How do you choose a new author

[Sarah]

My second novel was just released, and I'm curious what about an author/novel (not well-known) interests readers? Endorsements on the back cover, first paragraph, discussion questions? Thanks for your feedback. My first novel was nominated for a literary award, the reviews for both have been good. Waltzing Cowboys was a December pick on bookviews.com. Sales are steady but not earth shattering. I'd love to know more about why you choose a book when you don't recognize the author? Thanks.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Depends on the style of the book. The genre for me is usually Crime/Thrillers.

Just looked at the book on Amazon and it hasn't any Synposis to let the reader know what the book is about. So I was wondering if you could give us an insight to the book please.

[Sarah]

Fiona wrote: "Depends on the style of the book. The genre for me is usually Crime/Thrillers.

Just looked at the book on Amazon and it hasn't any Synposis to let the reader know what the book is about. So I w..."

Are you asking about Iran Covenant? The premise is that Iran has weapons of mass destruction and it's aiming them at Israel. The Americans and the world don't believe it's imminent and a select few have to convince the world before the terror descends. The author should post a synopsis, though, or his publisher. I think he's on goodreads so you could send him a message.

[Hayes]

The first thing I notice, despite the maxim, is the cover. Not so much what is there but how it's organized and if the overall is balanced - color, "movement", what kind of image, font for title. I'm extremely "visual" (and why I prefer books to movies... I get to make my own visuals!) and this sensual input is very important - if the author and/or publisher cared enough to make the outside good, I get an idea about the care put into the "inside"... then I look at the blurbs to see if the genre, story, is what I'm looking for at the moment.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Sarah C. wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Depends on the style of the book. The genre for me is usually Crime/Thrillers.

Just looked at the book on Amazon and it hasn't any Synposis to let the reader know what the book is a..."

Your new book is out on Amazon now if thats any help xx

[d4]

As far as quotes go, author recommendations help when I recognize the author. This works both ways: if an author I don't like endorses a book on its jacket, it lessens the likelihood I'll pursue it, depending upon other factors. Praise from magazines and newspapers I tend to completely ignore. Cover design is the first thing I notice as well though.

[Linda]

If it's mentioned on GR, then I'll look at a few sites to see what they have to say about the author and read the synopsis. If there seems to be a consensus, I'll give it a try. Discovered Christopher Moore, Jose Saramago, Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Carol O'Connell, etc. that way.

If it's a bookstore run, then if the title grabs my attention, I usually read paragraphs in the beginning, middle, and end of a book to see if the writing style appeals to me. If so, then it's off to the cashier counter.

[Jessica]

When I'm shopping in a bookstore, the title is what usually appeals to me first. If I like the title, I then read the back cover and if that sounds interesting I will consider buying the book either now or later.

[Sarah]

I usually first attracted by the cover/title at the same time. Then, I read the synopsis - if I like the synopsis, cover and title then I'm good to go. however, I also choose new authors by reccomendations or if I happen to know the author personally. my fave author actually used to run my writer's group, so i got interested in her books through that...i probably wouldn't have found out about her otherwise...

[Becky]

I love simple, eye-catching covers and simple, memorable titles. Fiona- it's funny that you mentioned Guernsey because I still get the title wrong, I think of it as the "Guernsey LIBRARY & Potato Peel Pie Society...

Speaking of which, I will not look at a book if it has an "alternate title". For instance: The Battle for Wine and Love: or How I Saved the World from Parkerization. Either one of those titles would be enough to catch my eye. Both together, too much.

I'm all about simplicity when it comes to what attracts me to a book. If I look at a book and feel that it's screaming "Hey, you! I'm marketed at you! Come buy me! You're why I've been dressed up this way!" I just keep walking. The hot-pink and lime green modern Signet editions of Austen are exactly the type that make me think that.

I don't really shy away from books with pink on them though - only if it feels contrived.

I don't mind endorsements, but they should be in their proper place: the bottom of the back cover, under the book description or inside the book on the first few pages.

I also will not buy a book if there is nothing but the author's picture on the back. (Stephen King excluded.) If there is nothing telling me about the book, I'm not going to potentially waste time or money on it.

Regarding 1st time authors, I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. I let the book speak for itself- if it appeals to me, I will buy it. If it doesn't, then I won't.

[Stephanie]

Ofmatt wrote: "As far as quotes go, author recommendations help when I recognize the author. This works both ways: if an author I don't like endorses a book on its jacket, it lessens the likelihood I'll pursue it..."

This is a big one for me, too - I always look at endorsements from authors. If an author I love is endorsing the book, I will look at it further. I must say the cover and title are the first things to catch my eye (naturally). Then I read the synopsis and open the book to somewhere in the middle and read a little passage to see if I like the author's style. Maybe this is why I can spend hours in the bookstore!

[Teresa]

At the begining I am always captured by the cover and then the title. If both look and sound interesting then I decided if it something I want to read based on the synopsis. I never look at the endorsements. It matters very little to me what other authors have to say.

[Hayes]

I never look at the endorsements.

I always look at endorsements from authors.

Funny, we're split on this issue... I never look, find them distracting, and don't believe that the authors themselves actually said/wrote the words being quoted... what, me cynical!?

[Jackie]

Like others cover and the title are the main attraction. Then I go a little deeper and read the synopsis. If this doesn't keep my attention the book will go back on the shelf. If it makes me interested I will flip through the book and usually read the first page. Really the main draw for me is a good story. If I start reading the book and don't like then I will most likely put it down.

[Ann from S.C.]

A new authoe to me? Or a new author, like you Sarah C.? I go by word of mouth, reviews. If I read something that says that a book is a mix between Dean Kootz and James Patterson, I will pick it up. If Lori says read it, I will read it. Hehehehe....

[Jackie]

I agree with your comments on GR Heather. If I see good reviews regarding an author/book it makes me want to read the book even more. Unfortunately, the side effect is that I will never get through mountain TBR. :-)

[Lisa]

I think word of mouth is the most powerful tool you can have! I've only been on GR since November and just reading everyone's recommendations or what they are reading is huge! My tbr has grown because of it! Also, I receive a weekly email from my local library on new books they've acquired. The email has a picture of each book and a description, similar to what is written on the inside book cover.

[Kandice]

I defintely read reviews on this website before buying an author I am unfamiliar with now. I used to depend mostly on cover, synopsis, and would ususally open the book at random, read a few paragraphs, hoping for a clue as to style. It's amazing how often you read a spoiler this way! What are the odds?

I agree that author reccomendations are not so swaying to me. Like Hayes, I don't really believe the author in question really said that. If they did, it may have been taken out of context. Same thing with movie review blurbs.

"This author has high aims and strives to offer the next War and Peace, but falls horribly short, in every way except length" can be cit to "The next War and Peace!"

[Jessica]

I agree with most of you that GR and TNBBC has expanded my reading horizons. Like Heather said, when I am in a bookstore now I recognize many more titles and authors. I always check my friends update feeds to see what they are reading or have marked as to read and I find many great books this way.

It's hard to believe that before GR I did a lot of rereading because of how picky I was when it came to choosing new books. Now it's hard to fathom rereading due to all the unread books I have at home!

[Jessica]

I'm so glad my fiance and I read HP out loud to each other. It's pretty sporadic (we've been on the 2nd book since the beginning of December) but it's a nice way to reread the books without compromising too much of my reading time.

[Becky]

Kandice wrote: ""This author has high aims and strives to offer the next War and Peace, but falls horribly short, in every way except length" can be cit to "The next War and Peace!""

This made me laugh Kandice! :)

[[deleted user]]

I always look at the title and cover of the book.

I don't pay as much attention to the cover art now that I know the author doesn't normally have much say in it.

I also read the synopsis, and I hate it when there isn't a synopsis on the back.

I don't like pictures of real people on the covers either, unless it's an autobiography.

[Melissa]

Before I joined GR, I read what other people suggested. I guess, essentially I'm still doing that. Once I joined GR, I browsed the explore pages and started adding things, and now that I've joined groups, I get a lot more ideas. I love looking at other people's bookshelves, too.

[Sherry]

I usually get my books from the library. First to get perused is the New Book shelves...rarely are they 'face forward', almost all are 'spine' forward. So, for me, the Title has to grab my attention. Then, I'll glance at the front cover design and read the synopsis.
I tend to be a 'moody' reader....what I'm in the mood for that day and depending on what I've just finished. Example: If I've just returned a King or Koontz, I might look into a 'historical fiction'. Or finished with a book from China or Japan, I might want a Romantic book or a 'silly, light' read. You get the idea.
I, also, belong to a couple of book clubs (on-line and 'for real'), and like looking at people's bookshelves (we must be TWINS, Mel!)....after all, there are folks from all over the world at GR and you don't always get the 'low down' on authors from different countries here in the USA (exception is British authors).
Barnes and Noble's website posts current and upcoming publications, that I occasionally look into. Amazon I avoid, unfortunately....its gotten waaay to mixed up with stuff and entirely confusing, for me!

[Becky]

I can't go to someone's house without plundering their bookshelves. *blush* It's an addiction.

[Kandice]

Kind of like looking in the med cabinet? I do the same thing! Book shelves, not med cabinets!

[Gabby]

I rarely pay attention to authors, unless one has really stood out to me in the past. At my library, I walk down the asiles and look at the titles. If there's a title that catches my attention, I read the synopsis or the first chapter. If I read the whole thing and it's amazing, I'll read others by that author.