Questions and input on shapeshifter books

[Koda]

Hello all, I hope everyone is having a great week and some good reads! :) I was looking for some people's opinions on some questions, I do apologize if you are seeing this on more than one group you are in as I am trying to get various thoughts and opinions on this.

From what I have seen, most books that are about or even vaguely consisting of shapeshifters seem like there is only one or two types at a time. On top of that, they seem to typically consist of wolves, bears, lions, dragons, maybe the occasional tiger... Are there any books with all types of animal shifters or do they mainly focus on one type?

Is there any interest in an actual world of animal shapeshifters? Or do readers want more magical beings as well such as vampires, witches, and other mythical type beings and beasts?

Do you tend to prefer a longer book or a series of shorter installments? I suppose the better question to ask would be Do you feel more comfortable purchasing a book from a first time author if it is offered in shorter installments (therefore giving a cheaper price to "try" them out)? Or do you prefer to just buy one larger book?

Thank you for your time and input. Any opinions you share are most appreciated!

[Michael]

i think all of those vary from reader to reader. some readers are experimental with the subjects they read, others aren't. same with taking chances on other authors. in the end i think it matters less on what the story is about or how many books they got under their belt, but more on whether or not the quality of work is worth the buy/read.
just my two cents ^_^

[Quantum]

Koda wrote: "they seem to typically consist of wolves, bears, lions, dragons, maybe the occasional tiger... Are there any books with all types of animal shifters or do they mainly focus on one type?"

i heard from a published romance writer friend that bear-shifters are in now.

you could also cruise the amazon paranormal romance genre.

[Virginia]

It definately feels like the popular ones are the ones people want to be and can connect with. The easy ones. Me, I'd like to see the inetersting ones, like octopusses or birds. :-)

[Kitiera]

My To Bleed trilogy mostly deals with Wers, and I have a ton of different ones. Of course, there's the wolves, bears, and cats, but I also have Wer-tarantulas, ravens, scorpions, hyenas, crocodiles, capybaras, komodo dragons, and I hint that there are probably a lot more. Those are the only ones my main characters come across during the novels. I've always wanted to see different types of Wers in stories, so I put them into mine.

[Justin]

Anyone remember the Animorphs series for teens? I used to see them everywhere. I believe it was a series about teens who shape shifted into different animals.

[David]

I think shape-shifters can be used very well, but sometimes they seem like a cop-out and just lazy writing. As long as you put enough limits, (like what they can and can't turn into) then it should be fine. It's always interesting when they transform into something not usually seen. Like a donkey.