Read All About It

I've often written about how many cozies there are and how new ones are being released all the time. So much so that I'll never be able to read everything I want to read. I got to wondering, how do you find out about new books and authors?

There are scads of ways to discover new releases, especially with the advent of technology and social media. One way to learn about new releases are e-mails and newsletters. Both publishers and individual authors send out periodic e-mails about new releases and other information regarding the series in question. I get e-mails from Berkley Mysteries, Berkley/Jove, and numerous author newsletters. I appreciate the author newsletters as they're homey and have lots of extras, but I admit-I don't always read them, or all of them. I do like the monthly Berkley Mysteries News as it lists the month's new releases from Berkley Prime Crime and Obsidian Mysteries with a brief description of the books as well as a short interview with an author and sometimes a guest post from another author as well.

Another way to learn about new books are websites. Most authors have their own websites and there are websites devoted to mysteries. One of my favorite mystery websites is Stop You're Killing Me. This site lists new and upcoming releases not only in paperback and hardcover, but large print and audio as well. You can find mysteries by either author or character name, and then it will list the series in order! You can also search for mysteries by location, subgenre, and more. I use this site often. I admit, with all of the authors I like, I don't spend much time at their websites. Another website I use is Goodreads. I use this site primarily to keep track of the books I've read, but you can do many things on it as well, include getting recommendations.

Similar to websites are blogs. There are blogs by individual authors, blogs by groups of authors, and blogs by readers, reviewers, and fans-like this one!  I try to keep up with a few blogs-most by groups of authors and mystery bloggers. Favorite author blogs include Mystery Lovers' Kitchen, Killer Hobbies, Killer Characters, and The Cozy Chicks. Favorite mystery bloggers include Dru's Book Musings, Escape with Dollycas into a Good Book, Shelley's Book Case, Lisa Ks Book Reviews, and more.

But probably the most common, and easiest way in which I'm kept apprised of new releases and new authors is Facebook. I'm friends with several authors and their pages and I like the pages of several bloggers. (Like me they have a corresponding Facebook page for their mystery blog. You can find me at facebook.com/CozyUpWithKathy.)

Then there are the old school ways of learning about new books and authors: libraries and bookstores. Not only can you find new books by perusing the stacks, you can often find recommendations from librarians, book sellers, and other employees and patrons. Finally there are the recommendations given by family and friends.

What methods do you use to discover new books and authors?

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A while back I said that when both this Facebook page AND the blog each had 100 likes/followers I'd give away a book. My Facebook page surpassed that goal some time back-but this blog is still waiting. We are close. Only 2 more followers to go. If you haven't already, scroll down on the right hand side of the blog and after all the upcoming blog tours, you'll see a spot to become a follower. Once we hit 100 I'll give away a hardcover copy of State Fair by Earlene Fowler, a Benni Harper mystery.