Do You Consider Yourself A Reader or a Book Fan?

[Paganalexandria]

There are two things that take up a big chunk of my free time: music and reading. I am a fanatical music fan that geeks out on every bit of gossip or information pertaining to my favorite bands and singers. Yet,I always find myself reluctant to click the become a fan button on some of my favorite authors' pages. Yet, I have sent and requested friend requests from various authors. After a little thought, I finally figured out why. Except for a few exceptions, I might love a particular author's work, but don't really don't go out of my way to know that much about them personally. The only time I visit author websites is to find out when my next fix will be available. I consider myself solidly more in the reader camp. What about you?

[Darcy]

I get what you are saying. If I like a book I want to know more about the author in regards to their writing, like the next book and what is coming up. I don't seek out info about their personal life, but if I stumble across things I'll read.

[Paganalexandria]

Darcy wrote: "I get what you are saying. If I like a book I want to know more about the author in regards to their writing, like the next book and what is coming up. I don't seek out info about their personal life, but if I stumble across things I'll read. "

Darcy, exactly. If I come across an interview in a magazine, I'll read it, but never go out of my way for it. It's weird because I love finding out the inspiration of some of my favorite songs, but like reading blind. Some of it is what I call the Laurell K. Hamilton effect. My beloved Anita Blake series has become almost a project of subversive study ever since finding out the destruction of some of my favorite characters is due to them being based on real people in her life she has severed ties with. If I didn't know this information it would make it easier for me to just go with the story flow, instead of comparing the literary drama to the gossip. That experience makes me leery to know that much about the authors of the books I read. Plus I don't want to find out the creators of my epic little worlds are actually insufferable and have to stop reading their books. LOL

The only author I am actually a real fan of, in the true sense of the world, is Anne Rice. I do follow her and she is perfect even in her epic wrongs. One of my biggest life regrets is never going on her New Orleans tours while she still offered them.

[Veronica-Lynn Pit Bull]

If I really like an author's work and I am interested in finding out about when they will have new books out, I do click the "become a fan" button. I guess I never thought of it as becoming a fan of the person, but as becoming a fan of their work.

I have no interest in knowing anything about an author's personal life; in fact I prefer not to know because worse case scenario I won't be in accord with their beliefs and that could create a conflict that could mar my reading enjoyment.

For example, I have a pit bull and I think they are the best dogs ever. What if I find out my favorite author thinks they're killing machines and should be banned? Do I still read the author's work? Well honestly, if it's really, really good...then probably..yeah - because a truly phenomenal book is hard to find. But now I'm conflicted....now I feel guilty because all the while I'm reading and enjoying the story, I'm feeling guilty for supporting the author because I feel like I'm supporting some other cause through association.

It all gets uncomfortably murky. I like to keep my "relationship" with authors on a professional basis. If a particular author consistently writes books I really like, then I will become a fan which to me simply means "when you put out a new book there is a high likelihood that I will want to read it with the expectation of enjoying it". Other than that, the less I know about the author as a person, the better.

[Rachel Annie]

Jazzy wrote: "If I really like an author's work and I am interested in finding out about when they will have new books out, I do click the "become a fan" button. I guess I never thought of it as becoming a fan o..."

I know what you mean, I've enacted a personal boycott on authors of fiction before because of something they've said or their opinions about this or that. It's not right, I know, but that's all I'd be able to think about while reading their work.

I suppose ignorance is bliss and I would have been better off in the dark...

[Paganalexandria]

Rachel ~ SnapDragoness wrote: "I know what you mean, I've enacted a personal boycott on authors of fiction before because of something they've said or their opinions about this or that. It's not right, I know, but that's all I'd be able to think about while reading their work.

I suppose ignorance is bliss and I would have been better off in the dark... "

Rachel, I haven't boycotted an author for something they believed in but almost did because of a possible family connection. Catherine Coulter's historical romance novels have always had a special place on my bookshelf. When Ann Coulter came on the scene she just offended ever sensibility I possessed. Since they were both blonde I thought maybe they were siblings. Luckily Google existed to ease my fears of their connection. I was totally prepared to never read Catherine's work again because it would have been "tainted" in my eyes. Irrational but true.

[Rachel Annie]

Ann Coulter...

*shudders*

[Rachel Annie]

I don't make a point to follow an author's personal business, but sometimes a snippet of info will find its way into an article I'm reading.

Regarding say, following an actor or musician/group? Sure. I just saw The Hobbit this weekend and I've been searching the google for Richard Armitage's past works and upcoming projects.

For, you know... Educational purposes...

[Paganalexandria]

Rachel ~ SnapDragoness wrote: " I don't make a point to follow an author's personal business, but sometimes a snippet of info will find its way into an article I'm reading.

Regarding say, following an actor or musician/group? Sure. I just saw The Hobbit this weekend and I've been searching the google for Richard Armitage's past works and upcoming projects.

For, you know... Educational purposes... "

Yeah Rachel, I'm sure it's purely for research purposes ;)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I'm both. I am an avid reader of books that get my interest and I will read across most genres. Some authors I will continue to read if I enjoy a book by them. Other authors that really impress me, I want to follow their backlists, and I can be a fairly loyal reader. So, I do consider myself an author fan. I have my absolute favorites that I would read the phone book if they wrote it. I will recommend their books and I have started fan groups for different authors. For me, it's organic. If I like an authors' books, I do want to talk about them with other fans, and it's cool when you can interact with them online in a respectful fashion. Of course, there is a line that fans shouldn't cross with authors. They are entitled to their privacy and I respect that. I like to think that authors I come to enjoy and respect do show integrity and most of my favorites do that I've seen.

[Paganalexandria]

I have interacted in several groups and have collected a few author as goodreads friends. Except for the ones I met through threads exchanging reviews for ARCs, I am a little scared to actually read their work. What if I don't like their work? I would feel funny rating it bad or lying about it either. That's the weird part of this site that seemed awesome at first, but seems odd to me in practice. I plan on breaking that barrier soon for one writer friend from another group, but I'm a little apprehensive.

[Kate]

If I like an author I will try to read everything they have written and keep up with the new books they may be working on. So in that sense, I maybe a reader and a fan. But I don't really want to know much about them personally except perhaps how they got started as an author or how they get their inspiration for writing. The About the Author section in most books provides enough personal detail for me. If one of my favorite authors was speaking in a town near me, I would probably make an effort to go see them. So maybe I really am a fan.