Discovering New Authors

I have a long list of favorite authors, as I'm sure most of you do. My bookshelves are piled high with books waiting to be read. I've been reading most of these writers for more years than I'd care to count but once upon a time, they were unknown to me, which got me wondering, how do YOU choose a new book by unfamiliar author? With so many books out there these days, and so many more options to choose from, what makes you plunk down a handle of change to sample an Indie author, or spend the big bucks to snag the latest release from a bestselling traditionally published author.

I tend to rely on recommendations from friends and family. They know my taste and know if I will enjoy an author's work, but when I'm let loose in a bookstore, that's another story. The cover is the first thing that grabs me. If it's appealing or intriguing, I'll pick it up. I might skim the inside flap or the back cover to see if the story peaks my interest, but it's the writing that seals the deal for me. I'll read the first page and then flip to the middle. If I have the sense that I like the writer's style, I may skim a few more pages to get a sense of the characters to see if they are likable or wooden.

If I'm already a fan of an author, I don't need to be hooked with the first paragraph because I know they'll deliver.

When sampling a new author, if the writing and the characters are engaging, I'll go along for the ride even if I'm not crazy about the plot because writers tend to get better with time. I've read many a first book by unknown authors and with each new release they raised the bar a little further, ultimately ending up on my must read list.

For me, it's all about the writing…I like a book that make me care about the characters…where I can lose myself in the story and be entertained.

What about you? How you discover new author's?