In my quest to be a better author (and achieve my ultimate dream of world domination), I thought I’d ask everyone out there to put on their reader’s hat for a moment.
Inquiring minds want to know …
1) What keeps you coming back to your favorite author’s Web site? A blog? Extras from the book? Contests and giveaways?
2) What do you think is the hot genre right now? Who are the hot authors? The ones you can’t wait to buy and read? And what the heck do I have to do to be one them (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
3) Are there plot lines you’re tired of? Are vampires on the way out?
4) Is there something out there that you just absolutely refuse to read? Some character or plot device you hate? What is it?
5) What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
6) What gets you to try a new author? Reviews? Buzz? Ads in RT?
comment as many times as you like but you must answer a question.
All right, let me try to answer these questions 🙂
1)Updates. I go back to an author’s website if I know there are frequent updates… It could be a blog, or just an update on how you’re doing. Contest and book stuff (excerpt) are nice once in awhile, but not that necessary.
2) The hot genre right now, hmmm that’s hard to answer. I guess paranormal is the hot genre at the moment. Vampires, werewolves and so on. The hot authors would be J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brooks… Those are “new” authors that have been rising really quickly in the past year or two. To be one of them, I think all you have to do is write something good that will catch ppl’s attention 😀 Personally, I think you did 😀
3) I don’t think that vampires are out… it really just depends on what/how you write it. I know that a plotline that many are tired is the soulmate thingie, where the main characters are attracted to each other for no explanation… they look at each other and they know that’s it, they found their mate. It’s almost as if they were given the choice and most of the time, yes, they do get to know the other and fall in love, but the first reason why they got together is left unexplained and that annoys many.
4) When the heroine is so desirable that every male in the viscinity has to have her and she ended up sleeping with all of them ^^; ugh.
5) Hmm, that’s a tough one… best book I’ve read this year… So far, I would say Blue Willow by Deborah Smith (that’s romance), Demon Angel by Meljean Brooks and the Temeraire series by Naomi Novak.
6) A good review from someone I know share the same tastes as me. The cover also, if it’s attractive to me and catches my eye while I’m shopping. Buzz can be good or bad… it depends if the buzz was because the book was sooo good that everyone loved it (eg: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder) – that I will buy. If the buzz was about a contraversial issue in the book (eg. Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell), then I usually stay away from it.
Hope it answers your questions 😀
1) What keeps you coming back to your favorite author’s Web site? A blog? Extras from the book? Contests and giveaways.
All of those mentioned 😀 What I hate is a blog/website that is never updated. Would rather the author not have one than one that is left catching dust!
Hot genre – has to be paranormal still, although this too will pass!
Hate secret baby plots, anything political/courtroom.
Best book this year? Enjoyed Lover Revealed by J R Ward although I thought it was the weakest of the series so far. JMHO.
Reviews, buzz, recommendations by friends get me to read a new author. Also like excerpts of the book at the author’s website – can get a feel for the author’s voice and whether I may like it or not. 😀
1) A frequently updated website filling us in on the latest in regards to an author’s books. Excerpts.
2) I guess paranormal is hot. Though personally I’m getting a little tired of everyone jumping on the bandwagon, just ‘cuz it’s hot. Some of those hot paranormal authors would be JR Ward, Nalini Singh, and Meljean Brooks, as mentioned above. But please, write your muse, not what you think we want to read. I haven’t tried any of your books yet, but I love the concept of writing about superheroes!
3) I personally am pretty sick of vampires and werewolves and won’t pick up a new series unless it’s raved about. The ones I’m following that I enjoy I’ll stick with.
4) See #3. I am also not real fond of 1st person narrative, but I won’t necessarily dismiss a book completely because of it. It will affect my decision on whether to buy, taking other factors into account.
5) Lover Revealed, Games of Command, And Then He Kissed Her are a few I loved off the top of my head.
6) I’ll try a new author based on buzz. It really, really helps if they have a website and I can read a synopsis and an excerpt. And it’s best if it’s not too confusing. I got on a website recently where a bunch of characters were introduced but I couldn’t make heads or tails of how they fit into the stories, and what the books were about, let alone being able to find an excerpt. I don’t want to have to spend a lot of time trying to figure things like that out!
Thanks for asking! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, guys.
The reason I asked these questions was so I can make my Web site and my writing the best it can be. 🙂
I have lots of extra stuff on my site — quotes from the book, a who’s who of characters, a tour of my Bigtime world. I was just wondering if that’s the sort of thing readers like. I love my world, but does anyone else really care *that* much about it? I was just wondering.
As to my thoughts on the other questions, I’d say paranormal and historicals are pretty hot right now. Ward is the popular writer at this point in time. I’ve heard lots of good things about Elizabeth Hoyt too.
I’m a little tired of vampires, unless the world and writing just blows me away (like Ward). I’m also tired of the soulmates plot. I really don’t care for anything where the heroine is TSTL.
I try new authors through reviews and what I hear other people saying about them.
The best book I’ve read this year (so far) would probably be Dark Lover by Ward.
1. Definitely blogs and/or contests.
2. No clue. paranormal/urban fantasy/erotic romance.
3. I’m a bit sick of vampires at the moment.
4. Inspirational romance. I’ve tried. It was very painful.
5. Hard to say. lol Can’t recall.
6. Blogger buzz goes a long way in getting me to try a book. Also, a great cover and blurb will do it.
1. Blogs and contest keep me going back.
2. Paranormal is hot right now. Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Keri Arthur are some of the ones that are on my autobuy list.
3. I can’t think of any that I tired of.
4. I am not too thrilled with troubled marriages, disillusioned chick lit. I want an escape when I read.
5. Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen series.
6. other readers recommending a book, established author recommendations,
What makes me want to visit an author’s website? Well, a good contest for free books or an amazon or bn gift certificate draws my attention right away. This works especially well if it’s an author I am not familiar with. If I have just finished a book I really liked I immediately go looking for more – more backstory, more excerpts, future release dates, short stories, etc. That keeps me hooked and ready to buy something else as soon as it’s available! It is incredibly disappointing to find nothing about an author/book/series that you just loved.
1) What keeps you coming back to your favorite author’s Web site? A blog? Extras from the book? Contests and giveaways?
Tidbits and teasers, to be honest. I also like to read for explanations about plot devices and character motivations. I don’t read for the contests and the like.
2) What do you think is the hot genre right now? Who are the hot authors? The ones you can’t wait to buy and read? And what the heck do I have to do to be one them (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
Erotica and paranormal, or erotic paranormal. At least, that seems to be the most of what I see on the grocery store shelf. JR Ward, Karen M. Moning, Lisa Kleypas are all authors I’ll buy without even blinking. I’m hoping to add Jennifer Estep to that list, once I’ve read her!
3) Are there plot lines you’re tired of? Are vampires on the way out?
It has to be done very, very well for me to be interested in vampires. I’m a little weary of the “rebellious regency damsel who won’t marry the man her family tells her she must” – yawn. But that’s just me.
4) Is there something out there that you just absolutely refuse to read? Some character or plot device you hate? What is it?
I detest novels that use “replacement” words – calling a body part by a different, make-believe word, for example. I’ll throw that book at the wall if that happens and I won’t pick it back up. World-building is okay, but at least make it relatable.
5) What’s the best book you’ve read this year?
So far, that would have to be Lover Revealed by JR Ward. Oh my gosh that was a good book. Perhaps I’ll be changing that to, “Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep” in the near future! 🙂
6) What gets you to try a new author? Reviews? Buzz? Ads in RT?
Not sure I should admit this here, but I don’t subscribe to RT. I will buy a book based on reviews and author blogs. Sometimes, if I’m actually in a real bookstore and not just shopping on amazon, I’ll buy a book based on a compelling cover and a good blurb, but normally I buy based on someone’s reco.
1. Blogs and contests and to find out when a new release is going to be available.
2. Paranormal- J.R. Ward, Shiloh Walker, Nalini Singh, and Meljean Brooks
3. I can’t think of any that I am tired of.
4. I like to read everything.
5. Hunters: Heart and Soul by Shiloh Walker
6. Blogs, hearing about it from a friend, and reviews.
1) I come back to an authors website based on updates. If they don’t update for months I get a little irritated. Some authors update monthly. Others almost daily. Guess where I am the most, those daily updates. I really enjoy discussion boards as well, but some I avoid due to the negative nature of some posters.
2)The hot genre is definitely the paranormal romance and for me mystery. I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong, Charlaine Harris, Kim Harrison, Marjorie Liu, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Karen Chance, Richelle Mead, Stephanie Meyer, Lilith Saintcrow, Carrie Vaughn, Patricia Cornwell, Lee Child, Janet Evanovich, Diane Mott Davidson, James Patterson, John Ringo, JD Robb, Kathy Reichs, RA Salvatore and Margaret Weis. Laurell K Hamilton is on the cusp of falling off my list, but currently is still there.
3) I am tired of the vampire vs werewolf crud. I want some new takes on this mess. The creativity in this area is lagging. I don’t think vamps are on the way out, but I think chick lit is helping have a new twist on them.
4)I can no longer read about John Ringo’s posleen. Let me clarify that though, he is an amazing writer. It gives me busy dreams, I am there fighting right along side his main characters. I don’t sleep well or at all due to this. So I set the posleen aside. But I will read just about anything. Cereal boxes, kids magazines, billboards, etc.
5)The best book I read this year… I can no sooner pick a favorite star in the sky. Although, over the weekend I read one that just stopped my heart, twice! 1st to Die by James Patterson. Man, can he write a good mystery.
6)I check out author websites, fellow fan recomendations, RT website, Amazon reccomendations. Everywhere, I can not ever have enough books. I am always on the search for new and wonderful.
1) I love extras, like excerpts, fake interviews and other crap. I also like when an author keeps really up to date with when stuff is coming out etc. In short, always having something to look forward to.
2)Paranormal is definitely hot. And Urban Fantasy.
3)I lurve me some vampires, but boy am I tired of vampire warriors. That plotline has been done and done.
4) Not real big on too many children in my romances, like oh so endearing children who bring neighbors together, but otherwise I’m pretty open.
5)Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
6) I first hear of authors through the buzz around, then I hit the website, look around, read excerpts. Reviews influence me a lot , but a good excerpt that grabs me really pushes it over for me.
Jennifer, I didn’t read the comments before I posted. I love extras that add to worldbuilding. It make it come alive, and keeps one going between books 🙂 Definitely have guides to the characters and all that.
1) Contests and blogs.
2) Paranormal and fantasy
3) Prarie and Civil War historicals are out for me.
4) I couldn’t decide on just one.
5) Blogs and friends and occasionally reviews.
1. I come back to an authors websites based on updates, blog, extra and contests/giveaways.
2. The hot genre is paranormal and mystery/suspense for me. I’m a huge fan of J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Kim Harrison, Charlaine Harris, Jacqueline Carey, Kelley Armstrong, Marjorie M. Liu, Eillen Wilks, Keri Arthur, Laurell K. Hamilton, Katie MacAlister, L.A. Banks, Gena Showalter, Christine Feehan, Lori Foster, Angela Knight, Lynn Viehl, Rosemary Rogers, Linda Howard, Iris Johansen, Robert B. Parker, James Patterson, J.D. Robb, Tami Hoag, Karen Robards, Sandra Brown, Janet Evanovich, Robert Crais, Catherine Coulter, John Sandford, Kay Hooper, Lee Child, Shannon McKenna, Suzanne Brockmann, Lawrence Block, Mariah Stewart, Lisa Jackson, Heather Graham, Andrea Kane and Beverly Barton.
3. I don’t think vampires are out depends on the plotline/how you write it.
I’m not much into political/courtroom stuff
4. Chicklit and see #3.
5. Final Scream by Lisa Jackson (romantic/suspense), Paradise Room, The California Club and Divas Las Vegas by Belinda Jones (romance).
6. Reviews, cousins suggestion, blogs, exerpts then I will check out the authors websites.
4) I highly recommend Protector of the Flight by Robin Owens.
First I wasn’t really into much blogs til I visited here because a wide variety of authors come here and I find it easier than finding different blogs, but I do end up going to the authors blogs after having met them here.
1. News on the books, newsletters, giveaways.
2. Paranormal is indeed hot along with some fantasy romances coming, but too more guaranteed that there will be a hot romance within a fastinating story. Too series keep me coming back to visit with the characters more.
3. Straight contemp for me, and romance suspense when its very heavy on both on the suspense.
4. Horror. I won’t read that at all. And inspirational.
5. Usually its the last book I’ve read because so many are just great reads! THE CRIB by Sasha White (novella in Pure Sex)
6. I love reading new to me authors. I like to know the blurb, a bit about the characters, the sensuality, and a great cover-its part of the whole package of the book. It doesn’t always have to be a new and unique theme, because theres some that are my favorites, like historicals and I love to read new to me authors of them.
Loved these questions!