Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Angels' Blood Countdown: Alison Sinclair - Darkborn ARC

Winner: The random winner of Darkborn is M! M, please email me at nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com.

I'm counting down the hours to the release of ANGELS' BLOOD! Here's what Chere Gruver had to say about it on PNR (where Angels' Blood is also a PNR Staff Top Pick!):
As with all of Nalini Singh's books, the world building is top-notch and we're plunged into non-stop action from the very first page. The characters, including the secondary, are all very well fleshed out, from the good to the truly evil...I absolutely love this story and can't wait to see where Nalini Singh takes the series from here! Have to say, she's going to have a very tough time topping this one.
And the countdown continues with today's prize being an ARC of Alison Sinclair's Darkborn.

Darkborn, releasing in May, is the first in a fantasy trilogy that will include Lightborn and Shadowborn. The books are described as: "a fantasy trilogy of magic and manners, espionage and romance in the tradition of Sarah Monette and Ellen Kushner."

There's something just so haunting about that cover and the tagline: When light is lethal.

Today's entry question is: How do you keep track of releases by favorite authors? What's the most useful - the author's website, blog sites...??

84 comments :

Angela said...

I used a combination of things. Author's blogs are nice, because I just read them in my Google-reader, and get all the updates in one place. I also have a spreadsheet, and my wishlist at Amazon.com which helps me to keep track of what I'm looking for. But mostly, once I find out a release date, it just sticks in my mind, and I'm at the bookstore on that date LOL

Anonymous said...

To keep track of new releases, I am signed up to numerous newsletters, I have favorited blogs for easy one-click use, and I enter the info in the calendar on my phone so I don't need to turn on my computer everytime I want to check when something is coming out.

Any and all of those things are very useful to me. Especially the calendar :P

This book looks so good!

Leslie said...

At the beginning of the year I posted on my blog the releases I'm looking forward to this year. I update the post as more info is available, usually from authors' sites/blogs.

Alaine said...

I find author's blogs the most useful because they just come up in Google Reader which I read everyday. I also find Goodreads helpful because there are lots of enthusiastic readers there and they get excited when their favourite author releases a new book.

Anonymous said...

Its useful if the author website is up to date and informative. But blogs are good reminders, too!

Helen said...

I use a few things the websites blogs facebook if they are on there and are my friends and I order my books from Rendezvous Bookstore in Melbourne Australia and they have a wonderful monthly catologue on line and in the mail.

Have Fun
Helen

azteclady said...

Luddite that I am, I used to keep track in a notebook. I would see the new book announced in the author's blog or website, or discussed in readers' blogs, and I would write it down.

I am also subscribed to a number of authors (or group of authors) newsletters, so I get reminders every so often. And those too I would write down in my notebook.

Now Google calendar is my friend :grin:

Katie said...

I find the the author's blogs are a great place. Authors want poeple to know when things are coming out.

I also am constantly checking amazon for new listings from my favorite authors.

Unknown said...

I'm still an old-fashioned notebook user :) I usually use a combination of blogs/ newsletters/ amazon lists and recommendations to add to my wishlist, and just carry this with me when I make a trip over to the bookstore. I also like the amazon wishlist function.

Dannyfiredragon said...

It's a combination of blogs, websites, yahoo loops, newsletters and Fiction Database

Jackie Uhrmacher said...

Like Angela, I used to be a good girl and keep it on an excel spreadsheet (okay, so I'm a nerd), but now I stalk Amazon.

donnas said...

I use a number of things. I keep a spreadsheet as I find the books I want to keep track of. I get them from Amazon, blogs and Fantastic Fiction.

Wendy said...

I have a specific preadsheet where I list authors, books, release date and the ones getting my new born.

Er, no actually. I just KNOW when something good by a favorite author is coming out.

twalls said...

I have all of my favorite authors' websites bookmarked. Sometimes though Amazon.com has an upcoming book listed before it's on the author's website.

Lisa said...

I use lots of things spreadsheet by month of release, websites, blogs, yahoo groups, romantic times magazine

Margay Leah Justice said...

Blogs and websites are probably the best way for me to keep track of them, since I spend so much time online!
Margay

The_Book_Queen said...

It's not always easy to keep track of them all, so I have more than one way of doing so: newsletters that I've signed up for, their websites of course, the occasional blogs, etc. I also like to make lists of books I'm waiting for, and this helps too...Until I forget to update the list with new books/take off ones I've already got.

Anonymous said...

A combination of blogs, authors' websites, bookstore's website and my own list or two that isn't always updated...and my memory, for what that's worth. Heh! :)

SciFiGuy said...

Blogs mostly and the RT Book Reviews. Then everything goes into my Amazon wishlist.

Anonymous said...

I keep a notebook and have to check it off when I preorder it since I do 99% of my book shopping online. No local bookstore :( I check blogs, websites, upcoming releases at B&N and Amazon.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading author blogs, especially if they are updated often. If I can read every author I enjoy in one place I'm golden! I sometimes forget to check websites, even if they are bookmarked.

Lori T said...

I do several things...I follow the author's blogs and I try to keep track of when releases are coming out. I, also, check out Amazon and my local bookstore to see what is coming out.

tetewa said...

I visit authors sites and subscribe to newsletters to keep me updated!

Anonymous said...

I use a combination of sites and methods to keep track of favorite author's newest upcoming books.

I visit the authors website/blog & sign up for newsletters from each author.

I visit other romance blogs (book smugglers, goodbadunread, Lurv a la mode etc...)

I use my Amazon wishlist and PBS wishlist (paperbackswap) to keep track of books I want.

I also write out a calendar of upcoming releases by month...that way I can buy the books being released around the same time in a group.

dancechica said...

I use either the author's website, blog or newsletter (if they have one). I sometimes find things by during a search on Amazon, too.

I keep track of all upcoming releases with my Amazon wishlist and with a Word document where I list all the new releases I'm interested in for each month along with their release day.

Maigan Silverstein Rarick said...

I usually pay attention to author's blogs, and when they announce that their books have appeared on Amazon, I add them to my wishlist. :) The Fangs, Fur, Fey community also posts all their released on the sidebar of their blog, and in a post at the end of every month, so that's pretty helpful for me. I also like widgets! X)

Anonymous said...

I use a combination of things as I've noticed a lot of people have said. I use amazon and b&n to keep track of my pre-orders and I use the authors blog to keep me tuned it on how long till the next release :)

Slynne said...

I admit to being lazy and letting Amazon remember it for me.

Anonymous said...

I mostly use Amazon.com to find release dates for the books. I also visit the author's blogs regularly and some fan sites.

Anonymous said...

i keep track by adding them to my amazon.com wishlist :D it's a huge huge list of everything i want/need and i have the emails sent to me when things release. :D

Anonymous said...

I subscribe to "RT" and I also read a lot of author blogs and reader web sites/message boards.

macbeaner said...

I follow authors blogs, I review and I check out various publisher websites :)

Danni T said...

To keep track of releases I do a bunch of things. I check out author websites/blogs, I check out Amazon, and I also check at Fantastic Fiction. They're pretty good a keeping up to date on releases.

Brooke Reviews said...

I find releases by Amazon, author websites, and other book blogs. Then I keep track in a spreadsheet! :)

Erika Powell said...

i am always checking author's blogs and i love the amazon coming soon page

Lisa F. said...

I keep track by visit websites and blogs. Also I visit Amazon and check the dates. I have a calender where I mark new releases with. Also yahoo mail has a date reminder. So I get a email when a book comes out that I'm waiting for.

Unknown said...

I usually visit author's websites to find out as soon as possible when the next release is. Then the date either sticks in my head, or at least the general time frame, and if need be I go back to the author's website to check again.

Lisa said...

I use a combination of my google reader with author blogs and review sites and Amazon.

This book has had me intrigued since I first saw it about three months ago.

jeanette8042 said...

I keep track of author releases with the author's website and on amazon.com where there are lists made by other readers about what's new.

Anonymous said...

Word of mouth and blogs. And I hopelessly fall behind! lol

Anonymous said...

Author blogs and websites are usually the most helpful. But I usually have a saved file of upcoming releases that help me keep track of them all

The Brunette Librarian said...

I'm such a nerd but I have a huge calendar (at work, no less!) where I have all of the titles wrote down. That way, after work, I hope on over to the bookstore and pick it up (or have it ordered from Barnes & Noble) :)

I've lately become a huge fan of blogs and it's easy to keep track of them this way too! :) Definetly a good reminder!

Unknown said...

Author's blogs and Amazon.com

Anonymous said...

I would say the author's site when it's an author I like and know their next will probably be an autobuy. Really great author blogs have also helped with new finds.

I typically use blog sites like Book Smugglers, SBTB, Fantasy Book Critic, etc.

Another new addiction for me is Goodreads. Especially when you can compare your ratings to other readers.

M. said...

I love review sites with readers who are so much more speedy than I, thus gaining access to books ahead of the curve and providing a heads-up when they really love (or loathe) something.

And - in the tradition of Sarah Monette? I'm so there.

Heather said...

I use lots of things. Author websites, library website, author blogs, review websites, as well of lists of when the next book from my favorite author is coming out.

Bridget Locke said...

I use a combination of things, but I like using an author's site the best, since HOPEFULLY I'm getting the best info from them.

That's not always the case though, which is frustrating. *sigh* So, I also rely on friends and book sites where I know I'm getting good info. *crossing fingers*

I can't wait for tomorrow! My copy of Angels' Blood better be there or I'm going to be taking heads. :D

Mary M. said...

I have a release dates calendar in my day planner - a list, in chronological order, of all the books from my favorite authors coming out in the next months. It can cover up to a year in advance and I update it at least twice a year. For the dates, I usually check the author's sites (my favorite 20 are all bookmarked on my computer) and counter-check with Amazon. Sometimes I'll get info from the message boards and newsletters too, and I frequently check catalogues on publishers' sites. I'm also subcribed to the IPDA updates, which give you the release date of all paperback books coming out in the next 8-9 months. I love author's blogs, but I read them for general information about the characters and how the writing is going.

Blodeuedd said...

Mostly I don't have a clue, it's always but it's the way I grew up. I always had to wait for the translations for my fav books, then when i started reading in English I waited for them to get here. Now if it's a book i must have on the date it comes out I check it out wherever I can and wait.

Eva S said...

It's a combination of websites, blogs and newsletters, and I have a notebook too...

Pam P said...

I find out at all sorts of places on the web, and once I do, I put them on my author booklist to make sure I don't miss when they finally come out. I like authors who always keep you updated as soon as possible at their sites and in their newsletters, the two main things I check first.

gawain said...

I use a combination. I do get most of my info from Amazon. But I use reader groups and author's pages and blogs as well.

kim said...

Since visiting this blog for the past several days, I'll be visiting more author web sites to keep up-to-date with the latest releases. Before, I usually found new releases through Amazon or Rhapsody.

May said...

I mainly checked information on Amazon. If it is my favorite author, I also check her website. Then I write the list down on my notebook.

Pamk said...

blogs, newsletters, and checking amazon. I try to add to my wish list books I don't won't to miss and I try to preorder.

Anonymous said...

I have a spreadsheet where I keep all of my releases. I also list which series the releases come from as well as if there are any excerpts. In fact, I just updated it last night - http://www.literaryescapism.com/info/releases.html

Marnie said...

Good question.

Blogs, Amazon, Paperbackswap, Newsletters and word of mouth. I really wish they would have a good website or program that could help you out with this.

Lizzielvr said...

Newsletters, websites, online book stores are a great source...

Spari said...

I usually keep track of the new releases with the authors web site and blog.

Zhye said...

I use Amazon, Locus magazine, and Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine to find release dates. Once I have the dates I use the calendars on Myspace and my Yahoo! group so I and anyone else can find them.

Anonymous said...

Websites of the authors and the exerpts in the books. Next to that I also look at websites of publishers and the website of fantastic fiction (because that gives me an idea about what might be in store).

Una said...

I mainly use the author's website. But if they have myspace or facebook, I will also check in with that. I also keep an eye on my library wait list...I know a book is coming out soon when the title shows up on my searches. Plus, Amazon is really good at giving notice when a book they think you'll like (or in a series you purchased) is coming out.

prajantr said...

I use a Contdown widget to track book releases in the sidebar of my personal blog (including your books :P).

But I enjoy checking Author's blogs and websites to look into possible appearances and news, as well as random fun stuff that some authors keep in their blogs if they update somewhat frequently.

Unknown said...

I write it all down in a separate journal book, but I also really enjoy poking around on the authors' sites. I have also recently discovered blogs! I really enjoy reading the authors' blogs, as well. But I think the biggest help is Amazon. Wow, that thing is really a sanity saver.

CrystalGB said...

For me, it is author websites, blogs and newsletters.

Lexie said...

Mostly I track through their weblogs, or amazon. For authors I KNOW will be having another book out in a series I enjoy I just keep checking amazon each week.

Shari C said...

It is a combination of reading the author's website to information on various blogs. I also find many times that authors put a hint of their next book and title at the end of their current published novel. I also often times receive news on new stories coming out from Amazon and Barnes and Noble if they are by authors I have previously read. To keep track of all this information I have a calendar of each month on my computer where I can continually add new books I wish to purchase and then when the month is here I just print it out and head to my favorite bookstore.

orannia said...

WOW that's an amazing cover! And the name Sarah Monette had me pricking my ears up :)

I don't know how I kept track before discovering the various reviewer/reader blogs I'm frequenting with abandon now :) At the moment any book I see that I want to read I add to a list that sits on my desk. When the book appears on the library catalogue I place a hold on it. I don't know what I'd do if my library hold list was ever wiped!!! *panic*

Off to read the comments and get lots of good ideas :)

FD said...

I haunt my favorite authors' websites and blogs, subscribe to their newsletters and have some upcoming books "on alert" from the online store I use.

Shaymless Aymless said...

Spreadsheet! Very engineer-ish. *g*

Also for the ones I'm really looking forward to, the count down widget (if available).

Renee said...

I use one of my blog pages. Anytime I see something that catches my eye, I hop over to it and add it to the running list.

Anonymous said...

I keep an eye on Author blogs/forums/and amazon - and put all the upcoming books I will pick up in my wishlist or save for later shopping basket.

Karin said...

I just keep an eye on author's websites and blogs as well as announcements I get emailed to me.

Anonymous said...

A motley collection of online sources--author's websites and mailing lists if they're available, publishers if they're not--and sometimes just plain word-of-mouth.

Unknown said...

I usually check author websites.

Leigh Ann Baird said...

I will go to an author's website and/or blog and look for new release information. Release dates for my favorite authors tend to stick in my brain.

I like using Shelfari to keep track of books I've read and want to read.

scottsgal said...

I subscribe to newsletters, blogs, authors sites of my faves.

great giveaway

msboatgal at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I am the luckiest girl on earth because my husband is a computer programming genius. He made a program for me which pulls release book titles and release dates of a list of my favorite authors (which I continually update). Therefore, it takes me about 2 minutes to check up on the release dates.

LOVE it.

Now I need to figure out how to make an automatic updated list to go to my phone so I can access it when I'm book shopping. Maybe I can get the hubby to do that, too. =)

Kytaira said...

I have Byron to track upcoming books and put them in my TBB list. I learn about the release from various sources. Author's newsletters and websites mainly.

Unknown said...

Wish I had a routine or something for this, but it's mostly from friends or if I just see a book at the bookstore. Wish I had time to go to all the different sites to find out more, but I just don't.

Anonymous said...

For my favorite authors, I've become trolls to their blogs and forums in addition, I've signed up for a few newsletters and follow each forum's book release. I think other than that, the best way for me to follow the release dates is to go to the author's website for release dates.

Lou said...

Amazon
Blogs
Message Boards
Bookmarks
Author's websites
Newsletters

For must-buy authors, the release dates are swimming around happily in my head.

Anonymous said...

To keep track of my favorite authors, I frequently visit their blogs or websites. Sometimes authors offers free goodies so it is fun to visit their site. Blogs and websites are pretty useful in keeping track of book releases.

Sue

Heather B. said...

i use author's websites, blogs, amazon and other book sites and keep track of them in a spread sheet by author, title and release date.

I download it to my phone then I have it with me everywhere I go. It's way cool.

Heather