Do you have a favorite author? If you're like me, you have several. I love reading, and I especially enjoy finding new-to-me authors and checking out their backlist.
I still remember the day I picked up my first book by Stephanie Laurens. I couldn't put it down! And naturally, I went to her website and let out a happy whoop that there were more--many more--books of hers I could read. Yippee!
The same happened with Jodi Thomas, Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Ally Blake, Jessica Hart, Linda Goodnight, and the scads of other authors I adore.
Something funny happened around five years ago. I wasn't writing books at that point, just reading everything I could get my hands on, and I noticed a pattern (bear with me--you know the pattern--I did not). The single title authors published two books a year, plus maybe an anthology. The category authors published as few as one and as many as four a year.
The cycle intrigued me, and I began researching the publishers they wrote for. It quickly became apparent that even had the single title authors wanted to publish more than two books a year, their publishers might not let them. But hey, two books a year is phenomenal!
Everyone says to read tons of books in the genre you write. I agree, but I'd say to take it a step further. Study authors websites. Check out their publisher. Keep track of the book lengths, the time in between book releases, and the marketing efforts they pursue. Read interviews.
I always read author bios, study their websites, and make mental notes on their promotion efforts. Five years ago, I discovered Harlequin Romance author Ally Blake. Her career amazed me--still does. She was someone to look up to. Someone to emulate. I read every book she put out, and when I felt my spirits lag, I only had to click on her website to get a boost. Her interviews, articles, and positive attitude inspired me.
Do you study your favorite authors? You might be surprised at the things you learn about the industry from them. I know I was!
Have a terrific weekend!
Great post, Jill! I love to study authors. I like to see what works and what doesn't in terms of marketing and websites. I'm becoming more confident in reaching out to authors who make it known that they like that.
ReplyDeleteHave a great long weekend!
I love Meg Cabot & Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I don't really study them, but I do take heart that they all started small and worked their way up to where they are. It's inspiring!
ReplyDeleteGood morning!
ReplyDeleteHeather: Yes, I do that too. It's so exciting to find a terrific author and then be blown away by their website too.
Jennifer: Other author journeys are inspiring, aren't they? At least the ones who struggled, persevered, and realized their dreams, right? Hey, all writers struggle, so even the ones who hit it big right away are an inspiration!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
This is excellent advice and part of the reason I attended that book signing recently. I wasn't all that familiar with that author, but like you I want to be open to learning all I can. I enjoy Elizabeth Berg and Jodi Picoult books and their websites are interesting. Great tip!
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Not near enough. I always check them out, but I rarely get a chance to follow-up because I'm always reading about new ones that I've come to enjoy their stories too.
ReplyDeleteThe two books per year is interesting. I wonder with CBA if it's more like one book per year? That's something I'm going to have to ask Rachelle at some point, and whether that's up to the author or the publisher. And maybe it differs for authors who are selling well. Maybe they start to get more pressure to put out more. Anyway, I love the idea of studying other authors. I've done that with websites, especially lately as I'm still trying to finish mine!
ReplyDeleteSuper post! I'm studying authors to find out how they work through some of the same problems I'm having. And especially to discover how they master such things as perfecting their narrative, etc.. I appreciate this post of yours. I hadn't thought about studying the authors for this particular reason. But I will now! :)
ReplyDeletei haven't studied authors not in the CBA world, i'm afraid. but when i read an author i really enjoyed (usualy Christian fiction, b/c that was all i picked up until about 6 months ago), i always went to their website to check out what else they had written. i did this with tamara leigh, siri mitchell, kristin billerbeck and several others.
ReplyDeletegreat post...i'll check out some of the other authors you mentioned.
jeannie
Where Romance Meets Therapy
I am amazed that you have looked at all of that:) I haven't even thought about that yet. I do remember when I owned the bookstore how often new flyers came out from the publishers and how often some authors had books in them.
ReplyDeleteLike you (and most of us, likely), I have piles of favorite authors - which is great, I believe. And I too like to check their sites and learn of each aspect for them. BUT - checking their pubs and cycles and such is stuff I've never done. Thanks for the tip! Very important.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Jill!
PS. My sister's name is Jill, so you get a super-big smile. :D
Wendy: I love meeting authors--the booksigning must have been so much fun! I'll bet you'll check out more books, too!
ReplyDeleteEileen: I keep on top of authors because I enjoy it and find it inspiring and informative. My fancy moves on to new authors too.
Jody: Yes, I'm curious about how many books get published in a year by different publishers. Does it depend on the editor? The genre? The author? Interesting, isn't it?
Robyn: I love authors who provide articles and tips on their websites. Jenna Peterson's "The Passionate Pen" is delightful!
Jeannie: The authors I mentioned are all Harlequin or Historical authors. I do follow some Christian authors, and they all write for Steeple Hill. Love their books!
Terri: Well, I want to publish more than one book a year, so it's important to know what various publishers offer.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wow, this makes me tired! I barely have time to write right now, let alone read and study up authors. I have a feeling that will come a bit later when my daughter's in school. :)
ReplyDeleteJanna: Don't you love the Internet--where you can find all this great stuff about favorite authors? Whew! Knowing how many books you can publish with an author is a big deal for a writer like me who writes more than one a year. If I write three books every year, I'll be disappointed with a publisher who can only publish one. And a super-big-smile right back atcha!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Oh, and wow, two books a year... I'd better stockpile up for the next few years, because it takes me about 2-3 years to get a book completely ready. Yikes!
ReplyDeleteLady Glamis: I don't spend hours studying--more like things click together. "Oh, Stephanie Laurens has a book coming out in August. Isn't that when her last Bastion club came out? And her harcover Cynster books come out in Feb. then turn around in paperback in late fall. Hmmm..."
ReplyDeleteI've also read articles by multi-pubbed authors that have discussed the limitations publishers have in cranking out books. They only have so many slots.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lady Glamis: Silly!! You don't "have" to publish 2 books a year. But if you are successful, expect your publisher to urge you to write one book a year. Fans want regular books!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jill! Great post!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the greatest feeling--finding an awesome author and discovering that he/she has more out there? I LOVE surprises like that!
Have a great weekend!
Well I can do one a year, I suppose. I just don't get that many ideas. I'm sure with more practice and writing I might get to that point!
ReplyDeleteI do love to study my favorite authors. I suppose they're more like stars to me than movie stars. It's my way of stalking them.
ReplyDeleteGreat point! I have gone to several of my favorite authors' websites, but I never thought about looking at how many books they publish a year. I'll have to revisit these sites and see how their publishers work.
ReplyDeleteKristen T: Oh yeah! A new-to-me author with a backlist? Jackpot!
ReplyDeleteLady Glamis: You can do one a year. And you aren't fooling me with the old "I don't get many ideas" bit! I read your blog--you're amazing!
T.Anne: Welcome to the club! I've long said I would shove Brad Pitt out of my way if he and Stephanie Laurens were standing next to each other. In fact I wrote the scenario out in an old post...I might have to find that one!
LazyWriter: I think it's a great idea, especially if they write the books you want to publish. It will give you a feel for their schedule.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cool post. I've recently started being more aware of publishers and authors, etc. I've never really noticed the trends, though it's interesting. I wonder if I'd be disciplined enough to put out two books a year. That's a lot of writing--and a lot of ideas.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so you've mentioned Stephanie Laurens before but I've never heard of her. I am going to check her out. What's one of your favorite books of hers?
Oh yeah, I've definitely done all of this. Authors have extremely helpful websites most of the time. I also read backlists. :-) Isn't it wonderful to find a new author and realize they have tons more books? LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love to read and have many favorite authors. It's neat to hear their stories and how they got to where they are, but now I'll have to check out the other things you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteJill, you've got a great idea here, one I'm going to make use of.
ReplyDeleteLast week I was privileged to lunch with two writers from my local RWA chapter. One is a debut novelist and upcoming guest at Romance Writers on the Journey. The other had just finished her 77th book and has two more contracted. She writes series romance. This year she had to write FIVE in order to meet her deadlines. I was mightily impressed.
I asked her secret. Discipline. She guards her writing time like I do my Coach bag. We can learn a great deal from those who've made it, as you pointed out.
I cyber-stalk my favorite authors! Like Nicole Baart - a phenomenal writer and an even more phenomenal woman. And my new favorite? Jenny B. Jones. HALARIOUS writer!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill -
ReplyDeleteI don't study my favorite authors, but I devour their books. Recently, I discovered Jane Fitzpatrick and Catherine Palmer. I have several of their titles on my shelf, as well as on my Wish List.
Jeanette Windle, Angela Hunt, Mike Dellosso, and others send me into a reading frenzy.
Blessings,
Susan :)
That's why I probably will end up writing both Y.A. and single title. I just write too fast. Or maybe I'll slow down, I don't know! But prolificness is one of the things I have going for me. It may require a pen name but I'll do it.
ReplyDeleteThis type of marketing is all new to me but it sounds interesting and profitable. I want to try it out soon.
ReplyDeleteCindy: I've noticed the authors who write commercial fiction (and it does differ by genre) tend to publish 2 books a year--romance, mystery, and suspense in particular. And it does depend on the publisher too. But one book a year seems to be a good rule of thumb regardless. Oh, and my favorite book of Ms. Laurens is "Devil's Bride." It's a beaut!
ReplyDeleteJessica: Yes--there's nothing more exciting, except maybe a 75%off sale, as finding an author with a backlist!
Kara: I agree. I love reading author bios and all about their journeys!
Keli: Five?? Wow!! That IS discipline! And I love your referral to your Coach bag--cracked me up!!
Katie: Ha! You're too funny! I'll have to give JBJ a shot...
Susan: Oh, yeah! I devour my faves too. But then, I find myself switching gears after a few years because the books aren't coming out fast enough and I've gone through the backlist. I find new authors and new genres in those periods!
Steph: I think you have a good plan. If you're a fast writer, it's smart to branch out, because there's a very good chance you won't be allowed to publish more than two books a year of your single title fiction.
Nancy: Well, I could call it "research" but the reality is, I'm just super nosy!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Jill, Just got back from vacation and am catching up on your blog. Lots of great posts over the past week. As for fave authors, I just discovered Kristan Higgins with her "Too Good To Be True" book, which I picked up at Nationals. Very funny and heartwarming. One thing surprised me, though. Occasionally, her slang use turned British--like "loo" instead of "bathroom" and "shag" instead of...well, you know. Since her character wasn't British, I found it very jarring. I checked her website to see if Kristan is British, but it didn't say. Made me wonder how her editor (or reading friends) didn't catch these glitches. And I wonder if I should drop her a note on her website. I don't want to sound snitty-nit-picky, but I think I could be doing her a favor. And I'm definitely reading more of this new-found fave!
ReplyDelete