When I read a story the first thing I look at is the cover. But I used to put a book back down if I didn't find the cover very enticing. I was wondering what you first noticed, did you ever look at the front and make a snap judgment and perhaps not read the book because of that? Or was there something else that made you not read a book that you might have found very interesting?
The cover, blurb and first page(s). I pointedly refuse to read author bios. I am not interested in their nationality, their marital status, the types of pets they have, the number of children or any other information that is supposed (and required) to 'connect' me to him/her. If that was the case, I'd probably never buy a book.
-Does the cover grab my attention?
-Does the image promise an adventure?
-Do they have a good hook?
-Does the blurb lead me to read the first few pages?
-Do the first few pages make me want to open my purse?
If I answer ‘yes’ to the above you have a sale.
This is what influences me, not the fact that a 92y/o great grandma penned the erotica I’m about to read. I do appreciate however, that this detail would be a marketing dream; and that it's different for non-fiction writers who have to prove their credentials.
I agree with Maurice. When just browsing it's cover, blurb, first page of text.
Like Victoria I probably miss a lot of good stuff but hey - on the plus side I probably avoid plenty of dross, too :)
I'm an impatient reader. I can't stand waffle, mainly due to an awful book I read.
Of course, the cover page is the first thing I see, and that does play a part in my selection.
Sometimes I may have heard about the book, and decide to take a look at it.
Most importantly, I like to read the Synopsis and the first page, to see if the story interests me. The story must grab my interest early.
Also, the story has to keep my interest, and that's where some books fail. They seem okay in the beginning, but then don't deliver as the story progresses, or provide an unsatisfactory ending.
Also, I am more likely to read a book by an author I've previously read and enjoyed. Saying that, I do like to read first time authors.
MN