I used to have a list of authors in my head for whom I would automatically buy their books in hard cover edition and couldn't wait the year for the cheaper paper back edition to come out. The list has dwindled lately though so I need to recharge. Which authors would you put on this list? I'll start with my current list.

Jack Whyte
Guy Gavriel Kay
Bernard Cornwell
Conn Iggulden

Not that my list would necessarily be your list, but in no particular order:

Garth Nix
Tamora Pierce
Steven Brust
Charles de Lint
Shannon Hale
Robin McKinley
Diana Wynne Jones
Barbara Hambly
Spider Robinson
Patricia A. McKillip
Sherri Tepper
Iain M. Banks
P.C. Hodgell
Jonathan Stroud
Kim Stanley Robinson
R.A. MacAvoy
Gillian Bradshaw
Tanya Huff
Carole Nelson Douglas
Orson Scott Card (but not quite an automatic purchase anymore)

Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey used to be on the list, but not anymore due to quality problems. Same with Marion Zimmer Bradley. Heinlein used to top the list, but of course there are very few new Heinlein books these days. I used to read a lot of Katherine Kurtz, but she got depressing, so I stopped. I hear her later books are less depressing, so I might try some. I usually check to see what William Gibson and Neal Stephenson have been up to, though I don't buy everything they write. I'm just starting to get into John Barnes and Tanith Lee. I should probably add Neil Gaiman to the list. Terry Pratchett gets inspection when new books come out, but I don't like all the Discworld books, so I tend to buy the ones with the witches in them.

Happy reading!

My buy on publication list would be as follows (restricting myself to living authors only), in no particular order after the top 4:

Peter Hamilton
David Weber
Lois Bujold
Neal Asher

IM Banks
John Ringo
JC Grimwood
Sarah Monette
Steph Swainston
Steven Saylor (anything historical)
Adam Roberts
Alastair Reynolds
Gary Gibson (UK only)
Richard Morgan
Tom Kratman
Jack McDevitt
Mary Gentle
RC Wilson
Chris Moriarty
Scott Bakker
Peter Watts
Gregory Norminton (UK hist fiction)
Mark Frutkin (Canada)
Jonathan Strahan (anthologies)
John Julius Norwich (non-fiction)
William Barton
Jim Grimsley (sff only)
John Meaney
Steve Jordan
Any 163* alt history (Eric Flint and others)
Marianne De Pierres
Patrick Rothfuss
Joe Abercrombie
Scott Lynch
Brian Ruckley
China Mieville (not YA though)
GRRM's famous series
Howard Hendrix (despite the famous scab controversy I like his sf)
Kristine Smith
Mary Rosenblum (sf only)
KA Bedford (Australia and Canada mostly)
Alan Furst
Steven Pressfield
Michael Curtis Ford

Wow do you really buy all those authors at premium first release prices? I've read some of them but normally wait until the price drops to mass market prices.

I was thinking more of the authors that jump immediately to the top of your reading list although probably already have 50 on the list. I've never had more then 10.

Mercedes Lackey
I've read The Fairy Godmother and I have really enjoyed it. I have One Good Knight ready to read.

What I buy in expesive first release is Charles Stross and Steven Brust. And I will by Scott Lynch's third book directly when it is available.

Wow do you really buy all those authors at premium first release prices? I've read some of them but normally wait until the price drops to mass market prices.

I was thinking more of the authors that jump immediately to the top of your reading list although probably already have 50 on the list. I've never had more then 10.

I buy the first edition of pretty much all of these, or sometimes the e-arcs in the Baen's authors case, or even arcs on Ebay if they are not outrageously priced. If I want to read a book, I either buy it in first edition or get it from the library.

I hate mmpb and I use them just for portability for some authors that have huge hc (Peter Hamilton comes to mind - I have most of his books as hc, mmpb and some even bought as e-books too)

I also buy the UK (or Canadian for that matter) first edition if it appears first even if the US appears only a month or two later (bookdepository.co.uk has excellent prices and free and fast - 5 working days from order to my door - shipping)

I started to begin a list, but then I realized that I won't necessarily reflexively buy any book. There are those I'm pretty likely (say, 90%) to buy, but even authors I know I enjoy I look over the books to make sure the premise is interesting to me before I fully decide to buy them. I'd still keep Anne McCaffrey (non-collaborations, I mean) on my "most likely" list, but she doesn't seem to be writing much these days -- I don't mean to imply that the Lady hasn't earned whatever rest she cares to take! Collaborations, which lately seems to mean "mostly written by the 'collaborator'" definitely get looked at, but I wouldn't say I'm more likely than not to buy them. :shrug:

I don't buy all my favorite authors in hardcover-- some I get at the library-- but the top six on my list plus a few others I do tend to buy in HC as soon as they come out, and for many of the others, I used to buy MMPBs and currently try to buy ebooks as soon as they become available. Also, I've been reading Patricia Briggs this year, so she might go on the list too.

The last McCaffrey I read that I really liked was The Masterharper of Pern. I was traveling and desperate for something to read, and saw it in MMPB in a supermarket, of all places. It was much better than the previous few books of hers that I'd read. The most recent Mercedes Lackey that I liked was Exile's Honor, I think. The first of that pair, whichever one it was. (The second one had too much Mary Sue in it for me.)

J.K. Rowling would have been on the list, but she's done for the moment, I guess. I suppose I'd look into whatever else she might write if and when she eventually does. I also haven't included older authors whose works I'm still collecting, like Clifford D. Simak or Rumer Godden.

Oh, and Richard P. Feynman. But again, he's no longer among the living (sniff).

These days: None. I've gotten too particular about what I read to automatically buy any author's material sight-unseen. I have a number of authors that I look for, of whom I love some of their books, but couldn't care less about the others.

My transition from paper to electronic has encouraged this change in habits, as I discover new authors and more varied story lines. I shop by story type and writing quality now, as opposed to shopping by author.

I started to begin a list, but then I realized that I won't necessarily reflexively buy any book.

Pretty much the same thing here. I more have a list of authors that I automatically consider buying, but it's not really a sure thing anymore like certain authors used to be.

Keeping in mind David McCullough's observation: "You are what you read," these authors I look for and usually buy:

David McCullough
GRRM (Ice and Fire series for sure; Fictionwise has some of his short fiction)
Robert Harris
Stephen King
Lee Iacocca (writes seldom but always has something to say)


There are several others whose back-lists I'm still watching for. I want the eBook versions but most of these back-listed books aren't available (as eBooks). Still, I keep looking:

Richard P. Feynman
Anne Rice
David Halberstam

As Steve Jordan said: These days: None.

It used to be Anne Rice, Robert Jordan, Robin Hobb, Glen Coock, Steven Erikson, Raymond E. Feist, G.K. Kay...not anymore.

Guy Gavriel Kay - though I didn't enjoy his last novel
John Crowley
George RR Martin
R. Scott Bakker
Steven Erikson
Thomas Disch
Cormac McCarthy
Margaret Atwood
Philip Roth
Michael Chabon
Michael Ondaatje
Salman Rushdie

My only "automatic-buy as soon as available" author is Milan Kundera (but unfortunately, his last novel was published in 2003.... :().
I have many other favorite authors, but I won't "automatically" buy their books in hardcover edition.

I have a long list of authors I automatically buy in HC first editions:

Terry Pratchett
Christopher Moore
Tom Robbins
Tad Williams
Bill Bryson
Robert Jordan
Harlan Coben
William Gibson
Kim Harrison
Jim Butcher
John Saul
Dean Koontz
Lee Child
Jeffery Deaver
David Farland

There are lots more I will buy as soon as I see them, but those are the ones I can think of right this second. I keep them all, too. Movers hate me.

My top three are:

Lois McMaster Bujold :thumbsup:
Wen Spencer
J. K. Rowling

these three I always pre-order.

I would have included Laurell K. Hamilton on the list until this year, but now I check reader reviews and wait for the paperback more often than not.

Of all those listed, I only even know 14 and only two are on my list, David Weber & Wen Spencer. Others that might be are Louis L'Amour, Robert Heinlein, Andre Norton, Lizanne Norman, Elizabeth Moon (or was she named already).

My 'indispensible author' list is currently vacant.

I used to have Iain Banks as a must-have, but I went off him around the time of 'Song of Stone' (although I quite like some of his more recent output).

The only author who I never had off my must-buy list was Robertson Davies - but he is no longer with us :cry:

These are my buy without looking list:

Robert Jordan
William Gibson
Elizabeth Bear
C J Cherryh
Elizabeth Moon
Steven R Donaldson

There are plenty of others that I really enjoy but I don't buy sight unseen. But I am a sucker for a good series :)

Authors I buy everything of:
Dean Koontz
Mary Higgins Clark
Stephenie Meyer
Meg Cabot (in her adult books, I don't buy her YA books)
L.J. Smith (she is finally writing again after a 10 year absence!)

I also enjoy quite a few Michael Crichton books - but I tend to buy based on plot on his. Some have been really good lately and others I could do without. The same for John Grisham.

I also enjoy quite a few Michael Crichton books - but I tend to buy based on plot on his.

I used to like Mr. Crichton, but I'm afraid I can never forgive him for the "State of Fear", in which he gives highly misleading and innaccurate information about climate change. "Pseudo-science" at its worst.

[...]
Lee Child
Jeffery Deaver
[... same here.
Then there's
F. Paul Wilson
Brad Meltzer
Harlan Coben
Vince Flynn

Used to be a great fan of James Patterson and David Baldacci, but they dissapointed me in their recend books.

And I used to read (and buy automatically) a lot of Henning Mankell, until the depressing swedish-crime-style got too melancholic for me.

Hmm... I don't buy anything hard cover anymore. I just wait until there is an ebook available for it. That's why I bought the Reader. My wife still buys anything Alexander McCall Smith ( No. 1 Lady Detective Agency series and others) writes in hard cover.

I think I could say that everything by Robin Hobb but then again, I have read only the first 2 trilogies by her and looking forward to read the last two as soon as I finish Crown of Stars.

Pretty much Terry Brooks and David Eddings. However I haven't read some of their newer stuff because I also as a rule don't start reading unfinished series. (serieses,seri ??).

Hmm, The only author currently on my buy immidately list is Terry Pratchett.
However being a poor student :grin: I usually check the supermarket (ASDA) for hardbacks. they are usually a couple of pounds cheaper then the book store or even Amazon.

The list used to contain

Tom Clancy, (but after Executive orders, can't really stand most of his new ones.)
John Grisham
Jeffery Archer
Ann McCaffrey
Robert Jordon
David Eddings (Untill the Elder Gods Series, Aaarg!)
David Gemmel
Michael Chrichton
J.K. Rowlings

Pretty much Terry Brooks and David Eddings. However I haven't read some of their newer stuff because I also as a rule don't start reading unfinished series. (serieses,seri ??).

In case of David Eddings, Would suggest you avoid the Elder gods series if you can. There is so much repetition, and and so many plot holes that it is painfull at times to read.

The quality of the work writing is medicore and the editing is pitful.. It is especially jarring as The Redemption of Athlus was such a great, tightly written book.

The quality of the work writing is medicore and the editing is pitful.. It is especially jarring as The Redemption of Athlus was such a great, tightly written book.

I'm delighted to hear you say that. I think "RofA" is an excellent book too, but many people here hate it :).

I'm delighted to hear you say that. I think "RofA" is an excellent book too, but many people here hate it :).

I think that many peoples opinions of RofA can be coloured by their experience with some of his previous writings.

While I do Like his older writings like the Belgaried and The Elenium, The extension of those universes by the Mallorean and the Tamuli, made many unhappy, as they are quiet similar, and as such do seem as if you are rereading the same story.

But then again, I enjoy rereading stories, and the extension of the universes and the winding up of all the minor stories is something I enjoy.

What I usually suggest to people who are apprehensive or unhappy about RofA is to forget about the writer or his previous works and just enjoy the story on its own. while it is no High Fantasy, it is a great read.

My list of HC buy-now authors ist quite short as I don't usually buy hardcover, but here it is:

Ryk E. Spoor
John Scalzi (looking forward to my limited edition of "Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded" :))
Steve Brust
Jim Butcher (Dresden novels - not so sure about the furies books)

Charles Stross looks like another likely candidate ;) - loved Glasshouse and I first have to get all the backlog :)

I love Terry Pratchett but prefer his books as audiobooks. Still gotta have the paperbacks :)

Noah Gordon
Stephen Lawhead
George R. R. Martin

Steven Erikson
George rr Martin
Joe Abercrombie
Tad Williams
Brian Ruckley
Ian C. Esslemont
Scott Lynch
R. Scott Bakker

Diana Gabaldon (Outlander series)
Nalini Singh (Psy/Changelings)
Karen Marie Moning (Fever series)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters)
J.D. Robb (In Death)

But I get these as paperbacks, so that the books match.

Diana Gabaldon (Outlander series)
Nalini Singh (Psy/Changelings)
Karen Marie Moning (Fever series)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunters)
J.D. Robb (In Death)

But I get these as paperbacks, so that the books match.

Never heard about any of them. On the other hand I know every single one on Whiskeyjack's list:
Steven Erikson
George rr Martin
Joe Abercrombie
Tad Williams
Brian Ruckley
Ian C. Esslemont
Scott Lynch
R. Scott Bakker

Strange, isn't?

Never heard about any of them. On the other hand I know every single one on Whiskeyjack's list:


J. D. Robb is Nora Roberts. The series written under the name J. D. Robb is a science fiction romance police series.

I used to like Mr. Crichton, but I'm afraid I can never forgive him for...

...Ian Malcom. I stopped reading Crichton after Jurassic Park II when he brought a character back from the dead just to make money on the franchise. Left a bad taste in my mouth. You can't talk about how everyone attended his funeral then start the next book with a quick "my death was over-publicized and never actually happened" line. Bah.


As for "must-buy" authors... the list is suspiciously empty right now. My reading habits have changed significantly since getting an ereader.

I haven't bought hard-cover books in many years because they're too expensive ($30!), too heavy, and too difficult to move. (The one exception to this being my much-coveted hard copy of Ender's Game.) Since I got my ereader, I donated most of my hard covers to the local library. If I want to read them again I won’t want to deal with the weight/inconvenience of the hardcover, so I’ll just purchase the ebook if that time ever comes.

My list used to contain (in no particular order):
Stephen King
Robert Jordan
JK Rowling
Orson Scott Card (though I mostly won’t touch his newer stuff because the Morman propaganda overpowers the story)

I'll probably purchase the next Wheel of Time books right away (formerly by Jordan, but Sanderson is finishing the series after Jordan's death), but only if they're available in ebook format. I've lost all patience for holding up a 50 lb book while reading. I'm also not fond of holding open a paperback that is as wide as it is tall.

My truly favorite authors (Asimov, Heinlein) don’t really count because they’re not releasing new books anymore.

Never heard about any of them.

On the other hand I know every single one on Whiskeyjack's list:

Strange, isn't?

He! :)
Diana Gabaldon writes historical fiction, the others urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romantic suspense and each one is IMO on top of her genre. So if you ever think of tipping your toes in these waters, go for them . ;)

Concerning some "regular" fantasy, Naomi Novik with her Temeraire books should be on my list, too.
But that's about it with my autobuys.

ETA: If Jane Austen, Douglas Adams or Dorothy Dunnett were still around and writing they'd be up there as well.

My list of authors whos books I automatically buy as soon as there is a new release ist:
Jim Butcher (the dresden Files and Codex Alera series)
Anne Bishop
Diana Gabaldon
Patricia Briggs
Christine Feehan
Sherrilyn Kenyon (dark, were, dream hunter books)
Tamora Pierce
Clive Cussler (dirk pitt books)
J.D. Robb
Karen Marie Moning
Yasmin Galenorn
Katie MacAlister (her dragon books)'
Jacqueline Carey
Joey W Hill
Traci Harding (although I have some difficulties getting her books as they are first only published in Australia :( )

The only ones I would (and do) automatically buy are:

Carl Hiaasen
Christopher Broookmyre
Terry Pratchett
Ben Elton

Probably not a very adventurous list :o

Whiskeyjack, awesome user name! :D

My list (INPO):

Charles De Lint (thanks for reminding me Whiskeyjack) :)
Stephen King
Dean Koontz
JK Rowling
Jodi Picoult
Clive Barker (Didn't love Mister B. Gone)
Neil Gaiman

Now that I have a K2, I don't really feel the need to buy new release pBooks. I mean, it seems like I should so that I have the complete collection on my shelves, but I don't really have everything by any author. With special or limited editions I never will.

I'm trying to limit the pBooks that I buy now, to something that I want to see on my bookcase, something that I want to share, or something that is limited in eBook formatting.

Alastair Reynolds
Joe Abercrombie

I've had three auto-buy authors, but only for a specific series:

Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, their continuation of the Dune Series (started in pbook format, ended in ebook format, I'll need 3 more pbooks).
Julian May, her Pliocene Exiles series, Intervention, and Galactic Milieu. (the last two of the last series hadn't come out when I started buying it)
Jean M. Auel: books 4 and 5 I bought as soon as I knew they were out.

The only books I automatically buy/preorder are the Terry Pratchett Discworld books. Otherwise I decide on a book by book basis, which is also affected by what I can easily get at the library - my local library is good at getting new releases in quickly and putting several copies on one week loan. This means that I can usually get hold of very popular books quickly for free, and of course I don't have to store them. I can always buy them later in paperback (or now ebook) when they're cheaper if I think I@m going to want to keep my own copy.

Never heard about any of them. On the other hand I know every single one on Whiskeyjack's list:


Strange, isn't?

No, it only says that you don't like romance and like fantasy :D

For me:

Jayne Castle
J.D. Robb
Mary Stanton
Jayne Ann Krentz
Nalini Singh (Psi/Changeling)
Shelly Laurenston
Cynthia Eden
Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega)


Perhaps, if I think more, I can find others but better not.

No, it only says that you don't like romance and like fantasy :D

Hmmmmmm...don't know what to say, but fantasy without romance is dull for me :p

I'm thinking
I'm thinking
I'm thinking

hmmm...

I don't think there is anyone I buy automatically anymore

Used to buy Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels before he lost his mind and brought dead people to life; used to buy Jennifer Crusie before she started co-writing with what's his name; used to buy Nora Roberts but that is way too many books (though I guess I do end up buying the J.D. Robb books); used to buy Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick but she got way boring/too many books; I usually buy Julia Quinn's books but skipped the last one; oh! I guess the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich qualifies...I'll buy the new one as long as it comes out on Kindle. I guess the Star Trek: Titan books are an auto buy right now. Otherwise, I'm really blanking out. I pretty much sample, read reviews, etc. cause I've been burned by favorite authors.

My fiction list of autobuy authors of current fiction includes


Robin Hobb
Harry Turtledove
Richard S. Tuttle
Alastair Archibald
David Weber
L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (when writing together)


Raymond Feist used to be on the list but his newest book was such a disappointment -- cardboard characters, repetitive plot -- that I doubt I'll buy another book written by him.

I also like to collect first editions of pbooks and have a separate list for those. That list includes Sinclair Lewis, some of whose works are worth reading and rereading.

There are also a few nonfiction authors whose books I immediately check when released, but nonfiction authors of the genres I like aren't exactly prolific in comparison to fiction.

My list shortens every year:
Martha Grimes
Carol O'Connell
P.D. James
Colin Cotterill
John Burdett
Terry Pratchett

Seeing this old thread made me realize how much my purchasing habits have changed since I bought the Cybook. With the price of ebooks all over the place now I think the only author I automatically buy is Steve Jordan.

Hmmmmmm...don't know what to say, but fantasy without romance is dull for me :p

Me (usually) too :D

For me:

Jayne Castle
J.D. Robb
Mary Stanton
Jayne Ann Krentz
Nalini Singh (Psi/Changeling)
Shelly Laurenston
Cynthia Eden
Patricia Briggs (Alpha & Omega)


Perhaps, if I think more, I can find others but better not.

How nice to see a fellow romance reader. :) Btw, I've read Brigg's Alpha & Omaga installments, too so far and plan to read the next as well. That makes her an autobuy in that regard, doesn't it? :)

And yep, a little romance doesn't hurt, no matter what (genre). :rolleyes:

How nice to see a fellow romance reader. :) Btw, I've read Brigg's Alpha & Omaga installments, too so far and plan to read the next as well. That makes her an autobuy in that regard, doesn't it? :)

And yep, a little romance doesn't hurt, no matter what (genre). :rolleyes:

I totally agree (with romance and autobuy ;) )

I have a few favourites:
Wen Spencer
J.D.Robb
Barbara Hambly except her latest series bejamin january
Tanya Huff
Steven Brust
C J. Cherryh
Sharon Lee, Liad series
Bujold
Kresley Cole
Jim Butcher

Any of these I would buy sight unseen.

Not a bad thread to revive.

I guess I've got a few that may not so much be auto-buy, but are a definite buy even if not straight away:

China Mieville
Barbara Vine
Neal Stephenson
Robert McCammon
Connie Willis
Neil Gaiman (if it's a novel)
Iain M Banks
A A Attanasio

Regards
Caleb

I'll buy anything Terry Pratchett writes without bothering to find out what it's about first :)

And as for the rest, I no longer buy automatically, *except for the book series that I just need to complete: i.e. GRR Martin (if he ever gets around to publishing the next book), Robert Jordan's WOT, etc.

*I've gotten burned with this one when the children of some authors took a stab at continuing their parent's legacies (i.e. Pern, Dune) - turned out to be terribly written!

Paul Auster - though after his latest I might have to review that.
Haruki Murakami
Magnus Mills

Orson Scott Card
David Weber
Eric Flint
Tom Clancy
JK Rowling
Greg Bear
Larry Niven
Brian Herbert, well the Duneiverse books anyway
James Pattersom

I will buy anything KJ Parker writes.

I definitely agree that a little romance can only help pretty much... anything.

I have a super small auto-buy list when it comes to AUTHORS. I have a longer list when it comes to SERIES. But anyway!
- Charlaine Harris ~ I've read bits of two of her series so far, and I just love her style.
- Kristan Higgins ~ Love love every book I've read by her.

Robert Jordan (deceased, but still publishing)
Kazuo Ishiguro

I don't have many I'd pay a premium for!

Catherine Harris for the Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse series

J. R. ward for the Black Dagger Brotherhood series

Julie Kenner for the Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series

Kim Harrison for the Hollows/Rachel Morgan series

David Weber for the Honor Harrington series

Kylie Chan
Jennifer Fallon
Glenda Larke
Mercedes Lackey - Valdemar books only
Tamora Pierce

For me:

Carl Hiaasen
Christopher Brookmyre
Lee Child (Jack Reacher series)

I used to have George MacDonald Fraser on the list as well for the Flashman series until he passed away :(

Not a bad thread to revive.
...
Regards
Caleb

I agree. Not so many contemporary auto-buys here, except for Larry Correia, Peter Hamilton, John Ringo, and Michael Z. Williamson. But back in "the day", whhooo-WEE! Heinlein, Asimov, Niven & Pournell, Zelazny, Herbert, Crichton, Clancy...

You know - I don't think it will be long before I start adding independent authors to this list. I've ready some great books this year already.

Regards
Caleb

I don't have any authors on my autobuy list. I have a huge pile of books to read already, and I'm picky about what I read. Even my favorite authors have written on topics I don't care to read about.

It used to be that if I saw a new Terry Pratchett Hardcover I would buy it straight away, although for the last few years I think it was more habit than anything, as his latest books I havent enjoyed as much as his older ones, however, since I got my eReader I didnt buy his latest (I Shall Wear Midnight)....I put it back.
I will probably get it at some point, for completeness of the collection, but as an automatic purchase, the eReader has killed off my habit.

None, really. Even my most favourite trusted authors whose works I've almost all enjoyed have produced the occasional dud that killed a tree for no good reason.

So even they have to go through the "wait and see" process where I look at whether their new book is in a series I wanted to see continued, or if the setting/plot overall looks like something I'll like, or it has certain elements that I'm otherwise very likely to enjoy.

And if the answer to those is "answer hazy, ask again later", then I'll wait for the library to get it in, and buy my own copy afterwards if it's good, and sometimes wait for some sort of extra sale/discount coupon/remainder/used afterwards if it's not that great but I still want one anyway (especially if I'm being completionist about the duds).

Diana Wynne Jones
Robin McKinley
Lois McMaster Bujold
Laurie R King
Margaret Maron
Terry Pratchett

Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child
Stephen King
James Lee Burke