Need your Opinion (everyone)?

Question

I'm a book editor and lately none of the books my writers write seem to sell much. Writers who have at one point written NY Times bestsellers are getting negative feedback. I am totally perplexed... So my question is what is it you readers want to read? What type of stories do you want to read or have written?

Answer 1

I am a "middle-aged" () professional and I have always enjoyed non-fiction - history, biography, politics, current affairs. Also, I find myself lingering in the humor, media (TV, music, movies) and religion/spirituality sections. I sometimes go for those cutesy "point of purchase" books - the little ones, like 1,001 Reasons to be Happy.

The last book I bought - on Amazon, yesterday, is the new one about Ed Sullivan. I buy about six books a month, on average.

I rarely read fiction. Maybe Michael Crichton.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Answer 2

I know what I want and I think that most people want the same. What captures me in a book is something that could be true, something that really makes me think. I think the reason why the Da Vinci Code was so big was because it is something that makes you question things, something that you feel could be true, and it had all of the elements in it: adventure, drama, death, love, history, fiction. Of course the book has to have a protagonist and an antagonist, a climax, and twist and turns, something that can be complicated but is kind of "dumbed-down" The ending should leave the reader wanting more, so the ending shouldn't make the reader feel like the story is completely over.

Answer 3

I'll read pretty much anything; I just don't tend to buy books because the prices are a bit high for the average university student, and we do enough book buying as it is. For favourites, if you're going non-fiction, Gwynne Dyer is a genious. For fiction, I like a story I can really get in to. Memoire of a Geisha had beautiful imagery. My current favourite is the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. Not the deepest books in the world, but a wonderful escape into Africa when you need a little time away. Looks like I seem to enjoy things that take place in other countries and cultures. I can learn something while enjoying a good story. I also like when I can get really attached to the characters and enjoy the use of imagery.

Answer 4

Some writers follow the same formula for each novel. Readers feel it is the same book just with different circumstances. Writers need to break out of the same mold. I like non fiction mostly, but I like novels told from the main characters point of view, like "The Lovely Bones" or the "Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time". These are original. I work as a bookseller for a major book chain of stores and have always loved to read.

Answer 5

One of the reasons I don't buy new books is that I don't trust the reading public, such as it is these days, to say whether a book is good or not. An example of this is the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown; too much masquerades as fact that is poorly written sensationalist drivel. Spare me from any more John Grisham's preaching while you are at it.
I have no doubt that the reading public is divided into two camps, at very least; the group that reads everything because it is new and those who read things because they are worthwhile. Frankly I think the second group is getting tired of being flimflammed by Madison Avenue hype. Perhaps, too, people are just tired of books which purport to tell the "new" truth about things, mostly denigrating the image of something in our history.
I know sacred cows are easy targets, but I feel that when people tear them apart, it says more about their sense of hopelessness than it does about truth. Candidly, the human condition is pretty sordid. Do we need more books proving this? Where is the humanity, without resorting to the artificially romantic, otherwise what I call women's pornography? Frankly it worries me that anyone would enjoy horror books without being a devotee of Jeffrey Dahmer.
The sad part is that when we have dethroned all our heroes, all we are left with is the primitive illegitimacies of sex and violence. How long can we suffer a diet of that without imploding?
Feel free to read one of my manuscripts any time:)

Answer 6

I agree with some of the other answers in that the reader's today do not trust the media and current marketing strategies to tell them what to read.

We as consumers of anything, not just literature, are bombarded on a daily basic with new information and marketing. Finding who the target reading market trusts is the overwhelming task you have ahead of you.

I think the key for the story’s themselves is great characters people can relate to in an ever more complicated and confusing society. Unfortunately it takes time for people to filter thought all the hype. Those potential NY Times bestsellers may only gain readership over the long haul in our brave new information world.

Answer 7

I like action and adventure. For me I think you can leave out most of the romance nonsense. I like description in books/stories but not to the point that it starts to get boring, I feel you need a lot of dialog as well as description. Both make a really good story. I think constant swearing can be omitted, I mean if the person's really angry or something he might swear, but if it's just to swear than it's pointless. If you notice most of my stories I usually have a guy as a main character, I think it's because they're strong and that's what you need, a strong main character. I think after so much crying and feeling sorry your self it gets boring(this is from the character). I hope this helps.

Answer 8

I really like books that are similar to Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. They have a little bit of everything in them and they are good "escape" books that you don't have to think about too much. There is mystery, action, adventure, family/romantic relationships, humor... everything.

I also would love to see more books like Audrey Niffenegger's "The Time Traveler's Wife" -- This is the BEST book I have ever read and I hope it is one that will stand the test of time.

Answer 9

More innovative novels like Annie Proulx. A new way of reading I guess. More shortstories that you can finish quick and that makes an impact on you for a while.

I read A million little pieces by James Frey, it was kind of breathtaking allthough it was not really true. The writing style was interesting: new and innovative.

Answer 10

I basically like books across genres..no particular genre appeals to me more than another. whats important is the sense of adventure(need not be literal), suspense(?), wanting to read on, etc. I dont think the genre is important to you anyway, since everyone goes for different genres - you will find your own audience somewhere.
I also personally like thought provoking books, books with great (applicable, universal) themes. Or those with much wordplay. Or humour of sorts.
The title and book review is very important too! That is always my first gauge - other than book recommendations.
All the best!
(btw, Im a mid-teen-ager, and yes, it will be different for other people.)