Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Berk
With me it's a bit different, it's all about the author. I rarely try new authors unless I've read really good reviews about their works. But if I like an author - then I usually buy all his works.
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I'm similar to Dave with these qualifications: First, I can't stand short stories; don't know why but I never could bear to read a volume of short stories (too much like being back in school?
). So, no matter how much I like an author, I never buy or read the author's short story collection.
Second, as regards authors with whom I have no familiarity, price becomes the determinant. I am willing to gamble a few dollars on an unknown author if the storyline looks good or, in the case of nonfiction, the author has appropriate credentials, but I am not willing to gamble larger sums. If the book is very intriguing but pricey, I check it out first at my local bookstore. Then I may buy the pbook or the ebook, the choice being dependant on how intrigued I am by the book and whether I would want it as a permanent part of my collection.
For authors who are thinking long-term, ebooks can offer a great way to get introduced to a wider audience. Tracy Falbe, on our MR list, is a good example. I would never have considered her Rhys Chronicles books because she was an unknown author. Her giving away the first volume was a smart move as regards my reading habits. I read the free volume and bought the remaining books in the series and am now looking forward to future books from her. (BTW, if you like SF/Fan and haven't tried her Rhys Chronicles, you should.
The Rhys Chronicles) Another author to whom I was introduced this way is James Galloway who writes under the name Fels. His Sennadar series is excellent (
Sennadar Series) and is only available as free downloads.