As a book review blogger I feel that I may have been “overly exposed” to the world of publishing and books in general. It’s not a bad thing, at least I don’t think it is. I’ve been lucky through my time reviewing books to develop fantastic relationships with books, authors, publishers, publicists, book bloggers, and more. Through those relationships I’ve discovered many of my absolute favorite reads as well as developed very specific book buying/reading preferences.
For this feature though, I’d love to know what the average reader (book bloggers as well) would feel about a variety of book buying preferences. I’d like to explore quite a few things that influence your purchases: publishers, authors, illustrators, jacketing, marketing, subject material, genre, etc. I’ll probably veer into a few other topics related to book buying, but I have one that’s been nagging me for some time….
Do you buy books based on the publisher?
As someone who features my favorite publishers on a monthly basis, I obviously have favorites. When I go to the book store, walk through a Costco, shop online and more I’m always aware of the publisher listed on the spine. That’s not to say I would never buy a book from an unknown-to-me publisher, but those favorites do draw me in. It’s like deciding between your absolute favorite type of ice cream (right now mine happens to be Trader Joe’s mint chocolate chip) and a new potentially fabulous flavor that could ultimately become a favorite if I take the chance on it. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t, it’s a mood thing, what can I say?
What I really want to know though is do you do this? Do you get sucked in by your favorite publishers or does it not matter a bit who put the book into print? Do you even know who publishes your favorite books?
Answer the poll and then leave your comments below. I can’t wait to hear your answers!
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Even as a book blogger, I have to say that the publisher isn’t really a factor I consider when buying a book.
So good to note! Thanks so much for sharing.
I usually go after the book , and find out the publisher after I have it in my hands. I think its the Cover that attracts me to a book.
I’m definitely a fan of covers as well. They can make a huge difference!
I used to never look at who was publishing a book. But, since I’ve been blogging I’ve become much more conscious of it. Ultimately, it’s the story that drives whether or not I’ll pick up a book, but if it’s by a publisher that I know and love… well that increases its chances of being read.
I’m right there with you. Definitely the story has a huge part to do with what I choose to read, but like you said the chances of it being read increase quite a bit if I love the publisher. Thanks!
To be honest, I just don’t pay attention to who publishes the books I read, even the ones I love.
That’s good to know! Thanks for sharing!
Now that I blog about books I’m aware of publishers that produce books I’m likely to like, but before I blogged I was never aware of that. Cover image or review is what gets me to pick up a book generally speaking. Even now don’t think I’d ever buy a book just because I like the publisher.
I think for me it has to do with how many books I’ve read from a certain publisher. There are some I’ve read more than others and when they go on that long of a streak with book after book being good, it becomes a trust thing. I know that their books will most likely be something I’ll really enjoy and so I sometimes feel compelled to pick those over others. Though covers & reviews also contribute quite a bit as well. Great comment!
Before I began blogging I didn’t really pay much attention to the publisher. I am much more aware of it now. If I’m just browsing the bookstore it is usually the cover that will get me to pick it up.
The cover is definitely a huge factor for me as well. It has often led me to many great books I may not have noticed otherwise.
I’m not a book blogger, so I hope you don’t mind if I answer. I never used to pay attention until I bought a particular book at a bookstore and was dismayed once I started reading it to find it was basically a ripoff of The Hobbit. I looked at the publisher and realized it was one I didn’t recognize. Now, if see a book by an unknown-to-me publisher, I make sure I read the first chapter before I’ll buy it. I’m still mostly attracted to interesting covers, then I read the back cover blurb and go from there.
Absolutely non-book bloggers can comment! I’m glad you did too, because you brought up a great point. It’s sometimes worth it to read a “sampling” of the book before buying the unknown…you never know, it may be horrible or it may just be you next favorite author! Great comment!
Provocative question!
I usually buy books based on the author, and almost never based on the publisher. Sometimes, I’ll buy a book based on the title or subject (especially for non-fiction). And sometimes I’ll take a chance on an author, if it seems like the book might be interesting, but again, that’s based on the title or subject.
Ironically, to the extent I do base purchases on the publisher, I tend to favor self-publishers, indie publishers, and hole-in-the-wall publishers, because those books are more likely to break with lowest-common-denominator patterns.
-TimK
Interesting points. I’m planning on asking the question about author preferences soon and so I’ll be excited to explore that area even more.
I’m not personally a huge fan of self-published books, but there are quite a few, no I should say a lot of people who love them. Which is fantastic! There’s always something for everyone. And the best part is that people are reading!
Thanks for the comment!
I don’t actually pay attention to the publisher unless it is a series of books that I have read.
I typically do look at the cover sleeve. Particurally the comments on the back of the book or the information on the inside about the author.
The cover as well as the info about the author a absolutely things I look for when buying a book as well! Great comment!
I don’t usually buy by publisher–but I have noticed a difference when I’m looking at ebooks–To me, it’s kind of like buying a name brand vs. unknown–when I go into a bookstore, I can look at a book, feel it my hands, and *know* if it’s what I want. Usually I can read a sample of an ebook before purchasing it, and the *generics* do usually have better prices–but I look for authors that I know, or if I don’t know an author, I look for the publisher–I have nothing against the independent authors and wish them all the best–I know that traditional publishing presents a lot of hoops to jump through–But when I see a publisher’s name, I know that I’ve gotten good products from them in the past, that I generally get a full novel vs. the skimpy novelettes, minimal typos, and that someone on the publisher’s end, agent, or whomever, has taken the time to go through this book before it gets to the consumers hands, ensuring that the book isn’t full of plot holes or loose ends.
Ok, so I have no idea if that’s actually true or not–but that’s the idea in my head. I realize that it’s a great advantage for independent authors to have more creative freedom in making their books live up to their personal vision. But at the same time, I think there’s an advantage to have a “team” of people trying to help you make your book be the best it can be—again, can’t be sure that that’s true, but that’s the idea I have in my head.
–It’s just another way to narrow down my ever-growing tbr list.
I’m right with you on the independent authors/presses. I respect what they do, but it’s a lot easier to accept a book from an author or publisher I already have a “relationship” with. A proven track record, I guess. Fabulous point!
As a book blogger I am definitely more aware of publishers and the books they publish now but before I became a blogger I couldn’t care one whit about publishers. There were types of covers I looked for. Those that attracted me, called out to me in a bookstore where the ones I bought and particular authors I looked for and that was it!
I am definitely getting the idea that the publisher aspect is something book bloggers pay quite a bit more attention to. If for no other reason than we work with them on a daily basis. Which is just fine with me, I’ve had more consistently good books since looking at things this way.
I don’t think I’m ever conscious of who publishes the books I buy.
Good to know! Thanks!
There are some publishers that I feel pretty confident about, but it still isn’t like I love every book they publish. Also, I read a lot of self-published and they are always a crapshoot.
Until I started blogging though, I had no clue what publishing meant and never had any favorites.
Yep, I’m really getting the idea that book bloggers are way more aware of who puts the books into a person’s hands. Whereas before there were only a few publishers I even knew, HarperCollins or Candlewick, now there are so many it’s just crazy.
And yes, self-published is definitely a crapshoot, sometimes you get really lucky, but I’m not always a very lucky person.
Nope.
I buy them based on the author.
However, there is one exception to the rule. I really like Belle Bridge Books so I always pay attention to whatever they publish.
The author is a HUGE factor for me as well. I think that will be my next question.
But see, even you have one particular publisher that you love. It’s something about being able to trust the quality and type of books they distribute. (Plus, I really love Belle Bridge Books as well, so I can see why you’d pay attention to them!
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I don’t buy books based on certain publishers, though if I’m constantly finding great books from the same publisher I’m more likely to keep my eye out on which books they publish. Some publishers I ignore all together because I haven’t liked one book by them yet.
I’m exactly that way with the ones I don’t like. Very good point!
[...] surprising things about book blogging that I’ve discovered is my love for certain publishers. I wrote about it not too long ago, but without a doubt I have favorite publishers. Before I blogged I don’t ever remember [...]