What a weekend! The spring Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt ran through 11:59 PM MDT on Sunday, ending at midnight. I was the coordinator this time around, and the comments and emails kept me hopping from Thursday through Sunday. If you are new to my blog, post scavenger hunt, welcome! I hope you will enjoy what you find here.
I love these scavenger hunts. It is a great way to introduce myself and my books to new readers, and it’s also so much fun to reconnect with long time readers.
With all of the above in my thoughts, I’m curious to know, what makes you buy a book by an author you’ve never read before?
[Tweet “I’m curious to know, what makes you buy a book by an author you’ve never read before?”]
I’m not just a writer. I’m a reader too. Fiction. Bios/memoirs. Reference. Research. And since I am active in the Christian fiction writing community, I’m always being introduced to new-to-me authors. The trouble is, I can’t read them all. I don’t have that much reading time or that much disposable income. So just like all of you, I have to be convinced to buy a book.
Here are a few key points that matter to me:
- A great review from a professional source I trust (one that has proven to have similar tastes to my own)
- The recommendation of reading friends, in person or on a blog
- An interesting or unusual plot combined with enticing cover copy
- Occasionally, a fabulous cover may get me close to buying a book, although it will take something more to make me complete the deal
- Price can also affect my decision whether or not to buy; I may be more willing to try an author I’ve never read before if the price is discounted
So what about you? What is your criteria for buying a book by a new-to-you author?
~robin
Photo Credit: radioher via Compfight cc
The main things that makes me try a new author is: If the the blurb sounds like a read for me, sometimes if the cover is beautiful, suggestions from other authors, readers and bloggers, and just going with my instinct usually.
Thanks for all of that. And I love the going by instinct. Totally understand that.
Recommendation from an author I know and love would make me want to try a new author. Also the cover of the book.
Thanks, Brenda. I’ve had some gorgeous covers on my books, and I love knowing it matters to readers.
A beautiful cover draws me to the book & the blurb helps me decide.
Since I’m a reviewer I’m more willing to try new books, but have decided that unless the book is recommended by an author I love, or published by one of the publishers I trust, I won’t request or buy it. I really enjoyed the scavenger hunt! Thanks for the great job you did.
So glad you enjoyed the Hunt, Marianne. I have become very selective when it comes to doing the occasional review (I’m not a reviewer as a rule). My reading time is precious.
The cover usually will grab me.
Doreen, I think I’ll have to do a blog post about covers and what makes one stand out over others. Hmm.
I’m sorry, I don’t tweet so I will have to answer here. What makes me try a book by an author I have never read before….first the cover will grab my attention, second, the title will catch my interest and third the synopsis on the back (possibly along with the first paragraph/page) will leave me wanting to know more about the story 🙂
Marie, you don’t have to tweet. The tweet is just placed there as a convenience for those who do. I want the comments here and not on Twitter. I so appreciate you sharing.
Basically my answer is about the same as Marie P. Those are all the things I look for, plus, if someone I trust recommends a book.
Karla, word of mouth makes a big difference. Thanks!
It could be the cover and the title. I do not like reading the back of a book. So, yes, I have ended up buying books I wished I hadn’t but that is the fun of meeting new authors.
Delsie, that is fascinating that you don’t like to read the back of a book. Makes that cover and title all the more important.
What would make me read a new author, I think I would have to say the cover of a book. Usually if the cover is an eye catcher I would be more tempted to pick it up and read it.
Thanks, Linda.
I always read the back of the book (inside flap etc) which gives me a teaser about what’s inside. This is the first thing and usually the last thing that has me buying a book. Sometimes it’s the cover, but it’s usually the teaser then the author. I like the artwork on most of my books so don’t misunderstand that!
Thanks, Shirley. I have writer friends who are naturals at writing great blurbs for the back of books. I have to brainstorm them with my editor to get them right. But it sure is important to get it right.
A few things help me decide to buy a book: 1. If it is recommended by someone I trust. 2. If the book description sounds interesting. 3. If the reviews are at least 4 stars. 4. If the same title keeps crossing my path, it usually means God is trying to get my attention and I should read it!
Love #4, Pat. I know exactly what you mean because it happens to me too.
For a new author it usually in the blurb for me. If I like the premise of the book then I will go read it. As a book blogger I come across some poorly written blurbs and makes me wonder if I missed some great books because I wasn’t drawn in quick enough with the blurb. Secondly if I am able to read a chapter of the book. I like that on Amazon they allow you to read the first chapter usually.
Thanks, Liss. What you said about first chapters is why I offer them on my web site. So important.
The things that influence me to try a new author are: 1. The cover & the blurb on the back, 2. The publishing company, 3. Recommendation/reviews by an author that I’ve read & liked, 4. Sometimes a title influences me & when I’m reading the book I find that it really fits, 6. Subject matter like amish fiction or historical romance. Not just because this is your blog, Robin, but I do love your books & recommend them to others. Have a great week….Linda
Linda, I forgot to mention the publisher, but I do look at that when I’m trying to decide about an unknown author.
The cover catches my interest first. Then I read the synopsis to see if it’s something that I might enjoy. Then I read reviews to see what’s being said by ordinary people like me. Like you my time and money is important so I have to be really sold on a book to buy it. I love Book Bub where I can get free or reduced ebooks daily, although I’m selective about them as well.
Thanks, Gail. Sounds very familiar.
In addition to the points you’ve made, I might buy a book after reading interviews on the book blogs. I often buy a book to support a Christian author, who is just starting out or maybe one who I think needs a little encouragement. Sometimes, if I like the sincerity of her testimony, I am curious about her writing, so I buy one of her books.
Loved your answer, Kay. God bless you. Writers do need encouragement.
Thank you!
What makes me buy a book by an author I’ve never tried?
1. A great cover
2. High rating & reviews (amazon & goodreads)
3. An interesting plot
4. Other suggested titles based on the book — if Amazon shows a couple of books I enjoyed as recommended when purchasing a given book, I’m much more likely to try that book.
5. A discount! (Kindle Daily Deal or such)
I hadn’t thought about #4, Amber. I’ll have to start paying attention to that. And a discount doesn’t hurt either. 🙂
I live below the American poverty level. Fortunately for me, the library is full of authors waiting for me to discover. I like to see what’s on the “new” shelf and our library often has a theme display with favorites from the local librarians. My husband had also worked for several years as a salesman/manager at a couple independent booksellers. I usually only buy books that I know I will want to re-read or loan out. So, sometimes I will borrow the first book of a new to me author, and then buy it or subsequent ones if it grabs me.
God bless libraries and librarians, Terri.
All the reasons you list in the post are what draw me but I also try to read both the lowest and the highest customer ratings (on Amazon or Goodreads). Then I feel better informed about whether or not to try a new author. Oh, and thanks for coordinating the Scavenger Hunt, lots of fun!
Lis, I’m so glad you enjoyed the Scavenger Hunt. And love that you read both the high and the low reviews to get a better feel. Thanks.
When I read romantic fiction I only like to read Christian authors. I look all over for new authors. I check out everyone that you show case on Wednesdays. I also make a list of the authors that write reviews in the front of a book I like, and I’ve even gone to CBD and made a list of authors from their listings. Then I go straight to google for bios. The bio tells me if the author is a Christian and if they have a web site I can usually get a feel for their heart and their interests. I like to find an author and then read everything they have written. I’m always hoping certain authors will produce books more quickly!:-)
1. If I win the book is the #1 way I am introduced to new authors.
2. I really am drawn to the book covers; I like Historical fiction covers-western, southern, colonial era.
Beautiful dresses, colors also draw me.
3. Most Amish fiction attracts me, although I don’t like Amish horror or mysteries
LOL on #1, Sharon.
I met other authors I had not known