Author Seeking Opinions

[MarkHockley]

Hi everyone,

Firstly let me introduce myself. My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read.

For openers, what do you think attracts a potential reader? What draws us to decide to invest the time to actually sit down and read a book?

[Scheherazade]

Welcome to the Forum, Mark.

You might find this thread interesting:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20957&highlight=choose+books

[NickAdams]

Recommendations from authors I enjoy, friends, and teachers. This is something the author can't control, but I am also attracted by: the title, synopsis, and first sentence of a book when I'm walking thorugh a book shop.

[Nossa]

I'm normaly attracted by the idea..it doesn't matter who wrote it, when and what age. I feel compelled when I feel that there's something more to know, something more to figure out, something more should happen, ya know!

[chaplin]

My name is Mark Hockley and I have just had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. For openers, what do you think attracts a potential reader?

Books written by people that have been dead for a long time compel and attract me. (Or those, unfortuantely, who will be soon, e.g. Solzhenitsyn).

[bazarov]

Books written by people that have been dead for a long time compel and attract me. (Or those, unfortuantely, who will be soon, e.g. Solzhenitsyn).

Exactly! If book has outlasted it's author, then it's surely a great book. Who will remember Dan Brown or Badalucci or I don't know their names, sorry...in 10 years? Surely nobody in 50 years...
So I am waiting Grass and Marquez to die:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Nossa]

Exactly! If book has outlasted it's author, then it's surely a great book. Who will remember Dan Brown or Badalucci or I don't know their names, sorry...in 10 years? Surely nobody in 50 years...
So I am waiting Grass and Marquez to die:lol: :lol: :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[chaplin]

Exactly! If book has outlasted it's author, then it's surely a great book. Who will remember Dan Brown or Badalucci or I don't know their names, sorry...in 10 years? Surely nobody in 50 years...
So I am waiting Grass and Marquez to die:lol: :lol: :lol:

Well said and very funny. Unfortunately though, I think people will remember Dan Brown decades from now only because they've never read anything better, like Tolstoy, or Dostoevsky, whoever you like.

[Nossa]

Well said and very funny. Unfortunately though, I think people will remember Dan Brown decades from now only because they've never read anything better, like Tolstoy, or Dostoevsky, whoever you like.

I personaly liked Angels and Demons a lot...but I believe that people will remember Dan Brown because of the controversy that his books made...I mean they're not bad books persay, but they dealt with what people regarded as a taboo and yet they suceeded..that's why I think people will remember Dan Brown for years from now.

[Slangalang18ca]

People might remember Dan Brown, but I think we have to remember that Dan Brown wrote his books in an age where communication is very, very fast thanks to the Internet and mass media. It's a lot easier, in my opinion, for Dan Brown's books to become well-known because of the time in which they were published. If they had been published a hundred years ago, when worldwide communication wasn't what it is today, maybe his books wouldn't have the international recognition they have today.

But that's kind of off topic. What makes a book memorable for me is interesting characters and an interesting plot. I hate books that are formulaic and predictable. Good writing is also a plus.

[bazarov]

I personaly liked Angels and Demons a lot...but I believe that people will remember Dan Brown because of the controversy that his books made...I mean they're not bad books persay, but they dealt with what people regarded as a taboo and yet they suceeded..that's why I think people will remember Dan Brown for years from now.

Well, there were always some immoral and controversial books but today you don't know any. So I think and hope Dan Brown will quickly be forgotten. Some other semi-writer will take his place.

[kandaurov]

Author, if it rings a bell
Title, if it's catchy, or seems interesting
First few sentences, important first impression
...and the cover, though not consciously, and I'd be a miserable liar if I didn't admit it :) after all, eyes are weak, as the flesh is.

'Award-winning' stripe across the book, curiously enough, has never made me buy a book, or even consider its purchase more seriously.

[kiz_paws]

A strong opening is beneficial for me when looking for good books. Also, the inside flap of a hardcover sometimes gives just enough information to make me flip through the book (thus giving it a chance), so that would be important, if I was that writer, you know?

And I am also not someone to read a book just cuz Oprah says I should (lol).

I go to a bookstore that has a newsletter that does features on various writers, and this enables me to draw a curiosity to a given writer and then do my homework (Google/library, etc.)

As well, here at LitNet, there are so many threads and so many members that can highly recommend good reading, so that is invaluable advice, no excuse for "There is nothing for me to read" syndrome! :lol:

Good question, Mark, and welcome to the LitNet (congrats on your debut novel). :)

[CountingSheep]

I read page fourty, go by recommendations, and, (yes i do) judge the cover.

[Anthony Furze]

Hello Mark.

I ve been pondering your question all day. It s now 8 26 night. I feel there must be a sense of commitment in the narrative and an obvious, if sometimes unsuccessfully shown, love for words and language.

That sensitivity for words, their meanings and ambiguities need to reverberate under the text, giving it a vibrancy.

This is based on my "boredom"with the reading I ve been doing as an attempt to reawaken my reading habit. I tried several books by authors I used to like but to no avail. I read The End of the Affair all the way through without flagging.

[MarkHockley]

If anyone gets the time to check this out, I've posted a short excerpt from my book at this link: http://hometown.aol.co.uk/markjohnhockley/myhomepage/mywork.html

It would be great to get some feedback.

Thanks!

[Stieg]

Recommendations mostly and snooping around, I love the provocative, the pulpy (by this I mean Grade A a la Lovecraft), and always try to avoid any form of pretentiousness (eh blargh!).

Pretentiousness is a form of unabashed self-hype by the writer should by no means be confused with brilliance.

[JJLuke]

Whatever you believe is going to interest people. Its that simple.

[Midas]

I suppose it's a bit like I am attracted to a woman. First its probably the cover and title (looks and name), then opening conversation ( first few lines of first chapter),

As I have matured, I tend to go a little deeper than the first few lines as I know how some authors have put everything into this - then it soon crumbles.
So, I will look a few chapters down. (look a little deeper)

Once she grabs you, er..sorry, once it (the book) grabs you, its chemistry takes over, then its cover, and title doesn't matter too much. (I almost said if the cover gets a little finger soiled, and tattered. But I won't)

Digressing from that theme. I have enjoyed many good movies that were never even nominated for an Oscar, and many good books that were never blockbusters or classics, and never will be. They were just simply - interesting, stimulated my imagination, and kept me wondering what would happen next. Hmm, was I really digressing from my analogy?

[Midas]

Re your book excerpt. For me, I wish you had given me the opening of your first chapter. I don't like to be suddenly plunged into dialogue without being 'coaxed', or lured by an inviting beginning. But then, that is just perhaps me.

It was made more so by my, at first, thinking it was the opening of the first chapter.

What particular age group is it aimed at - teenagers? I would like to know what moved you to write this book, or, what interested you in this plot.

If I see it on the bookstands, I will skim through a few more pages to get a better feel.

Have you a second book planned?

Thanks for sharing

[hedbanger]

I read page fourty, go by recommendations, and, (yes i do) judge the cover.


Everyone judges a book by it's cover.


Also it depends on what styles a reader is into. If you start off with this long description, people that love detail will flock. If you just start, minimalists will appreciate you more. Personally, if you started out with a page-long description, I'd never make it past that page. But my friend would dive in head first. Hope that helps.

[MarkHockley]

Re your book excerpt. For me, I wish you had given me the opening of your first chapter. I don't like to be suddenly plunged into dialogue without being 'coaxed', or lured by an inviting beginning. But then, that is just perhaps me.

It was made more so by my, at first, thinking it was the opening of the first chapter.

What particular age group is it aimed at - teenagers? I would like to know what moved you to write this book, or, what interested you in this plot.

If I see it on the bookstands, I will skim through a few more pages to get a better feel.

Have you a second book planned?

Thanks for sharing

Hi Midas.

Thanks for your reply. I can see your point about the opening chapter, but I felt that this excerpt was a good illustration or the overall style and tone of the book so I hope it at least gives a sense of what to expect. The book is aimed at teenagers and adults (who enjoy fantasy!). To explain why I was interested in writing The Magic Lands, I would need to drone on for many hours and probably divulge my entire life story :) It's enough to say the book very much concerns themes that are close to my heart. Although I am currently working on another fantasy adventure novel, it has no other relation to my first book. The Magic Lands is a stand alone piece.

Thanks for taking an interest and I hope you get a chance to read a bit more(the library perhaps could get it for you!).

[Stieg]

Everyone judges a book by it's cover.


Also it depends on what styles a reader is into. If you start off with this long description, people that love detail will flock. If you just start, minimalists will appreciate you more. Personally, if you started out with a page-long description, I'd never make it past that page. But my friend would dive in head first. Hope that helps.

Yeah I mostly agree, I rarely love info dumping or attention numbing exposition but rather prefer to gather it from the character POVs, setting, and atmosphere. I like to be intrigued and enticed, the author lead me by breadcrumbs and billboards.

[Midas]

Thanks, Mark, for addressing my questions. Here's a couple more which I am sure your answers will be of interest to some others here, some of whom may be a little shy of asking.

How many publishers did you submit to before acceptance?
How many rejections did you have to overcome?
Did you at any time consider self publishing - probably not if you were one of the fortunate few who got accepted fairly quickly.

Nothing wrong with self publishing, a number of well known authors have self published to get started - and it's easier today.

Your cover would certainly have caught my eye on the bookstand. I am sure I would have been tempted to skim through one or two pages. I am in to fantasy as an outlet for my wild imagination, and though my teenage years are behind me in the physical, they still linger in the mind.

[MarkHockley]

Hi,

I'm sure my own story in terms of sending out to agents and publishers is a mirror image of everyone elses. Many, many rejection letters and e-mails. Often feeling like giving up, but then carrying on and getting rejected some more :) It's a familiar story I guess.

Taking your point to heart about not having really given a full sense of what the story and writing are like, I've decided to post another short excerpt as part of this message. It's not quite an exclusive, but I thought you might appreciate it. Thoughts and opinions are always welcome.


It was only an old dream.
Mo was looking at him with a terribly sad, perturbed expression, the animal's tired face regarding him with deep concern.
Jack just remained slumped on the ground where he was. It was all right though, he knew. He had experienced this kind of dream before. It would go away soon and he would be able to stay in the warm haven he had discovered where softness and tranquillity held him close. Now there was nothing to be afraid of.
He waited, yet still the badger watched him silently and doubts began to prey upon him.
No, he told himself. I won‘t go back. I hate it there. I hate it!
“Jack,” the badger urged him gently.
"No, no," he moaned, reaching up and forcing his hands over his ears.
“Jack,“ Mo said firmly, coming in even closer, seeking the boy‘s face.
“Leave me alone. I don’t want this, I don’t want it! I’ve had enough, can’t you see that, I’ve just had enough.“
Mo brushed his cheek with his warm, smooth fur. "Be still, be still," the badger said with tenderness, "everything will be all right."
Very slowly, despite his efforts to hold onto the sanctuary he believed he had found within his dreams, his thoughts became to take shape.
“There is no refuge for you in dreams,“ the badger uttered softly, “I know it’s hard but you have to understand that we cannot hide from our own existence. You cannot run from yourself. Whatever choices we are offered must be met with our minds our own. Now stand up and let us face what will come.”
Realising that the dream was past and there was no refuge to be found there, Jack cupped his face in his hands. “Why does it have to be like this?”
Mo regarded him with a steady gaze. “Because a greater will than yours or mine sees all that must come, all that has been. It is a choice. No-one can be forced. Each must choose their own path. It is a personal test of our character.”
Very hesitantly Jack looked into the dark eyes of the animal. “But I always fail.“
“No,” said Mo definitely, “mistakes are not failure. No-one really fails until they give up their soul at the very last breath of their life. And that will not be you, Jack. You will stand.”
And hearing this, the boy made a half-hearted effort to do just that. He pulled himself up onto his knees and then made a tentative attempt to get up onto his feet. “Who am I?” he asked in a wavering voice.
Mo looked at Jack for a long moment. “My kin,” he breathed, “my brother.” The badger pushed himself against the boy’s side for support. “And we will stand together.”

[Midas]

Mark, when I read your synopsis and 1st excerpt, I had no idea your book fell into the anthropomorphic classification. Consequently, your second 'spoonful' had me a little perplexed at first reading.

I could well understand you having difficulty getting this published as, for some strange reason, though some of the best children's stories use this genre, publishers have an aversion to new author's works falling within this category.

One of the all time greats, and loved even by adults (probably more by adults today) is Wind in the Willows. I am never without a copy. I never tire of reading it, especially when I need to restore my 'love' for the world and simple things of life - even if a life that appears fast slipping away. But I ask myself, would children buy that if written today.

It was introduced to me at primary school. I believe it was the first book we had.
I think the only exposure it has for children today, in book form. is from their parents, or grandparents buying it and reading it to them, because they enjoyed it as children.

I would still have liked you to have posted the 'opening few bars' to your story. But, from what I have read, so far, it sparks interest.

Did you consider making one of the two main characters a girl - to bring in the female reader? I have a feeling teenage girls read more than boys. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Stieg]

Nice excerpt, a good mixture of emotions nothing grabs a reader more than some association. Here the reader is experiencing 'despair' than 'hope' sometimes that can be a source of inspiration to similar experiences in everybody's lives.

[MarkHockley]

I would still have liked you to have posted the 'opening few bars' to your story. But, from what I have read, so far, it sparks interest.

Did you consider making one of the two main characters a girl - to bring in the female reader? I have a feeling teenage girls read more than boys. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks Midas! Actually there is a teenage female character, although I wouldn't like to give too much away about her. But she's important to the story. I hope you end up getting a chance to read the whole thing as I think you may be surprised by the direction it takes. Although it is fantasy adventure story and written hopefully in an accessible, fast-moving style, it's a pretty serious piece that addresses serious themes.

Thanks again :)

[MarkHockley]

Nice excerpt, a good mixture of emotions nothing grabs a reader more than some association. Here the reader is experiencing 'despair' than 'hope' sometimes that can be a source of inspiration to similar experiences in everybody's lives.


Thanks for the encouraging reply. Hope you get to read the rest of the book as I would be very interested to hear your take on it.

[MarkHockley]

Just a quick update on my book for those whom have shown an interest. I've pasted in a review from Amazon US that I think gives a gives a good impression of what the book is really like.


'One might look at The Magic Lands and find the title a little generic, and the summary may be a little cliche, but if you were to pick it up you'll see that it is full of suprises. The story is quite a roller coaster and the plot can become utterly unpredictable. I should also mention, that this isn't little red riding hood. The story is dark, bringing up memories of another dark fantasy, Pan's Labrynth. Like Pan's Labrynth,and any good fable, there is an underlying message behind it all and it is a message definitely worth hearing'.

[ThousandthIsle]

I have to say that the cover is what makes or breaks whether I pick up a book in the first place. I always feel overwhelmed when I walk into a book store, and kind of powerless when I look around and it sinks in that there are more books in existance than I could ever possibly read... I think that is the first thing to consider: How to make someone want to pick up my book when it is surrounded by hundreds of others?

When it comes to covers, I'd say: be sincere and represent your book as you would honestly like to see it represented. Nothing turns me off more to a book than when someone has "tried too hard" and it looks kitchy. An example of a book I would never read: "The Secret." It looks much too gimmicky to me, like all of the design into it is compensating for something that the text lacks.

To borrow the concept from Midas, let's compare this to a woman. :) Present your book respectably, dress it attractively, but with confidence that this is a good book that is worth your time. Don't let it be that desperate lady at the bar with an inappropriately low-cut tight shirt that begs for attention!

[ThousandthIsle]

P.S. I am wondering if you would be interested in contributing to my thread, I would be very interested in your fedback! http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26681

[MarkHockley]

P.S. I am wondering if you would be interested in contributing to my thread, I would be very interested in your fedback! http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26681

Thanks for replying. And I will check out and contribute to your thread.

[bookseller]

I have to say that a nice, attractive cover might bring the book to my attention, but unless there is a strong, clear synopsis of the book that interests me on the cover, then the book will most likely go back on the shelf, unpurchased. I almost always purchase books because the synopsis interests me - whether I read the synopsis on the back cover or on-line.

[MarkHockley]

I have to say that a nice, attractive cover might bring the book to my attention, but unless there is a strong, clear synopsis of the book that interests me on the cover, then the book will most likely go back on the shelf, unpurchased. I almost always purchase books because the synopsis interests me - whether I read the synopsis on the back cover or on-line.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. If you get a chance to check out the synopsis for my book, I would value your opinion on it.

[MarkHockley]

Hi everyone,

I hope you will forgive me for getting all excited and letting you know about my first official review for The Magic Lands. You can find it here: enchantedentertainment.co.uk/book-news-reviews/review-of-the-magic-lands-by-mark-hockley Of course, I hope it will help to encourage you to rush out and get a copy of the book!

[MarkHockley]

For anyone interested there are a number of mini reviews of The Magic Lands on Amazon.co.uk It would be great to hear from some readers and I'm always happy to answers questions if anyone has one!

[kelby_lake]

Books with lots of 'humanity' in, I like them. Books recommended by people I admire. Short books. Books which are fairly old. :)

[betzen]

I think the synopsis is the biggest thing. It has to clearly portray what the book is about. But, at the same time, I hate it when I read the synopsis, and they gave away a part of the plot that doesn't happen till halfway through the book! Then I spend the whole book waiting for that event to happen, and I feel cheated out of the enjoyment of reading it!

[MarkHockley]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It's much appreciated. If anyone gets a chance to read the synopsis or the excerpts from my book I would be grateful for some feedback on them.

[KyleBennett]

Alright Mark, just wondering if writing a novel, and all the pains of publishing your work, really worth it in the end?

I am not at all a fan of Fantasy novels so can not give any constructive feedback on your work, unfortunately- the only fantasy I've read is Pratchett and that I was due to the humour embedded throughout.

I look for: On first glance of the title, then the genre, the popularity of the author and then I turn to the first page and see if the writing is in astyle that i wouldn't either 1) Make me cringe or if not 2) Bore me...

I don't trust recommendations online they could be created by anyone, even the author.

Hope this helps, and would like your views on the aftermath of writing a novel...

Thanks :-)

[MarkHockley]

It's a really vulnerable position you find yourself in, having written something and then allowing anyone willing to put in the time to read your work the opportunity to shoot you down in flames. But that's the name of the game I guess. I didn't write my story to keep it locked away in a drawer. Everyone who writes, at whatever level, wants other people to read their work. At this stage, it's hard enough finding people who will give a new, untried writer a chance. The few readers I've heard from have enjoyed my book, so I'm obviously pleased about that. But now it's really all about whether I've got another novel in me, not in terms of ideas (I've got plenty of those!), but the dedication and self-belief to actually sit down and put my heart and soul into something that may be rejected wholesale by those who will read it in the future. That's really my dilemma at the moment :)

[KyleBennett]

I'd say don't give a thought of whether people will read it. Write it because it's inside you and needs to come out! If your passion for your writing comes out in your novel, and not a passion for the reader, then it would certainly be well worth it. But I don't know what you've been through already, but I believe you should still go for it. Yeah having something you've worked at for years being shot down in flames isn't such a good feeling... but then if you're happy with the final product then who cares?

:) Thanks for the insight

[Equilibrium]

Well my reading lists are drawn up by several criteria, although they may not be of much use to you Mark:

1) Is it a classic? If its older than my granddad and still considered to be "great" then it must be worth a look.

2) Is the Author or book particularly recommended on websites like this?

3) Is it of academic interest (to me that is), i.e. is it one of those many books that have come over the years to be part of the foundation of our modern culture.

I'm sure there are other criteria but thats the bulk of it; When it actually comes to picking a book off the shelf in a book store and buying it I look for:

1) a quality binding, over 70% of my collection is hard back, mostly modern library and everyman's library.

...and thats about it, basically I have a mental list of books that I want before I go into the shop, the then scoot around looking for decent copies, quite often i'm disappointed and end up looking for anything in a decent binding (it seems the hardback isn't popular at the moment).

Now I don't just read classics, I also read a small amount of sci-fi and fantasy, there i'm almost completely guided by online book review sites.