Here’s this week’s question:
What is your policy when it comes to new authors? Do you feel comfortable purchasing a book or do you prefer to borrow new authors from the library? How often do you ‘try out’ a new author?
I have absolutely no problem trying out new authors! In fact, sometimes I prefer them. Some established writers, particularly in chick lit and romance, seem to get a bit formulaic (yes, Danielle Steel, I’m talking to you). This is certainly not at all true of many writers, but sometimes I just like to check out a new writing style or get lost in a totally different, unique plot. When I’m browsing for new books and authors to read, I usually look at cover art (I know, I know) and spend a good deal of time reading the book’s synopsis and first few pages. I don’t really pay attention whether or not I’ve heard of them, unless it’s one of my personal favorites: Meg Cabot, Jhumpa Lahiri, Laurie Notaro, Sarah Dessen, etc. And then I’ll probably buy the book regardless!
Since I don’t borrow books from the library, what I’ll usually do with authors about whom I don’t know much is get their work through BookMooch rather than shell out $10 at Borders. I do my usual research online to learn more about the author, but ultimately grab their book used to start. I have tons of books in my TBR stack from “new” authors, or authors with just one or two published works. And of the others waiting to be read, most are new to me! So that counts in a way too, I think.
write meg! 
I love to try new authors too! There’s nothing better than discovering a new one you love.
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I hear you on the formulaic series — I have a major problem with series I used to like that begin to sound like the same book over and over and over again! (Janet Evanovich is who I am thinking of!)
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I love your blog and have just awarded you something fabulous. http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/my-blog-is-fabulous/
Also, you should take a look at my new quiz. I think you might find one of your favorite authors 🙂
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I have found this year, with a couple of ARCs, that you really can not judge a book by it’s cover. Books, like Irreplaceable, that I liked a great deal but would NEVER have bought based on the cover.
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I enjoy new authors, too. Sometimes the books from authors that I read a lot just all kind of blend together, one book seems so similar to the last one.
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i’m pretty daring when it comes to new authors…
what i am picky about are COVERS. a cover can make or break a book for me, sad but true.
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I have not read a Danielle Steel book since Malice, because they were the same story w/ different characters and places (for me).
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I agree Danielle Steel is kinda formulaic and I love new authors
My Musing
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I love reading all the above comments…as a new author myself it’s good to see how people view us. I think my new book comes from a different perspective than most writers…reality based fiction!
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