I have a book due. In an hour and a half, technically. I have two pages left to write and it’s like pulling teeth. I need to get back to work!
But I have to pose this question…how much leeway do you give favorite authors who switch genres or subgenres? I mean, taking into consideration that the basic writing style remains fairly similar, do you care if a one-time romantic comedy author, for instance, switches to dark romantic suspense? Do you think she needs to change her name? Or is that silly, since most savvy readers know who the writer is anyway?
I’m curious. Would J.D. Robb have been as successful with the In Death books–the publisher notwithstanding–if she’d written them as Nora Roberts? I think they would have because the books simply rocked…but I’m curious about the opinions of others.
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J. D. Robb is not an author I will read. I read 1 book and that was enough for me. I didn’t care for it. Now Nora Roberts I read all the time. I like those books. I know it is the same author. I just don’t care for her J. D. Robb author line. I gave it a try, it didn’t work, so that line of Nora’s books by J.D. Robb I won’t buy.
by Tammy G.
on January 16th, 2007 at 7:27 am
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I to0 didnt care for the Robb books; tried the first one and couldnt get thru it.
I devoured all of Nora’s earlier books but the type of books she now writes arent my cup of tea. I like the old time romance of tried and true authors.
While I like Sandra Brown and Linda Howard’s new hard cover suspense books, I still like the older romance better. I dont like change - what can I say?
I pretty much stick with all the authors I love and if they switch a storyline/type, I may/may not give it a try.
by Pat L
on January 16th, 2007 at 7:33 am
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I am pretty open-minded when it comes to genre changes. I never tried the JD Robb series, because I don’t like Nora Roberts books. But I read my favorite authors no matter in what genre they write.
by Danny
on January 16th, 2007 at 8:12 am
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I like it when my favorite authors try something new. I already like their voice, and I like it when they surprise me with a new kind of story. I’m usually nervous about switching genres, because I never know who to read, but if an author I already like takes me there, I’m all for it! 
by Julie S
on January 16th, 2007 at 9:21 am
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I think it all depends on what genre the author is going into. I do not like any paranormal books, I have tried reading books by some of my favorite authors who have gone into the paranormal area. I still like the author and will still read their books, but I just won’t pick up that particular novel again or pick up anything in that area. I don’t think the author should change their name, it is the content of the book that is different, not the author.
by Patty L.
on January 16th, 2007 at 10:01 am
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I hate to say it but I don’t follow authors, I follow books. Paranormal or urban fantasy. That is all I read and have been reading for the past year or so.
After I read Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, I was smitten, so I checked out her other books, and couldn’t get into them. So I haven’t done that again.
But as an author, I don’t think an author should HAVE to change their name if they are changing genres, but it might help gain new readers. If that author makes it very known that they are that other person, they will keep their seasoned readers as well.
by Vivi Anna
on January 16th, 2007 at 11:27 am
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same here i follow books mostly.
by KIM H
on January 16th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
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Well, it all depends on what it is they are going to, I guess. If it’s a type of genre that I read, sure, I don’t mind. Depending on what it is if it’s not something I might ordinarily pick up, I might consider it. But in short for me, it just really all depends. LOL But when it comes to authors who write historical to something else, I do just hope they don’t leave historical entirely. LOL 
But I agree, the authors shouldn’t have to change names. If they want to, to keep genres separate or such, I personally still don’t think it’s necessary, but as long as it’s their choice I don’t mind. LOL Hey, I hate forcing stuff. LOL
Lois
by Lois
on January 16th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
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I am a hugh Nora Roberts fan and love her J.D. Robb persona. The Eve Dallas stories totally work for me, and I continue to auto buy her new titles. In general, once I find an author that I like, I tend to read whatever they write.
by cathy
on January 16th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
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It’s interesting how many diverse opinions there are. I totally understand why Nora took the other name–business wise, it completely made sense. If the series had not succeeded, her “Nora” name would not have been affected with readers. Now, her fans know that she is “Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb.” It’s win-win.
I suppose that’s the trick, isn’t it? I mean, the Kinley MacGregor/Sherrilyn Kenyon thing worked, too. I’m not so sure that authors like Julie Garwood, who did make the switch from historical to romantic suspense, might not have been better served by taking a new name. Not that her books aren’t selling well–they are! But I hear so many of her historical readers who simply don’t “get” the romantic suspense books. I think amid the general population–and not online readers–the audience for each of these types of books is very different.
I have no answers…just lots of questions.
by Julie Leto
on January 16th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
