panisse Eggplant, Caramelized Onion, and Tomato Pasta

Reading Teen blogger Andye is a true lover of reading and the Young Adult genre. Andye is accompanied by a handful of other contributors, all varying in age, to review books for teens and parents looking for the best YA recommendations. Make sure to check out their site for great giveaways in addition to finding your next page-turner!

Reading Teen Blogger Andye

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

A: I started blogging in February of 2010.  I began blogging to reach people about the Web site I had started (Parentalbookreviews.com).  I had been reading Young Adult books for awhile, and parents were always asking, “Is this book suitable for my child?”  I saw a need to provide information, and a blog was the best way to spread the word.  Since then, it’s grown into something much more than just a content site.

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst other book blogs?

A: Firstly, we provide a service that has been very useful for parents, teens and surprisingly many other bloggers who ask us to read certain books so they can decide if it is suitable for them/their child.  Secondly, there are six of us, all at different ages, blogging together, so we reach a wide audience.  We have a 50-year-old grandmother, two 30-somethings moms, two teen girls and a teen boy who each have a specific day that we write.  We also do a lot of audiobook reviews, which seems to be another things we’ve become known for. (more…)

Ana Grilo and Thea James, the partners in crime running The Book Smugglers, share reviews and recommendations for fictional and Young Adult novels. Their passion for reading is proven by the sheer volume of books they’re able to read and write about. Stay up to date with their latest reviews by checking out their blog, Facebook and Twitter pages!

Q: When and why did you start blogging?

Ana: I discovered the world of blogging toward the end of 2007 when I started to look for reviews online and fell in love with the idea of writing reviews as a means to keep tabs on what I was reading. That was really the impetus behind setting up the blog. At that time, I was a member of an online forum for “Fans of Lost” (the TV show), and that’s where I met Thea whom I used to talk about books with. In one of our chats, I brought up the idea of starting a book blog and invited her to join me and she said yes – the rest, as they say, is history.

Thea: Yup. Ana and I are huge nerds when it comes to pop culture and books, so when Ana propositioned me with the opportunity to start a book blog with her I was thrilled. Of course, I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined that an innocuous little book reading hobby could turn into something that is now such a huge part of my life!

Q: How do you think your blog stands out amongst other book blogs?

A & T: This is a really tough question to answer because there are so many outstanding book blogs out there! If there is one thing we do pride ourselves on, though, it would have to be our brutally honest and in-depth reviews.

Q: What does your family think of your blogging?

A: Well, my family is from Brazil and they don’t speak a lot of English, nor do they like to read (shocking!) so they don’t actually read the blog per se. However, I do tell them about it and about all of the cool stuff that has happened since Thea and I have started blogging and they are very proud of our accomplishments.

T: My significant other is also a non-reader, so he was actually quite peeved when The Book Smugglers began to take off – not because he was angry at the success of the blog (he’s very supportive in that regard!), but because the sheer volume of books increased exponentially and in direct proportion to the more followers we gained! As for the rest of my family, my youngest sister (a tween) absolutely loves the blog and often gets recommendations – and hand-me-down books – from it, which is pretty awesome. (more…)

Blogger Sheril Kirshenbaum provides unique insights in the overlap of science with other parts of our lives.  Her blog, Culture of Science, connects wide-reaching science issues to seemingly unrelated topics for her readers. Join her in connecting the dots on Twitter and Facebook!

Culture of Science Blogger Sheril Kirshenbaum

Q: When and why did you start blogging?