Comments on: Discussion Question #3

By: Joyce

Joyce — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 01:12:03 +0000

Can’t believe that Blazes are considered depraved. What planet are they on? Do they know what depraved really means?
I enjoy blogs because I get to see how an author thinks in day to day situations and I can comment if I want. (Can you tell I don’t write for a living?)

By: Angie

Angie — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 21:18:50 +0000

Chat loops can be exhausting unless you you are on special notices only. Some of the ones I belong to are so active, I couldn’t keep up. Especially since I mainly like them for information on upcoming projects and appearances and such. I actually prefer blogs.
They are much more fun.
And gosh, if reading a “Blaze” is depraved, what does reading “Secrets” make you? :0)

By: Valeen

Valeen — Sat, 01 Apr 2006 01:23:33 +0000

I belong to just a few author groups and have signed up to chat with the author and others who enjoy said authors work and also to receive newsletters on upcoming books or any other information.

I’d be interested in your author loop!

By: Michele

Michele — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 15:40:03 +0000

It was RITA week? Ooops. Lagging behind the current buzz, as usual.

I didn’t enter and haven’t for a while. I didn’t even know non-RWA members could send in a book.

Not that I’m ever going to enter the contest, especially with a $140 fee! I’d much rather buy more books with that kind of money, thankyouverymuch.

An advantage to not RITA-ing is that I don’t get caught up in all the drama. I think the RITA can be useful when it comes to contract negotiations, but nothing beats sales numbers.

Well, and winning a RITA must be great fun. I’m not one to begrudge anybody their moment in the spotlight and a night of partying in sparkly dresses. :)

By: Jaynie R

Jaynie R — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 09:33:47 +0000

Alison I just did a series of Q and A’s with some authors on their chat loops on my blog. There are about a dozen interviews up if you want to get an idea.

I love loops – i’m totally addicted, and I would absolutely love to join yours.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 02:36:46 +0000

i didnt know i was depraved :) cant wait to tell all my friends….

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 02:18:44 +0000

On RWA–I think a lot of people take the RITA as a reflection of the whole industry. Therefore, if they don’t believe a book holds to their personal definition of a “romance” then they mark it down. There is a very strong backlash within RWA against “hot” books and romantica. I can’t explain it…I definitely got caught up in it when I wrote an opinion piece in response to the suggestion that our books have “ratings” like movies (I was against it!) All of these letters include the phrase, “I’m not a prude, but…” Ha! Honey, what would you call it?

Anyway, it’s a hot button for me, literally. I can read all sorts of books and judge them on their own merits, but there are quite a few people who cannot. But I’m wondering this year if Blaze’s lack of showing in the RITAs is a reflection of the judge’s inability to open their minds or it’s because so many Blaze authors simply didn’t enter.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:41:28 +0000

I think a reader can read and judge a book even though the genre might not be her favorite. I review and read books I might not otherwise choose to read and have judged some contests in the past as well so I don’t get some of the notions that RWA and RITA bring out.

As to your question about a reader’s loop they are a good way to meet people who like the same authors and they are a great way to learn about new books and find reccomendations you might not otherwise read. On the down side they do generate a great deal of email and much of it a person might not have a comment on. I only belong to a few of these loops…two that are very active and I do delete a lot of mail. To be quite honest in your case I really love your blog and you participate just as much if not more that author’s do on their loops so I don’t really see an advantage in your case to having a loop. JMHO of course.

By: Christy

Christy — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 23:19:00 +0000

I like your blog better than participating in author loops – but thats just me…I also like reading “depraved” books…and, I live in Utah and actually read them in public sometimes. lol

By: Julie Leto

Julie Leto — Thu, 30 Mar 2006 23:08:18 +0000

Sylvia, I’ve found that the novella category, for some reason, isn’t as apt to get close-minded judges than the other categories. I’m not sure why. But if you look, novella always has a great mix of stories from hot to sweet and historical to paranormal. It’s weird how it works.