Readers are loyal to authors. Readers are loyal to books in a series - as in the read-about-all-the-siblings-each-in-his/her-own-book phenomenum. I get all that. I’m wondering if we also are loyal to publishers and publishing lines. Where did this come from? Someone else, I assure you. See, a friend asked me a week or two ago if I picked up a book, looked at the spine and said “oh, I hate that publisher” and put the book back or if, instead, I picked up certain books because they were part of an imprint I enjoyed, such as Berkley Sensation or Warner Forever. My answer was someting akin to “well, now, that’s a mighty fine question” followed by a significant amount of babble and incoherent rambling. Yeah, I didn’t have an answer. Not a good one anyway…
Now, I’m not talking about category romance. Readers pick up Blaze or Silhouette Intimate Moments or whatever because that Harlequin/Silhouette Line works for them. Because each Line has an identity. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s how category is supposed to work. Or, at least I think it is. All I know is that when speaking to groups of unpublished writers, the Harlequin/Silhouette editors often talk about a certain Line making a “promise to its readers.” Frankly, I always viewed this as an editor’s way of getting around the “why do you only publish secret baby cowboy amnesiac stories” question while trying to explain why they turn down certain books and buy others. When you’re unpublished and trying to figure out “the great secret” to being published you view these words from the editors as either Words For The Gods or Drivel (notice the capital “D” there). But, really, that’s a subject for another blog entry, so back to my point. What about Berkley or Avon or St. Martin’s or the non-category romances? Do readers identify with those publishers and publishing imprints the same way? Are the publishing houses sufficiently different in terms of style and branding?
The publishing imprint that popped into my mind at my friend’s question was Downtown Press. This is the division of Simon and Schuster that’s given us works by such diverse authors as Gena Showalter, Beth Kendrick, Caridad Pineiro, Cara Lockwood and a host of others. The books are not the same. The tone, plot, subject matter and voice of these books differ. But, for reasons I can’t explain, I think of these books as a group. Maybe it’s an attitude. All of these books have one in some form or another.
Now, I don’t buy every single Downtown Press book I see merely because it’s from Downtown Press. I do, however, look twice if it’s a Downtown Press offering. What about you guys? Does the publisher or imprint have an bearing on your buying practices? If so, how? Let me know your thoughts and I’ll pick a random winner from those commenting. The winner will get a 2006 book (in stock - again, I’m not paying for rare or hard-to-find books on ebay) from the publisher of their chosing and one from mine [I'm rubbing my hands together in that mad scientist way, in case you're wondering...] Thoughts?
-
Publisher or imprint doesn’t really have any bearing on my buying practices. The little piece of information about the book in the back cover and the name of the writer -considering that I have read his or her books before- affects much more to my decision to buy a book.
by Minna
on May 16th, 2006 at 6:30 am
-
Hi Helen,
Like Minna, the publisher or imprint doesn’t have any influence on whether or not I purchase a book.
I decide on the blurb on the back of the book or if it is an author I buy, or if book has been recommended to me. I also read excerpts of books on author sites.
by Pat
on May 16th, 2006 at 7:31 am
-
I do pay some attention to the publisher. It doesn’t decide all my purchases but I know if I get a book from a few of my favorite publishers, it’s going to be a book that I will like. I suppose part of the reason is that they also publish the authors that I enjoy reading.
by Carol
on May 16th, 2006 at 8:03 am
-
I tend to buy a book because of the author or the story looks good but the Brava line tends to catch my eye. I think it’s because they have a group of authors I have enjoyed reading in the past and the stories are very contemporary.
by Maureen
on May 16th, 2006 at 8:03 am
-
I know I unconsciously don’t pick up Warner Forever books.
I see Warner Forever and I put it back. I’m not sure why. Also, I think all the Warner Forever covers will be improved by the removal of the strip at the top that says it’s a Warner Forever book.
If it’s a Tor book, I’m more likely to pick it up, and to a lesser extent, St Martin’s as well. Downtown Press books get a second look from me too.
Yes, I am very weird. 
by May
on May 16th, 2006 at 8:34 am
-
You are not weird, May. I dont care for EC book covers, but did give one a try and couldnt get thru it. Maybe one day I will try another. There are some other publishers whose covers turn me off too.
Covers do attract me to a book, but then I will read the back to see if it is a storyline that interests me. I wont judge a book by its cover (sorry, guys) only, to determine whether or not I buy it. First choice of course is the author. Some authors are just autobuys for me.
by Helen Mac
on May 16th, 2006 at 8:41 am
-
For the most part, I don’t consciously buy a book based on publisher with probably the exception of Kensington’s Brava line. I base my decison on the author and the back cover blurb.
But the different lines/publishers do serve a purpose based on what your preferences are. I’ve never read a Red Dress Ink book because they are marketed as chick-lit, and I prefer to have more romance vs. the dating drama with no HEA. Doesn’t mean that it’s a bad line, just not my thing.
I agree about most of EC covers, actually most of the ebook covers are huge detractors - they look creepy and scary and like digital monsters in intimate positions - ewww. If I based my decisions on that, I would never buy those books.
by Stacy ~
on May 16th, 2006 at 8:57 am
-
I usually don’t pay attention to who the publisher is. I go by author and what the book is about. I do find that Avon books are usually a good read.
by Crystal B.
on May 16th, 2006 at 9:08 am
-
Publisher doesn’t matter to me. It’s the cover that usually draws me to a book, and then its the back cover that makes me decide to buy it or not.
by Amy S.
on May 16th, 2006 at 9:52 am
-
Giving my limited budget, I rarely browse per se–I usually know what I am going to buy (an author’s backlist or new release, for example). On those rare times when I buy from impulse, neither publisher nor imprint have anything to do with my decision. I will read the blurb, try to remember if anyone has reccomended the author, maybe read one or two pages at the beginning of the book, and a couple more in the middle (checking for author voice, if you will). Covers? They do little for me, either way, as a rule.
by azteclady
on May 16th, 2006 at 10:05 am
-
I agree totally with Amy S. That is how I choose my books.
Also creepy is the perfect word for the EC and like covers. I am attracted to Avon, Brava and HQN, but not limited to only those publishers.
by Helen L.
on May 16th, 2006 at 10:06 am
-
While I don’t actually choose a book based on the publisher every time, I may…if I am limited to one or two choices for whatever reason….choose a Brava or a Berkeley Sensation because I know what to expect from that line and that may what I want to read right then. But most of the time, say 95%, I am looking for a particular author or title so the publisher is irrelevant to that purchase.
by Angie
on May 16th, 2006 at 10:48 am
-
Hi,
I choose a book not by publisher, but by the author or the type of book. I also read the teaser on the back of the book.
by Karen
on May 16th, 2006 at 11:00 am
-
Publisher does not matter to me. I am attracted to books with great covers since I am a visual person. That will cause me to pick it up. Then I will read the back cover. If the story really appeals to me then I will try it out. Of course, like everyone else does I also have favorite authors who are automatic must reads.
by Cherie Japp
on May 16th, 2006 at 11:17 am
-
Helen Mac, thanks for saying I’m not weird. The thing about Warner Forever books isn’t the cover–I’m not a cover buyer. It was just a sidenote I dropped in. 
HelenKay, you know, it might be interesting to do this survey again, but this time compare the results between writers and non-writers.
by May
on May 16th, 2006 at 11:37 am
-
I do not choose books by the publisher but choose them by the genre, author
and reviews or blurbs about the books.
by Robyn
on May 16th, 2006 at 11:51 am
-
i usuall y do, because i read only blaze books and contempory romance. most downtown press books are chick lit and i don’t read chick lit books. So contempory romance books have certain publisher they use, so i often look for them. :grin:
by KIM H
on May 16th, 2006 at 11:57 am
-
Hmm…interesting question. I don’t really buy books based on the publisher…in fact, I probably could only name a couple of publishers. I buy books based on the books themselves, not the publisher. I read the back cover blurb and decide if it sounds like something interesting to me or I look for certain authors.
by Jennifer Y.
on May 16th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
-
I read Sylvia Day’s blog today and Sybil’s (The Good, The Bad and The Unread). Both talk about Lisa Kleypas leaving Avon and provide the link to the message board where she made the announcement of the switch to St. Martin’s. Sylvia seems disappointed Lisa is leaving Avon, as do some of those commenting on the message board. This suggests that the readers had some tie to Avon v. St. Martin’s. Not sure if they actually did, but the comments leave that impression.
What does that all mean? Nothing. I admit it. Nothing. And, really, it probably is true that I notice now more than I did before I was published. While I was trying to get published I noticed in a “would I fit in here” way. As a reader, I don’t remember caring at all.
As for me now…In general, I’d say I buy books based on the author. I also buy books where the cover catches my eye (the cover blurb usually has to catch my interest too). Some books, like Brava, Downtown Press and Red Dress Ink are ones I reach for a lot. I’m thinking it has to do with knowing the books’ vibes. Of course, there are authors I don’t love in those lines (not naming names), but the books mostly work for me.
-
I have thought of this before, and looked over my “keeper” shelf to discern what publishers books I have more of, and amazingly it is a fairly wide varity. But I do think that some publishers have authors I tend to enjoy more.
I like St Martin’s Press since they have Jenny Crusie and Susan Donovan. Signet seems to be signing in very talented new authors like Lydia Joyce and JR Ward. And I tend to pay attention to Berkley Sensation books…they have Loretta Chase, Emma Holly, Laura Kinsale, Mary Janice Davidson.
But it is still not a huge factor in weather or not I buy a book.
by Samantha
on May 16th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
-
I have never bought a book by the publisher, I don’t believe I ever will. I will buy the book by the author, the short read on the back, or the type of story. I have also been known to buy a book just by the cover of the book, but never by the publisher.
by Tammy G.
on May 16th, 2006 at 2:24 pm
-
This is an interesting question you posed. I have never given much thought to what publisher of the book I am purchasing is from. I can see that there are others like me who tend to buy the book because of the author. Usually, I need to read a few pages of an author whose work I don’t know before making decision of whether to buy.
by little lamb lost
on May 16th, 2006 at 4:15 pm
-
I have never really thought about how a publisher affects a book. I generally tend to choose a book by its author and description. Sometimes I will read the reviews on a book before I actually get it but that doesnt always affect my decision to purchase a book. Even though the saying goes ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ I have been known to get a book because the cover art made it look appealing.
by Billie Langston
on May 16th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
-
I don’t buy a book based on the publisher. hmmm…now that I just typed that it made me think and I’ll re-word that to I don’t buy a print book based on the publisher. There are some ebook publishers that I think produce better stories than others. If an ebook I’m interested in is published by one of the better ones, I’m more apt to buy it.
When I heard about Lisa Kleypas I thought kuddos to her. It doesn’t matter one way or another to me. I’ll still buy her books and I tend to think they’ll be better (if that’s possible) now that she’s happier. I wonder if that’s true. Can’t wait to see!
by KimW
on May 16th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
-
I don’t chose books by publishers. I go by author, cover and most importantly the back of the book. Needless to say, books that only have another picture on the back drive me crazy.
by Joyce
on May 16th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
-
I too go with most of the crowd here. Publisher doesnt matter to me too much.
I like to read certain authors and mostly genl romance, comedic romance, rom suspense. Also read the back of the books and covers also attract me first but that does not determine whether I buy the book. (the authors I like and the info on back of book does).:lol:
by Helen L.
on May 16th, 2006 at 9:09 pm
-
Whoops, I posted twice. Sorry.
by Helen L.
on May 16th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
-
I’m following the above trend …I buy mostly by author. Looking at my TBR pile I have: Avon, Pocket, Bantam, Zebra, St Martins, Topaz, Warner, Jove, Mira, Ballentine and Brava…just to name a few. I’d have to say I don’t look at the publishing house at all! I also buy a lot of Harlequin and Silouhettes.
by Laurie G
on May 17th, 2006 at 6:56 am
-
Publisher doesn’t matter to me. It is the genre, author and storyline that makes me buy a book. I mostly do buy Avon, Warner, Mira, Zebra but that is because they write the kind of stories I like.
Good question, would have never thought of it. I see pretty much everyone is in agreement with their answers.
Have a great day!:lol:
by Paula
on May 17th, 2006 at 8:02 am
-
I have never given much thought to the publisher. I but my favorite authors books first. If I read an anthology by my favorite and I really like another story written in it,then I check out that author and she gets added to my TBR list. I used to get so many books with so many collecting dust before I could get to them I started with the system mentioned above. It’s really hard sticking with this and I’m glad I’ve not stuck to my rule to strictly because I’ve bought some amazing books based on there blurbs and in the process have discovered some great authors from all different genres!
by Dena
on May 17th, 2006 at 10:29 am
-
I too, like Dena, never gave much thought to the publisher. It is the story I am interested in and if the publisher produces books I like, then I will buy them, no matter who the publisher is.
by Joanne V.
on May 17th, 2006 at 1:13 pm
-
I admit there are certain publishers I trust more than others even though I know there will always be some books that fall short in terms of quality. Avon, Berkley, Ellora’s Cave, Changeling Press and Samhain are some of the names that will make me look twice at a book simply because they are published by them.
by Jenny
on May 17th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
-
I pick my books by author or storyline, not by the publisher. Covers do attract me however. And there are some covers out there that just plain turn me off!
If I like an author, I keep going back. So publisher does not matter.
by Brenda R.
on May 18th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
-
I just buy the books that I want to read. I follow the author not the publisher. I don’t think I have read any books by Downtown Press. I’ll have to look into that and try one.
by Karen G
on May 18th, 2006 at 8:25 pm
-
No, publisher does not matter to me at all. I pick book because I feel I will enjoy the story.
by Maria T.
on May 20th, 2006 at 2:49 pm
-
And the winner is….Laura G. (Comment #28) - yay! Email me at helenkay@helenkaydimon.com and tell me what book you want.
by HelenKay
on May 22nd, 2006 at 11:10 am
-
wtg laura g
by KIM H
on May 22nd, 2006 at 12:34 pm
-
Congrats Laura.
by Helen Mac
on May 22nd, 2006 at 1:12 pm
-
Thanks HelenKay!
I’ve sent you an e-mail. I’d love to receive your book: “When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys” a Kensington Brava release!!
by Laurie G
on May 23rd, 2006 at 7:54 am
-
Congrats Laura!
by Carol
on May 23rd, 2006 at 9:23 am
