Quick: a small non-poll

[kinzel]

A few questions for the readers in the peanut gallery:

Would you rather read:
a theme anthology
a year's best anthology

In a bookstore would you rather buy:
a new novel by someone you've heard of but never read
a new novel by someone you've never heard of

Would you more likely buy:
a novel set in a tie-in universe
a novel set in an original universe

The first thing you notice about a new author is:
the title of the book is good
the cover art of the book is good
the gender of the author

When it comes to cover blurbs you:
almost always read them
almost always ignore them
read them if they're by authors you like
always think they waste space
consider writing to the blurbers and ask them what were they drinking when they wrote the blurb, and where can you get some of *that*?

Do you go to book signings?
Elucidate above

Are you a member of the BTC -- that is, the Book Turners Club? Do you turn books by authors you like cover face-front in a bookstore?
If yes, above, will you do it for us RSN? Thanks!


Do you go to science fiction conventions?
If yes above, do you go because particular guests will attend, or for the general fun of it? Do you have a "home" convention?



For the writers:

do you think the audience for your work is:
mythical
average read-anything types
hardcore fans
geeks only
housewives in Iowa
your agent first, then your editor
the marketing department at B&N

And one last question...
do you listen to podcasts?

If so:
http://fledgling.fireheartfoundry.com/2007/12/19/fledgling-chapter-23/
the latest Fledgling podcast from Fireheart Foundry

Comments

[reedrover]

Would you rather read: a theme anthology - if it's including works by authors that I know. I would only get a year's best anthology if the editor/publisher is someone(s) that I really trust to be in line with what I think is good.

In a bookstore would you rather buy: a new novel by someone you've heard of but never read - assuming that "heard of" means "recommended."

Would you more likely buy: a novel set in an original universe assuming that the other choice of "a novel set in a tie-in universe" is by a different author than the original universe series. I don't want to judge the second author by the standards and boundaries set down by the first author.

The first thing you notice about a new author is: the title of the book is good, then the cover art of the book is good matches the title concept. I often don't notice or care about author genders. Modesitt and Norton come to mind as authors who didn't have a mental gender assignment for a long time.

When it comes to cover blurbs you: almost always read them the first one or two. Unless the blurbs are especially witty, I'll skip on and start the book. And oddly enough, I don't care who said them.

Do you go to book signings? ::wistful sigh:: No, not often.

Are you a member of the BTC -- that is, the Book Turners Club? Do you turn books by authors you like cover face-front in a bookstore? Yes. I also recommend them to random passers-by who look like they are "browsing for something good" and are vaguely approachable. (I used to work in my local Borders, and I still take liberties there.)

Do you go to science fiction conventions? Yes. I go because of the GOH author or filk artist, as well as the fun of it. I don't really have a "home" convention, but my usual stomping grounds are Technicon, Balticon and Arisia.

And one last question... do you listen to podcasts? No.