fantasy book lovers!! discussion

I wonder how you find and select new fantasy stories? Particularly in the UK, there is a very limited selection in the bookshops. On Amazon, there's almost too much - how do you find the ones you'll like? Does it matter whether it's commercially published or self-published? Do you even notice? Do you like to hear from authors promoting their own work or does it annoy you? How much will you pay for an unknown author? Do you use ebooks?

As an independent author trying to promote my own work, I'm interested in hearing the readers' perspective.

Sue

I look at the synopsis of a book and if it's appealing then I start reading the reviews. Also, when I am deciding on a book to read I will look at other books by that author and how they are reviewed. If it is an author just starting out then there is more "give" room. I have never read an eBook basically because I prefer to turn a page and know I'm getting somewhere. i think it is an accomplishment to get to the last page and shut the book. I would only like to pay about $10 for a paperback and maybe $20 for hardcover. Sometimes books just get to expensive and I don't give them a second look.

Good Luck with your book. Let me know what it's about and I'll check it out.

When buying online I often look at other peoples listmania listings (On amazon) attached to books that I have read and liked. I've found a few recommendations that way. I also swap books on readitswapit and just put in the genre and the read synopsis of any cover/title that takes my fancy. Other authors webpages are also good for recommendations, and then in particular with paranormal romance there are sites like bittenbybooks which does reviews and polls and that gives me lots of authors to look up on amazon. I also have a big browse round Waterstones in the paranormal romance and horror sections which are where I tend to find the books I like, but I'll have a scoot around scifi as well to make sure i'm not missing anything. Sorry not sure if you are in the UK but if you are Waterstones have the options to put novels into all stores but local stores can also put any authors they wish into their own stores. There are details about this on their website. I have never read an ebook because I love paper books. I would pay a bit more for self published work if it had been given good reviews.

Mazmum wrote: "Waterstones have the options to put novels into all stores but local stores can also put any authors they wish into their own stores.."

Thanks Mazmum - I am UK-based, and my books are available in some Waterstones stores (and their on-line store). However, their policy is generally "sale or return" - very difficult terms for a Print on Demand title to meet. And it's a bit of a Catch 22 situation - it takes large numbers of people to have read a book before you can get widespread personal recommendations and reader reviews; but without a good body of reviews and recommendations, you can't attract new readers....!

Pricing is another issue. Bookshops take a hefty percentage; when print costs are high and the author is financing the project, this forces the price up, and again reduces the appeal of the book. I don't know what the answers are - I appreciate that bookshops have to cover their costs too. I just raise some of the issues from the author's side of the fence!

Those who like my books tend to REALLY like them; but they do not appeal to everyone, as the reviews on GoodReads will show. what I would like to do is find a way of communicating to all those who would really like the Shaihen Heritage series. It's them I write for.

Sue

S.A. Rule writes the Shaihen Heritage series Cloak of Magic and Staff of Power. Book 3 Spirit of Shehaios comes out in 2010. More info and reviews on http://www.shehaios.co.uk

*~Stephanie~* wrote: "...let me know what it's about and I'll check it out."

S.A. Rule writes the Shaihen Heritage series Cloak of Magic and Staff of Power. Book 3 Spirit of Shehaios comes out in 2010. More info and reviews on http://www.shehaios.co.uk together with free pdf downloads of the opening chapters if it looks like your kind of thing.

Sue,

I'm not really a fantasy fan more supernatural stuff. However, I wish you luck in getting your story out there. There is a writers group on Facebook. Perhaps some of the authors on there could help. It is under Pages for Writers. One of my favourite authors Michelle Rowen in a member and she is very successful although she is canadien so won't be able to help with uk publishing.

Have you posted on all of the fantasy sites? I do feel for you. There is a great fantasy writer called Freda Warrington who wrote a fantastic vampire trilogy which is now out of print so even established authors have difficulty getting and keeping stuff in print. We tried to get a campaign going on Facebook to get them back into print but it is so hard. She does have a new book out and one of her other old ones is being reprinted so perhaps Freda could give you some advice. Email her on fredawarrington.com and i'm sure she'll reply to you. She's a lovely lady. I'm sure she'll be able to tell you about fantasy conferences as well which should help you spread the word.

Thanks Mazmum, I will contact Freda Warrington.

I am working with a number of other independent UK authors - in a range of genres - to come up with ideas for promoting books. Hence my interest in gathering information about how readers find new books/authors.

We haven't figured out a revolutionary plan yet but if any other UK-based authors want to get in touch, feel free - sa.rule@btinternet.com

Sue

Well, if the cover catches my eye I pick up the book and read the summary on the back. If it sounds good - I buy it, if it doesn't I put it back. LOL. :)

I usually just look at the cover and the title...my intuition is hardly ever wrong about a book. If I find a book interesting, I give it a try. But in the off chance that I don't like it, I drop it instantly and read something else. Simple as that. 8D

When I'm looking through shelves at books, I usually start by looking for interesting/attractive covers. Secondly, I look at the title. Then, I read the back of the book, or the inside cover part to see if it sounds good.

I usually read books that have good ratings. Not all of them do, though. Some I find by chance (gift), and some because the cover or plot sounds or looks interesting.

I read all formats of books. Paperback, hardcover (although I only buy my favourites of these usually), audio, and ebook.

I can see how hard it is for new authors, most especially self publishing. I know sometimes I haven't picked up a self published book, because it was so expensive. I will though if I've read a part of the book and I found I was wanting more, or if it has great word of mouth. There was a self published author at out local bookstore yesterday giving out his book to everybody that walked in the door. It must have cost him a fortune. I think it would be best to try and target your intended audience and then offer a give away. I would do it either in ebook format or on a website to read. It can be the first few chapters or the whole book. I would try to make sure you at least give the reader enough to be wanting more. Some authors trade their book for a review. No matter how you do it I would ask people to please review the book anyway.

As for authors self promoting, I don't mind it at all. The thing I don't like is when authors post about other books/series and are continuously comparing it to their own work. There is a time and place to push your work, you know?

Shannon wrote: "When I'm looking through shelves at books, I usually start by looking for interesting/attractive covers. Secondly, I look at the title. Then, I read the back of the book, or the inside cover part t..."

That's basicly what I do

i find a book. i ask my friends if it was good and i read the first few pages. if its good, i keep reading.

YAY FOR BOOKS!

When I pick out a book I usually look at the summary (Whether(s?) on the inside flap or the back)If that doesn't give me much I read the first paragraph. If it makes me want to continue reading, I'll buy it.

Ugh! I admit. When choosing my next book/series, I am rather shallow! It the cover art doesn't catch my eye, or is too plain or too tacky, I pass it by! I admit, I've probably missed out on some great stories that way! I will, however, pick up any book that has come highly recommended regardless of the look. For the most part though, I fear that a tacky, plain or ugly cover may be a precursor to a poorly written story.

for me, i always judge a book by its cover! books that have weird covers make ppl think ur weird :D

So? where's the fun in being normal?

lol, i guess that's kinda true. i mean, no normal person reads as many books as i do :D

I first of all look for the covers n the titles.if they catch my eye,then i read the summary of the book,n after dat the first para or a few lines of the book,to see if the writerz style or written expression is interesting.if i find it so,i buy it or it goes back to the shelf. :)simple!

I read the summary, look at the first chapter, conclude if it is any good. take out my phone and look at the reviews on the book, see what people liked or hated about it. Go from there, of course the reviews don't always work, especially with Twilight, the reviews lied about that book.

I first look at the cover and title. If it sounds interesting, I read the summary and the first chapter and all the reviews. If I like it, I'll buy it or get it from the library.

I read peoples reviews, and listen to suggestions. But I'm allways careful about choosing which books I buy, because if I buy a book and realize I don't like it then it's just a waste of money. The library however is diffrent, I check out tons of books and if I don't like them I just return them. Not to mention late fees are cheap, 25 cents for each day it's late.

Definitely the title strikes me first. If it sounds pretty kickass, I'd take it off the shelf and look at the cover. Intriguing cover, I read the back or the inside flap, depending on soft or hard cover. I judge the book for about a few seconds, then if all is cool, I get it. DONE! I don't judge by the first few pages though. Not all amazing books start with sucking you straight in. I don't do reviews, because it makes me start to hate/love the book even before I read it. I say don't go with reviews. I've read one or two books with amazing reviews but sucked really bad.

Well, basically, the cover... If the cover is awesome, i'll read the synopsis and spend a couple of seconds debating if i should buy it. Try reading a few pages in the middle ( or beginning if you prefer but i feel that the middle is usually where all the action is packed) of the book to see if you like the author's writing style. Some books have amazing plots but the way the author writes simply makes you gag. Ask your friend to give comments (if they have read the book)as they will probably know your likes and dislikes :)

Other people recommendations! LOL funny I know but I go through my friends list and see what might look interesting through their lists. And then read what they thought of the book. I didn't start reading again until after I saw Twilight on DVD. and read the entire twilight series in a few weeks. Then I got recommendations from friends. then I was referred to this site and my list just grew and grew and grew. And here we are and I have loved almost every book that has been recommended to me that I have read.

For me it's totally the title.If I see a really intresting title then I look at the cover and if I like that too I get it.I also have to agree with Samantha.I mostly get every book from other people talking about it.

lol honestly I pay attention to what books show up on these threads frequently and read people's reviews of them and go from there. Usually I will read the first book of any series that's PNR or UF, and if I like it I will continue if not then I don't continue on. this is also along with my previous post as well.

I find it by the Name or the Cover then choose weather or not to read it by the description

The cover and the Synopsis at the back LOL
Most importantly though is the price since I have to use my own money to buy books :D