[kerryorchard]

Hi,
As a newly published fantasy author, my question to you is, do you read and are you open to new authors in the genre? Are you open to e-books and what is the favourite type of fantasy - s&s, sci fi, romance, high etc.?
I really appreciate your time and would love to hear from people with some honest answers. My own novel, The Thoughtmaster's Conduit, is available in e-format until July 2002 when it comes out in print, so your answers particularly about e-books really interest me.
If you want to email me directly please use kerry@kerryorchard.com
Thanks much,
Kerry Orchard

[azaz]

Well I have read loads of new Authors when their first book came out -
e.g Kim Hunter, Carol Berg, Kristen Britain, Steven Erikson, David Farland, Juliet Mariller, Ann Marston, Michelle West, Laura Resnick, there are some more...
These are some of the Authors who when first started I read their first book normally within a year or two of there release, and some when it just came out. As you will see above some of the Author's have become well known, or moderately well known, and some are still kinda unknown. All the Authors there I listed I enjoyed reading. I don't know why but half my books tend to be by newish authors. If the Synopsis and review looks good, or if the cover gets my attention I may give it a go.

As to e-books, I don't buy them. I prefer the plan old books, as it is easier to read than starting at a screen or wasting paper printing it. So all the fantasy I read are books.

[Eventine]

As far as e-books go, I'm not a big fan. Staring at a screen for hours becomes a trifle painful.
And plus I like owning books. Hence my local bookstore loves me and the local library doesn't know who I am.

[Caly]

I am all for trying new authors! Often times I specifically look for new authors, and I am usually in for a good treat (Juliet Marlier that I can never spell, Jan Seigal, JK Rowling), though sometimes I find a dud or two.

I am not at all a fan of e-books. I have tried to read a couple of them, but the screen bothers my eyes, and I suppose I could print it out, but with an ink cartridge costing thirty dollars, it seems a paperback is cheaper. I don't think I would even buy a book I am desperate to read in e-book form if a print copy would be available within a few months.

As to what I like. . . Hmmmm. I am eclectic I guess, but generally I will buy books that look to have a woman as a main character or at least as a part of the core group of characters. I don't go for big battle scenes or lots of elves and dwarves. I prefer more political intrigue and creatures that come from the authors imagination. I also love retold fairy tales, esp if they are written as adult stories like fairy tales were orginally told. They were never intended for kids.

My 2 cents.

Caleyna http://www.fantasyfreaks.org

[Radthorne]

Caly, you mention that you sometimes specifically look for new authors. As a new fantasy author myself, like Kerry, I would find it very helpful to know how you and others go about finding new authors (because of course, we would like to find you!) What's the best way to reach people? Web sites like SFF World? Book signings? Spam? (No, no, just kidding...) What has worked best for you in finding new writers to read?

Thanks for any feedback you can provide -

Kevin Radthorne www.sff.net/people/radthorne (http://www.sff.net/people/radthorne)

[This message has been edited by Radthorne (edited September 27, 2001).]

[Eventine]

It always seems that by the time I get around to buying a new book, someone here has already read it and offered an opinion. While I will often buy new books (ie the first out by an author), I will never buy it as soon as it comes out. More likely within the first 6 - 12 months.

[phil_geo]

New authors. Cool.

As far as e-books, I wouldn't buy one - I really like printed books.

I am open to new authors in the genre, and there's three ways that I pick new ones:

1) Award winners. For Sci/Fi, I always read the Hugo and Nebula award winners. Same kind of thing with fantasy, although I'm less familiar with the awards.

2) Recommendations. If someone I know or a regular poster (no spam) says that a book is good, and I have liked other recommendations of theirs, that goes a long long way.

3) Bookname. I browse the bookshelves ata bookstore, and if a title sounds good, I pull it out. If the cover art is good, I'll read the jacket. If the jacket is good, I'll read the little excerpt in the beginning. If I like the writing style based on the excerpt, Ill usually buy it and give the author a try. I've found plenty of good authors that way.

Book signings are neat, but kind of gimmicky. Every publisher pushes signings, whether the book is good or bad, so I've had very mixed results with getting books where the author appears.

Just my $0.02

[Keyoke]

E-books? I think like most people here, we love our books to much to only view it on our monitor screens.

As to new Authors.. Always, ALWAYS looking for new innovative writers myself.

Keyoke

[starcrzr]

As for reading e-books, I do read them on the Baen web site. http://www.baen.com/library/ There free to read or download and read off line. They come in five different formats, I read them in my broswer in html format. I don't seem to have the problem other people have with looking at a screen for hours at a time, but I have a lazyboy chair sitting in front of my computer and my eyes are a good 4 to 5 feet from the screen and if the text is to small I just increase the size. As for buying e-books I wouldn't unless it was the only way to get a certain book I wanted, because I like paper books that I can take anywhere and read.
As for what for what I like to read, anything in the the Sci/Fi Fantasy genre's, but the story has to be good. Something that grabs your attention and keeps it.

ps.Baen just added a new novel about vampire hunters at there free library called "Slayer" by Karen Koehler

starcrzr

"DARE TO DREAM"

[kerryorchard]

HI Kevin,

I decided to email you, I thought it would be nice to talk to another new fantasy author!

Thanks everyone for your comments I responded in a new post with more questions. YOu guys have been great and I appreciate it.

Kerry Orchard www.kerryorchard.com (http://www.kerryorchard.com)