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.
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!
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! =)