These days, I hold writers’ hearts in my hands on a daily basis. And I’d love to make everyone’s dreams come true. But I can’t. I understand now why editors are so picky. I have editorial deadlines to meet, which allows a limited amount of time to spend on each book. If a book will take more time than I have to give to it, I have to say no. Recently, I sent three rejections in one day. This hurts my heart. I know how badly hopeful writers want validation – to know they’re on the right track, they’re doing something right, and the time and energy they put into words is worth it and means something. To achieve publication, to hold their books in their hands, to have readers love the story they plucked out of their hearts and brains and spilled into their keyboards. But alas, I had to crush their dreams.
Back when I was getting rejections left and right, I longed for just one editor to tell me why, what I was doing wrong, and what I was doing right. So, I
vowed to myself when I signed on as an editor, to help the writers I send rejection e-mails. I give them tips, tell them what to work on, and what they’re doing well on. It takes more time and my submissions inbox got bogged down partly because of my lengthy, informative, and time-consuming e-mails. But I hope those writers will learn from my coaching and improve their craft, so that one day, I’ll be able to say yes.
Speaking of yes, I get to do that too. Several authors came with the company and I’ve gotten the pleasure of accepting and contracting several new manuscripts from them. Recently, a manuscript from a debut author landed in my inbox that knocked my socks off. Every writer dreams of The Call. The one where an editor calls to tell you they love your book and are dying to contract and publish it. By the time I got The Call, it was an e-mail. Which was still great, but I decided to call our potential author. I think I was as excited as she was. And yes, she signed with us.
Thankfully, my husband gave me an early Christmas gift this year that has helped me get on top of my inbox, a tablet. I had one of the first e-readers, but after a while, it wouldn’t stay charged. I got a supercheap model with very little storage capacity to replace it and used it mainly to play Angry Birds. I like print books. The only e-books I’ve ever bought were the ones by my favorite authors that only come in digital format. And somehow, I don’t feel like I really own these books because they don’t line up on my bookcase with the rest of my favorites. But for editing, my new tablet is the bomb. I can read submissions anywhere now, in bed before I go to sleep, at the doctor’s office, waiting in the car while my husband is in a store that bores me. For the first time since July, I’m caught up on my inbox. Yay. Now, I can coach more writers and make more author’s dreams come true.
Making life-changing decisions about what will go into print and what won’t, got me thinking about how easy it is to get books published these days.
Anyone can publish their book. The bad thing about this, many writers don’t study the craft or hire an editor to mold their book into a great read that will keep the pages turning. As a result, some of those efforts give self-publishing and even publishing in general, a bad name. Readers don’t know if they’re getting a well-written book by an author who spent years honing their craft, then took the time and expense to get it well-edited. Or if the author took a short-cut to publication. As a result, some readers are gun-shy about investing in self-published titles or trying new authors. Fortunately, Kindle Unlimited is a great way to try new authors and books.
All of this got me curious. What makes you stop reading a book? If you don’t enjoy it, do you keep reading and finish? Or do you stop and start a new book? If you read one book by an author and don’t like it, do you try another title by the same author? Do you like digital or print? Are you a Kindle Unlimited member? Answer as many questions as you want and give this editor some useful feedback for a chance to win a print copy of my February release, A Texas Bond. Deadline: Jan 7th. And just for fun, here’s my current jigsaw puzzle in progress. I’m still puzzling during editing and writing breaks. It gives my word-bogged brain rest.
Award winning author, Shannon Taylor Vannatter writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance and has over a dozen published titles. A romance reader since her teens, she hopes to entertain Christian women and plant seeds in the non-believer’s heart as she demonstrates that love doesn’t conquer all—Jesus does. She gleans fodder for her fiction in rural Arkansas where she spent her teenage summers working the concession stand with her rodeo announcing dad and married a Texan who morphed into a pastor. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her husband and son, flea marketing, and doing craft projects.
I will start with I prefer ebooks to print. I find them much easier to read due to head pain and wrist pain. I can use kindle or computer.
No to KU
What makes me stop reading there are a few reasons. One is language while some words are fine in America (and visa versa) they may not be here. I was reading a book set during the civil war with a officer from England and one word was used so much I think it was over 20 times in the first couple of chapters and I just couldn’t read it. Another reason is I don’t connect at all and struggle to get past the first couple of chapters. Christy was one the beginner was just to descriptive for me and was going nowhere. I loved the movie. Another reason is the subject. When mum was dying I couldn’t read a book where the hero had cancer and was having treatments. It was too hard for me. There was another one at the same time dealing with someone dying.
I have kept struggling through a few because I had to judge one for a readers contest. The first third was so confusing then the next part was so good and one character in about 2 sentences summed up the first third so I could understand it. I haven’t read anymore from this author cos it takes to much to understand.
If its a new author it would depend on the reason I gave up. If its because of the storyline (dying person) I would probably read a different one.
Ps I will get in early as its about 8pm here Happy New Year
I love reading books you can hold but due to lack of space and ease of ebooks, I have started reading more ebooks. Plus easy to take with you on my Kindle app on my tablet. Only down side is when you need to take a break when your tablet needs to be recharged hopefully not when you don’t want to put your book down.
No to KU
I stop reading a book if it seems boring and I can’t connect with the story so I go to a different book. I will read other books from that author as you may not always like ever book an author writes.
I wish you a very Happy New Year.
I love my kindle because I always have a book in my hand to read because I have the app on my phone. That said I still love getting paper book I just don’t have space for them and sometimes it’s hard for me to read the smaller print. I want to thank all authors for their stories and the joy that they bring to me
I prefer print. Thank you kindly.
Hi Shannon. Thanks for the insightful blog. This avid reader and retired high school literature teacher has books in every room, in multiple genres, including a bookcase of children books for the grandchildren. At 7 decades I prefer reading on my iPad, because I need the extra light it provides. Plus with almost 1000 books, my Kindle app has saved my marriage. LOL. Hubby didn’t want to get buried alive under all my books.
As a retiree, I have explored new authors and new genre. I feel many independent published authors write better books than those who go through publishing house. They are more concise and grip my attention. I am in awe of indie authors, because of the multi hats they wear. I am honored to be on several review teams.
I especially look for a fresh and new topic in books and series – not the typical Amish, cowboy, billionaire troupe.
When I first retired, I plowed through books I didn’t enjoy. Now time is short, if I don’t like it I quit. I also am more selective what I buy, depending on price. Refuse to buy best sellers, were the Kindle version costs as much as a paperback. (Pet peeve.)
Went to a book talk at our local independent bookstore, were the author raved about her publishing company because she got to travel free to do book signings. As a retiree on a fixed income, I was paying for her vacations.
Best wishes and Happy New Year.
I really like holding paperbacks in my hands, but I’m running out of places to put them! So, I prefer ebooks now, and it makes it easier to carry books with me. There are very few books that I don’t finish reading; however, since this was my first year actually keeping track of how many books I read, I know that there were 5 books I couldn’t finish this year. I couldn’t get into the stories, one had words I don’t like in books though it was supposed to be CF, and the style used by the author I couldn’t get past in another. I honestly don’t know if I’d be willing to try books by these authors again. It would depend on the books setting and the blurb. I’m not a Kindle Unlimited subscriber. If I like a book, I want to keep it forever!
I prefer reading print books, partly because I already spend a lot of time looking at screens. No to KU. I will finish a book even if I don’t love it unless there is a lot of language or content I wasn’t expecting (this happens with genres other than CCR) but I probably won’t try another book by that author.
Kindle or print? BOTH. Special books, I’ll buy in print, but I have over 800 books on my kindle! Needless to say, I’ll never be “out” of reading material as long as I can plug in the machine!
KU? Nope. I have enough payments, and I can get library books in the Kindle for free. I also subscribe to Bookbub, which is AWESOME.
What will make me stop reading a book? If I can’t scrounge up any feeling for the characters. I started one from a renowned author that I stopped reading because I just plain didn’t like ANY of the characters. It was this author’s last book, but I still haven’t read it. Too many good books out there to waste my time reading ones that irritate me.
And don’t think of it as being a Dream Crusher, just a purveyor of excellence! 😘
I commonly stick with a book I don’t like unless there is content that I don’t want to read.
Thanks for the feedback Ausjenny. Very helpful. I’m curious what the word was. Maybe e-mail me about it: stvauthor at yahoo dot com. We’re pretty strict in our editing about words. But I never thought of a word that might be something bad in a different country.
I enjoy both ebooks and print. I became an ebook fan when I went on vacation one year and instead of packing the normal 3-4 books in my suitcase, I only had to slide my Nook (or Kindle — I have both!) into my purse. If a book didn’t appeal to me, I could just start reading something else instead of “wasting” the space in my suitcase. When I moved 2 years ago to a downsized house, I donated hundreds of books. Now, I just don’t have the bookshelf space. So I only purchase physical books for those extra special that I want to keep forever.
I’ll keep reading till about 50 pages in but if it just isn’t my cup of tea, I’ll stop and start something else. The book may not interest me because of time period, subject matter, the characters don’t speak to me, or the writing just isn’t engaging. With hundreds of books on my ereader, I have way more to take its place!
Thank you, Lorel. My very first book haunts me. It was published Print on Demand, with absolutely no editing. I didn’t know I couldn’t write myself out of a paper bag back then. It’s still available online and I cringe thinking about readers getting a hold of it. I hope if it’s the first book of mine that they read, they’ll give me another chance.
Thank you, Brenda. We so appreciate readers. Without readers, none of us would be able to do this book thing.
Me too, Kelley. I love the smell, feel, and look of print. With them lined up on my shelf, I feel like I own them. But I can understand digital. There’s only so many print books I can keep without running out of bookcase space.
I prefer to read on my Kindle Paper White. It’s easy on my eyes, lightweight, and I can adjust the font to make the words bigger. I love paperbacks, but they are hard to hold, take up valuable real estate, and are generally expensive compared to an ebook–this is not always the case as it depends on the publisher.
Regarding makes me stop reading a book, it’s generally a lack of connecting with the story. If it doesn’t draw me in, I move on. Sometimes it’s just my mood, and I will revisit it another time.
I love print books, but because of my small room, I kind of switch to e-books. I also borrow a lot books from the library. Happy New Year to you and your family and the best wishes for 2021!
Hello Shannon I Love The Print Books only I don’t like the e-books I Love holding the print books in my hand ! I Love reading and for me I haven’t read a book yet I didn’t like ! Hope You have a Happy New Year and Thank you so much for this amazing giveaway !
Sounds like I would love your house, Renate. So true about independently published authors not fitting the general book mold. As a small publisher, I love that about our company. We can take chances on books that are different.
That author sounds like a doctor we encountered when my husband was in the hospital several years ago. The doctor was telling another doctor about his new airplane. I thought I’m paying for that airplane. Kind of soured me on doctors. But I know they’re not all like that.
Me too on holding paperback books, Trudy. I keep only the ones I truly love and will read again. The rest, I donate to the library.
It amazes me the stuff that creeps into CF these days. If there’s a book or publisher you can trust, it should be CF.
Me too on keeping my favorite books forever. In print.
Good point, Jessica. Maybe that’s why I like print. I spend a lot of my time in front of my computer. And more time, reading submissions for publication on my tablet. When I read for pure enjoyment, I want to hold a paper book and turn the pages. Thanks for the feedback.
Wow, that’s a lot of books, Regina. I agree on the characters. They have to be likeable or at least someone I can root for. I’m still fascinated by Scarlet O’hara. She was selfish, manipulative, and snooty. But I still liked her and rooted for her. And I don’t even like historicals.
Yes, that will be my new name, Purveyor of Excellence. Thanks :)
Me too, Abigail. I still want to know what happens.
I read print books. The only time I read an e-book is for an ARC team or, like you, if an author that I always read only makes one available in e-book format. But, like you, I miss having that one on my shelf.
I don’t generally stop reading a book. If it’s by a new-to-me author, I may give them one more chance depending on the reason I didn’t like it. If it’s a regular author I read and just didn’t enjoy a particular one, I will continue.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I totally get the ease of digital for travel, Laurie. The fifty page rule is a pretty good one. Some readers will only invest in a few pages. I know for a fact, editors do on submissions. Guilty there. If I see major fixes in the first few pages, I crush dreams.
That’ funny, Kimberly. To me, my tablet is hard to hold. I can lay on my side, hold a paperback open and read. I can’t do that with my tablet. I even got a holder that’s like a book, but it slides around. And the screen turns sideways if I lay on my side.
Happy New Year to you, Marilene. I grew up being a library rat. My mom still goes every other week and gets about 40 books. A few years ago, the new librarian set a limit and wouldn’t let her have that many. Mama took my library card and my Dad’s and got her 40 books.
Me too, Sarah. The smell of the pages, the feel of the glossy or matte cover. You just can’t get that from a digital reader. Happy New Year to you!
Sounds like we’re a lot alike, Linda. If it’s a book by one of my favorite authors, but not one of my favorite books by them, I’ll keep it anyway. Because I like owning all their books and displaying them on my shelf.
Years ago I swore I would never read a digital book. Now I have over 3000 digital books. I always buy physical copies of authors I adore. I have o er a thousand physical books.
A cast of wooden characters will make me put a book down quicker than anything. I do try hard to not discard a book but I can only hang on so long. And I generally will not buy that author again. Once bitten, twice shy kind of thing.
I only read print books so no I’m not a Kindle Unlimited member. I’ve never stopped reading a book. If I don’t like it I will skim to the end. I do try another book from that same author.
What makes you stop reading a book? If it has more than a couple of swear words in what I thought was clean, if a sexual relationship is implied outside of marriage, and if it’s too depressing without enough hope.
If you don’t enjoy it, do you keep reading and finish? Sometimes, especially if I’ve agreed to leave a review or I need it for a Goodreads challenge.
Or do you stop and start a new book? I’m trying to do this more often. I try to leave honest reviews for every book I read. If I know the review is going to be really negative, I might just not finish it and forego the review.
If you read one book by an author and don’t like it, do you try another title by the same author? Sometimes, depending on what I didn’t like it. If it’s just an editing thing, I will give them another chance usually. If it’s a steam or morality issue, I usually won’t.
Do you like digital or print? I really prefer paperbacks. But I will read digitally because they are so much cheaper. I also like to help authors by being a beta reader or ARC reader, and those are almost always digital. This year I have set myself a goal of reading all the paperbacks I’ve won or received as gifts in the past three years = 30 books on my floor!
Are you a Kindle Unlimited member? Not anymore. I had to read all digital books to make it worthwhile for the expense, and I just don’t prefer digital books. My husband stepped in and refused to enable my addiction any further. He made me unsubscribe from KU. ;) I’ve got plenty of books on it anyway without needing to borrow more.
What a lovely story. It reminds me of my own experiences with the limits of a library pass. I always struggle with that.
Hey Susan, wow. That’s a lot of books. Have you read them all?
It’s the writing, I guess. If it’s good, readers stick with it.
You’re my favorite kind of reader, Cathy. If I blow it with you, I get another chance. Yay!!!!
I’m the same way on number 1, Lila. Actually, I’m the same way on a lot of the things you said. Thank you for helping authors and being such an avid reader.
I’ll stop reading a book if the language is not decent or if the sex goes past the bedroom door or takes place between anyone but husband and wife if it isn’t shown to be wrong. I don’t require perfect characters, but I do want conviction and redemption to take place for the main characters.
If a book that I don’t like is by a new-to-me author, I’m unlikely to try anymore from that author. I have run across a few books that I really, really didn’t like by authors whose other works I loved. I’ve read more of their books and am glad that I did.
I prefer digital. It’s easier to hold and keeps my place for me. I am a KU member and love it.
I read both print and ebook. I really try to give a book at least 50 pages before I DNF.
I had always despised the idea of ebooks. There’s just something about the feel of the book in your hands and the smell of the ink on the paper. It just makes the whole experience so much better. As I’ve gotten older, I’m much more accepting of ebooks now.
I have to admit, I’m actually addicted to audiobooks. A friend introduced me to them a while ago and I love them. It’s great way to sit back and experience the stories.
Wow! What an interesting article! I have always wondered about what went into being an editor, it’s not a job I would do well at. I can see the tremendous need though. I rarely stop reading a book once I start. I guess I’m patient, waiting for it to draw my interest. If I never get that draw I don’t usually read another book by the same author. I think I will always prefer a print book but I do read more ebooks anymore. I don’t have room to put books anymore so what I do have I tend to use mostly for Bibles, concordances and studies. Of course I have to keep some print books though! I don’t have Kindle unlimited but do use a Kindle app for my computer. I much prefer the program I have on my computer to read from my downloaded books. It has a feature I can’t get on the Kindle app. I also have a bunch stockpiled on my Kobo account. One thing I know for sure….I will never run out of books to read! Just the way it should be. :-)
Hi Lisa, thanks for the feedback. We’re publishing Christian and/or clean, so we’re pretty strict. I was telling my mom about KU in case the library ever gets to where it can’t keep up with her.
I’ll stick with the book, Denise. Hoping it’ll get better. I’m like that. Once I start something, I have to finish it.
I’m the same way, Catrina. I love paper, but I can tolerate digital. My mother-in-law loves audiobooks. I’m afraid I’d do something else, like cleaning or a jigsaw puzzle and get side-tracked from the story.
Hey Deb. I kind of fell into it, when my friend bought a publishing company and offered me a percentage of the company to be the editor. I’m really enjoying it. At first, I was running as fast as I could and still behind on my deadlines. But I’ve gotten caught up to where I even have time to write now. Thanks for the feedback.
Hi Shannon, I still prefer print over digital but I don’t say no to e-books. If I am on a launch team, I will read the entire book, but I’ve now convinced myself that it’s ok NOT to finish a book! I’ve had a Kindle app on my phone for many years but I now have a Kindle Fire. Most of my ebooks are either free or on sale. If I am paying for a new release, I will spend it on print. Congratulations on being an editor and a published author!
I prefer to read print books although I do have some on my Kindle app on my phone because they only come in digital. I don’t like reading books that get to intimate and have stopped reading one that did.
I prefer print books to e-books. That way I actually own the book and I can share it more easily with friends. If I come across a book I can’t get into or don’t like, usually due to not connecting with the characters or the pacing just being too slow, I’m not as likely to try that author again.
what makes me stop reading a book? if I read 4 chapters and can’t get into it I stop reading. I will read another book by author if I don’t like one. Love print and digital both. Not a Kindle Unlimited member.
I love Print books. Paperback or Hardcover cause then I always have them where ever I go when I go out.
I like Paperback
What an amazing feeling to make The Call and potentially change someone’s life.
I prefer paperbacks, space restrictions mean mostly I read e-books. I’m not a fan of amazon. Prefer to purchase books rather than use a subscription service. I can relate to your thoughts on it not feeling like you own an e-book.
I read the free offerings first as I agree some authors don’t know about editing. If I don’t enjoy them I unsubscribe. There are lots of good authors out there, challenging to find a new great author though. Good luck!
What makes you stop reading a book? I had only couple of those-either it’s not “clean” or it’s fake, hard to believe in.
If you don’t enjoy it, do you keep reading and finish? Usually, yes.
If you read one book by an author and don’t like it, do you try another title by the same author? Hm…it depends…I think I did once
Do you like digital or print? Both, digital is more convenient
Are you a Kindle Unlimited member? No
I think it depends on the book, I try to at least read a chapter before I decide to stop reading it. If I don’t like a book, I just stop reading it and start a new book. I like both print and ebook. If I like an author, I read as many of their books as I can.
What makes you stop reading a book? If you don’t enjoy it, do you keep reading and finish? Or do you stop and start a new book? If you read one book by an author and don’t like it, do you try another title by the same author? Do you like digital or print? Are you a Kindle Unlimited member?
Hi I prefer print books, I am not tech savvy at all, I think even if I was I would still prefer print books. There is nothing like holding a back in your hands which is the way it has always been for me anyways. May you and your family have a Very Happy and Blessed New Year.
The first time I read crap in a book I was like they said that. now its common language but back then it wasn’t something you would say. I also know we use some terms or words that American’s don’t like. There are also words that have different meanings in different places. (like we had bum bags, American’s had fanny bags)
I am also more likely to read another book if its from a publisher like LI as I know I like there books normally. Also some other publishers. Its more likely if its a self published and the quality of the editing.
I read mostly ebooks these days on my kindle app. A big reason for that is because I have KU and most of what I read these days is part of that program. I’m very willing to try new authors if they’re part of KU and rarely leave a book unfinished unless it somehow goes against my standards of what is appropriate for me to read.
Thanks for the insight, Connie. I’m hoping being an editor will make my writing stronger and I’ll end up needing less editing. We’ll see :)
Same here, Patricia. I’ve pretty much given up on trying to read books that aren’t published by a Christian line or company.
Yes Megan! I don’t feel like I own my e-books. Even though I can pull them up any time. To feel like I own them, I’d have to get a digital reader for each one and line them up on my bookshelf :)
Hey Shelia, wow 4 chapters. You give the author a pretty good shot at capturing your attention. I read a book on capturing the reader’s interest in the first 5 pages. I recommend it to all of our authors and to the writers I have to reject.
Agreed on always having them, Amy. I have an old dead Kindle Fire with several e-books on it. I guess if I was techy I could transfer them.
Me too, Sylvain. I do love hardback, if they don’t cost to terribly much.
I got to make another call this week, Dianne. So fun. She’s praying about signing with our company.
I’m not a fan of Amazon either. If I can find a brick and mortar store, especially a Christian book store or privately owned store, I buy books there. When forced to buy online, I try to find somewhere else. But I do like the concept of Kindle Unlimited for trying new to you authors.
Thanks for the input, Natalya. And thanks for the Christmas card too. That was totally unexpected and very sweet. I haven’t mailed Christmas cards in years. I used to at least pass them out at church, but I haven’t even done that in a couple of years. I need to do better in the future.
Hey Angeline, I have 3 favorite authors and I own all of their books and will keep them forever. There are a few I don’t like as well as others, but I still keep them all.
I’m not tech savvy either, Alicia. I know just enough to get by. Real books are just easier to hold, especially when reading in bed. Which is my favorite place to read.
Wonderful Melynda. KU is a great way to try new authors. I’m not a member, since I like paperback books, but with KU, you don’t lose any hard earned money in trying new authors.
Are you an agent? Or an editor?
Here’s my answers~
What makes you stop reading a book :
I definitely stick to Christian fiction because I know I won’t ever read a curse word or run into bedroom scenes, or read about characters drinking or smoking. I love the faith thread, Christian world-view, morals & values . I will read a “clean book” every once in a while too (not often though).
If you don’t enjoy it, do you keep reading and finish?
If I can’t get into a book by the end of chapter one, I will put it down & start another. I have WAY too many books to stick with one I am not liking.
If you read one book by an author and don’t like it, do you try another title by the same author?
Very rarely have I ran into this problem (thankfully)! I will give another book by the same author a try because it might have just been that particular story I couldn’t get into. I figure if I’ve read two books by the same author and didn’t like either one, that maybe I just don’t care for the writing style & will move on to someone else.
Do you like digital or print? Are you a Kindle Unlimited member?
I love both formats, though paperback is still my preference. There are some books that are only available in ebook and I’m glad I’ve gotten into those. I am also a KU member & have read many, many books through it this year! I’ve also discovered many new-to-me authors :-)
What makes you stop reading a book? Most books I read to the end, if they lend to cursing I will trash it.
If you don’t enjoy it, do you keep reading and finish? Usually, I will finish a book unless it has cursing.
Or do you stop and start a new book? I review Christian books and only once did I stop reading and told the publisher I would not review that book.
If you read one book by an author and don’t like it, do you try another title by the same author? Not generally
Do you like digital or print? Depends on my mood. However, print is better because I lose track of so many ebooks
Are you a Kindle Unlimited member? No
Acquisitions and content editor. My business partner and I bought Mantle Rock Press in May of 2020. Our new company is Scrivenings Press. We publish clean and/or Christian fiction. We inherited several authors and books with the company and are actively acquiring new authors as well.
Thanks so much, Trixi. Your answers are very helpful. I hope you’ll give Scrivenings Press books a try. We inherited lots of the books with the company and started publishing the ones we’ve edited in July. Lots of new to you authors to discover.
Thanks for taking time to respond, Michelle. Your answers are very helpful.
Hi. I am only reading (buying) e books these days. It was my husbands request, due to space (so you can pull my response from the drawing). I do Not use Kindle Unlimited because we don’t like to buy/use anything with monthly fees/obligations.
I Seldom quit (dnf) a book, especially new-to-me authors. I want to give every book/new-to-me author a chance, once purchased/selected (I am very picky about who “new” I select). I will read as far as 80% of the book before giving up on it. Some authors/books simply take awhile to figure out their “world/characters” and writing style before they actually grab me & pull me in. If I am struggling, I will put down the book, & read a favorite author’s book next to “cleanse my palate” (so to speak) & then try the “new” book again, at least a couple times. Once I give up, I probably will Not buy another book from that author again.
I will immediately quit reading a book, however, if it appears I purchased the book in error – conflict in ideology, religious beliefs, or really very poorly written (really terrible grammar, very juvenile characters, but not YA). If I just purchased it, I will ask for a refund. I try make note of which authors books I quit (since it’s rare) or didn’t like (and why) so I do not purchase another book unknowingly from them in the future.
Hi, Sharon,
I have always been a collector, books especially. I came across a bumper sticker recently which said “It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?” I have taken to reading ebooks almost exclusively for fiction, though. The bookshelves are overflowing. I usually read on my computer or tablet. And, yes, I’m one of those people with over 1,000 (1400+, actually) in my kindle collection. Obviously I stick to the free and cheap varieties. Not all are fiction but the majority are. I am not a KU subscriber. I think I spend less per month than KU would cost. I haven’t checked for sure. I’m a firm believer that denial is just a river in Egypt :) and I like the idea of owning rather than borrowing.
I’m usually pretty compulsive about reading a book through to the end, but I have started to entertain the possibility of skipping a book if it really doesn’t draw me in. But it takes a lot (or an awful little) to achieve that. I have made a practice of filtering my purchases beforehand by using the “Look Inside” feature at Amazon. That has really reduced the number of duds or objectionable books that I have had to deal with. If I don’t enjoy the first book I read from a particular author, that is not an automatic red flag, but it certainly is a yellow flag. Proceed with caution.
What kind of stories do you look for at Scrivenings Press?
Your response was very helpful, Penelope. If you win the drawing, you can pass the book on to someone else. I like the idea of stopping a book if you can’t get into it. Read a favorite author and then try again.
Duh. Right. Hi, *Shannon* :P
Wow, this is the most interesting subject yet, and I want to read all of the responses, but if I do, I will never get to respond myself.
I prefer paperback, but at least 50% of my reading is now as e-books, because they are cheaper, easier to store, more flexible for travel (who gets to travel anymore?) and much lighter to carry around. Let’s face it – I can carry 1,000 stories or more in my purse just waiting to be read on my e-reader or tablet.
I can only remember not finishing a book twice – once because it was ten or more educational degrees beyond my level. :) I had to analyze each sentence to try to figure out what Christian knowledge the author was trying to impart to his readers. The other one was apparently a true story of the author’s life or her fictional character but the stupidity of making the same mistake over so many times was just unbearable to keep reading. It was also completely unedited.
With all the self-publishing now, I feel that many authors or would-be-authors are just pumping books out by the dozens per year, and unfortunately not doing the kind of research which makes for good reading, and heart-touching stories. Let’s face it, no matter how much one likes sugar, too much sugar in a cup of tea can become sickening. Some authors are getting ‘carried away’ with the sweet and clean. A good read needs to be realistic, unless it’s a fairy tale.
Would I give an author a second chance? Yes, definitely, but not likely a third chance.
Collecting books is definitely not hoarding, Lincoln. I love your bumper sticker. You always have a humorous take on things. I love the Look Inside feature too. We publish clean and/or Christian fiction in several genres: Contemporary and Historical Romance, Historical, Women’s Fiction, Speculative, Romantic Suspense, and Mystery.
Thank you for this reply. I have found your website now. It would be easier to find if your name were on the website–you never know how folks are going to find you! Best wishes for continued growth in your publishing company.
Hi Sandra, thanks for your input. You’re the ideal reader, only two books went unfinished. And give more chances. I will say, sometimes, it’s the publisher who insists the stories are too sweet and clean. But in my opinion, some are pushing the envelope and getting too edgy too. There’s a delicate balance in making a book real, but not trashy.