[jbcohen]

I understand that this has been dicussed partly in another thread, just throught that it diserved it sown thread and that I could learn something from others here. I have bin a bit on the haphazzard side in find great new authors to read. Certainly this forum is one way to do that, forum members have lead me to Rawn.

What is the most effecient way to find a great new author to read?

[Rob B]

jbcohen: SFFWorld is exactly the place to look for recommendations. Recent Reads (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001004.html) and others like it. Often in threads that aren't specifically recommendation threads, I'll see something interesting.

I check this thread Whatca ya all reading? (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000094.html) (yes I know it's a long one, but that just means ALOT of recommendations http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif)

least known stuff (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001035.html) is also a pretty good thread going right now.

I also check amazon.com, www.locusmag.com (http://www.locusmag.com) , www.sfsite.com (http://www.sfsite.com) (and Dislocated Fictions at SFSite).

[This message has been edited by FitzFlagg (edited December 14, 2001).]

[estranghero]

Haphazard is the key word for me, too! http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Basically, when I look for stuff to read in used books stores-- especially for new authors-- I look for anything that catches my eye. Bad method, I know-- expensive too-- but I also love to hunt for these books.

I'm iffy on site reviews because your opinion may differ from the reviewers. But I still read 'em to find out what's out there.

[Duarh]

My suggestion http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif just go out and buy something at random. There's at least a 30% chance it'll be fun

http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif and you'll be supporting new authors too

Duarh

[jbcohen]

My purpose for asking this question is to enable me to refine the processes by which I find new authors. I must admit that the thrill of the hunt is a bit enticing, however, I usually like to borrow the books first from the library, when possible. This way I get the thrill of the hunt without the mounting price tag.

[Rob B]

The "best of 2001" topic I posted is giving me quite a few good recommendations of authors that were "borderline"--should I or shouldn't I?

jb-I'm almost the same, well sort of. I usually WILL NOT buy an untried author in hardcover (though I don't mind getting an untried author in hardcover as a gift http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif). I will either buy the paperback or locate the book at a used bookshop.

[SusF]

Used bookstores is another good place to find stuff. I have a line of credit racked up so that I'll only have to pay tax on the next 200+ books I buy. This makes me reckless, and I just get what looks interesting. If it's not interesting, I'll take it back.

At the bookstore, I find things that look interesting and then do some spot reading.

For some odd reason my library has seperated out Science Fiction and Fantasy. I can go there and browse and check things out.

One place I browse a lot and read reviews is Amazon.com. I like reading the customer reviews and the different lists everyone has made up.

There's no one way to choose a book. Also you won't ever streamline it so that you enjoy the book 100% of the time. The stinkers will still creep in once in a while.

Susan

[Warewolf]

There are actually two good sites that I look at when looking for new authors (aside from this one http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

The first is http://www.alexlit.com At this site, you rate books that you have already read and it will give you a list of books that it thinks you will like and how conifident it is in that projection. The only thing about this site is that, at least for me, a lot of the books they recommend are out of print. (You can also do the same thing at Amazon, but I don't think the results are as good.)

The other site is The Internet Top 100 SF/Fantasy List at http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cavern/6113/top100.html Anyone's allowed to vote and the list is updated every couple of weeks. Pretty neat stuff!

[Keyoke]

Sometimes, you just gotta take a chance..

I did that with Carol Berg's first book "Transformation", and I loved it. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

Keyoke

[Hobbit]

Library's a good idea. Views here in this forum are also quite interesting too.

Hobbit