How Closely Do You Follow Authors?

[LSWS07]

I don't really follow authors, so much as books. I didn't look for J. K. Rowling, I looked for books in the Harry Potter series. I may try to look for books by a certain author if I get into him/her, like I did with Salinger a couple months ago, but I try not to learn all about them and am not religiously devoted to them.

[mellysw]

Back when I read physical books, never. Even now I don't know that you would call this following, but with an e-reader I can easily look at/buy other books by that same author, and periodically I will check to see if they have come out with anything new.

[ShawHamp]

I don't follow authors too closely. I've read the blogs of a few fantasy writers, watched interviews, and read articles about them. I've decided that, for me, the best approach is to keep them on my Facebook/Twitter feed for relevant news and keep a healthy distance between me and them. Fantasy authors are like those friends you don't see for months at a time and finally catch up with over coffee for an hour or two, going over the major events that have happened in life, discuss the political atmosphere, the faults in media, the most recent uncoverings in the scientific community, and discuss the finer points of philosophy or religion. You both have a fantastic time, you laugh, your opinions are either more well founded or you are presented information that might alter your opinion and then you talk about that, you exclaim when you two agree, you tilt your head to the side and hum when you disagree, and you keep jumping from subject from subject because this has been the most enlightening and delightful interaction you've had in a long time. Then you two go your separate ways, promising to see each other again in another 7 months once the holidays have passed, or the hustle and bustle of summer is over. Because while you two both thoroughly enjoy these meetings, you know the beauty of it lies in the rarity. Because the two of you are such strong, opinionated, intelligent and creative forces of nature, to combine that on a regular basis could spell disaster.

For as much as I adore their characters, their writing, and their brilliance, I've found that when most authors are stuck in reality and are free to talk about any- and everything, I don't exactly prefer them. Most likely (as I feel like I too struggle with this), when confronted verbally, the words don't come out right and by the end of whatever has been said, I want them to just stick their foot in their mouth. I want to stick my own foot in my mouth for them, I'm so embarrassed by what has been said. Not for all authors, understand, but there are plenty who just come across as uncomfortably awkward and it's more painful to watch rather than be blissfully unaware. I can't judge too harshly though; I too do not express thoughts well orally and writing is certainly my medium. Sometimes authors can get a point across far better through story than through trying to explain why a person should or should not think a certain way, enjoy a certain pastime, or do a particular activity. Storytellers, man, that's how they work. But I completely understand the need for publicity to promote their mind-blowing work, because if there's one thing I hate it's fantastic literary work or outstanding storytelling not getting the credit it's due, and oftentimes that comes down to promotion and publicity. Maybe some interview coaching should be in order?

And so I keep it to status updates and tweets. That way I'm savvy to special sales, new releases, comic-con appearances, and anything else newsworthy so I may support and patronize (in the literal sense) my favorite authors, as there are many of them!

[cyndiha11]

I can't say that I follow any one author very closely. I rather like being surprised when a favorite author comes out with a new book and I had absolutely no idea

[craftshley]

I like forgetting about an author that I like and then looking them up months later, to find that they have released a new book. I hate waiting bit if I don't even know what I'm waiting for, there's no tension or unnecessary anticipation.

[Gravy]

I like forgetting about an author that I like and then looking them up months later, to find that they have released a new book. I hate waiting bit if I don't even know what I'm waiting for, there's no tension or unnecessary anticipation.

Oh! But the waiting is part of it!
Wondering what's going to happen. Knowing there's something to look forward to.
Counting the days!
I love looking forward to books!

[Maggie777]

I follow quite a few authors. For instance, I follow Neil Gaiman almost religiously! Aside from keeping up with what books and projects he's working on, I love following him on social media since he regularly interacts with and updates his readers. There's a few other authors I follow regularly, too. Stephen King and Jim Butcher come to mind since they publish regularly.

Hi
Stephen King is also one of my favourite author. I like his dark tower series

[Archie1791]

If i like a book, i always keep a watch on their authors. I don't want to miss out on anythings.

[Neyra]

I don't follow autors, I just read books that seem interesting no mater who is author!!

[DAbb85]

I follow several authors. I check their blogs, websites watching for their new books.

[ALynnPowers]

I've recently started stalking the twitter account of an indie author I like. She's even liked some comments I made and she's spoken back to me when I've replied to her tweets. I feel so special.

[rssllue]

I only follow a few that I really like very closely.

[kio]

Local authors I follow pretty closely, but there are only a couple of authors I follow on social media groups. Most of them I won't go out of my way to go to a signing, however.

[Kmikel0509]

I typically follow an author that I like on social media but my news feeds are hectic and I rarely actually see posts from the authors.

[pretzelsnow]

I LOVE to follow my favorite authors.I follow Dale Cramer(he just published a book some time ago that I would like to read:)