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!
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.
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!).