Saturday, March 13, 2010

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!

Be sure to head on over to the Weekly Geek blog and join us in our weekly geeky fun!

8 comments:

  1. I'm like you. I dont really seek out authors interviews but if I stumble on them I usually will take the time to read them. I love the behind the scenes of movies and I think getting to talk to the author is the same thing, a behind the scenes of a book I like!

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  2. I subscribe to Shannon Hale's blog and recently started following Dashner's blog. My full answer is here.

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  3. I think we share a lot of opinions Suey although I don't think I've ever done an author interview.

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  4. I like your idea with "Authors Pick Five." Simply knowing the books that inspired an author can be so revealing. (Kind of like knowing the musical influences of musicians)

    Here's mine: http://everybookandcranny.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/weekly-geeks-do-the-books-do-the-talking-or-do-you-want-more-from-the-authors/

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  5. Author blog tours are a new concept to me. How do you get involved in one? Are you normally asked to host the tour, or do you volunteer? It sounds like a fun thing to participate in!

    I'm going to check out your Authors Pick Five posts; when I was considering the Weekly Geeks question this week (I didn't end up responding) I realized that the things I want most to know about an author are their influences and book recommendations. I find the best books through author recs. :)

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  6. Grace: I participate with the TLC Book Tours... if you look on their site and see a book you'd like to read and promote, you can request to be part of its tour... if they are currently filling slots for that book. Once you get on their "list" and they get a feel for what you like to read, they'll contact you when a book comes up that they think would work for you. There's several other sites that do the same thing.

    Anyway, here's their link:

    http://tlcbooktours.com/

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  7. Cool, thanks for the link, Suey!

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