The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
Great question!
I'm a romantic suspense author and I read a lot of romantic suspense. But I've always been a wide reader and still am. My current favourite genres are:
- romantic suspense (Chrys Fey, Yolanda Renee, Carol Kilgore, Kait Nolan, Diane Burton...)
- contemporary romance (Jean Oram, MJ Fifield, Heather M. Gardner, Deniz Bevan...)
- fantasy (Elle Cardy, Patricia Josephine, Tara Tyler, Shannon Lawrence,...)
- sci-fi & other spec fiction (Alex J Cavanaugh, Tyrean Martinson, Susan Kelley, ...)
- cozy mystery (Elizabeth Spann Craig, Ellen Jacobnson, Victoria Gilbert,...)
- rom coms ( Ellen Jacobson, Jackie Lau, Kelly Siskind,...)
- mystery/crime (Tick Tock anthology, Damyanti Biswas,...)
- YA & MG (C Lee McKenzie, Sherry Ellis, Cathrina Constantine, SA Larsen...)
- and so many more!!
I'm glad we are friends and you took a chance on my books! I've read a lot of blogger buddies' books although it's been a challenge to keep up...
ReplyDeleteIt is REALLY a challenge to keep up - I'm always behind.
DeleteAnd I'm so glad we're friends as well! Looking forward to CassaDark!
I'm trying to read more widely than I do! I usually read mysteries and non-fiction, but have broadened the base in the last couple of years. You do a great job reading in a bunch of different genres!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I've always had an eclectic brain. I've got so many stories waiting to be written!
DeleteAnd you've read several of our authors - thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have! DLP has some fabulous books!!
DeleteI've never tried romantic suspense! Could you please suggest some books?
ReplyDeleteIt's a great genre. JD Robb's In Death series is my all-time favourite. Lynn Raye Harris writes a great series HOT - 1st one is free to try. Just read one by Leslie North that was well done. Cynthia Eden, Kait Nolan are great as well!
DeleteI love romantic suspense. And it's great to support indie authors. I highly dislike unhappy endings, either in books and movies.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I don't need to be a sobbing mess :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteTo have an entertaining story that pleases you is so important. That's what reading is all about.
Take care and have a lovely month of March.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
It really is, Pat. Entertainment is what it's all about.
DeleteOnline friendship with other authors has really exposed me to some great reads.
ReplyDeleteMe too! So many fun stories!
DeleteI'm with you on avoiding books with tragic endings. Those I will steer clear of no matter who the authors are. :)
ReplyDeleteMe too! I don't need that kind of stress! :)
DeleteYes, I've begun to read in many different genres too. I love it, but I often have a teetering TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteMe too! It's crazy how many books I want to read!
DeleteAww...thanks for the shout-out! I've been trying to read more widely over the past several years. Funnily enough, I used to think I didn't like romance all that much. Then I started reading it and discovered how much I enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteI'm glad you gave romance a chance - it's a great genre with so many fun subgenres too :)
I've bought books by writing friends to support them and then been surprised at how much I enjoy stories in genres I didn't think would appeal.
ReplyDeleteMe too - I don't generally read some of the darker stories, but I have some talented friends!
DeleteI reconised my blogging buddies in your collection. I bought Alex's Cassa Star books some years ago and a few other followers in my early days of blogging.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the post Jemi.
Take care.
Yvonne.
Thanks, Yvonne - it's fun to find blog buddies who write in genres I enjoy!
DeleteI too, love supporting my writing friends by reading and sometimes being on their launch teams. They have introduced me to genres and subjects I have learned to appreciate lots!
ReplyDeleteExactly! It's fun reading something new!
DeleteThank you for including me among such awesome authors. I'm not worthy!
ReplyDeleteI do like happy endings, but I kind of love the ones that rip my heart to shreds. (But of COURSE I do...)
Of course you do!!! And you totally belong!
DeleteI am so very grateful to writers. And of course my greedy self refuses to be confined by genres.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't surprise me even a little bit! The more genres, the merrier!
DeleteThank you so much for the shout-out! <3 I am with great company in all the genres you listed.
ReplyDeleteI am a wide reader. And I'm far behind on my TBR list. I have many books by authors you listed (and your books!) waiting for me to read. I feel bad that my schedule doesn't allow me to read for pleasure as much as I'd like.
I hear ya! It's tough fitting in the reading time along with everything else on our plates!
DeleteWow, that's definitely a wide list. How do you have time to read so many books? If I read that many, I'd still be working on the first chapter of my debut novel. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't do regular screen for at least an hour before bed but I can read real books or on my kindle because of the lighting fixture. I also read on my treadmill (I'm a walker not a runner!)
DeleteYou are such a sweet woman. No wonder everyone loves you. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Wow - thanks so much, Anna! That made me a little teary eyed!!
DeleteI read far and wide, too. It's such fun exploring. Like mind candy.
ReplyDeleteMind candy - that's exactly it!!!
DeleteIsn't it great to love to read a lot of different books and then to meet the authors? I find that part the best.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Bloo Moose is headed to the moon!
I love that part too - love meeting all these kind, creative minds!
DeleteMe too!!
Wow! Thank you for the shout-out, and I love the list. I love meeting other authors and reading their books, too. I read across genres and I think there's a strength in that, although I admit my main faves are fantasy and sci-fi, I mainly love a good story.
ReplyDeleteBTW - not sure how I got off on the wrong prompt this month, but there it is.
You're very welcome!
DeleteI've gone through cycles of what my favourites are. There is definitely a strength there!
LOL - I'm surprised that doesn't happen more often ... especially to me!
What a fabulous list of authors!! I've always been open to reading most any genre, and I've found some wonderful reads from our own indie authors.
ReplyDeleteIn fiction, I just want to be entertained. Take me to a new place, with interesting people and tell me a story.
Me too - I love reading what my friends have written.
DeleteI agree with your list too - interesting people in an interesting story!
I'll read just about anything. The good. The bad. The nightmarish. I love how you linked the authors to your favorite genres. Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could do the nightmarish still - but haven't since I was a teen :)
DeleteThat is a really great, affirming list. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a great March.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
Thanks, Anne - same to you!
DeleteLots of great authors listed! :)
ReplyDeleteI read a lot more genres than I write, too.
We do have lots of talented friends, don't we? :)
DeleteThank you for linking to the authors you listed — and what a great list! I, too, like to read widely, though I have not touched on all genres. This seems like a great way to explore a few new ones! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of talented friends!!! Hope you find a new favourite!
DeleteI love reading all type of genres, but I tend to stay away from bad endings too. Love your list, great books and awesome authors (like you). :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks Mason! Your review of Trust still has me smiling!!
DeleteYour reading list is pretty wide. And what an amazing collection of writers and friends.
ReplyDeleteI do know a lot of talented people - and there are many more I didn't link!
DeleteI love how wide you read. I think it shows in your awesome writing. And thank you for including me in your list.
ReplyDeleteMany hugs
Thanks, Lynda - that means a lot!!
DeleteThat's a great list of authors! It's certainly exciting to read a book by an author you've gotten to know online.
ReplyDeleteI love reading a wide variety of genres. I posted for IWSG day today. My post includes a new book by a friend, a note about a free book next week, a tweet about a query contest (LGBTQ romance this round), and a quick message about April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
The snippet you posted from Kate's book is powerful!
DeleteIt really is great to read books from people we know!
Squee! Thank you for the callout! <3
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome! Looking forward to your new story in Dark Matter!
DeleteAw, thank you! What an amazing list! Dancing with Dementia is next on my digital TBR "pile."
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome!
DeleteWe do know a lot of amazing writers!
You do read in a wide range of genres! That's a great list, and I realize I need to get to work reading the books of my fellow IWSG authors!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many terrific authors in the IWSG!
DeleteI love that you named so many great bloggers in your list. I recognized many and have enjoyed their books too. It's nice because their creative work makes it feel as if you know them in a deeper "dimension," if you know what I mean!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean and completely agree!
DeleteAw, you are so sweet! I love how you structured this post. I think I'm like you at heart. I just loved to read, so I'll pretty much give any new read (genre) a try. :)
ReplyDeleteExactly - it's about the characters and the story!
DeleteI love your list, Jemi. I love that I know most of those writers. You are so kind to mention them. What a nice thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joylene - I know there are some I missed but my brain was tired!! :)
DeleteGreat list of genres and authors. We are so fortunate to have such great writers in this group. Thanks for the free book.
ReplyDeleteWe really are - so many talented friends!!
DeleteYou're welcome -enjoy!
I find myself leaning towards with books with lighter and happier themes and ending ever since the beginning of the pandemic.
ReplyDeleteThis is 100% true for me as well
Delete