There’s a lovely and ultra-successful romance author who amuses me by referring to her books as being racehorses or donkeys. Her “racehorses” are the titles that sell many copies, while the “donkeys” perform far less well.
The author I refer to has written hundreds of books, some of which have been tremendously successful, giving her the data to back up her observations. I only have six novels (and three novellas that I don’t really count because I don’t sell them in the same way). And none of my books have been bestsellers. But even within my small field, I’ve noticed that one of my books has been far less popular than the others.
When I first began putting books out, I didn’t realise that stories from the same brain, written with the same heart and an equal amount of skill, might still not be equally received by readers.
But when I thought about it some more, it seems obvious. As a reader, some of my favourite authors have stories I didn’t enjoy as much as the titles that made me fall in love with their writing.
When a story doesn’t “hit” quite as well, it’s usually not an issue of writing quality, but something else. Perhaps the characters didn’t resonate with readers, or the premise of the story wasn’t appealing.
I have one book that consistently lags far behind my others. My “donkey” book, Lessons Learned in Love, recently hit its second birthday. It’s the third in a series, but the books that come before and after it have proven to be far more popular. From my sales numbers, it’s as though people read books one and two, skip book three, and move on to book four. Based on anecdotal evidence, discussions with other writers, and pure speculation, I have an idea why that is.
Although interracial romance has a solid readership, there’s a marked preference for books that have a Black heroine. Interracial romance where the female lead is White don’t seem to sell anywhere near as well. Why is this? I have no clear idea. In order to sell better, I could avoid pairing White women with men of colour in future books, but I won’t. (I might just be sneaky about it and not put people on the covers!)
However, I can’t completely ignore what makes books popular. It’s wise to write what sells well, because the sales support our continued writing. But on the other hand, there are some stories that may not have mass appeal but still have their place. It’s a tightrope authors understand all too well.
Sometimes, though, a book may not do well because of issues with the story itself.
And I’m open to the possibility that readers didn’t respond to something in the story of my “donkey” book.
One of my favourite authors, whose stories I regularly re-read, wrote one book I didn’t enjoy. It has to do with the characters. The male character was callous, cruel, and selfish for most of the story, and I thought he didn’t grovel quite enough when he saw the error of his ways. And the female character, while much-wronged, had some attitudes I found strange and unrelatable.
This isn’t meant to be a negative post, so I won’t ask for specific examples. But are there authors whose work you normally love, who also have that one book that doesn’t quite do it for you?
Ausjenny says
I was reading a book by an author I have always like but I couldn’t continue the book it wasn’t cos it was bad it was the subject. One of the characters was dying and it was when mum had just passed away. I couldn’t handle the subject. At another time it would have been fine.
The same has happened with a few other books it’s often been something that I am dealing with. I have read other books from the authors which I really enjoyed.
Milla Holt says
I totally get where you’re coming from, Jenny. There are some subjects or life situations that I can’t handle reading about, no matter how much I love the author.
Ausjenny says
Being an Aussie Interracial don’t bother me as much. I have friends married to people from Asia, (Tawain, Philippines, China,) Africa, europe and I have some indigenous friends married to whites. So its not as big an issue here but I know in some places it is a bigger issue.
Kathleen Mattingly says
Even though the cover shows an interracial couple, I don’t read the book in those terms unless it’s brought up a lot in the book. I just read it as a couple of people in a relationship. It really doesn’t make a difference to me.
Milla Holt says
That’s great to know, Kathleen, and that’s my attitude as well. I’ve since learned that a lot of readers have very specific preferences about racial pairings.
Elizabeth Maddrey says
My book with a Black heroine/white hero is by far one of my worst performers, so I don’t know that it’s because of the genders so much as other factors. Big hugs tho, because it’s always frustrating to have a book you love and poured your heart into not go over well.
Milla Holt says
Thanks, Elizabeth. That’s interesting. Black woman, White man is such a solid niche that it even has its own fairly well-trafficked keyword (BWWM) for readers who are specifically looking for that pairing. I didn’t use that keyword in my book, although at the time I did with my other ones. I’ve since removed it from all my books because race isn’t a central part of my stories, anyway.
Milla Holt says
Thanks, Jenny. It’s not an issue to me, either. But as I venture out of my own normal circle, I find that some people stumble over issues that just fly over my head.
Erin Stevenson says
This is so interesting, thank you for this thought-provoking post. There’s a best-selling inspirational romance author whose work I’ve always loved, but a few years ago she wrote a book that puzzled me. The heroine swore, went to clubs and drank, and it was never addressed. I don’t know why one of the biggest “Christian” publishing houses accepted it. Of all the gushing, raving reviews on Amazon, only ONE brought up this disappointing issue. I haven’t read any of her books since.
The final book in my first 3-book series didn’t do as well as the first two, and a reviewer said she didn’t connect with the characters as much. Deep down I knew that I had rushed to meet a deadline, and it suffered for it.
Trudy says
YES!!! There is one author that I read all of her books, loved them, read them more than once. Then, I read a book that had such weird, off the wall theology, that I now can’t read any of her books, and have gotten rid of the copies I had. It would have been fine, if she hadn’t brought in characters from all of her other books. Totally ruined her writing for me. There’s another one that I can’t read anymore, not because of theology, but she keeps writing around the same characters, and I’m more than ready to move on!! I don’t read her books anymore, either. Of authors I read, there’s not a book that stands out that I don’t like as much as another.
Lori Smanski says
I have read books by authors that I love. And some of them were not really interesting to me or the subject was difficult or something. So I didn’t finish them right away. I do like however that an author can write more than one subject line. Just because I couldnt finish something doesnt mean that it wasnt great for someone else. So I like to give these authors lots of lee way. Than there are some authors I just really dont connect with.
Dalyn Weller says
I think that’s often the case. There’s bound to be a time when we love an author but one of her books isn’t as satisfying or appealing to us. I don’t love books where the female protagonist is ultra feminist and the male is feminized. Or when the the male is a jerk. I guess my ideal is manly men and strong women together. I couldn’t care less what color their skin is.
Milla Holt says
Wow, that was a strange turn, Erin, especially since the swearing, drinking, and clubbing weren’t highlighted as part of the character’s growth arc. I’d have been taken aback as well.
I’ve had a reviewer say they couldn’t connect to one of my characters, and it’s always a challenge to know exactly how I could have done better. I suspect many things go into it.
Milla Holt says
Thanks for your comment, Trudy. Dodgy theology would be a dealbreaker for me, too, if the book is purported to be Christian fiction.
Milla Holt says
Thanks for your comment, Lori. There’s a book I know must be good because people whose opinions I respect rave about it all the time. But I just couldn’t get into it. So, yes, I totally see that even within the same genre there can be such varied tastes.
Milla Holt says
We have the same taste in protagonists, Dalyn!
RuthieH says
This is such an interesting post Milla, thank you! I always find it fascinating to get a bit of a behind the scenes look at how writers think about their work.
To answer your question, yes, particularly when a writer has written a lot of books there will always be one or two I find it harder to get into or enjoy less, often for different reasons. Sometimes I just don’t relate to a character well, or I don’t like the situation so much – it’s far more about and what I enjoy than whether the book is well written or not I think. Like posters above, sometimes there’s a particular issue I avoid reading about, I find stories with pregnancy loss particularly hard for personal reasons. So I don’t think there’s necessarily anything authors can do as not everything appeals to everyone, but it’s interesting certain books seem less appealing to a lot of readers.
It’s also very interesting what you say about race. I can remember being very surprised when I got an e-reader to find books tagged with the race of the characters (it actually took me ages to realise what BWWM was referring to 🤦) and realise that people were perhaps selecting or rejecting books just because of the race of the characters.
Ausjenny says
Hi Erin, While I don’t know the book you are mentioning It would annoy me too and I would expect someone to mention it. I read one that started with the heroine at a club hitting on people but after that it changed. I did mention I struggled with the beginning but seeing the change was worth it. But when its not addressed I would want that in a review. I think it shows that many people who review either are friends of the author or get a free book so don’t want to say anything bad.
I had this in another one recently where there was a big issue and again only one or two people mentioned it. (Maybe it wasn’t an issue to others) I also noticed compared with other books the reviews were lower than other books.
(In saying this I think having questionable things in a book that is meant to be Christian Fiction and its not address is way different to not connecting with a book)
Debra Pruss says
There have been a few books. I feel bad when there is a lot of hype about a book and other’s love it. I have read some to not see why others thought it was so good. I have to say everyone sees things differently. That is why we have so many different kinds of books in the world. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Milla Holt says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ruthie!
One of my hardest struggles as a writer was putting my work out there to be criticised and judged, and not take it personally! I’ve grown a lot since I started, but there’s still room for improvement, ha ha. I’m learning to accept that the way my books are received may not have to do with me.
Milla Holt says
You’ve hit the nail on the head, Debra. We are indeed different and bring our differences to our reading. Thanks for your comment!
Lilly says
I believe that a Christian author who is guided by the Holy Spirit receives his inspiration from God, some books will be successful because they have a message that many need to hear. Other times God will make the author write a book that only a few need to hear so… it won’t be a bestseller.
maybe in the world there are more couples of black women with white men?
Milla Holt says
Wow, thanks for your input, Lilly. And you’re absolutely right: if one person who needed a message got it from a book, then that book counts as a success.
Brenda S. Anderson says
Interesting post, Milla! Sometimes you really wonder why some books take off and others don’t. Doing a quick analysis of my books & covers, the ones that sell the least are books with couples on the covers. My bestsellers definitely have a women’s fiction vibe. Something to think about going forward, for sure.
Milla Holt says
That’s very interesting to hear, Brenda. I suspect you’ve grown a readership who’s after books which are underpinned by a strong “B” story in addition to the romance arc. Definitely food for thought.
bn100 says
yes, it happens
Milla Holt says
Thanks for your comment, bn100! It’s good to have confirmation that I’m not the only one who’s noticed this.