Making Connections discussion

What kinds of promotion/exposure (other than recommendations from friends and ratings) have actually made you buy an unfamiliar author's work. Freebies? Book contests? Blog posts? Interviews? Facebook? Cover art? Blurbs? Excerpts on websites? Excerpts in other books? Authors are curious what has worked for people.

I actually look at a couple of things:

1st--the to be released or new releases on Amazon--primarily there cause I have a kindle and it's easy--although more and more I find my self checking other publishing sites for their to be or new release lists.
I then go to the author page if they have one and look at their other work--I tend to look for sequels or series--this actually tells me that an author did a good enough job on their first in the series and probably has a following. I tend NOT to read reviews so this is a way to see if folks like this author. After all, sequels mean something was good enough to warrant publishing the next one.

2nd: a well written blurb---NOT an excerpt--I don't read those--I know I'm an exception there--but a blurb--something that gives me a thumbnail sketch of what this book is about--I look at those a lot!!

3rd: Author endorsements--yep it's true--I listen to authors I like--Never knew of Ginn Hale until Josh Lanyon posted about that author on his blog. Same for Harper Fox.

Not an exception Sammy, I don't like excerpts either. I want to know what the book is about, not read a few paragraphs of it!

I also have discovered many great books off of blogs and FB posts of authors that I follow.

The other thing that attracts me to books would be price, then the cover. If the book is from an author I've never read, of course I read reviews, and that will have a lot of influence on me, too. If I like a book by an author, I usually go back and buy up all the rest of their books!

Sheri wrote: "Not an exception Sammy, I don't like excerpts either. I want to know what the book is about, not read a few paragraphs of it!

I also have discovered many great books off of blogs and FB posts o..."

Same for me--I am really loyal to an author I like--I will put them on an auto-buy in a heart beat--I have 5 authors like that!

I'm shallow, I admit it, but a nice cover will get me to check out the book, if I haven't heard of it. Most of the time I find books from my online friends, here and my other groups, if they like it, I'll take a second look. Review sites also influence my decision if I can't make up my mind.

I'm also a repeat reader - If I like an author once, I'll probably work my way through their entire backlist. (If I didn't like their book, I usually will read a second one, just in case the first one wasn't my thing...unless it was just really bad writing, then no thanks, I have to work for my money and would rather spend it on something good).

What about interviews on blogs? Have you ever read an author talking about themselves/their work and gone on to look at their books from that?

Kaje wrote: "What about interviews on blogs? Have you ever read an author talking about themselves/their work and gone on to look at their books from that?"

Not yet - but I will read an interview if I like the author already, and that way I learn if they have a new book coming out.

Kaje wrote: "What about interviews on blogs? Have you ever read an author talking about themselves/their work and gone on to look at their books from that?"

Yes--I get those alerts from here--at goodreads--but not as much as the other ways I listed--but I am an exception I think. I don't do all the blogging that many other folks do.

Finn wrote: "Kaje wrote: "What about interviews on blogs? Have you ever read an author talking about themselves/their work and gone on to look at their books from that?"

Not yet - but I will read an intervi..."

Actually - I'm pretty sure I have, just more subtly, like on GR threads. Now I'm gonna go check out your author page!

I'm a pretty visual person, so covers catch my eye. Then I'll read the blurb and see if it's a storyline that interests me. If I'm still not sure, I will read the first few pages to see if I get hooked.

I also get a lot of my reading material through recommendations from my sister. We tend to enjoy the same books, so we share back and forth.

I hardly ever bother with reviews. I know everyone puts a lot of stock in them, but I don't really care what someone I don't know thinks of a book. I'd rather have a recommendation from a friend or family member who's tastes I know. Reviews are very subjective.

I look at ratings and reviews first. I'll try out a new author that doesn't have any ratings when:
1. It's recommended to me. Then I look the book up to see what the blurb/description of the book is like.
2. It's a freebie and I like the blurb/description.
3. The title or bookcover catches my attention. Then I read the blurb/description and the price is low.
In other words... It needs a good blurb.

I am most definitely a cover judger. If it does not catch my eye, it will be read last.

Kaye620 wrote: "I look at ratings and reviews first. I'll try out a new author that doesn't have any ratings when:
1. It's recommended to me. Then I look the book up to see what the blurb/description of the book..."

From someone who hates writing blurbs - ouch. So, good blurb as in you can really tell what happens in the story or good blurb as in catchy phrases and makes you curious?

Weirdone wrote: "I am most definitely a cover judger. If it does not catch my eye, it will be read last."

Ah. I do this too, in choosing which blurbs to look at when browsing. But since the author doesn't have much say in the cover, it has probably not served me as well as it should have in finding great books. And yet I still do it for unknown authors.

For me a blurb needs to tell me what the story is going to be about...catchy phrases are good, too :)

I love giveaways and book interviews. So, even if I don't win the giveaway it exposed me to that book where i might want to go back and purchase the book later.

Giveaways totally get me to look at books...I sign up for them and then i get all excited about possibly winning it. Usually, even if I don't win it definitely goes on my "to read" shelf. =)

Weirdone wrote: "I am most definitely a cover judger. If it does not catch my eye, it will be read last."

haha ^-^ Same here! I know it's bad, but i judge a book by it's cover. (= it has to catch my eye, or have some catchy phrase on the cover or description (:

I love great looking book covers, that makes me stop and read the book description. I also read my friends reviews if they like them then I add it to my list.

Mainly I look to see what readers are rating their books but I look at as many reviews as I can and I like to read the lower marked reviews to see what they didn't like.

If I notice alot of the blogs I follow have the same book I stop and take a look and read what everyone is saying about it.

Interesting book covers catch my eye. Also, I look at my favorite author's book recommendations. The Goodreads listopia reviews help sometimes and friend recommendations. Also, Target has a good selection of books.

The cover art is the main thing for me. I'm a sucker for an interesting or pretty looking cover. My next would be posts on blogs.

The tough thing about covers is that what appeals to some, may not appeal to others. When I was trying to decide on the cover of Survival, I asked some friends and got so many different opinions I didn't know which way to go. So then I checked out covers of books I really liked and noticed some covers were not great...for instance, I absolutely love H.P. Mallory's Jolie Wilkins series, but the cover nearly prevented me from buying the first book. I must have been one of the few who felt that way, because the series is wildly popular. It gets so confusing and then you start second guessing yourself.

Shieka wrote: "The cover art is the main thing for me. I'm a sucker for an interesting or pretty looking cover. My next would be posts on blogs."

Posts like the author talking about themselves and their work, or other bloggers picking their favorite books?

The first page. It's not necessarily that I need a hook but I want to know it's written in a style I am comfortable reading and that it starts well.
Covers can be hit and miss. Some awful books have great covers and vice versa, so while if I'm honest it does play a part, I try not to base my decision too heavily on it.
Also, I know this may sound strange but if it's YA I prefer a more subtle and less flashy cover as opposed to one that screams teen, just so I feel less conscious reading in public. It's odd, I know.

I think covers, at the onset, pull in my initial attention, but it is the first couple of chapters that really indicate whether or not the book will be of sustaining interest, from begining to end. I've been disenchanted by the time I reached the middle of a story a couple of times, but not often.

I think the covers do it for me because if it has flashy colors and a pretty cover it catches my eye's and I'm already curious about what's inside.
If the cover is dull but has a good blurb the first thing I do is to first get on goodreads and look at the reviews to see if it worth reading.

But I'm trying not to be that way anymore but yes the cover is what Cates my attention definitely!

Shamefully the cover gets me ever time! I belong to certain book club forums and subscribe to all the publishers newsletters, I also follow author's I like.
I will sit on my nook and window shop for books..the cover grabs me and then if the synopsis is good I am sold. I will sadly admit..some really good books I have read sat in my TBR pile since the cover didn't speak to me and then when i read it Wow!. I will also admit some of the best covers have been filled with nothing but marshmallow fluff...hahahaha!
The first few chapter thing would not work for me..since too many fantastic reads..were rough going as the author world-builds etc. Also..if the first book in the series was only a 3 coffee cup rating, i will always read book 2 before deciding whether to continue..since so many times the first is simply setting up and just when your getting into it..it ends.lol

The cover gets me to pick it up (virtually and physically).
The back cover copy sells it.

I love a beautiful cover, but I love beautiful art, too. I finally found someone that did an amazing job on my second book, Dark Matter , and it feels great having a cover that I love.

I feel similar to most of you that covers can be deceptive both in a good and bad way, but it is what catches my attention. If I don't like the cover, I usually won't look at the book unless it has been recommended by someone I trust.

The cover.

That's tough for authors, because the cover is the one thing we have very little control over, unless the book is self-pubbed.

Covers tend to catch my eye, but I always look at the blurb. If that catches me, I'll put it on my TBR list.

My opinion :)

- Blurb over excerpt. I want to know what it's about and if it will interest me without containing spoilers!

- A free novella/short story before a full length novel is nice since it gives you an idea of how the author writes before you spend money on the book.

-Even better, if you plan to write a trilogy or series, set the first book for free (even if it's for a limited time) Then, if people like it, they'll be likely to buy the others in the series!

- Giveaways & contests ALWAYS catch my eye!

- Events like RrR!

Not familiar with RrR?

It's something this group just set up but it's in other groups too (under diff names)

Basically, you offer up free copies of your book (e-book format) in exchange for honest reviews posted to various sites (Goodreads, Smashwords, Amazon, Book Blogs) in a timely manner (Usually between 2-4 weeks)

I've found some AMAZING new authors that way!

thats are new program Kaje, go to the thread and sign up to review books.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

Sounds cool - I don't have time right now to reciprocate with writing reviews - trying to finish writing a story for a January 20 deadline. But when I can, I'll check it out.

Yes that is more important keep writing.

Kaje wrote:>

I like a quick run down of what the book is about. However, sometimes it is a great quote that will draw me in.

Most of what I'm offered is just title/blurb, because it's not through retail sites. So the blurb has to catch my interest. Then I'll check it out more, maybe, or just take a chance. This is if I'm getting it through the review sites. (I review for Jessewave and Dark Divas.)

If I'm buying,I will read any excerpt available, for style. I've been burnt when I didn't pay attention to that. I've bought books from other people's reviews.

Sorry kaje Blogger review posts.

I am a totl cover whore right now! I look through Amazon.com for free books all the time and I start with the cover!

Author-->Cover-->Title in that order :)

The cover is what catches my eye to read the blurb. Both need to be good to get me to read the book(since I would have never read the blurb if the cover didn't interest me)!

For me as a reader, it's the cover and the blurb. And if the book doesn't match the blurb, then I'm skeptical about reading that author again.

It's great to hear the opinions about excerpts and interviews, as an author I've wondered if those are much help to readers.

Finn wrote: "I'm shallow, I admit it, but a nice cover will get me to check out the book, if I haven't heard of it. Most of the time I find books from my online friends, here and my other groups, if they like ..."

Me too,I LOVE a great cover and the blurb about the book. And if I like the book I'll try to ind more of that authors work and give them a shot. If the cover sucks I won't waste my money on it I'll borrow it or something.

I do look at the cover then read what its about and if offered i will read what few pages are available. Usually thats what gets me reading! :)

Horror of horrors! I'm pretty sure that my book blurb sucks. I did a test by putting my novel up for free against about 20 other books and it's not getting anyone's attention. If I didn't get unanimous 5-star reviews on Amazon, I'd be worried about my writing. But apparently it's harder to condense the book into a paragraph than it is writing an entire book.

So here's my request: Will some of you sign up for the read and review, and in addition, critique my blurb based on the reading? The name of the book is Rose's Will and here's the link to read it free: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...

1. The title
2. The cover
3. The description about the book
4. Reviews, though I have been known to ignore them if the blurb piques my interest.

For me a lot has to do with the cover!...if the cover piques my interest then I will look at the title and if it's cool sounding then I may take the time to read the blurb...then I might enter a giveaway for it or follow it on a blog tour...I really have found a few great books by just watching it on a blog tour where i will read an interview and/or excerpt

also i have found great books by reading the first few chapters of a book at the end of an author's book i already like

blog posts only make me want to read the book when reviewers just can't stop raving about the book

i also look at the suggestions on amazon after I purchase a book

and for promoting books I think it is better when someone else like a fan or even better a fellow author is promoting the book instead of it always being the author