Must Read

What attracts you to a book? Is it the cover? The title? The blurb? The author? By the author, I don't mean that you've heard of something they've written, or read something by them before, but the author her/himself. If the author has purple-striped hair and wears thigh length boots, you might remember them, but would it put you off reading their romantic novel? Would you be disappointed to discover the book they'd written was about tractor maintenance?

On a recent radio programme, I heard an editor for a major publisher extolling the virtues of those in her position coming from a marketing or PR background rather than an editorial one. She found her favourite crime novel after meeting the author at a literary event. The author had bright red hair, a Bronx accent and a background that included spells in rehab and a bikers' gang. The editor said she looked for authors who were marketable.

In this instance the author's appearance and experience were a good match for her main character and subject matter, but would the editor have been as enthusiastic if she wrote children's books? Would the readers? I really need to know before I go ahead with the tattoos and lessons in how to walk in six inch stilettos. Maybe I could put a photo on here of a kitten and recommend reading some of my work instead. Until 31st July you can still get Discord's Child free at Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...