All of this is really interesting. No one has said they buy a book because they read about the author in an article. Saw an advertisement for a book in a magazine. Got a bookmark or post card from the author in the mail.

What about an author's website? Does that persuade you in any way? Do you even visit an author's website?

I'm seriously interested in your answers. This is all really enlightening.

I can answer that for ME.

I use to take the recommendation of People's Mag for some good reading but got burnt on the last THREE...count um...THREE books to read (they sucked big time) so I no longer take ads in magazine seriously. Burn me once...and so forth.

I do not receive ANY SNAIL MAIL from authors other than Janet Evanowich or however you spell it and I asked to be taken off that list a hundred years ago. Her books were to much alike and I got bored with them after six of them. I still get stuff from her, but not as often. I guess she's too busy counting her money...Lord, I'm so jealous! ha! You gotta luv her.

NOTHING will make me NOT read an author's book fastner than getting UNSOLICITED EMAIL from them. Seasoned authors know that this is the kiss of death and people will shun you if you start sending them unsolicited emails EVEN IF the pros tell you to do it. Don't believe me? Ask you friends how they feel about it. The pros tell you to send the emails because you'll eventually wear people down and they'll buy from you. How competitive is that? Duh? I don't want people to be worn out and frustrated with me and my emails. I want them to be glad to see me coming, not leave. People who do this come from a mindset that there's not enough to go around. Trust me, there is. I call the people in this category, Desperados...

So...do I visit Author's sites? I sure do. All the time. The recommendations come from either friends, other authors, or newsletters. THESE I trust. My friends know my likes and dislikes as far as reading material, other authors know better than to recommend a book that is not good reading, and I only subscribe to newsletters that have proven themselves over time.

Quite honestly, if an author sent me something in the mail like a bookmark, I would like it AND would probably check them out; even if it were unsolicited. Beats all the ads I get in the mail for buying cars, don't you know. But I realize the cost is so high and that's probably why more of them don't. Mailing has become a means of communicating that we've had to take a second look at and decide for our marketing selves if it is worth it anymore. (Except for mailing books to people)

To me, the #1 source for recommendations is ...........

May I have the envelope please.........................

(You could cut the tension in the room with a knife)

Ahem...Its a tie folks! For the first time ever, we have a tie!

FRIENDS AND NEWSLETTERS!

(I have got to back awayyyyy from the caffeine)

These days I pretty much only buy books that I hear others commenting on or recommending here on this site. So far it's worked better than any other book-buying mechanism I've ever tried.

Chatty sent me a book months ago that I would NEVER have thought to pick up for myself, but it turned out to be one of the best books I've ever read. Dotsie has often recommended books based on my personal spirituality, and they've all become much-beloved additions to my library. So I've learned to trust the insight and recommendations given by the women here.

I'm surprised at how much I really enjoy reading what other women here have already read and enjoyed...it seems to bring an added sense of community and solidarity into the reading...I find myself wondering things like "hmmm, wonder what Dotsie thought about that" or "I wonder if Chatty cried at this part too".

JJ, thanks for your opinion on marketing and readers.

Now, I'll have to get my brain working on how to get on everyone's "recommended" list. :-)