If you’re like me, you probably have a handful of tried-and-true authors that you adore. We only have to see their name and we rush out to buy their book. We don’t have to look at the back cover blurb or even know what the book is about. We trust that author will deliver.
And if occasionally one of their books starts slow or doesn’t necessarily appeal to us, we keep reading those authors anyway. They’ve proven themselves to us. And with busy lives and limited time, why not stick to authors we already trust and love?
That kind of loyalty is awesome. And I for one appreciate that my readers come back to my books time and again. But it’s because of the loyalty of readers to their favorite authors, that it’s tough for debut writers to get noticed.
Not only are debut authors competing in an increasingly crowded marketplace, but they’re also trying to gain the attention of readers who may have their night tables stacked high with authors they already love.
Of course some new authors DO get noticed. Some debut authors DO gain readers. I was once a debut author, and I’ve gained many readers over time. What are the factors that make a reader willing to take a chance on a debut author? Why does a reader pick up the book of one new author and not another?
Here are just a few of the things that influence whether I pick up a book by a new author (in order from most important influences to least):
1. Word of mouth praise. THIS is the NUMBER ONE factor for me. If I hear a bunch of people talking about a book and how good it was, I’m likely to go over to an online bookstore and check it out. I’ll read the reviews, and if they’re largely positive, I’m likely to buy the book at some point.
2. The number of reviews on Amazon or Goodreads. If a book only has 15 reviews and has been released for five months, I’ll probably wonder what’s wrong with the book that more readers haven’t left reviews. It’s not too difficult for a debut author to generate the help of friends and family members for those initial reviews. But it’s much harder to get reviews beyond that.
So if the book is lacking in reviews, I’ll assume that those first reviews are mostly by friends and family. And I won’t trust them as much. Whereas if a book has a hundred reviews or more, I’m much more willing to trust what people are saying.
3. The publisher. I hate to admit this, but it’s true. For debut books, I almost always check who the publisher is. If a new author has passed through the various “tests” and persevered to make it through the “hoops” of a reputable traditional publisher, I’ll be more willing to put out my hard-earned cash on a debut book.
That doesn’t mean I never try debut authors who use small publishers or who indie publish. If the reviews are particularly numerous and positive, I will sometimes take a chance. But even then, I’ve been disappointed enough that I’ve become pickier.
4. A pleasing cover. I know we’re not suppose to judge a book by its cover, but if a book cover looks cheesy or cheap, I may assume the quality inside will follow suit. But if a debut book has a stellar cover, if it catches my attention, I might give the book a try.
5. If the book is written by a friend. Yes, I’m more likely to buy a debut book from a friend than a stranger. My problem is that I’ve made connections with so many wonderful writers, that I’m no longer able to keep up with all the books friends are publishing.
6. Reading or listening to a sample. To be honest, I don’t do this very often. I just don’t have the time. And I find it difficult to really determine whether I’ll enjoy the plot (or like the author’s style) from a few pages. But it can be a helpful way to narrow down a decision about a debut author if the other factors above don’t help.
Now, YOUR turn! What factors influence you the most when deciding to buy the book of a debut author?
Jody Hedlund
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I completely agree with this. And I have to say that on more than on occasion I have bought a book for it’s beautiful cover. But usually foe a debut author it’s from word of mouth. My favorite tried and true authors, I don’t care what the cover looks like.
I think you nailed it! I’m VERY selective now and often pass up the freebies or low-priced books because they don’t meet the criteria you mentioned. And if you go by reviews, then actually read what the reviewers say. Don’t just look at a star rating.
I LOVE this question! Completely agree with all of your comments (except #6 – I don’t do that at all). You are one of my go to authors! 🙂
A couple of things I’d add to the first five…award nominee and price. If a debut is nominated for an INSPY or Christy in the debut category, I am very likely to give it a try. If one of your first five reasons combines with a Kindle deal or the book is available for Kindle Prime borrow, I’m highly likely to try the book.
My favorite how I found a debut is with Kara Isaac’s Close to You. I was participating in a challenge on Goodreads where I needed a book with socks on the cover. I had no idea what the book was about but checked it out from the library and absolutely loved the novel. Kara is now one of my go to authors! 🙂
Number 1 is key for me. And I will add that if one of my favorite authors is recommending the book, I’m even more likely to take a look at it. I’m not talking so much about an author just saying “check out this book” but more of a “y’all have to read this book!” recommendation (I want to feel like they’ve read it and loved it by the post). Next up for me is the synopsis on the back… does it sound interesting to me? The cover comes into play for me somewhat more if I haven’t seen a ton of people talking about it. If I see a book pop up dozens of times with people talking about it, I’m less likely to let the cover deter me.
With me mostly it’s the cover of the book. But I also have favorite authors. I do try some new to me authors and occasionally a friend of mine may recommend a new author and I’ve read their books and even tried to promote them.by reviewing and recommending them to friends. I sometimes get books from authors or publishers which I read and review according to how much I liked them. That’s a great way to meet new authors . I will win books in giveaways and I then read them and review them as well. I usually try to read a few books each year from a new author so I can try to broaden my selection of books and authors but I usually only read Christian Fiction or Christian Bible study books.
I’m very unlikely to buy a debut author’s novel when it first comes out. Need to see the reviews first. Also, if I keep seeing bloggers/bookstagrammers buzzing about it months after it’s published, instead of just around the publication date, it’s probably a good book.
I agree with those things. I also nitice when a book has been endorsed by an author I respect, such as YOU!
Another consideration is if the blurb interests me and is a topic I already like.
I’m strongly influenced to check out a debut author from book bloggers I follow – RelzReviewz, fictionaficionado and Reading is My SuperPower. These ladies have proven themselves time and time again recommending authors and books that I would’ve never read had it not been mentioned on their blogs.
I will admit that I definitely have my favorite authors — but next I would say that it would be the cover that draws me – I also look at the publisher because there are certain publishers that only print the type of book that appeals to me. If one of my favorite authors has given a positive review, I’ll give a new author a chance 🙂 I will also admit that I am a library goer – I read the books first and if it is something I think I would enjoy reading again, then I make the purchase 🙂
These are spot on. However, I also choose books based on my favorite genre. I’m more likely to read a debut in a genre I read regularly, than one I don’t.
As a general rule, I love debuts. It makes me proud to feel I’ve discovered someone new and then to help promote their work.
Like most readers, I have favorite authors I buy by name rather than title or cover. I will go to blogs & see what other bloggers have to say about an author. I will check out reviews, word of mouth and sometimes an author will send me a free book (ebook or paperback) and ask me to read it. Even if it’s a book that I bought I will leave reviews if the book is really good. If the book touches my heart, my emotions or so well written that I keep turning pages, automatic 5 stars. I will never leave a review that I can’t give at least 4 stars. Will notify the author in a private msg. or email why I couldn’t and also tell them the strong points of their writing. Sometimes a cover or the back blurb will catch my attention. If it’s cheesy, beefcake or too explicit I won’t pick it up to even read the blurb.
I could not agree more with this list! The first four are always things I check into when approached about reviewing any book, but especially a debut. I also agree with commenters above that if a debut has gained professional notice through award nominations/wins I will be more likely to read it them, as well as if it is in my preferred genres.
There are a few things that influence me when I decide to pick up a book by a debut author. 1. I listen to friends who I know enjoy the same books as I do. There are a few key friends who I always read their book suggestions, because they read great books and know me well enough to understand my book tastes. 2. I use goodreads a lot, I read reviews, I follow key people who read the same books as I do and I watch for their reviews. I have found people who write very honest reviews and I usually look to those first. 3. If one of my go to authors likes the book. I follow certain authors on goodreads and their reviews go to the top when I go to the book’s page. If they enjoyed it I will give it a change. 4. Last, I listen to audio books a lot and I have favorite narrators, if they narrate the book I am more likely to give it a try. Now, this doesn’t happen very often, but I have come across it a few time.
One of the top things for me is if it has a recommendation from one of my favorite authors. Their word means more to me than a lot of reviews on Amazon or Goodreads.
I thought of something else. I really think the smartest thing I have ever seen done by a debut author was introducing Jen Turano with a permanently free eBook novella. It was a wonderful way to let readers know what her writing style is but it only takes a couple of hours to read.
The cover and the title must first draw my interest. Then I read the short synopsis on the back cover. If I find that interesting, or intriguing, the book is mine. I’m rarely disappointed.
In addition to all your valid reasons why a new author might catch my eye is the content of the book. Those who write those initial blurbs about the books play an extremely important role. Some topics/themes interest me more than others.
Also, I have my favorite Christian fiction book reviewers whose reviews I read faithfully. If they rate a book as so-so, that’s the end of that book for me. If they rate it as “Highly Recommended” or “Very Highly Recommended”, then I’m sure to read and/or buy it as long as the themes appeal to me. I’ve been introduced to many, many new authors through the Christian fiction book reviewers.
I second all these, for sure! (though I haven’t tried looking at number of reviews; I should add that one!)
In fact, these are many of the reasons I first picked up one of your books, Jody, as a new-to-me author. I was definitely not disappointed!
Hallo, Hallo Ms Hedlund,
I must be a rare bird. All your examples of why readers pick up a new story by a new debut novelist do not highlight my own choices. For me, it is quite simple (as a book blogger I read loads of lovely new debuts per year) it is first and foremost the STORY. Seriously. The cover can be smashing but its only ‘art’ for my eyes if the story within the pages between front & back cover are not holding me into the grip of the story-line. Readerly opinions I do admit are helpful but I put more weight on book blogger’s opinions than reviewers as not just because I am one but because book bloggers I have found blog the heart out of why they love reading the stories their motivated to read.
If I read a blurb or a synopsis – especially as a book blogger who receives pitches of stories for review consideration, sometimes I make a judgement call on ‘should/shouldn’t’ I read this based on those brief passages of thought. Other times, I’ll do a bit more research – visiting the author’s Twitter feeds, their blog, their website, pulling up their bibliography (such as on FantasticFiction) or seeing if they have an interview in the book blogosphere, etc. Sometimes I find books to read based on a book blogger’s post/review/s/o on Waiting on Wednesday — I devour so much book world information (including author blogs, etc) it just depends on ‘how’ I found the author in the first place!
I also find loads of authors (especially newly out of the gate) on #bookishTwitter – I’m a socially engaged reader (Twitter and LibraryThing) so if I can make a social connection, see how the writer is talking about their story (or stories) and see if I can get a feel for their writerly voice, that also influences me to want to seek out their collective works. This is one reason I love Twitter chats because it breaks down that barrier between reader/writer to where you can get to know them in a personal way and then, sort out if how their describing their story is a good fit for you to seek out.
I also source a lot at my local library – so to be truthful there isn’t one particular path that leads me to a debut novelist except of course the one anchour that makes me giddy happy: the STORY. The premise of what is coming to my eyes as I drink in the narrative & the world in which was written for me to read. This is true across markets as I’m a hybrid reader of INSPY and mainstream as much as the fact I dance through genres.
And, technically Ms Hedlund – your on my TBR List of stories I want to be reading this New Year, 2019!
PS: I have a feature on my blog called #25PagePreview – you can see those posts via Twitter if you search the tag as I route it to my blog’s feature – I honestly can sort out in 25 pages if the writer’s voice, intonation of intention, character development and world-building is going to either sway or dissuade me from continuing their story.
I do agree with listening to audiobook samplers – but really what works if you preview the first chapter of an audiobook (ie. your local library or if you have a script to Scribd which allows you to listen to an unlim amount of audiobooks per month) you’ll know the same way I do from the first 25 pages.
For me, I want to feel anchoured immediately into the story, setting, plot and character – if the character can develop an immediate connection to me or give me an emotional reason to feel invested in their lives, I simply move on. Something has to give me that anchour effect… without it, the story might have had a strong premise of promise but the delivery failed to give me that key reason to stay within the context of the story. This is why I might not read every story by every author I love reading but I will still seek out their stories hoping that the next one will resonate as dearly as the original one which gave me that impression they were a beloved favourite to #mustread.
Yes, all of the above play into my buying a book but sometimes it is just Providence that I see a book and like the genre or need a change from my usual reads and buy the book. Sometimes it is a disappointment but often I enjoy the author’s style and look for the next release.
I read a lot of book blogs to keep up with the tremendous waves of new titles. When a title keeps showing up on the blogs I read, I’m more likely to buy it. A great cover might not convince me to read a book, but it will definitely get me to read the blurb or first few pages. Without fail, I leave at least a star review for the books I read (whether I buy them or get them for review on my blog).
Hi Everyone! Thank you for all of your thoughts! I’ve sure enjoyed reading all the comments and getting your perspectives! This is such a great discussion, so thank you! 🙂
Jody, I guess I’m a rare duck but I don’t do any of the things you listed.1st I am attracted by the title than I read the blurb on the back of the book. If it grabs my attention, I read a page or two and if it reads as good as the blurb I will buy it. I also am genre guided, even though it has changed over time. Good question with lots of different answers.
I wouldn’t put much stock in #2 these days. Amazon is getting brutal with removing reviews, particularly by friends and family. Shoot, there are stories of reviews disappearing just because someone followed that author on Twitter. So it’s not as easy to generate 15 reviews at all (much less positive ones) as it used to be. Thus, the content of those reviews matters. Particularly the ones that give specific points of what was good, and what wasn’t. Not every story appeals to every person, doesn’t meant it’s any better or worse.
The rest, I can get behind. Although not as much the publisher. A lot of good stories can’t get accepted the traditional way, even if they have a following. So when established authors are starting to go self, the publisher starts to matter less. That’s where a peek inside comes in handy. Not perfect, but you should be able to detect bad writing within a couple of pages.