Fresh Fiction Blog | Sara Reyes | Anniversaries of Books, Authors and Web Sites...

In August Fresh Fiction will celebrate its 5th anniversary. In the Internet world it's a real milestone, as it is for a small business. Most go within a year, 18 months at the outside. But against all odds, Fresh Fiction has managed to stick, thrive and grow. We have a team of addicted book lovers to thank and the resilience of people who well, for lack of a better description, love to read! And love all things about reading: the books, the authors, fellow readers, expressing opinions and always thirsting for more.

So this month -- August -- we'll be exploring all the parts that make up Fresh Fiction and create our book world. From the publishers to the authors to the books to the reviewers to booksellers and all things associated with our love of books and reading. I hope you'll join us several times this month and let us know what YOU think.

We'll also be celebrating with special blog posts, contests and give-a ways. So be sure to stop by and enter.

First up is my little story, or the founding of Fresh Fiction.

Well, curl up my friends and listen to the tale...ah, you see, I'm not really a writer and decided not to even try to be one about 15 years ago. It was a nice idea but I didn't suit the rigors of lonely writing, because to be honest, I'm really a reader. I've got to read and I don't want to dissect a book to see what makes it work. It's why I can't be an art critic either, I either know I like it or I don't. Ditto with books, I either love them or hate them. I can passionately discuss books until people's eyes turn blank or glazed but writing one is beyond me.

But I'm also really curious. When I find a book I like or an author that intrigues me I want to know ALL about them: their other books, who they are, what they are writing. I want to get a sense of understanding. And unfortunately most author or publisher web sites are either impossible to find or once found do NOT contain the information I crave. So after talking to some fellow readers I came up with a plan. A site listing all the books as they come out, searchable by author or book with summaries, biographies and excerpts if possible. And not just romance, but other genres we're reading like thrillers, mysteries, fantasy. Just not "Oprah" books.

Then my friends started to brainstorm. Tanzey Cutter said can we do reviews too? And how about a little column about books and authors? Candace Havens wanted to show how books and film mix together (she's a big time entertainment reporter). Shanna Swendson said, "I go to lots of conferences, can I write about those?" And from that meeting in a line waiting for a signing to open, Fresh Fiction was born.

So fast forward five years, we've added more excerpts, more reviewers, lots more columnists, over 30,000 authors with their book lists, contests and tidbits here and there to entice. So for a labor of necessity ... to get more information about books ... I think we're doing what we set out to accomplish.

So, please tell us what you think, why do you come to FreshFiction.com? What else would you like to see?

Until next time...
Get out there and READ a book...
Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers Group
Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 13-15, 2009!

As usual we're doing a weekend contest, so everyone who leaves a comment will be entered, good luck we've got lots of goodies to choose from I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed!!!

Comments

Congratulations on your milestone anniversary!
I came to Fresh Fiction through the DFW Tea Readers Group, through a good friend, author Pat Cody (I sure miss her!). I did some reviews for you, then life got in the way for a while. But now I'm back, and your site has grown leaps and bounds and looks great! Keep doing whatever you're doing...it's obviously the right thing!
(Sharon Galligar Chance 11:42am August 1, 2009)

I honestly don't remember what brought me here originally. But I feel like I've been here forever and enjoying every minute of it. And I don't see anything that needs changing, since you've reached this milestone you must be doing something right!
(Jody Faltys 12:47pm August 1, 2009)

Congrats on your anniversary! I am not sure what brought me here to Fresh Fiction, but I do know that I really enjoy the site and have been visiting for several years. I don't think I would change anything about it. It is a great site.
(Gail Hurt 12:56pm August 1, 2009)

Well, I for one am really glad that Fresh Fiction was born because it's one of my favorite stops on the web. Thanks for making reading even more fun than when the book mobile came around at school! And congratulations on the anniversary!
(Margay Roberge 1:42pm August 1, 2009)

I love this site. I even got my Mom hooked on it. I love the contests, the blog posts and all the interesting articles that you all write. Thanks for 5 wonderful years.
(Sara Hurt 1:57pm August 1, 2009)

Happy anniversary. I visit fresh fiction every day and love it. What to change... honesty I don't know. I like it the way it is. I'm curious though about others opinion...
(Joeelle Jappissont 2:16pm August 1, 2009)

Happy Anniversary. I love visiting to read more about the author of the Fresh Pick and check out their other books. I also like visiting the blog for author interviews.
(Jane Cheung 2:56pm August 1, 2009)

Congratulations. I have been a silent reader of your site for three years. It keeps getting better and better.
(Margie Whitten 4:22pm August 1, 2009)

Congrats on five years of bringing readers and authors together. I like the format, interviews with authors, excerpts and tips for writers.
(Alyson Widen 4:39pm August 1, 2009)

I came here via a link from somewhere else. I stayed because I enjoy the daily posts, and blogs. I've even won in one of the contests!

What would I like to see changed? Well, either more excerpts, or actually, easier access to the excerpts that are here. I still can't figure out how to find them. Clicking on the book cover doesn't work. That just takes me to Amazon, and I prefer to buy my books in person at my local bookstore whenever possible.

Links to the author's website on the same page the book is featured on. Not just the FF page for the author, but her/his own site. Especially if I'm looking for something a little more, uh, esotoric than what happens to be on their FF page.

Mainly, keep up the fun postings!

Well, that's my $.02, for what it's worth.

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 4:39pm August 1, 2009)

Congrats on the 5 years I so look forward to reading at this place.........
wishing you many more to come.
(Ann w 4:54pm August 1, 2009)

Wow. You sound like me. I just want to READ!! But I do get curious about my authors...who they are, how they came to write, ANYTHING!!
No wonder I like this site so much....
(Anne Harris 5:05pm August 1, 2009)

Conratulations! I love Fresh Fiction because it has introduced me to some wonderful authors. I've won a couple of books and from there I have bought more of their books. I've read about them and that makes it more like they become friends. I've also been introduced to different types of books..and have really enjoyed most of them. Thank you for starting Fresh Fiction...It's my favorite site!
(JoAnn White 5:12pm August 1, 2009)

Seems like a month for anniversaries.....have a happy happy one! This site is so wonderful and has become one of my favorite haunts!
(Tami Winbush 6:16pm August 1, 2009)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I totally love to
come here to find new books, new
authors to me and enter some amazing
contests!
(Val Pearson 6:32pm August 1, 2009)

Congratulations on your fifth year.
I come to the website to find new authors I've never tried, read up on favorite authors and the books they are putting out in the near future and get blurbs about books I haven't purchased yet and of course for the contests too
(Diane Sadler 6:39pm August 1, 2009)

Congratulations. I am so glad that I found you all. Wood, representing strength and a solidified relationship, and silverware, representing connectedness, are the traditional and modern gifts associated with your fifth anniversary. I think both are appropriate. Party on!
(Karin Tillotson 7:44pm August 1, 2009)

congratulations on five years. I really love this site. It offers so much info to readers.
(Annetta Stolpmann 8:22pm August 1, 2009)

Hi! Congratulations on 5 years! I don't remember how I found you either, but I'm glad I did. Started out just entering the contests, now I'm all over the site! I'd also like to be able to directly link to an author's site from here when I need to find more info on them. Other than that, I can't think of a thing that needs changing. If it aint broke, why fix it???
(Martha Lawson 9:33pm August 1, 2009)

Happy anniversary to you!

Fresh Fiction is wonderful to visit on my online meanderings. I love books and it is fun to get so much in book/author news. It is all done in a friendly, entertaining, and informative way. What's not to love?
(G. Bisbjerg 2:19am August 2, 2009)

I love it here I love the contest the most but wile doing the contest I learn about authors that I have not ever herd about and get to no them to and then I want there books to trust me my list of books I just have to have have grown to such a big list and my walls are full of books.
[email protected]
(Stacey Smith 2:33am August 2, 2009)

Congrats on 5 years. What an accomplishment.

I have been lurking around here for a few years I guess. I love the excerpts, and CONTESTS which are so many and SUPER. I pick up some authors/books here and that is always a nice treat.

May you have many many more anniversaries.

Thanks again.
(Pat Lieberman 8:33am August 2, 2009)

Congrats on your fifth year. I found fresh fiction surfing the net. I've been able to find many great authors new to me. Also the contests are great.
(Dawn Owens 8:34am August 2, 2009)

Anniversaries certainly can be wonderful, can't they? Congrats on yours and yes, I will "get out there are read."
(LuAnn Morgan 1:32pm August 2, 2009)

Happy 5th anniversary. I love the interviews, blog posts and contests.
(Crystal Broyles 1:53pm August 2, 2009)

Congrats on your anniversary! This is one of my favorite stops each day. I love the blog posts and contests.
(Cheryl Castings 5:28pm August 2, 2009)

Congrats on hitting the five year mark! My sister introduced me to this site and I will be forever grateful. I love the contests.I love reading a bit about so many different books and learning about the authors.I just love this site!
(Patsy Hagen 5:52pm August 2, 2009)

That's great - 5 years is a milestone. I enjoy your website, have found several new authors I was not familar with to enjoy. I like to see what is available and love to hear about authors. I am so glad you created this website.
(Vikki Parman 7:00pm August 2, 2009)

Congrats... You have so much info here that I don't need to search anywhere else..Great website..
(Debbie Collard 10:04pm August 2, 2009)

Happy Anniversary! Congratulations! I love the interviews, blog posts and contests you have on this site. They make this site so much fun to visit.
(Cherie Japp 12:18pm August 3, 2009)

Congratulations on the anniversary. I really enjoy the site, especially the interviews and this blog in which we learn more about the books, as well as the authors. WTG
(Sigrun Schulz 11:29pm August 3, 2009)

By the way, the hardest and most onerous reading I ever had to do was when I had to "dissect" French literary works. The same goes for art for me too. I'm not cerebral enough for that. My mind just works differently. So, Sara, I can definitely empathize with you.
(Sigrun Schulz 11:39pm August 3, 2009)

Gosh Sara - can't believe its been 5 years - congrats to you and all that your team does. I love being able to check out the new authors. Keep it up girlfriend.
(Linda Calvert 3:35pm August 7, 2009)

Don't know nuttin 'bout bloggin...but I do know and love books. I am new to Fresh Fiction and have already begun sampling new (to me) authors. What a smorgasbord of experiences for us all!. Thanks and here's to five more years.
(Susan Driskill 6:28pm August 8, 2009)

I come to Fresh Fiction to see what is new in romance books and to enter the contests
(Joy Isley 5:43pm September 10, 2009)

Love Fresh Fiction. My Favorite Place to find what reads are out and reviews. Notes from the Authors, Contest and the Hot Reads past, present & soon to be released. Keep up the Great Job. Thanks for sharing.
(Shirley Sego 2:23pm September 11, 2009)

I love your blog. It was the best idea. I wish I had though of it.
(Bj Duncan 7:31pm September 12, 2009)

Fresh Fiction is my favorite site Keep up the great work
(Audra Holtwick 2:45pm September 18, 2009)

I found the site on a contest website
and I'll keep entering to win books as
long as you give them away. I have
been an avid reader since I was old
enough to read. I can never get
enough to read. When I start a new
book, nothing else in my live (except
my day job) gets done. I become a
hermit. I can't get enough to read.
After years of buying books, I finally
went back to the County library and
got a library card. I may not get to
read the newest releases that way, but
I don't think I'll ever run out of books
to read. My mom and sisters love to
read as well, so we also trade books
and I have a few friends at work that I
trade with also. But your website has
opened my eyes to new authors and I
love the reviews, and now I actually
look for books by specific authors
because I've seen them on the website
or read reviews here. I honestly didn't
know such websites existed until I
entered my first book contest. Getting
a new book to read is like having
money burning a hole in my pocket; I
can't wait to start it. Thanks so much!
(Judy Killen 8:38pm September 20, 2009)

I love coming in to see what is new and also to find back titles for authors that I fall in love with after reading one book. Thanks to you it is really easy as well as entertaining to come in and find out all of the info on my favorite authors and you have added to that list several times over the last 3 years I have been visiting. Congrats on the anniversary and thanks for all of the great information.
(Denise Boyd 1:19am September 22, 2009)

I love checking out new books and authors in Fresh Fiction and also enjoy entering the contests.
(Rebecca Booth 4:26pm September 26, 2009)

Fresh Fiction is the best author/book webite,I lovr it.
(Paula Simecka 4:01pm September 27, 2009)

I BEEN ON FRESH FICTIONAND WRITE SPACE AND I INJPY ERADING ALLTHE OCMMANET AND THE AUTHORS BOOKI CAN GETHOLD OF AND CONGRAGT ON 15 AND MORE TO COME
(Desiree Reilly 5:42pm September 27, 2009)

I love to see what is new and what all is going on is always a busy place. Happy Halloween.
(Gloria Vigil 6:38am October 6, 2009)

I really enjoy the contests and seeing all the new books being published. Great place to get some new ideas for books to read!
(Carolyn Di Leo 2:27pm October 8, 2009)

Congrats on the anniversary!
Love the site and the wide range
of book categories you include.
(Betty Dennis 2:51pm October 11, 2009)

Congrats on 5 years. I am fairly new and regret missing at least 4 years..hope to make up for those years now. Love the new info and the contests . susan L.
(Susan Leech 4:42pm October 11, 2009)

I have found at least 10 new authors from being in here, ones I never heard of and sure glad I found, I hope you will continue the good work as it sure is nice to find some place to read about new books, new authors and updates as well as the contests which I do my best to enter each one. I love you all very much. susan L.
(Susan Leech 4:46pm October 11, 2009)

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