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

[lkw7.livejournal.com]

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

I tend to prefer theme anthologies. I find skipping from one short story to another to sometimes be jarring.

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

Probably heard of but never read, if what I had heard was good. I am frequently looking for new authors because the ones I like don't write fast enough!

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

I like original universes. Tie-ins are often less well written in my opinion.

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

Honestly, recently I have been searching the shelves by publisher, and only then looking at who the author is. Of all of these, I am probably most responsive to the title. I generally ignore cover art, because I work in publishing and I know the kind of descriptions I give to the design departments. The gender of the author doesn't matter to me.

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*?

I'll pay mild attention if the blurb is by authors whose work I know and like. Much less if it's by one of the SF magazines or a newspaper, because I feel I know the authors better than some random reviewer.

Do you go to book signings?
Elucidate above

YES! I love the chance to talk to authors, even if only for ten seconds.

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!

I only started doing this recently when I found out that our sales staff does it when they visit bookstores. It wouldn't make that much of a difference to me as a purchaser, since I skim the entire section, but I see the chance to catch a quicker browser's eye, and I will start doing it for you.

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?

Yes - sometimes for guests, but mostly for fun. Home conventions are Lunacon, Ubercon, and ICON, although I have been going to OVFF and will go to pretty much any other con within driving distance of NYC. Flying distances require a bit more persuasion.

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

I'm working on a vampire romance that ought to appeal to horror/vampire/romance fans.

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

Not very often - I much prefer to read than to listen; I don't retain information nearly as well when it is presented audibly. However, I also currently don't have speakers on my computer.