Weekly Geeks 2010.9: Books vs. Authors

In this week's Weekly Geek post, we are asked several questions about our feelings regarding the author vs. the book. Here they are with my answers:

• Do you seek out interviews with authors of books you've enjoyed? Why or why not?

I do not seek out the interviews. If I read interviews, it's because I've just stumbled upon them in my blog hopping. Mostly I find author interviews too long, and so I (gasp) skim them. 

• Do you interview authors on your blog? If yes what did you gain from the interview process? If no is it because you don't want to or because you haven't felt able to ask an author yet?

I do a few author interviews, mostly in conjunction with official blog tours. I think they are very fun to do because I love the connection of blogger and author. But, as I said,  I do find interviews long to read sometimes, so that's why I decided to start my own author feature called Authors Pick Five, and, when I feel the need for an author connection, I'll just ask them this one question: What five books are most important or influential to you? Of course, I'll do a longer interview for those official blog tour situations

• Do you subscribe to the blogs of authors you like? Which ones? All the authors you like or only certain ones?

I subscribe to many author blogs. I love them! Mostly because they do give you a glimpse into their writing life, and sometimes their personal life, which is just plain fun. Some of my favorite author blogs: Shannon Hale, James Dashner, Janette Rallison, Mette Ivie Harrison, Brandon Sanderson, John Green, Aprilynne Pike, Sara Zarr... just to name a few.

• Do you track down author websites or look for biographical information about them elsewhere? Would you skip reading a book if you couldn't find out anything about its author?

I track down their sites to link to them when I'm reviewing their book on my blog. Sometimes I stick around long enough to read stuff, sometimes I just grab the link. But as for the second question, of course not!! I've read many a book without knowing anything about the author. Afterwards, if I loved the book, I may seek out more information.

• Have you hosted an author on a blog tour? Was it someone whose books you already read or did it introduce you to a new author?

As already mentioned, I have done a few author tours, and they are always new-to-me authors,  which, most of the time, is a wonderful thing, and I've found new authors whose next book I'll be anxiously awaiting. 

Even though, for me it is fun to learn about the author and what he or she thinks about life and writing and what books they are reading, etc., basically, it has no correlation to my desire to read, or not read the book. Well, except for those authors I meet in person, THEN I do want to go out and read their books, just because... I met them!

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