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 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.
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!
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.