Dear Reader
posted by Tara Taylor Quinn
on
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
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Hi all. Quick post today. I'm traveling - been to three cities in three days trying to cram as many things as possible in a very few days - and revising two books at the same time.
I'm on my way to Book Expo America - the largest book buying event I've ever attended. Maybe the largest in the world. Seems like it anyway. It takes an entire day just to walk the aisles and booths that normally spread over many city blocks and on multiple floors. This year the event is in Los Angeles. My honey has never been to the city that once seemed like my home away from home and so, in the midst of doing business, I'm going to try to show him one or two favorite places in L.A. Any of you Southern Californians have any suggestions?
This morning, as I signed on, I found a letter from my editor awaiting me. She needs a reader letter for the front of my November release by Friday. Uh huh. I'm working every moment I have to get the revisions she needs on same book into her by Friday.
So...back to you guys. How much effect do those letters have at the beginning of the books. You know the ones, they start out Dear Reader, and they're a message to you from the author usually with some little inside scoop on the book or its' writing. Do you read them? Do they make a difference to you in the buying of the book? Do they help you enjoy the book better? I don't want to campaign to loose the letters if they're a good thing. Just don't have time to spend on something that makes no difference and means nothing to no one.
Next time I'll share with you some of the pictures I've taken in the last couple of days. For now, have a great week!
I'm on my way to Book Expo America - the largest book buying event I've ever attended. Maybe the largest in the world. Seems like it anyway. It takes an entire day just to walk the aisles and booths that normally spread over many city blocks and on multiple floors. This year the event is in Los Angeles. My honey has never been to the city that once seemed like my home away from home and so, in the midst of doing business, I'm going to try to show him one or two favorite places in L.A. Any of you Southern Californians have any suggestions?
This morning, as I signed on, I found a letter from my editor awaiting me. She needs a reader letter for the front of my November release by Friday. Uh huh. I'm working every moment I have to get the revisions she needs on same book into her by Friday.
So...back to you guys. How much effect do those letters have at the beginning of the books. You know the ones, they start out Dear Reader, and they're a message to you from the author usually with some little inside scoop on the book or its' writing. Do you read them? Do they make a difference to you in the buying of the book? Do they help you enjoy the book better? I don't want to campaign to loose the letters if they're a good thing. Just don't have time to spend on something that makes no difference and means nothing to no one.
Next time I'll share with you some of the pictures I've taken in the last couple of days. For now, have a great week!
Patricia Potter
Tara Taylor Quinn
Maggie Shayne
Anne Stuart
Suzanne Forster
Lynn Kerstan
8 Comments :
Excellent question about reader letters. I've asked myself the same thing. I think the key is to make them brief and to include a reference to the story that is personal to you. That's what I enjoy reading.
But the real question is whether readers actually look at them. I always take a peek, but that could be because as another author I'm curious about the author's story. I'm not much help, lol.
I hope you get some feedback. I want to know too!
Suz
In downtown L.A., you may want to go to Cicada restaurant --- it's where Richard Gere took Julia Roberts in the movie Pretty Woman. If you like art deco, you'll like the design. You can check it out at www.cicadarestaurant.com.
My favorite thing in L.A. is probably The Getty Museum. I never get tired of it.
I enjoy a reader letter if it includes something interesting about the story.
Mary
Have fun at the book expo.
My neice lives in Solvang and loves stopping there. It is near Santa Barbara.
I cant say I have ever seen a reader letter.
Rose G.
They're not meant that way, I know, but to me reader letters come off as patronizing. I always read them in the hopes of finding one which sounds sincere. Occasionally happens.
If your editor wants one . . .
I definitely read the letter.....looking for some insight into what the story will be about.
Louis
Tara-I read the letter if it's there, but it in no way determines whether or not I buy the book. Like Suzanne, it makes it a little fun to hear about the author, but I certainly don't think the letter is necessary. Most books, in fact, don't have them.
robyn in Iowa
After all that time indoors, show him the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena (really San Marino). Just-built Chinese garden has fresh masonry to admire. Also there's the art gallery, the library's rare book collection, and a lunchroom with delicious eats.
I usually only do a dear reader letter if there's something in the book that needs to be explained. Like where it falls in a series, or why I skipped ahead a few years between one book and the next. I don't think they're necessary and I'll bet most readers skip them, or maybe read them after the book just in case there was something important they missed. =)
Maggie
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