Unknown Authors vs. Big Time Authors

February 17, 2010 Uncategorized 18

Today I wanted to start a discussion and get some thoughts from other readers.  When you are cruising around your book blogs, are you more likely to buy books from authors you have heard about, or do you like to find books by authors that you have never heard of before?
For me, I like to find new authors.  They are like finding diamonds in the rough.  It is hard to fathom why so many wonderful authors are still struggling to be picked up by major publishing companies.  Now, I understand those big companies can only sign on so many wonderful authors due to money and demand.  Wouldn’t it be great though if they had a program for new authors?  Maybe one new author a month to offer a contract to? 
If you are a follower of my blog, you will notice that I do a lot of reviews for authors that are not only from small publishing companies, but they aren’t as well known as some of the bigger authors.  Does that mean they are horrible writers? No.  It just means that they haven’t been discovered yet.  I feel that every book that is written is someone’s hard work and effort to open a new world to someone in the joy of words.  That is why on my blog I strive to not only review huge authors, but the little guys as well.  Just because I haven’t heard about them, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have a chance to share their work as well. You would be surprised at how many of the books have made my favorites list.  
For example, RIVER OF TEARS by Michele L. Montgomery is still my favorite book of 2009.  I have read that book 3 times and the words still send my emotions into overdrive and tug at my heart.  It is a book that has stayed with me and I still have not found a book that touched me as much as it did since then.  It will probably be my favorite book of 2010 if I keep re reading it over and over again.  This author was one that I had never heard of, the cover was not fancy with half naked men on the front, and I still wanted to read it.  A true diamond in the rough was found.
I have also read and reviewed several books from Tierney O’Malley and Tory Richards.  Both of these wonderful authors have several books out.  Do a lot of people know about them? No. Well, if you are a big publishing company you need to wake up and snatch them up before you lose out on some amazing writing!  They both have a wonderful talent for writing romance and the details are great.  
Chastity Bush is another writer who I have read for several times.  Each book I have reviewed is from different genres so I know this author does not have a problem writing.  She can put a story together wonderfully and she can write on different subjects. I have read paranormal, romance and historical from her.  Not bad for an author as young as she is.
This is just a small sample of what is out there waiting to be discovered.  I believe that if given the chance, an unknown author to you, could easily become a well loved author for yourself as well.  So my challenge for everyone is this– the next time you are out shopping for books, pick up a book from an author that you haven’t heard of before.  Whether it be from a regular book store or from an online small house publishing company, you never know what kind of diamond you will find.  You just might be reading the next Nora Roberts, Stephen King or James Patterson.

18 Responses to “Unknown Authors vs. Big Time Authors”

  1. April

    I tend not read self-published books, but do enjoy some small press books. I add books to my TBR based upon other reviews I’ve read, and well, also based out what is here at library booksales and book stores.

  2. Amy J - Book Addict

    April-

    I look at other reviews from other bloggers as a jumping off point so to say. I get the rundown on a book and see if the blurb captures my interest and go from there. The thing about self published is they sometimes can be so expensive and it makes it hard for readers to want to shell out alot of money for new writers. I was like that at first. But, I am also finding that spending the same amount on several well knowns is getting disappointing. They are repeating themselves alot lately in their books and sometimes I just want to start a fresh story with a fresh author. Does that make sense? LOL

  3. Lori

    I will read what ever synopsis appeals to me. Yes, I have my favorites and many are mainstream, but if a “unknown author” had a book with a synopsis that appeal to my taste, I would be more then happy to read it. The only problem is, that I live in BFE..so I don’t have that many options. Also, you don’t see much advertising for self published and unknowns…so I never know about them. But if I stumbled across something that appealed to me, then I would definately look into it.

  4. Jenny

    This is a great topic, Amy.
    I love “promoting” some newer authors. There are some authors who only have a couple books out but that I love. But it’s always nice to rely on authors that you know have written good books (though I agree sometimes after a certain point they go downhill).

    I also tend to stay clear of self published books though. I do have a couple to review that sounded good, but in my experience I’m usually disappointed. =(

  5. The Book Junkie's Bookshelf

    Honestly I’m one of those who’s constantly on the look out for new authors to try out. I never knew about authors such as Lynsay Sands and Shiloh Walker until I joined the book blogging community.

    I’ve read a couple self published (one of which is actually being republished by a publisher soon) and I’ve had pretty mixed results. I’m not against them but I’m not entirely sold on them either.

  6. Blanche

    I love to find new authors!!! I have my favorites that are pretty much auto-buy for me but I’m constantly searching blogs and reader groups to find new authors!! I was peeking at Leontine’s blog yesterday, she has a scrolling book shelf and I found 5 or 6 books and authors that really caught my attention and I went hunting for information on them!! 🙂

  7. Scorpio M.

    It’s been much easier to find new-to-me authors since I’ve started folowing blogs such as yours, I have gotten exposure to new subgenres and authors I probably wouldn’t have noticed or paid attention to on my own.

  8. ~Jennifer~

    Great topic. Before discovering the book blogging community, I had a handful or authors that I always read and I occasionally grabbed an unknown from the library. Now I’m constantly finding new authors and more often than not their books end up being some of my top favorites for the year.

  9. Ann Elle Altman

    Great debate. I prefer authors I know or those who get good reviews from people I know but I’m willing to give anyone a shot. I have read some really awful mainstream books too.

    ann

  10. Allie

    I really enjoy reading authors and books that not everyone has heard of. I think that in many cases, their books aren’t publicized as well. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy big names, because I do, but at one point, someone had to take a chance on that name.

  11. Michele_LM

    Hello Amy,

    I wanted to pop over with huge hugs and big thanks for your kind words about River of Tears. You brought happy tears to my eyes. I’m beyond honored and speechless right now. I’m literally floating on cloud nine. I’m so happy that River was able to touch you as it did and if no one else ever reads that story, I’m good with the fact that both River and I have made somewhat of an impact on your life in the book world.

    Again, thank you!
    *HUGS*

  12. Tory Richards

    Hi Amy,

    I want to thank you so much for including me in your list of authors you like to read. Every author likes to hear that their hard work is enjoyed and appreciated. You have no idea how much this means to me.

    As a reader, if the cover attracts me enough to pick up a book, the blurb has to also grab me. I don’t really care who the author is.

    I did want to point out one thing, though. There’s a big difference between self-published, published by a big NY house, or being published with an epublisher. I would love to blog about it some day you’re interested.

    Take care:)

    Tory

  13. Tierney O'Malley

    Amy,

    You made me feel so big. 😀 Your words are humbling and I thank you from the very depth of my soul. I am still a small fish in the ocean in so many ways and yet you noticed me. Because of you, of My Overstuffed Bookshelf, I met a lot of wonderful readers. Thank you for giving my books exposure.
    Your enthusiasm and honest reviews push me to take another step and another to continue pursuing my dream. Amy, you’re not the only one who found a diamond in the rough. 😉

    Thank you, thank you, Amy

    Sincerely,

    Tierney O’Malley

  14. gargantua29

    Like many others here, I love finding new authors in the genres I like to read. My favorite thing to do is pick a section in the bookstore and pick a book from an author I’ve never heard of. If the synopsis sounds intriguing, I’ll snap it up regardless of who the author is. And then, if I like the author, I then try to read everything he or she has written.

  15. Erotic Horizon

    I love your thoughtso nthis Amy…

    You know i read anything – but I have made it my mission ot read new, Self published and Small Pubs…

    And i can honestly say I am having tremendous luck with my choices so far…

    Montgomery was a particularly good find for me last year as well and a few others that I keep stalking via email…

    But I also agree with you – everyone should make every effort to read a new author or just step out of their comfort zone…

    E.H>

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