Launching Today: Goodreads Q&A! Ask Your Favorite Author or Fellow Readers Questions on Goodreads!

Posted by Patrick Brown on May 21, 2014


If you could ask Margaret Atwood, Khaled Hosseini, or James Patterson anything, what would it be? Maybe you want to know their writing inspiration, what they read as a guilty pleasure, or you have a burning question about one of their bestsellers. Now's your chance because these three are among the 54 major authors who are helping us launch an exciting new program on Goodreads—Ask the Author!

Ask the Author allows readers to ask questions and get answers from their favorite authors. At Goodreads, we believe the relationship between authors and readers is very special. Authors tell stories and create worlds that spark the imaginations of their readers. Now readers can deepen that connection by asking questions about the new worlds, ideas, and people they've discovered in books.

Starting today, you can submit your questions directly to any of the 54 authors participating in the Ask the Author launch. (Full list below!) If an author answers your question you'll be notified, and every answer will be shared on the author's page so that other readers can enjoy them, too. In the coming weeks, all of the 100,000+ authors in the Goodreads Author program will be able to opt in to the feature. (To check whether an author is participating, visit his or her author profile and look for the "Ask the Author" section.)

We asked international bestselling author Dan Brown a question of our own about his thoughts on Ask the Author. His answer: "One of the most rewarding things about being an author is hearing from readers. I love engaging in dialogue with them, and I'm excited to have a brand-new way to stay truly connected with my fans. I'm looking forward to discussing writing, secret codes, ancient mysteries, and anything else that comes up with the Goodreads community. Then, of course, I will need to get back to writing because the most common reader question I get seems to be: 'When is the next book coming, Dan?'"

Reader Q&A

Of course, fellow readers are an endless source of book knowledge, too! So, we're also starting to roll out Reader Q&A over the coming weeks to provide our passionate, opinionated, and curious community with another way to connect over the love of books.

Reader Q&A for The Goldfinch


Reader Q&A for The Power of Habit


Reader Q&A for Night Film


Once Reader Q&A is activated for you, you'll find a new Reader Q&A section on every book page, just below your friends' reviews. When other readers start responding to a question, Goodreads members can click "like" on the answers they find most interesting, and the best ones will rise to the top.

To try out Reader Q&A, go to the book page for your favorite book or a book you've just read and submit a question for the Goodreads community. You can also look for questions to answer! If Reader Q&A is not yet showing for you, it will be coming shortly!

We'll be opening up Ask the Author to all Goodreads Authors in the coming weeks, but right now you can ask a question of any of the following authors:

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERS
Isabel Allende
Author of The House of Spirits
[image error]
Margaret Atwood
Author of The Handmaid's Tale
[image error]
Dan Brown
Author of The Da Vinci Code
[image error]
Deepak Chopra
Author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
[image error]
Khaled Hosseini
Author of The Kite Runner
[image error]
James Patterson
Author of Kiss the Girls
[image error]
FICTION
Michael Cunningham
Author of The Hours
[image error]
Kristin Hannah
Author of Firefly Lane
[image error]
James McBride
Author of The Color of Water
[image error]
Liane Moriarty
Author of What Alice Forgot
[image error]
Jojo Moyes
Author of Me Before You
[image error]
B.J. Novak
Author of One More Thing
[image error]
Robin Sloan
Author of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
[image error]
Jeff VanderMeer
Author of Annihilation
[image error]
Ayelet Waldman
Author of Red Hook Road
[image error]
Jesmyn Ward
Author of Salvage the Bones
[image error]
NONFICTION
Mark Bittman
Author of How to Cook Everything
[image error]
Geoff Dyer
Author of Another Great Day at Sea
[image error]
Tim Ferriss
Author of The 4-Hour Work Week
[image error]
Daniel Goleman
Author of Emotional Intelligence
[image error]
Arianna Huffington
Author of Third World America
[image error]
Anne Lamott
Author of Bird by Bird
[image error]
Frances Mayes
Author of Under the Tuscan Sun
[image error]
Michael Pollan
Author of The Omnivore's Dilemma
[image error]
Gretchen Rubin
Author of The Happiness Project
[image error]
YOUNG ADULT & CHILDREN'S
Laurie Halse Anderson
Author of Speak
[image error]
Holly Black
Author of Tithe
[image error]
Sarah Dessen
Author of Just Listen
[image error]
Rebecca Donovan
Author of Reasons to Breathe
[image error]
Susan Ee
Author of Angelfall
[image error]
Gayle Forman
Author of If I Stay
[image error]
Jeff Kinney
Author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid
[image error]
E. Lockhart
Author of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks
[image error]
MYSTERY & THRILLERS
David Baldacci
Author of Absolute Power
[image error]
Joseph Finder
Author of Paranoia
[image error]
Douglas Preston
Author of Relic
[image error]
S.J. Watson
Author of Before I Go to Sleep
[image error]
ROMANCE
Bella Andre
Author of The Look of Love
[image error]
Kresley Cole
Author of A Hunger Like No Other
[image error]
Sylvia Day
Author of Reflected in You
[image error]
Barbara Freethy
Author of Just the Way You Are
[image error]
Christina Lauren
Author of Beautiful Bastard
[image error]
FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION
Kevin J. Anderson
Author of Jedi Search
[image error]
Jim Butcher
Author of Storm Front
[image error]
Warren Ellis
Author of Transmetropolitan, Vol. 1
[image error]
Lev Grossman
Author of The Magicians
[image error]
Laurell K. Hamilton
Author of Guilty Pleasures
[image error]
Brian Herbert
Author of The Butlerian Jihad
[image error]
Hugh Howey
Author of Wool
[image error]
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Author of Styxx
[image error]
Bob Mayer
Author of Lost Girls
[image error]
Richelle Mead
Author of Vampire Academy
[image error]
John Scalzi
Author of Old Man's War
[image error]
Michael J. Sullivan
Author of Theft of Swords
[image error]

Is your favorite author missing from the list above? Let us know which author you'd like to ask a question of in the comments below and we'll pass on the message!


Comments Showing 51-100 of 320 (320 new)


message 51: by Cora (new)

Cora It is really a great idea.Really appreciate it.
Please include John Green,too.


message 52: by Joanna (new)

Joanna This is such a good idea! I would love it if we were able to ask Patrick Ness and other authors who have published books recently some questions.


message 53: by Sam-Omar (new)

Sam-Omar Hall Jared Diamond!


message 54: by Ally (new)

Ally Francine Rivers or Ted Dekker? I'd like to see a Christian author on the list.

And Gail Carson Levine.


message 55: by Srishti (last edited May 22, 2014 04:47AM) (new)

Srishti Ghosh Pls include Laurenn Dohner.


message 56: by Preeti (new)

Preeti Neil Gaiman,
Chimaminde Adichie.


message 57: by Lynne (new)

Lynne How do we get some poets on this list???


message 58: by Marci (new)

Marci Gbolahan wrote: "Cassandra Clare
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Jasper Fforde"


Yes, yes, yes! Jasper Fforde!


message 59: by Gerchia (new)

Gerchia I hope this becomes a regular initiative. It's awesome. Thank you to the authors and Goodreads. :)


message 60: by Marco (new)

Marco Please add Patrick Rothfuss! He pretty much guarantees witty and interesting answers. Who says no?


message 61: by Gbolahan (new)

Gbolahan Marci wrote: "Gbolahan wrote: "Cassandra Clare
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Jasper Fforde"

Yes, yes, yes! Jasper Fforde!"


Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...! Definitely Jasper Fforde! I so much miss Thursday Next!!


message 62: by Cullen (new)

Cullen Kisner I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be able to write to John Green ( I know he's active on here so maybe!!), Cassandra Clare, Rick Yanc(e)y (author of the 5th Wave) and J.K. Rowling!


message 63: by McQreader (new)

McQreader The Tin StarThe Broken HThe Christmas Tree Bargain

Curious to know if JL has any plans to continue this series ...

Would love to see if I am right about John and McCabe


message 64: by McQreader (new)

McQreader The Rebuilding YearLife LessonsBreaking CoverHome WorkLearning CurveLike the Taste of SummerCompensationsGetting It RightThe Family We're Born With

just some of my ABSOLUTE favorites! Wondering ...

when the sequel to Rebuilding Year will be available?

have Tony and Mac been stirring your imagination ... will there be any real resolution between Mac and his long-time partner, will there be a review of the actual failure to provide backup when Mac was shot not just the convenient cover of seniority?


when is the next installment of the family series be available?


message 65: by McQreader (new)

McQreader Morning ReportComplete FaithPapa's BoyLuke's PresentNothing Ever Happens

Love, love, love these men!!!!

Morning Report Series ... whose story will be next? The young high school pianist; the doctor, Marco, and the lawyer, Lance; the "brothers", Noah's friends who were victims of a hate crime? Just love this series and these men so much!

Nothing Ever Happens ... what's next for the new couple ... the end is so open for options, challenges, for absolute commitment. Will Nathan and Andrew settle or go all the way?


message 66: by McQreader (new)

McQreader Faith & FidelityDuty & DevotionCherish

Will Ethan finally be comfortable with the amazing man he loves, be comfortable with who he is and allow a complete and full relationship with Matt regardless of the labels and judgment? Matt is amazing!


message 67: by Jacob (new)

Jacob Corn I have some questions I would like to ask to Orson Scott Card.


message 68: by Elham (new)

Elham this is really thoughtful and nice. thanks to goodreads.


message 69: by Goss (last edited May 21, 2014 02:11PM) (new)

Goss Melissa Landers (Alienated series)
Ann Aguirre (Razorland series)
Kit Rocha (Beyond series)
Olivia Cunning (Sole Regret series)
Kristen Simmons (Article 5 series)
Jennifer Estep (Mythos Academy series)
Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto)


message 70: by Ty (new)

Ty Patterson I hope this initiative extends to new authors too. New authors need their voice to be heard too!


message 71: by Paloma (new)

Paloma -Tarryn Fisher
-Karina Halle
-Kristen Ashley
more romance,and New Adult/indie authors!


message 72: by Erin (new)

Erin Definitely some more children's authors! Sarah J Maas, John Green, Veronica Roth.

Also, Jasper Fforde!


Cassie    'The Thinker Go Go Go Go' Mis. Roben Goodfellow'\Isabelle Lightwood Cynthia Eden
Julie Kagawa
Cassandra Clair
Melisa Darnell
Andrea Cremer
Amy Plum


message 74: by Patrick (new)

Patrick Brown So many great suggestions here. We will do our best to get the authors you want to use the feature. Thanks for taking the time to check it out!


message 75: by [deleted user] (new)

I dont think i saw Rick riordan, christopher paul curtis, and a lot of my other favorite authors.


message 76: by Emily (new)

Emily Ty wrote: "I hope this initiative extends to new authors too. New authors need their voice to be heard too!"

This feature is in beta right now, so only the authors listed above are part of it. However, we'll roll this out to all Goodreads Authors in the coming weeks!


message 77: by Nenia (new)

Nenia Campbell OMG this sounds so fun! I love interacting with my readers. ♥

Yay!


message 78: by Christine (new)

Christine Hatfield I agree with nenia


message 79: by Lobstergirl (last edited May 21, 2014 04:06PM) (new)

Lobstergirl Two of my concerns about Reader Q&A are:

1) It's so high on the book page. Is every question by every reader going to be listed there - so that lots of space will be taken up before the Listopias and the Community Reviews are visible? If not, where will reader questions be visible?

2) I can see a lot of possibilities for spoilers. "Why does **** get killed off at the end?" etc.

Given that the Reader Q&A appears on every single book page, I would like it to be collapsible or closable in case I don't want to look at it...


message 80: by Emily (new)

Emily Lobstergirl wrote: "Two of my concerns about Reader Q&A are:

1) It's so high on the book page. Is every question by every reader going to be listed there - so that lots of space will be taken up before the Listopias..."


We list the top two questions and one answer for each of those questions on the book page. To see more, you can click through.

We're adding spoiler support in the next few days, and you can flag any spoilery question or answer for staff to look at.


message 81: by Nenia (new)

Nenia Campbell Christine wrote: "I agree with nenia"

:D


message 82: by Hosho (last edited May 21, 2014 04:25PM) (new)

Hosho I look forward to answering questions like "Was [I] born this way or did [I] work at it?" "What's [my] problem?" and "Just who do [I] think [I] am?"

Seriously though -- cool feature...I imagine it'll be (mostly) good times.


message 83: by Christine (new)

Christine Hatfield I never heard of those book authors


message 84: by Tibby (new)

Tibby Pepper Put Rick Riordan on!!


message 85: by Wana (last edited May 23, 2014 03:48PM) (new)

Wana omg Holly Black and Richelle Mead...and omg you also got my fav author of all times in the list Laurell K. Hamilton!!!!!!!!!
Goodreads you are the best!!!!!!!
luv ya!!!! this is the best feature so far!!!

congrats on an amazing idea,
I will definitely try it...after I pick up a question from so many that I already have running around in my head right now :D


message 86: by Carole (new)

Carole Diana Gabaldon


message 87: by Ryan (new)

Ryan Johnston Chris crutcher and Alex garland


message 88: by Mohammad (new)

Mohammad احمد مراد


message 89: by Artsygal402 (new)

Artsygal402 John Green, Suzanne Collins, and Elizabeth Laban


message 90: by M (new)

M Here is my question for Deepak Chopra:
In your book The Third Christ, you talk about three Christs. It was great! But I was left wanting more Christs! When will you get to the sequel?


Thank you!
--Mike


message 91: by Madeline (new)

Madeline J. Rose I would love some middle grade fantasy authors, such as Shannon Hale, Gail Carson Levine, Jessica Day George, E.D. Baker. I'd love to ask them some questions.


message 92: by Ally (new)

Ally Autumn wrote: "I would love some middle grade fantasy authors, such as Shannon Hale, Gail Carson Levine, Jessica Day George, E.D. Baker. I'd love to ask them some questions."

I second those first three. I love Shannon Hale!


message 93: by Sarah (new)

Sarah Gummo I would like to see Jodi Picoult, Linda Castillo, and J.K Rowling on the list.


message 94: by April (new)

April R This is so great! I think John Green should be on the list! :)


message 95: by Amber (new)

Amber I'd like to have Kiera Cass, Lorena Morales, Stefania Gil and Patrick Rothfuss. :)

Thanks!


message 96: by Nenia (new)

Nenia Campbell Ooh, how about Ernest Cline? I loved Ready Player One and I want to pester him with questions. :D


message 97: by eden (new)

eden Can the Q&A section PLEASE be moved to the bottom of the page, so those who would prefer to avoid such "behind the scenes" spoilage aren't forced to see it when looking at reviews?

This is a great feature for some people, but not for me -- the absolute last thing I want to read is an author's opinion or explanation of his or her book(s). Frankly, it can ruin the whole experience of a book for me -- or in the case of not yet having read it, totally discourage me from reading it.


message 98: by Nethra (last edited May 21, 2014 10:01PM) (new)

Nethra Ram Aditi wrote: "I must say, this is a total lie, even people from good reads can also reply on behalf of the authors, after all this is not a random chat like facebook or video-chat like skype. Sorry I cannot beli..."

I am not so sure about that....anyone else replying on behalf of an author on a social platform would only invite charges of misrepresentation or identity fraud. They're not going to let that happen in public on such a grand scale :) These days its quite common for authors to reach out to readers on all sorts of platforms imaginable. This is just another form of the AMA events on Reddit. Its awesome! Grab some faith and jump in :)


message 99: by Nethra (new)

Nethra Ram Kanai wrote: "It would be great to include:
-JK Rowling
-Rick Riordan
-Veronica Roth
-John Green
-Markus Zusak
-Neil Gaiman
-Katheryn Stockett
-S.E. Hinton
-and William Shakespeare. (Just kidding.)"


Shakespeare would be awesometh :D Boy will people have questions for him!


message 100: by Krishna (new)

Krishna I would like to communicate with ally carter. Please.Thank you.


back to top