How Do You Find New Authors?

People often forget that writers are also prolific readers. I know when I'm not on deadline that I can read three to seven books a week. I'm not sure if that is a lot or about average for romance readers.

I also tend to read across genres. This week I've read a historical (which is the genre I write in), a contemporary and then four paranormal shape shifter books.

The four paranormal books were all of the same author, Nicky Charles. It was that lovely 'series' trick. I had to read all the books as soon as I read book one. What surprised me was Ms Charles had the whole series for FREE. She wrote for the joy of it and she thought that charging money might put pressure on her muse. It's a valid point. However, I'm pleased to see the fifth book in Ms Charles series is due out on 1 May 2014 and she will be charging for it.

Anyway that's beside the point. What I marvel at is how I even found Nicky Charles's books - from a FREE list.

Readers have never had more choice in books. The rise of cheap to produce, and fast to market, eBooks, and self publishing has seen the volume of books available to buy and read rise exponentially.  So how do I, as a reader find the books I want to read?

1. Word of mouth is still big. My friends will discuss the books they loved.
2. The also bought hints from the eTailers is also a good place to start
3. The best-sellers list (having just made the USA Today Bestsellers List with A Kiss of Lies, book#1 in my new Disgraced Lords series, I can
attest to the fact that the lists do work)
4. excerpt of other eBooks in the back of an eBook I've read - most publishing houses do this
5. Reviews on blogger sites or magazines
6. A tweet via twitter
7. Facebook parties
8. Newsletters that you've signed up for like BookBub etc
9. The FREE lists on most eTailer sites
and I'm sure there are many more ways to find a new author....

But what makes me TRY a new author?
In a heart beat it's the blurb. If you can capture my imagination, my curiosity, or my need to know these characters, I'll buy your book or at least sample the book.

So, authors. Write a fabulous blurb, it's the fantastic selling tool that many authors overlook. It's your marketing spiel, or advert. It's not a rehash of the story. It should perk interest and raise curiosity.

Here is my blurbs for A Promise of More, book#2 in my Disgraced Lords series.

When Beatrice Hennessey sets out to confront Lord Coldhurst, the notorious rogue who killed her brother in a duel, her intent is to save her family from destitution. She’s determined to blackmail the man into a loveless marriage. She’ll make the wealthy Lord Coldhurst pay for the rest of his life. But while greeting his ship, Beatrice takes a tumble into the Thames—only to be fished out by a pair of strong masculine arms that tempt her to stay locked in their heated embrace forever. That is, until she realizes those arms belong to Sebastian Hawkestone, Lord Coldhurst himself.

is pleasing to the eye, and besides, it’s time he fathered an heir. Beatrice promises to be the ideal wife; a woman who hates him with an all-consuming passion is far too sensible to expect romance. However, it isn’t long before Sebastian’s plan for a marriage of convenience unravels, and he’s caught up in the exhilarating undertow of seduction.

The little drowned mermaid has an interesting proposition indeed; one that Sebastian is surprised to find quite agreeable. Although he’s had women more beautiful, she

Why does my blurb work:

1. Why did Sebastian fight her brother in a dual?
2. Does she manage to blackmail him?
3. How do they go from enemies to lovers

The blurb should be entertaining and set the tone of the book. It's a marriage of convenience story - readers will understands the trope. My book is obviously a sexy read and my heroine is smart and spunky. Those readers who like that sort of book will want to investigate further.

How do you, as a reader find a new author and is it the blurb that sparks you're interest to try the author? I'd love to know.