Monday, December 3, 2012

Spanking Story Reader Poll

I've created a poll that will be up for the rest of December. See it over there----->

It's all about what makes you decide to buy a book. Is it the cover image? The description? Price?

You can vote for up to three choices, but I'd also like to hear your comments. What makes you decide to buy? Or what makes you change your mind and not buy?

Have you ever returned a book, if so why?

25 comments:

  1. I would add moderate spankings and some sex!LOL
    I like the poll.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a great idea! I can't wait to see the final results:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hope you post the results of the survey! This would be very useful information!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like the idea! Can't to see the results!

    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  5. A great idea, hope to see the results, Top three are nice, but often one or two more may come into play....

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was trying to figure out why some books sell and others don't, so I thought I'd go to the experts---my readers. The poll will be up all month (unless it seems to die out sooner) and I'll be sure to post the results and my cracker jack analysis of the data.

    Thanks for stopping by and spreading the word.

    ReplyDelete
  7. As usual, I didn't read the rules until after I voted. I'm not good with rules.

    I have never returned a book, except to the library.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've never returned a book...not that I didn't want to. I just think it's not good form. When I buy a book in the book store I don't return it just because I didn't like it. That's what libraries are for. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

    What will make me avoid a book is the same ol theme--poor girl meets billionaire, brat gets lost/gets caught/trespasses on cowboy's vast acreage...there are others. I look for something different.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Did you know that ebooks can be returned? Apparently if you do it too much Amazon will not let you do it any more, but it's something I've learned since self-pubbing.

      Delete
    2. I didn't know ebooks could be returned. I knew print books could. It's why publishers typically hold back a portion of royalties -- to cover the returns.

      Delete
  9. What a great idea. This could be very valuable research. I've been wondering about this too. I have a theory though, and it's this: There are 3 things that a potential book buyer sees when she clicks on your title after it appears in her search results. She sees the cover and title, the product description, and can "look inside" and read the first 10-15 pages. So if you know your target market, it seems to me that it is worth while making all 3 of these items compelling for that person. The buying decision will be made on the basis of that initial impression, so it has to be as focused as a laser on the type of reader you trying to impress. Most of the folks who frequent this blog like romances, and that's one target audience. Others like pure spanking fiction. My current novel, ATONEMENT, is a spanking novel in the tradition of the pulp fiction writers of the 60's and so there is a different target audience for that. The 3 points of contact then, are geared to attract this market segment. Anyway, until I have a better idea, that's the direction I'm taking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some good points Rollin. I've read that many people/publishers are putting the table of contents and as much other material that's usually at the front of a book at the end so that they have more story in the free preview. Makes sense to me.

      Delete
    2. Here's one more thing. Those opening pages should showcase some "action", just like you see in a James Bond film. After all, the reader is not going to be grabbed by your flowery prose if it is merely a description of the setting and perhaps an introduction of the characters. So now I think I may revise the beginning so that it starts in the middle of an action sequence and then cuts to a flashback that would have been the beginning, so that the reader sees what she will be getting when she arrives at a major or minor climax.

      Delete
    3. I was always taught, no matter what the genre, to start in the middle of the action.

      Delete
    4. That's what feels natural to me, Cara, but I've been criticizes for starting too abruptly. I've had to learn to set up the scene at least a little bit.

      Delete
    5. Good grief. I've been criticizeD because I can't type, either.

      Delete
  10. For me price alone isn't a factor, but I do consider price with length. Even if a book intrigues me, I'll rarely purchase a short story that's been priced like a novel. I obviously like books with spankings since I purchase a lot of them and I write them, too, but I'm picky. I could give you a list of what I like and don't like, but since it would be based solely on my personal taste as a reader, I don't think it would help.

    What a great idea for a poll, Celeste, and I look forward to reading the results. I definitely could have picked more than three reasons since I also do repeat purchases on authors I've enjoyed in the past, but I chose the top three reasons I purchase a book by an author who is new to me.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh, I also meant to add that it's against my religion to return a book, so, nope. I've never done it. Although there are a few where I've been tempted, but only a very few.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Filled out the survey. If there was an "other" choice, I would've added Reviews from review sites.

    Since I was a reviewer in my life-before-publishing, I also rely heavily on reviews by reputable blogs.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great idea, Celeste!

    I'm interested to see the results, too :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thx, Celeste! can't wait to see how it turns out.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The stars have to line up. ;) Good cover, good blurb, overall nice feel to the book.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great idea for a poll - and interesting results. There are a variety of things that make me choose or not choose a book. Pretty much everything on your list has at some time had an impact on my decision to buy or not buy.

    I like stories that are romantic. If there isn't a romantic relationship within the spanking story framework I'm unlikely to buy. I don't care for the uncle spanking the niece or the father spanking the daughter stories that you find in more straight erotica. I like stories where there is romantic tension between the characters so that's always a big factor.

    I tend to like more intense spanking scenes. Three swats does not a spanking make. Especially if she can't sit down for three days after. Come on. :)

    I use reviews to judge the aspects of the story that are important to me...like whether there is a romance...and whether the spankings are intense...and whether the ending is happy...

    There's a whole group of things that factor in...whether the blurb lays out an adventure I find intriguing is a huge factor too. But what is intriguing varies from day to day and person to person. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. I loved this survey and look forward to seeing the results.

    ReplyDelete

I love getting feedback. Thank you for taking the time to comment!