How Do You Find New Authors?

[dakimmel]

I'm a new indie author (don't worry-not tryng to SPAM anyone), just trying to get a reader's perspective on how you find/trust new authors. Do you browse for interesting book covers? Look for high star ratings? Check out reader reviews? Read sample pages? A combo of all the above? Something else? I'm quite curious as to how others find new talented authors. Thanks!!

[lmoses]

I typically find new authors through goodreads.com or from friends. I find the best way to try a new author is from reading sample pages. Many people find reviews to be important, but I find that if the summary, sample pages, and cover seem interesting then I can over look a low rating.

[gali]

I find them through here, recommendations from friends, reviews. I also browse for interesting book covers and read summary and sample pages.

[Heidi M Simone]

Definitely here is a big influence on finding new authors and books! Covers make a big impression for me. I know you shouldn't 'judge a book by its cover', but that's the first thing I see. If the cover is illustrated well and of good quality, most times I will give the summary a try. Once I read the summary, and if it's still interesting, I will look at the ratings to make a better judgment. I will typical peruse the reviews attached to these ratings to get a better feel of the book. Lastly, recommendations from friends usually influences the books I read.

Hope this helps!

[dakimmel]

Great info! Thanks everyone!

[Gravy]

Everything from browsing shelves, to searching for subjects on Amazon, which is how I found Splintered a year before it came out.
Being here has introduced me to some new authors.
I have a few blogs I trust, but I still try to get several opinions.

Also, you listed sample pages: YES!!!
I love finding a sample, be it a few pages, a whole chapter, or even a couple paragraphs from somewhere in the middle! I love having that chance to get the feel of an author's style.

[dakimmel]

Awesome! Thanks!

[sarahestudies]

I typically base my willingness to invest in an author by their descriptions of their stories/novels. Covers definitely help as well!

[Shelle]

I like picking up books from the library's (or independent bookstore's) 'Recommended by Staff' display. I find that if a staff member is willing to put their name behind a recommendation, it's going to be really good. Also, I love searching "new books" on Pinterest and seeing what pops up. I discovered some gems that way.

[LauraBeth0625]

I like Pinterest also for new authors. I love random authors that are not as popular yet. Don't get me wrong, I do love big name authors, but I like to read the low key books too. And then I have a few websites that give me free books everyday and find some good ones on there also.

[ameliadavid]

I love to read and one of the easiest ways I use to find new authors is by googling the latest books released.
Each site like goodreads gives you a description of the book and author s works.

[MrsOzera]

I think I get most of my ideas from BookTube and Goodreads a lot of my favorite book reviewers are on there and recommend amazing stuff, especially cause I love young/new adult

[bluemel4]

Definitely here is a big influence on finding new authors and books! Covers make a big impression for me. I know you shouldn't 'judge a book by its cover', but that's the first thing I see. If the cover is illustrated well and of good quality, most times I will give the summary a try. Once I read the summary, and if it's still interesting, I will look at the ratings to make a better judgment. I will typical peruse the reviews attached to these ratings to get a better feel of the book. Lastly, recommendations from friends usually influences the books I read.

Hope this helps!

I agree. I find all of my indie authors through this site and the recommendations by reviewers. I also find covers to be a huge deciding factor. If the cover does not look polished it makes me wonder how much effort the author put into the book. The cover is a first impression. I look at ratings and then descriptions before making my decision. I read sample pages rarely if it is a book from a traditional publishing source. I get a lot of books from my local library and I do use goodreads as a resource for book recommendations based on what I have read and rated highly before.

[Mike_Lang]

Usually through suggestions from friends or sometimes from recommendations based on other books I've read in the same genre. Sometimes a newer author will offer a review copy to specific groups (genre specific - like mystery reader groups) in exchange for a review and I will take advantage of that if the book sparks my interest.

[sarahmeeks]

I usually find them by their free promotions on my Kindle. I always try a free one first and if I like the author I will buy their other ones.