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I'm wondering, though, how readers, especially those who are new-to-me are going to find my books in the future, and that is true of all other authors, as well. There is a virtual tsumami of books about to flood the marketplace, and it's impossible to predict who will sink or swim when the storm is over. To be perfectly frank, it could be me. Aside from the regular supply of books that come out each month, now authors are rushing to get their out-of-print backlists into the ebook marketplace, others are self-publishing books that were not accepted by traditional publishers (often for lame reasons, often for good ones), and many more are producing new material faster than you can say Kindle. I'm not saying this is a bad thing. I'm glad some of the old books by my much-loved writers will be available again, and in new formats. I'm glad new, fresh authors will come out of the woodwork, like Amanda Hocking. I'm glad book sales will rise, even if it is at the expense of printed books. I'm glad authors have other choices, and no longer have to be controlled by the Big Six (or whatever number it is today). 2011 Reissues But you can be sure there is going to be a ton of unedited, unprofessional material tossed out there into the mix. And I can tell you for a certainty that some of your favorite authors will be disappearing from the landscape. And you can be sure that brick-and-mortar stores are going to disappear like so much flood debris. The question to me, though, is how are readers going to find my books in the flotsam of choices, unless they are searching specifically for a Sandra Hill book, unless they are browsing bookstore shelves. If they search "sexy Vikings," they may very well get three Vikings in the bed furs with a hot Norse babe doing things my Norsemen never have. Or if they search "funny Vikings," they may get something like this cartoon. Or if they search "Navy SEAL books", there are currently about a trillion links, considering how popular these elite troops are now. Who could have guessed ten years ago, or even five years ago, heck, even two years ago how much books-what is published, where it is published, how it is published--would have changed? And how it would affect us all? I'm trying my best to embrace the change. These truly are exciting times. But it makes me tired as a writer to think of all the non-writing, but writer-related, stuff I would have to do to stand out in the crowd of ebook mania. And it makes me tired as a reader to do the time-consuming searching. So, when I want a good book to read now, I search by author name only and stick with the tried-and-true. And that is sad. What do you do? Please comment here to be one of TWO winners: either a set of three signed Viking novels or three signed Cajun novels (along with a St. Jude candle, Tante Lulu's favorite patron saint of hopeless cases), then come visit at my website, As always, I wish you smiles in your reading, but don't try finding me that way.
Comments54 comments posted.
Re: Sandra Hill | Sex And Smiles In The Stratosphere
I know change is hard, but the re-issued covers are awesome! I would love to win your books and a St. Jude candle as he's my favorite saint too! Have a great weekend!
I do have favorite authors that are auto-buy for me but I also love to try new authors and have enjoyed reading quite a few of them over the past few years. I'm always glad to see older titles reissued so we can enjoy them now if we missed them before.
Those covers are just awesome! Seriously, I adore them :-) !
i'm looking forward to more books to read. e-books allow me to buy more and try more authors I might not otherwise try.
All is not lost, Sandra!! There are other ways that your books will be kept in the mainstream and not lost with the "unprofessional material" as you call it. There is word-of-mouth. On Amazon, people always give favorable opinions when they like an author. When I've gone to the library, I've asked the librarians for recommendations, and they've steered me towards authors I've never considered before. There are still a lot of people like me that prefer the actual hard book as opposed to an e-book, so it will keep some of the brick and mortar stores open. The authors that are not up to par will be found in the bargain bin, while the true authors will remain where they should be- on the shelves of the bestseller section!!
I have some favorite authors that are auto-buy for me, but I am always open to new authors. I visit a lot of reading websites and book review blogs, and I have discovered many new authors. So far, I have resisted buying an e-reader, but the way things are going in the publishing world, I may be forced to get one.
I understand completely. I do not have a Kindle yet , not ready for change yet. I did try to look for what ebooks are available & prices , but had hard time finding historical romances by known authors.
I love Sandra's Viking books she is one of my favorite authors! I have a lot of favorite authors and stick with them but I do read reviews on others and I buy their books too. I have found many new authors that way too
I'm one of those who keeps a list of authors to use when I go to the book store or library, but I also search the shelves for others that appeal to me. The first book I read written by you was recommended by my daughter-in-law. Websites such as Fresh Fiction has introduced me to other authors.
I definitely choose my fav authors first, but lately through blogs I have been finding so many books and authors that I want to read. It is getting harder to pick and choose which ones I will buy...
Humor and sizzle works for me!
i usually stay withmy favorites and then i ask friends and family for suggestions on new authors and i check with blogs and places like goodreads and fresh fiction for them also. that way i know what i am getting into.
I have a Kindle which I like & hate... new tech is difficult sometimes.. I am also one of those people who travels with a favorite author list... so I'll always be looking for Sandra Hill.. But get new recommendations from friends and blogs and websites for authors.. Man, I need to win the lottery & then figure out how to read for 40 hours a day...
My county library board just voted not to purchase any more mass market paperbacks. Needless to say, I am highly upset and I have let my opinion be known at the library. A lot of authors are going to be missing from our shelves now. Is this a new trend?
Thanks for all your comments.
I don't read ebooks. Not to say there aren't some great stories out there but I prefer the print book. I too have a list of authors that are autobuys. I depend on word of mouth and blogs and author sites. I must admit winning a book has to be the best way ever of finding a new a new author!
Thank you for your post, Sandra. In one important respect, my reading habits have not changed. I still pick the fiction I want to read based on what theme a particular work revolves around. Yes, I know most romance readers go by the author; but for for this one, theme rules.
Sandra: If publishers are going to play fair with readers, they owe it to us to note clearly what is a new publication and what is a reissue. Those who don't will lose readers. And we have plenty of options elsewhere!
Enjoyed the blog. Your books sound great.
I'd still rather have a book in my hands than a Kindle. But I'm going on a cruise in a few weeks, and although I don't own a Kindle, I do own a notebook. I'm downloading books to read on my notebook while I'm gone. I'll see if I like that, then perhaps buy the Kindle for use when traveling.
When I'm looking for a new book to read, I choose in a variety of ways. First, I start with my auto-buys. Do any of them have a new print book out right then, when I'm walking into that bookstore? Second, I carry a "these have been recommended authors" list, and a similar one for titles. If I can find any of those on the shelves, and the back copy and inside front excerpt interest me enough, it goes in the pile, which by this time is usually pretty big. Finally, I look at the new releases table to see if there is anything that is really begging for me to take it home with me.
Thanks to the net there are tons of ways to get reads. I have my tried and true authors that are a must then I am always learning about new authors through Fresh Fiction, reader groups, and even the good old-fashioned library. I frequent eBay and query my favs to see what other books people are reading that read have similar interests to mine. I'm am glad to say that I doubt I will ever run out of something to read but sad to say that I will never have enough time to read all the books that are waiting for me. Good luck and happy writing!
I AM STRICTLY "OLD SCHOOL" MYSELF..WHEN I STARTED PRACTICING LAW IN 1978, I HAD A CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WITH A PEN AND A STENO PAD TO ASSIST ME. IT'S BEEN DOWNHILL FROM THERE EVER SINCE!
I am CONSIDERING getting a nook - one day. I still prefer to hold a BOOK in my hands. My thing is I sit at a computer ALL day - so do not want to read on a computer. Plus - how do you get that stuff signed??
I prefer to turn the pages myself and feel the texture of books, so an ebook reader is a ways off for me.
I do favor certain authors, but I rely on my librarian friends for new author recommendations. I have found that they are equally uncomfortable with poorly written books and do not purchase e-books, or any others, that do not meet certain standards. No bad books, yet!!
I like new things, but I'm still sticking with the tried and true. I prefer print
I like to read everybody's books.I love your books the old
I read constantly. I have a Kindle, but I also get books from the library and buy paperback books. I try out all kinds of new authors.
I read reviews, ask friends & family. I still go with my favorite authors but love to find new ones.
I have books from authors that I love reading and books by new-to-me authors that have written stories that sounded interesting to me. I choose from those when I need to grab a book.
I have just bought a kindle and am finding it wonderful to use. As a collector of old books, I still love the feel of turning the pages and smelling the musty paper smell of a good old friend. However, my kindle goes places that a book does not -- my purse can carry 50 books at a time and my hand and arm do not tire as much reading in bed at night. Yet I am finding that, like you, I am uncertain of the future. I continue to rely on book recommendations from friends or websites. I think the virtual world has its own way of vetting information and helping those of us trying to find new authors to read. We have simply moved from wandering the bookshelves of the local store or library to wandering our favorite websites and blogs. I have been lucky enough to find new authors via cheap books or the ever famous if-you-like-this-try-this suggestions of Amazon. As we explore the plethora of information now open to us, I find certain spaces where I can be comfortable and know that my challenges of finding new authors can be filled well. While we can't predict the future, we can find comfort in our own corner space.
I have a sony ereader, and I read on my pc in several formats. I subscribe to newsletters like fresh fiction, as well as many of the ebook stores. I belong to several yahoo groups, and have many authors blogs and websites in my favorites. I try to visit each one, at least once each week. I don't want to miss out on a reading opportunity, even though my book buying budget has increased and I've had to curb my impulse buys, I still watch for my favorites.
I would love to win the Viking books !! I have my favorite authors but love reading new ones also never know that might be my new favorite : ) Love your books !!
I too have to look by Authors. I love your books and enjoy reading them.
I still stick with the tried and true, but there is really some amazing new talent out there. Since I am a blogger, I get the opportunity to read both most excellent and well, not so excellent authors. And, all of the books are ebooks. My, my, how the times have changed.
I follow authors I've read and enjoyed (like you:D ) but for new authors (if I can't just browse the new release display at the store) I tend to depend on reviews/recommendations from blogs/websites that I've followed and found to have simular tastes as me. To just go in blind to a "store" without some idea of what I may want can be too overwhelming (I guess that's as good a word as any to describe it) to sort through what's new & what may be interesting & what actually may be good and well done (good writing, editing & publishing). It's hard to want to spend hard earned money and precious time on a complete unknown.
I don't read e-books yet; but I am hoping to get a Kindle someday. The internet has changed my reading habits; I have found Fresh Fiction and Goodreads and have been expanding my reading by finding new favorite authors through both of these sites. You are right though as some of the books I have recently read made me shake my head and wondered why I even finished them; but others are the most amazing books I have ever read. I do feel bad that bookstores such as Borders and others are going out of business as there is nothing I like better than browsing through a bookstore. Online is fine; but it is just not the same.
I too have my favorite authors. I have a 'coupon wallet' I use for index cards for may favorite authors so I can keep track of their books (you've had your own card in it for years!). But I also add new authors cards, in fact, I need a bigger holder. I also poke around in blogsd & other book sites to find new authors. Some get an index card & some don't. I haven't gone to an eReader yet, and really don't want to, but some authors are only ePublishing, so eventually I'll probably give in. It does give authors more freedom to not depend on the major publishing houses & if they are accepted by readers can make their own careers. But it does seem that it will take a lot of time, & that time is away from the book writing.
In the last year I've read all but the 9th, Viking Heat, of the Viking II series. I had a few of my own and found the rest at the library. I really enjoy them. I've also read one Cajun book and some others. My favorite is Down & Dirty with Zac"hairy", Britta and Samir. It was definitely the funniest.
I am not sure I will ever get a e-book reader. My eyesight is very bad, and I love books anyway. I would just prefer a book.
I'm not to sure about the change being bad for authors, most reader's keep a eye out for there favorite author's book's. I have a Ipad but I have yet to read a book on it.
I doubt if I will ever get an ereader. I use my computer for ebooks, and it works well for me. I think that in today's market, it will be easy for a lot of writers to self-publish. I like the self-published books as long as they have a great, meaty read, and have been proofed well. I'm sure it is also easier for a lot of authors to self-publish so they don't have to jump through so many hoops.
I really enjoy reading your books and a lot of other authors. I read all kinds of stories but I do have a couple of authors that I seek-out every month.
Hi Sandra. I've tried embracing the e-book phenom with no success. I tried Kindle and even my iphone reader. I just can't get past a few pages when I do. But I have no problem snuggling up to a paperback, or putting in earphones and listening to a book on cd when I go for a walk or do yard work. Rather than more e-books, I wish more books were available recorded so I could listen while commuting or doing chores...
I am "fairly" young but this technology has me baffled. I love the feel of paper between my fingers, the smell of a book, rummaging through books, finding a rare gem. I am afraid this e book will allow subpar writers a great forum, blocking out greater ones, that it will condition a younger generation to seek new rather than enjoy a moment flipping through the greats. How much attention does one have on a screen vs. a page, and the respect of each printed word thereof. All I can do is pass my love of books down and over, and avoid the technology for as long as I can.
I usually have a few must-buy authors but the rest I go through library first...
I do not like the new e-readers, give me a book and my chair and am Happy, I have most of your books, so when re-issue appears, I try to get it,,,
I don't mind reading self-pubbed, e-readers or books! I would love to read your Cajun series!
I must say that I enjoy you Cajun series. I like the vikings too. I have an e-
Your books look awesome. I usually find an author I like and read everything I can of their's but I also try random books (often by recommendation) and I like browsing through books like a the library. The world of reading is changing but I think there are still a lot of people (like me) who still prefer a good paperback.
Sandra, I've been trying to remember how I found you...I
I love Aunt Lulu and her Cajun men , hope more are coming out! Agatha
The first book of yours I bought cost me $1 at a Family Dollar store. They always have a rack of miscellaneous books. I've discovered a few of my favorite authors there! Once I read that first one (The Blue Viking), I was hooked - I searched until I found them all! I get a lot of my books at paperbackswap.com. They categorize the types of books I like and make suggestions for others that I might want to try. I also "like" authors on Facebook. Some of those authors will ask what we are currently reading, and invite discussions about other authors and books we would recommend. I also read the ads in the back of the books I read to get suggestions. I don't have an e-reader yet, but I'm beginning to look at them. I'll always read "real" books - and I LOVE bookstores! I hope they never disappear!
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