Karen Foley
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Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Blogger Kristina Wright!
In These Dark Times… I’m Buying Books
As I sit here in my usual Starbucks (in my usual seat by the window) drinking my usual drink, I have to admit that I’m a creature of habit. I know it’s not a bad thing, but I would rather believe I’m a mysterious, unpredictable creature instead of the writer who is always sitting in Starbucks. People smile at me when they come in—the ones who stop by on their way to work for their cup of coffee. They smile and even chat with me, as if I’m one of the baristas who works here instead of a customer just like them.
My husband says I’m a comfort to the people who come into my Starbucks—a sign that even in the grim reality of economic recession some things are constant: the sun will rise in the morning and set in the night and I will be at Starbucks. I think he’s just trying to make me feel better. It works. The only thing better than being a mysterious, unpredictable creature is being a beacon of light in these dark times! I’m practically a superhero, right?
I’ve been considering the impact of this recession on my life. I can’t say I’m buying less coffee (I call it “rent”), but I did cut back on the gift buying this holiday season. However, at least half of my gift shopping was done in bookstores—Barnes & Noble, Amazon, indie bookstore Creatures & Crooks in Richmond—all received a share of my holiday budget. I have bought more books in the past month than I have in the past year. Why? Because there is no government bail out for booksellers, publishing companies or authors. Roy Blount Jr., the president of the Authors Guild, called for a “book-buying splurge.” I’m all for that!
Of course, book buying during a recession is a little different than book buying in the halcyon days of economic boon. Readers (me, included) are often creatures of habit—buying the familiar because they know they’ll get their money’s worth, rather than taking a chance on an unfamiliar or debut author. The solution? Buy favorite authors, but also check out the anthologies. Publishers have hit upon a great way to introduce readers to new authors while also making their money from familiar names.
Anthologies offer enough little morsels to satisfy every palate. Of course, the stories are shorter so you don’t get the depth of plot and the full cast of characters you get in those thick, juicy novels, but you get a taste of several different authors for the price of one novel. Odds are, you’ll find one or two new authors whose style you love and you can then hunt down their backlist of novels—or wait for a new release.
I was first published in novel length fiction with Silhouette Intimate Moments, but have gone on to write dozens of stories for erotica anthologies. I find myself straddling the erotica and romance lines these days, which is a very happy place to be! My first erotic romance novella, “One Night in Winter,” debuts this month in Avon Red’s anthology Bedding Down: A Collection of Winter Erotica. Joining me in this delicious collection edited by writer, editor and cupcake blogger Rachel Kramer Bussel, are authors Gwen Masters, Alison Tyler, Marilyn Jae Lewis, Isabelle Gray, Sophie Mouette and Shanna Germain.
Here is a taste of my story where my heroine, Susannah Greer, is reunited with her old flame Derrick Frost in the most unlikely of places—a bridal shop:
He looked older. More… masculine. His shoulder looked broader and his jaw seemed harder, but it was more than physical; there was a seriousness in his expression that contradicted the memory she had of a happy-go-lucky player with nothing on his mind but sex and booze.
“Maybe you didn’t notice, but this is the women’s dressing area,” she said, managing to keep her voice even. “The men’s tuxedo shop is on the other side of the store.”
His lips turned up in a faint smile, as if it took too much effort to turn on the charm. “I thought it was the bride who was supposed to wear white.”
“Not my idea, believe me.” Turning her back on him, she returned to her task of untying the laces.
“I could help you with that.”
There was no hint of a come-on in his words and she felt a twinge of disappointment mixed in with relief. The sooner she got out of the dress, the sooner she could get away from him. “Thank you.”
He worked the knots loose, but he wasn’t gentle about it. She heard a startling rip and was suddenly able to breathe. The relief at being free of the offending garment was countered with dismay.
“Did you have to be so rough?”
“There was a time,” he said, his fingers running up the length of her spine and making her shiver, “when you liked it rough.”
So, how about you? Has the recession changed your book buying habits? Are you buying books as gifts this holiday season? Do you like anthologies or do you prefer novels? Have you discovered a favorite new author by reading an anthology?
In the spirit of the season, I will be giving away a copy of Bedding Down: A Collection of Winter Erotica to one lucky commenter! (You must be registered at Cigars to win!) Thanks to the lovely ladies at Love is An Exploding Cigar for letting me share my love of books (and coffee). And if you’re in Virginia and see a woman with red hair typing furiously on her computer—stop by and say hi!
Happy holidays to you all!
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Welcome Kristina!
So great to have you here, and what a great blog! I was also going to B&N last year on a regular schedule, but then, especially during the holidays, ended up needing to be at home more constantly, especially since I have been sewing at least half of our Christmas gifts, so that's been my way of helping us save, along with using coupons -- I had $40 worth of coupons for Penneys, LL Bean, etc yesterday and saved a lot on some of our shopping.
But we don't stop buying books, either. In fact, when other presents are far too pricey, giving books is a nice , affordable option. I have several more I need to pick up for family members.
I do read anthologies, but for me it's sometimes difficult to find anthology themes that I like -- yours sounds great, I like seasonals (my first anthology story was in a summer anthology) and I like that better since the stories can range, say, as opposed to an anthology on a certain topic, like vampires, which never seem to work as well for me -- it never works for me to have competing vampire myths, etc sitting side by side for some reason.
But thanks for a great blog, and enjoy your coffee. I know my coffee is a vital part of my morning, even if it's just here at home with the Today Show running... ;)
Sam
Good morning!
Thanks for the welcome, Sam!
Interesting that you prefer the more general themes for anthologies over specific themes. I think it's difficult to gather stories together about a narrow topic (vampires, as you suggested) without risking too much repetition. Though a more general theme-- paranormal, for instance-- might offer more variety. Of course, there's a reason I'm a writer and not an editor! I don't know if I could do what my editor Rachel Kramer Bussel does in terms of putting together an anthology.
~Kristina
Hi Kristina1
So nice to meet you! Love these anthologies! I always have one next to the bed side table here and love to read a story in these anthologies at night. With it being one that turns up the heat on these cold winter nights, its very welcomed here! I'm off the Great lakes so we been in the teens today! Too wanted to say that I found alot of new to me authors from reading anthologies that I got to find more of their works as they became must reads! I shall be checking out your site to see what more you have! Again great to meet you and this anthology sounds sizzling!
Welcome Kristina!
Nice to see you here. :)
While the recession has affected my book buying habits, I still buy the new releases of the authors I love. I also try new authors from time to time, since I'm hoping to be one of those new authors one of these days myself. ;) We all have to help each other succeed, I think. Your anthology sounds fabulous!
Oh, and I love Starbucks, too! It's a guilty pleasure. *g*
Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/
Hi, Cari!
Hi, Cari!
It's great that you support new writers! I agree that we do have to help each other-- especially in the current economic climate.
Best of luck with your own writing and enjoy your Starbucks. :)
~Kristina
Not so much
Since I'm not sure of people's reading habit that I buy for or what they have bought themselves or what someone else may buy them as gifts I tend to stay away from buying books as presents and go more for gc for the bookstore (unless it's my stepmother and she has already said she wants these three books so they've already been ordered.
I love anthologies. I think it was because of Lori Foster that my TBR pile is so massive now.
I think here in Ontario, Canada, there aren't too many Starbucks. I believe in the town where I am there are only 2 (and the 2nd one only opened like 2 weeks ago). But some genius was thinking with the first one and put it in the book store
Hi Christa!
Interesting that you mentioned buying bookstore greeting cards. I was talking with one of the guys who works at my local B&N and he said that while music and DVD sales were up, book sales were down and gift card sales were waaaaay down this holiday season.
I know what you mean about buying books for other people-- I'm always afraid that they either won't like what I like or will have already read it. That's why Amazon wishlists are so wonderful! Also, I'll go for the classics or... yes, anthologies as gifts! :)
So few Starbucks in Ontario? Tragic!
Tim Hortons
We are used to our Timmys here
Tim Hortons?
Is that a coffee shop? I'm not familiar with the name.
Yup
That's the main coffee shop here in Canada, their everywhere here
Hmm...
Hi, Kristina!
I'm still buying books--for me, of course, and also some as gifts, mainly for my kids and my friends' kids. Nothing like creating a future generation of book buyers, right? ;)
I do love anthologies, both for authors I already love and it's fun to try an author I haven't read before. Sometimes I do find new gems to glom :) Plus I sometimes have a teeny attention span and short time to read, so the length (or lack of it) work well :) I do hate when the story's fabulous though and feels cut short, or when the story feels fast-forwarded... there's definitely a gift to doing short stories well!
And ahh... Starbucks ;)
Hi Fedora!
I agree-- I buy books for all the kids I know. And after working in the children's section of the public library for nearly five years, I saw how important it is to grow the next generation of readers!
Short stories are tough, I agree. I write everything from 1,500 to 10,000 words and I have to say the hardest shorts are the long-shorts. :) If that makes sense. In a short-short story, you really have to get to the action and keep your characters to a minimum. But when you're given 10,000 words to play with... well, the temptation to add a subplot and throw in a few more characters and maybe an extra setting or two is very tempting! Then, of course, I realize my 10,000 word story is now 13,000 words and must be heavily edited!
Another Starbucks fan. Yay!
Welcome Kristina!
I love giving and receiving books. I wish there was a holiday when everyone had to exchange books. And then read them, lol. I'm still buying books and I actually like to take a chance on a debut author. Those books are usually books that have been slaved over for years. Lot of blood, sweat and tears, and it shows.
I love anthologies for the reasons you gave--a little taste of a new author. I've discovered a few new favorites that way. Personally, I don't know if I could write a novella, but I admire those that can.
Enjoy your Starbucks!
Jeannie
Hi Jeannie!
It's good to hear that I'm not the only one still buying books. It's funny-- when times are tight, I'm willing to cut back on other things (hair cuts, new shoes, dinners out), but I still spend money on books. I think there's a quote about that kind of addiction, but I can't remember what it is!
(I'm sitting in Starbucks right now, as a matter of fact!)
Hi Kristina,
Hi Kristina,
I have been buying less books during the last few months. I will be buying at least a couple of books as gifts this year. I like both novels and anthologies. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a story that I can finish in one sitting. I've discovered many new authors by reading Brava's Bad Boys anthologies, like HelenKay Dimon and Tina Donahue.
Hi Jane!
I think Brava has done a terrific job with their anthologies-- good themes and striking covers. I believe I discovered HelenKay Dimon the same way you did!
Hello! I think we all like
Hello! I think we all like to pretend at a little mystery, but real life doesn't usually lend itself very well to that. But it's okay because mystery is a short-term thing no matter where it comes from. The real comfort lies in dependability and constancy...Gee do I sound boring or what?
But it's true. I love my husband for all that he is, all the things I have come to know about him after fifteen years together. I rely on those things staying true and I think that he believes the same about me. It's not really that we're boring, I can always manage to throw a wrench in the works here and there, but it helps ground our love with a little stability to last the ages.
J.K. Coi
Immortals To Die For
www.jkcoi.com
Hi J.K.!
You don't sound boring at all. True love is a wonderful thing and hardly boring! I've been married for eighteen years myself. Of course, we still have those, "Gee, I didn't know that about you" moments-- which I think is kind of cool. We're all still growing and changing, I think. It's pretty cool to be able to grow and change with the same person along for the ride!
Hi, KW! I would have to die
Hi, KW! I would have to die to stop buying books. However, I'm more selective now. And I stick to authors who are tried and true more often than not. But I have also noticed the ebook sales stay steady and I think part of that is that people are finding they can find favorite books/series/imprints etc as ebooks or for Kindle and they are getting more books for the money.
If I'm in Virgina and see a redhead in a Starbucks typing away, I'll probably squeal and jump up and down and act like a goof. And It probably won't be you and I will scare that poor woman, whoever she is ;)
Love this lovely book. Very pretty. Congrats again!
Sommer
http://smutgirl.blogspot.com
Hi Sommer!
Thanks for stopping by, Sommer!
I think most diehard readers are like us-- they'll always find a way to buy books. I waffled so long over buying hubby a Kindle for Christmas that they sold out! (The waffling was between Kindle and Sony Reader or waiting for next Kindle version-- looks like I'll wait for the next version.) Obviously, the reading public is finally embracing the newest technology. A good thing all around, I think.
Thanks for the congrats! Means a lot coming from you, lady!
No change here.
I haven't made much change in my book buying habits, but I work at a public library and therefore have access to quite a few though not all of the ones that I want to read.
I found out that I very much like Ruth Langan's books after reading her in an anthology. I like anthologies for the fact that you can read a story and feel like you've gotten something done even before finishing the whole book. Also, it is a wonderful introduction to new to you authors.
Deidre
Hi Deidre!
Hi from a fellow (former) library employee! I'm a big fan of libraries, but I also have a weakness for owning books. :)
I agree with you about anthologies, obviously. They're a wonderful way to discover new authors-- even those who may already have a backlist of novels.
Thanks for stopping by!
Bedding Down sounds great!
Bedding Down sounds great! Great excerpt also!
Hi Amy!
Thanks on both counts!
Hi Kristina!
Thanks for visiting with us! I love anthologies - sometimes I wish certain novellas were full length novels, but otherwise I enjoy the variety they offer. They're also great because I can read them and leave the book - I have a hard time putting anything down.
Also - I love discovering new authors that as you said, I might not otherwise. I know everyone is saying recession - and that companies, stocks etc have taken HUGE hits. But when I venture out, everything is busy. Insanely so. I stopped by a mall yesterday, and I've never had to park so far back in my entire life (nor troll around for a spot for so long). And it's like this where ever I seem to go. As for spending less... no. I think I've spent a LOT more than normal recently... but I had an upgrade on my credit cards, and double rewards on top of that for 90 days. :X I do plan on spending less now, however. (Though I feel like I've basically bought everything I really need, now.)
Hi Aliquis!
I have noticed the crowds, too. But then I wonder if people are really shopping or if they're just maintaining the tradition of going to the malls at the holidays? There do seem to be plenty of incentives to shop this holiday season, though-- I think the sales are better than they've ever been! (Which, as I understand it, isn't necessarily a good thing for the economy.)
Thanks for stopping by!
SilverNightMoon (Cari), you're the winner!
Cari, you have won a copy of Bedding Down: A Collection of Winter Erotica! Email your address (kristina AT kristinawright.com) and I will put that in the mail to you!
I would like to invite you all to visit my blog, as well. I am giving away four copies of Bedding Down at the end of December. All you have to do to be a part of drawing is share a favorite winter memory!
Thanks so much to the lovely ladies at Cigars for letting me stop by and share my love of books and coffee! It was a pleasure hanging out with you all!