Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jane Lebak on August 16, 2012 at 11:11am

Because the premise is intriguing. :-)

Permalink Reply by Ian Nathaniel Cohen on January 16, 2013 at 4:49pm

Agreed.  That's what's so tragic, in my opinion, about the decline of bookstores.  It's so much harder to just sweep your gaze across a shelf and have something jump out at you.  Online searching feels like it has to be so much more targeted, and what's popular has a huge advantage.  On a shelf at a bookstore, new writers stand more of a chance.

Also, I like certain genres that I don't see too many books written about, and if I see a book that covers that genre, I'll want to snag it.

Permalink Reply by Irene Kessler on August 16, 2012 at 11:51am

I agree and I think they are first caught by the title and cover of the book.

Permalink Reply by Gail A. Laursen on August 17, 2012 at 11:33am

Unknown or best-selling, a writer sells me their fiction with a good jacket blurb.  The cover, while it can attract, doesn't hold my attention if the blurb doesn't back it up with something intriguing.

Permalink Reply by Joy Ross Davis on September 24, 2012 at 11:04am

Maybe because of the sheer thrill of reading someone who might turn out to be a good writer! Or most probably because of great marketing strategies, a compelling premise....I read new writers all the time. Some of them are wonderful. Some, not so great. 

But since I've just signed a contract for my novel with a literary agent, I'm hoping that people will ignore the fact that they've never heard of me and simply read it for the enjoyment of something unique. 

And too...I could be entirely wrong!

Permalink Reply by Mari Adkins on January 21, 2013 at 1:07pm

I bought a new book by a local last summer - because she was a new writer and because she was local. The book turned out well, although she badly needed an editor.