As for being invited to conferences and TV shows: You get there in the same way you get links from A-List bloggers:

* Ask to present at a conference.
* Email quality stories and posts that may be of interest.
* Tell them you’re available.

Self-promotion is key.

I think a lot of people are missing the point. I’m certain that the biggies maintain that status because they constantly feed off of one another without much regard to those not closely related in their niche. And because they’re big and get all the inside tips from not just the MSM, but other bloggers, the rest of us keep an eye on them just to read the pulse. I’ve thought for quite some time that we female bloggers need to work together a lot more; not ignore the big white guys, but spend more time helping each other out. Same goes for minority bloggers (specifically, black bloggers–although it seems to me there’s some good support within the group).

I also honestly think that minority–and to a lesser extent, female–bloggers get overlooked because of the topics covered. Most whites, because they (we) simply don’t feel minority issues in the same way, tend to not pay attention because of a lack of understanding. This isn’t everyone, to be sure–I enjoy reading race-issue posts and I know a lot of others do, but it’s just my intuition that tells me a lot of others don’t.

It’s not an Affirmative Action or liberal thing to think any of this, either. It’s a matter of supporting each other, teamwork, whatever you want to call it.

Sorry for the LONG comment; once again I find myself saying “I shoulda just blogged it.”

In reality the complaint is not about a lack of females bloggers, but a complaint about a lack of female bloggers on at the top of certain blog lists.

I suggset, that the only blog list that maters to to the individual is the blog list he uses for himself. As your personal blog list is anything you make it, you are free to put anybody on it you care.

For a strange twist, David Burge, Iowahawk, has a rather good take on this kerfuffle.

Respectable meaning with similar assumptions about judging results. Note that 30% recovery rates of religion based AA is not that great — but is better than any other major program for helping alcoholics.

Stan, I resemble that remark! I might be another white, male blogger, but at least I offer a Crabby Patty to anyone who might actually read my blog.

Then again, up until last week, I was one of your neighbors. Promise to take my good habits w/me!-)

Question: Is Ann Althouse overlooked because she is female or is she overlinked because she is a law professor? I know that there is no answer to that, but i think it does show the danger of looking at this question through a single filter.

While a man writing a column taking on the powerful may be seen…

In retrospect, I found nearly all the blogs on my favorites list by recommendation rather than original search. The original recommendations came via MSM, and then from links in various blogs. The reason is that topical searches are inefficient. A search on any given topic will yield too many hits to wade through.

So, I would encourage you to follow your linking strategy, because it works.

As for the preponderance of bogs by white guys, all that means is that more blogs by white guys get ignored. I think people voluntarily disclose personal details because those details help them explain where they are coming from. But those details have little influence on the question of whether a blog will be added to a given “favorites” list and develop lasting traffic. You write well. Your positions are thoughtful, and have texture and nuance. You know how to track down useful and interesting information. That makes you a keeper, regardless of the personal details.