THE MAGIC OF BOOKS
Like most authors, I’m a reader first. I still remember being about four and asking my dad to read the comics to me. As I sat on his lap, I recall thinking, “When am I going to be able to read?”
“When you go to school,” was always my mom’s reply when I’d ask. Imagine my disappointment on the first day of kindergarten when I trudged back home to announce with disgust, “I didn’t learn to read today. The teacher said I had to wait until next year.”
Even as a small child I knew that being able to decipher those squiggly lines on paper and pages was going to lead to magic.
I’ve devoured books ever since. My biggest regret about writing is that it eats into my reading time. Since I’m still teaching, my free time is mostly filled with meeting deadlines (there’s something about accepting advance money that reeks of expectation :)). I never had a TBR pile until I started writing but I have one now. I put a serious dent in it every time we go on vacation. The rest of the year I have to chip away at it when I can.
The writer in me is always a bit appalled when someone starts telling me about a fabulous book they’ve read and can’t recall the author’s name. They often go on to admit that the names of the authors just don’t stick with them. Gulp. That’s a fairly daunting thought! Titles don’t always stay with me, but I have always remembered authors. How else am I going to find their next books if I loved the current ones? I used to carry a list in my purse of favorite authors in order to make my monthly purchases. (Okay, so it was before the Internet!)
Covers might intrigue me, but I’m not the sort of reader who’s ever bought a book just because I loved the cover. It’s always the back cover copy that pulls me in. I have to read what the book is about and then if it interests me, I’ll open the book and flip through a few pages. I read almost entirely for author voice, and if I don’t enjoy the way the writer tells the story I know I’m not going to enjoy the book.
If you could see the two huge bookcases in my office stuffed to overflowing, you’d know just how many I’ve enjoyed so much, I can’t bear to part with them!
What about you—do you remember author names? How do you make your purchases for new-to-you writers? What pulls you in, the title, the cover, or the back cover copy? Are there any like me who have to get a taste of the writing before carrying the book to the counter?
I’m giving away a signed copy of my September dark romantic thriller, WAKING NIGHTMARE, to one lucky commenter today! Be sure to check out the other two books in the trilogy at my website at www.kyliebrant.com and my multi-author blog at http://ridingwiththetopdown.blogspot.com.
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To read the back cover blurb for WAKING NIGHTMARE or to check out Kylie’s bio, please see yesterday’s post.
Hi Kylie,
Happy Release Day. I’ve never bought a based on its cover. Although the cover might make me pick up the book, it’s the blurb that matters most. I always remember authors, too. If I want to try out a new author I try to borrow their book at the library and see if I like their style and writing.
Hi Kylie,
Congratulations on your new release !!
I’m like you, I’d remember an author’s name more easily than a book title. I live in France and read only in english so if I want to try a new author I have to buy it online. I get recommandations from other online customers, wich really helps make a selection. Also I visit authors blog A LOT. For instance I visited Riding With The Top Down for the first time because I had loved Christie Ridgway’s books and then I discovered other authors (like you) on the blog. I’m really partial to excerpts. If I really enjoy an excerpt it’s most likely that I’ll buy the book. Same thing for interviews. I recently discovered author Tessa Dare because of all the different interviews/excerpts I found on the net (and of course I baught the book!).
If I’m in a book store (when I’m vacationing in the US) what really makes the difference is the back blurb. Cover isn’t really important for me I guess.
Hi Kylie,
I always try and remember authors names for future books, too. Especially once I ‘find’ an author, I really enjoy, then I have to go out and buy her older books.
Covers might first attact me, other than the author’s name, and will get me to pick up a book. But, if the blurb and first few pages aren’t enough to pull me in, I’ll go on to the next one.
I am a hard and true fan though and once I’ve found the voice that’s pleasing to me I will collect all the books written by such author. A few years ago I happened to get an ARC of “HeartSick” by Chelsea Cain. That ended a year later with “Sweetheart.” Today, the final installment “Evil with a Face” comes out! I’ve waited three years total to read this last book and am heading to B&N today! So, yes. author names, definitely!
Hi Kylie,
Great seeing you and congratulations on your release of, “Walking Nihgtmare!” I tend to buy authors I love, in addition to a moving story, it’s about the author’s voice. But, and a huge but here, if someone says you ‘must’ read this author/title, I’ll definitely give it a shot. And, I’m with you, I’m all about the back cover copy. 🙂 Take care and I wish you continued success!
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby
Romance Edged With Danger
Jane, like you the back cover copy is so much more important to me than the cover. But that doesn’t stop authors from sobbing when they get stuck with a butt ugly cover, LOL!
Emmanuelle, I’m still giggling over your post this morning at RWTTD! Can I see a pcture of your feet????? The advent of the Internet is a huge help, I suppose to readers like you. Glad you found the blog!
Teresa, I’ve heard so much about Chelsea Cain I’m going to have to go out and pick up her books! There’s nothing more exciting these days than to find a new author to glom. My last one was Robert Crais. Still collecting all his books that I haven’t read yet.
Hiya, Diana! I read almost predominately for voice. If I don’t like an author’s style, I won’t enjoy the story.
Kylie, I’d show you the guity pictures but you see, I’m cautious now… I had no idea my feet had so much “power” !!! lol
Hello Kylie,
Congratulations on your newest release!
I buy/read based on author voice and perhaps the blurb. But if I like an author, I tend to purchase their books without even reading the blurb and trust it will be something I will enjoy.
Maureen
Hi Kylie, and welcome to the blog, everyone!
I definitely remember author names. Even before I was a writer myself. If I read a book that really strikes home with me, I’ll remember the name and make sure I buy the next at least 1 or 2 books by that author. If the author continues to keep me entertained, I’ll continue buying her books. But if I read two books in a row that don’t catch me like the first one did, then I tend to move on to another author. I have my definite keepers, like John Irving and Margaret Atwood in literary, and Jennifer Crusie and Stephanie Bond in romance and mystery romance.
Authors new to me, I’ll sometimes go on recommendation, but usually it’s the story on the back cover and/or the author’s voice that gets me. If I don’t connect with the voice from scanning the first couple of pages, I’m not likely to buy the book, no matter how much it’s recommended.
Congratulations on the release of Walking Nightmare. BTW, great homepage. The street scene with the police cruiser is very striking! WTG!
I usually buy authors. My hubby recognizes author names from my TBR pile and if he’s in a bookstore, he’ll pick up books or will call and ask which author’s book I’d like. However, I’ll also buy books by new authors or based on back cover blurbs. A couple of times I bought a book for the cover. Terrible, I know – judging a book by its cover. 🙂
Wishing you much success.
Gail
Congrats on the new release! I’m looking forward to getting my hands on this one!
I’m often hesitant about picking up a new-to-me author. I listen to friends’ recommendations, read blurbs and try to find excerpts. I’ve been reeled in countless times by tempting excerpts! I’ve been known to buy a book by it’s cover, but it doesn’t happen very often.
As for remember authors/titles, I absolutely suck. I keep a small notepad in my bag w/authors and titles that I want to check out, that way it’s easy to look when I’m book shopping. Well, that notepad and the half dozen or so sticky notes that line the inside of my bag!
Hi Kylie-
Congratulations on your new release! I have to admit I am a cover buyer first. There have been so many really good books that I have stumbled upon that were totally due to the cover 🙂 I am pretty good with author name’s, so long as I like the work.
If the author is new to me, I generally go to Amazon.com and read up a little about the books that are out there and see if any of them interest me.
Thanks!
Amy M
Maureen–definitely! Authors that become auto-buys are picked up without even reading the blurbs. Of course, I’ve usually been scoping out their new books for months before they become available, LOL!
Cindy–so like me, you will open up the book and read a few pages if it’s a new author. I do exactly the same thing. I’ll flip through it too and get a taste of dialogue, etc.
Gail–thanks! I like the new site too but continue to tinker with it! Wow, you’ve got your hubby trained! I remember my husband trailing behind me in a goody room picking up a copy of every free book they had. When I saw what he’d done I nearly had a heart attack, LOL! I have a friend that will pick up books that have such striking covers they speak to her in some way.
Hi Kylie! Generally if its an autobuy author I don’t care about the cover or the need to read a blurb/excerpt. 🙂 If I’m trying an author I’ve never heard of before, a great book cover can catch my attention. Then I’ll read the blurb. If that really catches my attention then I move to the excerpt. If I love an author’s work, I definitely remember their name. And I like to mention their great work to as many other readers as possible.
Denise A. Agnew
Happy release day! My SIL just told me the other day she doesn’t remember the author names. And she’s a huge reader. Her favorite genre is romantic suspense, so she probably reads yours. 🙂
For new-to-me authors, I read the back cover copy and the first page. Usually, though, I hear buzz from other writers or I read guest blogs and decide the buy the book. Like today! 🙂
Laurie, it sounds like we share an organizational technique! I have stickies all over the inside of my purse, too!
Amy–you aren’t alone. I know a lot of people who are first attracted to the cover!
Hi Denise! I know that’s what the art department tries to do, especially when they have a trilogy coming out. Berkley wanted to tie all these books together (hence the banner in the center) but make them stand out (with the colors). Art departments are always trying to attract those readers to pick up the book.
Hi Edie–I go buy buzz too, and fellow author recommendations if I know the source and I have similar tastes!
Kylie, congratulations on your new release. I will pick up a book if the cover interest me and read the back blurb to see what it is about, but I can’t just read a few pages or I’ll never put the book down. Writers love me, I think I’ve left one or maybe two books unfinished in my life. Even if I don’t like the writing I would die if I didn’t get to find out what happened to the hero/heroine. LOL
Hi Kylie,
Congrats on your new release! I usually buy books of my favorite authors but for new-to-me authors it’s the book description that pulls me in. If a cover looks interesting I will pick it up to check out what it’s about.
Hi Kylie, happy release week! Love your website.
I usually do remember author’s names. I have tons of auto-buy authors, and they are always memorable.
As for new to me authors, I find many of them from reading guest posts on my favorite blogs. It’s usually the blurb and excerpt that grabs my attention, not much of a cover girl.
I am one of those people standing in the book aisle reading the first chapter of a book. I can get a feel for the writing style and can usually figure out if the characters and story are compelling enough to head to the checkout line.
Kylie, I’ve been waiting for September and your new series since I found out about it last spring. So, first, big congrats on the release of Walking Nightmare! Second, like you, I read the author–and that’s because I love her/his voice. A plot can be the greatest, but if the author’s voice and style doesn’t do it for me, I let the book go. My keeper shelves are filled with authors I read constantly. Walking Nightmare will soon join the ranks. 🙂
Hi Jill–I used to be like you. I think I was in my thirties before I ever allowed myself not to finish a book. The guilt was terrible, LOL!
Terri–thanks, I look at back cover copy too. Although now that I have single titles out I do notice covers more, trying to figure why one works or doesn’t particularly work for me.
Thanks, Cathy! Glad you like the sites. Still working a few kinks out of it! My husband gets embarrassed waiting for me to read a few pages deciding on a book. He thinks it’s like filching grapes or something LOL. He is sooo not a reader!
Hi Mary–thanks for the kind words on Waking Nightmare. I hope you enjoy it. You’ve been waiting for several months, as well. Hope you feel that the wait was worth it!
I’ve never bought a book based on its cover. If it is one of the authors I read all the time I usually won’t even read the back, I just buy it. Now if I am not familiar with the author I will read the back and sometimes if I’m still not sure I will go home and look them up on the internet to get some info. I am on a limited income so I have to budget my books. A lot of times too I will rely on recommendations (not from reviews) on whether I might like it. I love to read, and I enjoy finding new authors to read. I am faithful to my favorites though.
Linda Henderson
Linda–auto-buys go in the cart first–for me too! I’m not that moved by reviews. I go more off what other authors say whose tastes I know reflect mine. But if someone isn’t getting great reviews from the major publications, that sometimes convinces me to give them a try.
Hi Kylie,
Congrats on you new release. Since I just got bookstore gift cards for my birthday I am adding Waking Nightmare to my list and heading off to the books store tomorrow.
I admit I do look at covers when picking a book. I also shop my author name. I didn’t use to but when I first met Nora Roberts in 1993 my critique partner asked me what I had read of Nora’s. I had not a clue until Nora started her luncheon speech. Each time she mentioned a title or series plot, I’d whisper in my critique partner ear, “Read that.” After that I paid more attention to author names and titles.
New authors I have added to my list are books I read and thoroughly enjoyed as a contest judge.
But I have to say in general it’s known author first, then a book cover can attract my attention, then the title, finally the blurb. By then I am usually sold on the book or not.
Pat Marinelli
Hi Pat–Yay on Nora! I think I’ve read everything but novellas from her. You have a very specific selection process. It’s not so different from my own!
I’ve never bought a book based on it’s cover, although some times the cover will draw me to pick up the book to read the back. It is a combo of the cover, the name of the book and finally the description of the story line that will draw me to pick up and buy a new book. Otherwise, I have some authors that no matter what they write, I buy their books, and the covers or titles have no sway with me. Thanks!
Brenda, I often hear people say they don’t remember titles (I don’t myself). But that’s much better than the ones who don’t remember the authors!
Congrats on the release. Sounds like a great book. Often I will initially pick up a book by an unknown author based on the title or cover but if the back cover copy doesnt interest me I wont buy it or read it.
Donna–back cover copy is extremely important! Unfortunately, authors don’t often have control over it, lol. With these books though, I was thrilled to get input. I didn’t write it–I’m no good at that either as it turns out–but I was able to tweak it and make some changes I thought would make it stronger. I enjoyed having the input!
Congratulations to Tereasa Bellew! You won the copy of Kylie’s WAKING NIGHTMARE. Please look for an email from me in your inbox, and we can arrange the shipment of the book.
My next guest blogger is Annette McCleave, September 18th. As usual, you keep track of my guests by checking out the Upcoming Guest Bloggers box in my sidebar.
Thanks, everyone.
Hi , as a recently published author, I was very nervous about the way my book would look ‘in the flesh’ so to speak. I loved the jpg the publisher sent me, but seeing that is nothing like having the finished product in your hand. When I recieved the proof copy I was delighted, as I feel a book should be an attractive object as well as a form of entertainment or information.
Hi Steve, you’re right it’s very nerve-wracking to wait for those covers. Rewarding, too.