Author Seeking Opinions
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Author Seeking Opinions
Firstly let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. For openers, what do you think attracts a potential reader? Would it be the front cover (hopefully mine is effective!) or is it more likely to be on the strength of the synopsis? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?
- sleepydumpling
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For me, it's the concept and the characters that pull me in. If I read the blurb and I like the concept of a novel, of the story, that hooks me in, or if there is a central character that I can identify with, then I'm sold to give it a try.
I couldn't care less about the cover - some of the best books I've read have got truly atrocious covers!!
Kath
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I agree with Kath on this one. Definitely if I read the blurb and it has an interesting plot and/or characters, I will want to read the book. The title or graphic will grab my attention but if it doesn't sound like something I would want to read, back on the shelf it will go.
- Linda
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and i don't ever buy a book without reading a few pages, eh more than a few pages, you never kno if you'll like a new writers writing style until you read a little bit
And when you dream I hope you can't sleep and you SCREAM about it
I hope your conscience EATS AT YOU and you can't BREATHE without me"
- bibliolatrist
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- Dori
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I shop online a lot of the time (the pains of living in the middle of nowhere) so I usually read the customer reviews on bn.com. Actually, I try to find the people who rated it the lowest and see why they did so.
Also, I couldn't care less what the cover looked like.
So, in summary, what compels me to read a certain book is a low price, an interesting topic, and decent customer reviews.
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and wondered if you might check it out and give me your opinion on it.
Thanks again!
- Mike French
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The cover, the blurb on the back, the publishing house and the fist line.
Strange world really.
Would you go into a cd store and buy music because you like the artwork and notes on the sleeve?
Yet this is what we hope for in the book shop. (Unless you have a major marketing campaign behind you.) So normally I would buy based on a recommendation from a friend who knows what I like. Better still I try
books out by using the local libary.
- sleepydumpling
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Ahhh, you make an old librarian very happy!Mike French wrote:Better still I try
books out by using the local libary.
- Mike French
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- Anna
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________
Medical Marijuana Patient
- Rowan
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One of the things that gets me hooked is the blurb. But what sells me are the first 10 pages. If I cannot get into it, chances are good I will leave it behind. The dust cover means nothing to me. I like to know what I am getting myself into.
Ro
- Linda
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but of course the actual writing has to intrigue me for me to spend money on a book.
And when you dream I hope you can't sleep and you SCREAM about it
I hope your conscience EATS AT YOU and you can't BREATHE without me"