Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Hi – as a reader can I ask you:

Q1 – how do you find new writers to read?

Q2 – what leads you to try a writer for the first time?

My ‘agenda’ here is straightforward. I’m a independent thriller/crime writer/publisher and I’m looking to see how I could go about reaching more readers with my work – without too much BSP – so many thanks in advance for all your comments and feedback.

I’m genuinely interested in your views as readers so please do contact me at iainparke [at] hotmail [dot] com or through my website at www.bad-press.co.uk.

Regards

Iain

As a reader, I find most of my new authors through personal interaction or through review requests. My favorites have always been through some sort of organized event, where it's kind of like a "bookstore" with choices and blurbs. Honestly, if I want a new book, I go looking. I don't usually decide to pick up a book that randomly floats across my desk/feed/stream.

Usually.

I get them free from email notifications, think booksends or bookbub, or through blog tours or recommendations from friends. If it's a new to me author, chances are good I'm not going to pay any money for it. I'll pay for book two if I like book one. It's harsh, but it's my reality in a world where, honestly, most books aren't that great. I'm not willing to risk even a buck without some assurance that it's going to be worth it. There are SO MANY writers and books out there that risking a buck could quickly turn into risking three hundred bucks a year. All that to say, in my opinion the best way to get noticed is to have a free or very cheap book that you can occasionally run for free and a list of other books people can buy if they like the free one. Any number of fairly successful indie/self pub authors have told me the same thing, so I'm not just making this up off the top of my head. When I release my third book I will make my first book free permanently. Right now it's $.99 and runs for free periodically.

It's interesting - the "I'll only read a new author if a book is free" (I paraphrase) approach is coming across loud and strong in quite a number of responses to this question across a number of boards.

By contrast absolutely noone has mentioned looking for free samples (eg I have downloadable chapters on my website as pdfs http://bad-press.co.uk/free-sample-ch...) but then I guess that means actually getting to a writer's website.

I have dabbled with giveaways in the past but I have to admit as an author I do have issues with it as an approach, both practical and philosophical (ignoring the short term financial investment involved in giving up part of my limited writing income stream & please note, I am prepared to invest in my marketing if I think it will deliver returns).

Practically

1 - I have found establishing the degree of follow through into actually buying subsequent books is quite difficult and
2 - the cost (and difficulty) of getting listed on some of the giveaway listings eg bookbub is quite significant

Philosophically

3 - I worry that it devalues the worth of my writing and
4 - it feels unfair on those people who have gone out and paid for my books and have become my readers, to then be giving it away to others

What are other's views?

Regarding finding a new author: I do this either by searching for a book using keywords if I want to read something on a specific topic and don't have anything on my "to-read" list that fits, or by paying attention to book discussions (either those I have with friends, those I see on various blogs and sites, or those I over-hear while out and about)... Mainly the latter. I'll decide to check out the book's blurb if it sounds interesting, and then decide from there. Cost doesn't enter in to it as such, but I'll be more likely to hurry up and grab a copy if I'm being offered a free copy (either because it's free in general, or in exchange for a review). Since I have a lot of books waiting to be read though, it can sometimes take me a while to actually read the new to me author's book... Unless I had the book in exchange for a review, in which case it gets bumped to the top of my reading pile, with only other books I've promised to review being more of a priority than the book in question (it's first come, first serve, with review requests).

Regarding books being free: I have a short story that's always free, and often do promotions where a couple of my books will be free for a certain length of time, or I'll give a certain amount of copies away in exchange for reviews. The review part isn't always successful; most people just take the book and don't bother doing the review. But I'm gathering a reasonable fan base, and have aregular trickle of sales, so I guess my method is working. OK, so I'm not selling books by the hundred, but I've got a couple of regular readers who keep coming back for more, and that counts for more in my opinion; as much as I'd love to be making a lot of money, and selling a lot of books, I'd rather sel a couple of books to people who enjoy them, than sell hundreds to people who don't think much of my work.

NetGalley - that's where I find them. I don't bother looking for any author, I just look at the genre and blurb. If the book looks interesting (especially when they say debut novel), I'll request it. I've found many new authors that way.

Other than that, I write reviews for a site that caters to librarians and book shop owners. Every month I get a list of books they're interested in reviewing for the site and I pick one (or two).

So far, when writers have offered me books to read, they've been less than interesting (say, do look at what genres I read before you ask me to read your book), or not quite up to snuff. But like I said, that's "so far" so who knows, maybe one day someone will offer me a book that not only piques my interest but is also really good!

I looked up Netgalley and they seem to deal with publishers only, not indies. I so agree with he comment earlier about devaluing books by offering them at zero. So much hard work, time and creativity goes into writing a book. What else can you get for free these day? Not even a magazine and we all expect to pay for those.

Listing directly with NetGalley - $599 Marketing-plus-Title listing.

OUCH - four hundred quid to list a book so that people can ask for free copies to be sent to them????

Really? That's not just giving your work out for free, it's having to pay people to take it away...

I'm a reader (and author). I find value in free books. In fact, several all-the-rage authors have done a free book marketing approach that has gotten me into tons of their other work. Same with Indies. I have purchased other works from authors who sent me a free copy (within a self-imposed budgetary restriction of less than $2.99).

I get into new traditionally published authors by using this amazing thing called a library where books are free. And I do a blog for Indies where I get free books from authors in exchange for honest reviews. I am very honest, btw. NOT needless to say, my monthly book budget is zero dollars and zero cents as I am a SAHM mom with no true second income to speak of...
I can understand why people are covetous of their work and the time that went into it, but at the same time, I know where I'm coming from with my money spending. I know that some people are watching the free 100 on Amazon like I do for the steals and deals. Not much different than my obsession with garage sales and thrift shop clearance racks...

Iain wrote: "Listing directly with NetGalley - $599 Marketing-plus-Title listing.

OUCH - four hundred quid to list a book so that people can ask for free copies to be sent to them????

Really? That's not jus..."

That's stupidly expensive just to possibly be giving away a few books!

I find quite a lot by "unknown" authors here on Goodreads - I expect to pay for the books, but not more than about £3 - say $1.99 - if I like a book I'd probably pay more for another by the same author especially if was in a series.

I watch authors who only have one or two books and see what they are reading - it's often books by others I've never heard of - I read most genres.

Is that any help? I joined to find new authors - I'm not a writer.

With 800,000 new books published annually, finding new authors isn't difficult. Finding books that are technically well-written, skillfully narrated, and entertaining requires a bit more time and effort.

Seek out and read book blurbs and sample chapters of published works. When something appeals to your particular taste or ignites your curiosity, give it a chance. If a book meets or exceeds your expectations, then add the author to your list of favorites.

Zara-jo - yes & we wish there were more like you!

Iain
bad-press.co.uk

I've found a lot of new authors on Goodreads. I recently read Rebecca Bryn's Touching the Wire and it is one of the best books I have read in a long while. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have a website www.ritaleechapman.com on which I host a different Guest Author each week. Often I find their books interesting - the cover and blurb to start with and then I 'take a look inside." I also review books occasionally and use the local library a lot.

If anyone would like to be a guest author, please contact me through the website.

I gave a few books away when I started, but it's not like perfume where people might buy it after a free sample. Unless you have a series, I don't see much value in giving away your hard work, especially when so many are never read!

Hi Rita - I'll check out your site - I won't spam you with my books but if you want to see if they look interesting there's an independent review here:

https://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/20...

Rgds - iain

I work at a library, so the main way I hear of a new book is when we receive new books or I come across something that sounds interesting. Also when patrons or coworkers tell me I should read something, I'll check out reviews before reading it. I don't 'look' for a new author, I only seek out books that interest me. If by chance I read something that is surprisingly good, then I'll check out the author.

I read a lot of new authors, but I read very few new self-published authors. So, I'll answer your questions twice:

Traditionally published:

Q1 – how do you find new writers to read?

Through friends, amazon recommendations, Publisher's Lunch Buzz Books (e.g. Buzz Books 2015: Spring/Summer ), fellow bloggers, and my twitter stream (authors I follow).

Q2 – what leads you to try a writer for the first time?

A promising blurb + a book that is getting significant airplay/buzz.

Self-Published authors:

Q1 – how do you find new writers to read?

It's a similar process, but the "buzz" is not quite as loud. Specifically, friends on GR and/or bloggers are how I find the self-published authors I choose to read.

Q2 – what leads you to try a writer for the first time?

The cover must appear professional - nearly indistinguishable from a traditionally published book, the blurb should be well-written, engaging, with no obvious errors. A solid review from a blogger/reviewer I trust is really helpful. I will also occasionally read one or two pages of the look-inside on amazon - if the writing is clean, engaging, grammatically correct, and enjoyable to read, I'll give it ago.

I honestly expect a self-published book to be of precisely the same quality in all respects as a book published by a major publisher or publishing imprint. There are a fair few self-published authors who consistently execute on this expectation, and I'm happy to buy their books.

I rarely download freebies.

I also belong to netgalley, but I've basically stopped requesting books because I can't seem to find the time to review them in a reasonably timely manner, and it isn't fair to the publishers/authors for me to continue asking if I can't do my part.