New Author Mini-Challenge: the League
As many of you are aware (or if you’re not), Literary Escapism is hosting the New Authors Challenge for the second year in a row. Last year, there wasn’t a lot that was done with it, but this year it’s given me an idea for a small mini challenge (and there may be more like this later on).
I’ve only been reading the UF/PNR genre for about 3 years now. Let’s make it 3.5 years, but I really didn’t start discovering new authors until two years ago. That was why I started Literary Escapism, so I could share all these new authors I was finding. Now that it’s been two years, I’ve tried over 100 new authors and yet I still haven’t gotten to a few that I really want to. So, in February, I’m going to rectify that.
Has everyone heard of the League of Reluctant Adults? It’s a group of UF/PNR authors who are simply hilarious if you follow them at all. I’ve talked with quite a few of them, but I haven’t tried nearly enough of them. I keep hearing all these great things about their novels and I’m way beyond feeling that I’m missing out and my excuse of “needing to get through my review stack” is no longer acceptable. So for the month of February, I’m challenging everyone to join me and try a few of the different authors from the League.
If you haven’t tried anything in the UF/PNR genre yet, then now is definitely the time to do it. Here are the pertinent details for the challenge:
- You do not have to be a participant of the New Authors Challenge, but if you’re not, why not?
- The Challenge will run from February 1st through the 28th. All reviews must have a February 2010 date.
- The goal is to read up to 5 different authors from the above list. There are 20 different authors, so finding three shouldn’t be too hard.
- The idea is to try a new author (it is a New Author mini-challenge), however, if you’ve already read all 20 of them, you can still participant, but don’t re-read a novel. Try something new. Not only is this an excuse to try a certain group of authors, but it’s also a great chance to help promote them.
To add a little incentive for this mini-challenge, I’m going to offer up a prize too. At the end of February, for every review posted, I’ll give each participant an entry (up to 5) to win their book of choice from one of the above authors. The contest is open to wherever the Book Depository delivers.
If you are trying a new author, make sure you include them in your list for the main New Authors Challenge.
Update: the Leaguers seem to love this idea and have offered a great list of prizes (some of which you’ll see in the comments). As such, I’m going to be putting up a new post on February 1st for all reviews for the mini challenge. There’s going to be an extra chance for everyone to get their names in the hat and in order to do that, I’ll need a fresh comment stream. *grin* It’ll make it easier on me at the end. Happy reading everyone!
Great idea Jackie, I adore the Leaguers. I am going to have a hard time picking which ones to read.
I love the idea! I am going to join in :)
I’ve been wanting to add a review section to our book club’s site… and keep putting it off. This will not only give me motivation to do that, but will push me into reading some of the books on my TBR list, lol. I’ve got my own challenge going, so maybe some of these books can play double duty, lol. :-)
In my arrogance, I found myself surprised there were so many authors on your list I hadn’t read. Guess I’ll eat my humble pie and try a few.
Just a note: Carolyn Crane’s first novel comes out in March.
Jackie! This is cool of you. Thanks for showing the League some love.
Wow, thanks for the love and linkage! Tell you what: I’ll give you 2 copies of the new mass market of MEAN STREETS (novella antho with me, Jim Butcher, Simon R. Green, and Tom Sniegoski) for your book-give-away pile, too. Drop me a note at kat(dot)rchrdsn(at)gmail(dot)com and I’ll send them.
[...] Literary Escapism is running a mini reading challenge that looks like a good time! Has everyone heard of the League of Reluctant Adults? It’s a group of UF/PNR authors who are simply hilarious if you follow them at all. I’ve talked with quite a few of them, but I haven’t tried nearly enough of them. I keep hearing all these great things about their novels and I’m way beyond feeling that I’m missing out and my excuse of “needing to get through my review stack” is no longer acceptable. So for the month of February, I’m challenging everyone to join me and try a few of the different authors from the League. [...]
Yay that is a great idea. I am probably a stalker…um fan of all of them anyway. Awesome!! Count me in.
I have read quite a few of them, but there are a few that are either sitting on the pile waiting to be read, or haven’t picked up due to the “to read” pile being sort of mountainous. At least it will push me to finally read that copy of Tempest Rising I have been sitting on.
Thanks so much for the League lurve! I’m happy to throw in a couple of copies of COME HELL OR HIGH WATER for your giveaways. Just email me at michelebardsley(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Very cool idea. I’m in for copies of X-RATED BLOODSUCKERS and JAILBAIT ZOMBIE.
Happy Fanging!
I’ve got a little question, the reviews must be writen in english?
Ahh how exciting Jackie! This is perfect to help me get to those books on my TBR pile by the authors!
Beleth, the reviews can be written in whatever language is your native language or depending on where you post it. For example, if you’re going to post them on the US version of Amazon, I would do the reviews in English. But if your blog isn’t in english, then no, it doesn’t have to be in English. Does any of that make sense?
I am excited about the challenge. I look forward to reading some of the books on my shelf that have yet to be read.I know my husband will be grateful.
Ok! Then i’m in :D!
Hi!
This is a great idea, and a good way to keep me motivated to update my blog.
Thanks Jackie!
[...] you know, I don’t have enough random things to occupy my mind, lol) participating in Literary Escapism Blog’s “New Author Mini-Challenge: The League”. Literary Escapism is a very interesting book review blogsite. The League of Reluctant Adults is a [...]
A fabulous group of authors!
Meanwhile I hang my head in shame over the three authors (will not name names) still sitting on my TBR pile.
Awesome line-up. Recently started a Book Review Blog, so this will give me the fuel to stock it up with some awesome reads.
Sounds like fun. Count me in. I already have books by some of these authors on my TBR pile.
I have quite a few in my TBR pile. This is an awesome idea!
Awesome!
Oooh, this is going to be fun! =)
I have a few of these in my tbr pile already. Need to figure out which ones and what I need to pick up. Yeah let the fun begin.
@Suzan – you are not the only one with that problem, hence the reason this idea popped into my head. :) Now you have a reason to read them all in the hopes of winning even more. ;P
I don’t have a blog of my own, so can I post my reviews on goodread or maybe facebook.
@Heather – GoodReads, Amazon, LibraryThing…just help get the word out. So yes, you can still join in.
Great idea, count me in. It’s always a joy to find a new author that you like.
Thanks for clarifying that a blog isn’t necessary to join the challenge. I’ve been a follower of The League of Reluctant Adults for a while now, but haven’t managed to try out all of the authors, as the group continues to grow. I’m looking forward to this challenge!
Great challenge! I’ve already read 4 of the authors and loved their books and now this gives me a great reason to read some more of these authors. I have to figure what this whole “Save Amanda Feral” thing is about :)
Hey Heather C – I also go by Heather C on goodreads – who knew that C was such a popular last initial ;)
do we have to read all their books, or can just one of each and post the reviews?
@Vince – you can read up to 5 novels for the challenge, which ones they are is completely up to you. Read the first novel from a series by five different authors or read five books by one author. Either works, but I like the idea of five different authors. *grin*
Ohh, there look to be some really great authors on that list! You can most certainly count me in.
I joined this a little while ago, but finally added a new challenge button/countdown alongside my other LitEsc challenge. :)
I just had to sign up for this Mini-Challenge. I have read a few of these authors and have REALLY LOVED what I read. I have many more from this group on my list to read.
I am just hoping I will be able to get through three books, I read a little slow to devour every word I read.
Thanks for this great challenge, and the chance to win some of these awesome books is just a bonus!
Jackie,
I clicked on the entry boxes and left a comment but I don’t see my name in the list of people who are signed up.
I hope it isn’t too late to sign up. I just found out about this challenge – Please add my name!
Suh-Weeet!!! I am totally in. I love the Leaguers!!!
Hey Jackie~
I have books from League authors on my yet-to-read shelf, so this would definitely help me trim down my TBR pile… (I will be honest with you though… while I haven’t read all these authors, I’ve read many and right now I have about 10 books from League authors sitting on my shelf, begging to be read… That ok if I read those for the challenge? If not, please do delete my name from the list of participants.)
Thanks!
Nice, I have been looking for some more late night reads for the in between times of kids to sleep and before the Huz comes home late from work. These will be sure to keep me up and having a good time. Always glad to read more new writers, can’t wait. Bookstore here we go!
The “League of Reluctant Adults” has some of the funniest, snarkiest writers out there. You won’t be disappointed in any of the writings of these people.
[...] looking for something to read between commercials during Law & Order? Well, then consider the New Author Mini-Challenge being done over at Literary [...]
I have read most of them but funnily enough of the ones I haven’t read yet, I have books by them in my current TBR pile. Of course I also have TBR books from those authors I am already familiar with too. This is one challenge I am going to enjoy tackling!
[...] As a second part to this challenge, Literary Escapism is, for the month of February, doing a mini-challenge, asking folks to read new authors from the League of Reluctant Adults (another of my blogroll [...]
There are a couple authors on that list that I have read and some that I have been thinking of reading. I guess this will give me a better incentive to try and do just that.
I already read/reviews Richelle Mead, Michelle Rowen & Jaye Wells’ books but I have a quite a few books of the other authors on my TBR shelf, it’s gonna be an extra motivation to pick them up next!
Planning to read books from:
Caitlin Kittredge, Diana Rowland, Molly Harper & Nicole Peeler.
I’m wondering where we post our reviews (besides our own blogs) – do we leave links in this post’s comments or where? How are you going to tally entries from our reviews
On Monday, there will be a post going up with a Mr. Linky for people to post their reviews. As for entries from your reviews, it’s going to go down like this:
Since I am in the EST zone, to make it fair, I won’t be posting winning results until late on March 2nd.
I sincerely hope it is not to late to join in the challenge. I had looked before and just decided to commit today! Please let me know if you need anything else from me to participate!
This is great! I already have a bunch of these authors in my TBR pile, but this will definitely help bump them to the top of the list. And the prizes don’t hurt either =)
I hope I wasn’t too late to join the challenge.
Really cool, I am definitely in! There are still a few of these authors I haven’t read yet and absolutely need to.
As Rob Thurman has just joined the ranks of the League are we going to include her in this challenge too?
Definitely. The challenge is for all Leaguers and she’s one.
I know I’m jumping on BARELY in time, but I’m joining:) I love all these authors, but still need to read many of them!
uh oh!
I’m a bit late joining in on the fun!
I hope that doesn’t matter, I’ll just do up a post now.
Sorry I’m so late to sign up, I only just noticed this!!! I’m looking forward to reading some new books! :)
great idea! i have 2 caitlin kittredge booksalready just waiting for me to finally dig into them. while i am already a firm fan of jaye wells, jennifer rardin, and richelle mead, there are several new authors on that list that have piqued my interest.
[...] Don’t forget to sign up for the League Reading Challenge at Literary Escapism. In an attempt to get people reading new authors in the genre, the League [...]
[...] I’m doing this, and if you haven’t heard about this challenge then you must be living un… [...]
I just saw this, can I still participate even though February has started?
I’m not seeing a link for the review posting page. Has that gone up yet?
@Michael – Yes it has, just click on the League logo in the sidebar or here.
Sorry I accidentally added up my review link on Mr Linky. Where is the right place? :(
Okay, I just added another review, and on to my next book. I think I will be able to get the three books in.
I have to say I purchased a few others though. Wishful thinking for in one month, but they will get read!
Melissa, if you only purchased a few more, then you did much better then I did. I think I still have four or five that I picked up but won’t get to (stupid Midterms coming right near the end of the month!).
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