Deb Linda’s “Ha! You wish!” List

Argh. This week’s topic is hard for me. I’m a teensy-weensy bit uncomfortable comparing my book to those by other authors, especially successful ones. I mean, who am I to try to stack myself up against writers who’ve already proven their talent over and over again?

Seems to me I could be setting myself up for a great big “Ha! You wish!”

But you know what? I do wish.

So I’ll just share with you a partial list of books I wouldn’t mind in the least In a Fix being compared to:

1. Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. In fact, I’ve been told by people who’ve read In a Fix that it has an early Stephanie Plum sensibility to it. (If, yannoh, Stephanie could instantly look like anyone she wanted to.) There is a certain amount wackiness, and a couple of really hot guys in my book, too, so I guess I guess it might appeal to Evanovich’s fan base. (I know! I wish.)

 

2. Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series, aka the Sookie Stackhouse books. If you like the paranormal aspect of these (and *cough* the hot guys), you might find something enjoyable about In a Fix. (Hey, I said this is a WISH LIST, right?)

 

3. Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series. If wise-ass, first-person POV main characters appeal to you, as well as elements of the paranormal, as in this wonderful series (I’ll admit it–I’m a little in love with the wizard Harry Dresden), it’s possible reading In a Fix wouldn’t bother you too much. You might like it better than a trip to the dentist, at any rate.

 

4. Kristan Higgins’s books, like Just One of the Guys. Her heroines are funny and flawed, and appealing to read even when they make you wince. Which is something I hope my Ciel Halligan can achieve.

 

And, gosh, so many more!

*Sighs* But it’s time to stop dreaming, before you guys think I’m totally bonkers.

(All right, I can hear the whispers of “Too late!” out there in the peanut gallery…)

 

So, do you like it when a new author is compared to one you are already familiar with? Does it help you decide whether or not to buy a book? Or does it just set you up for disappointment?

And how about you writers? Do you sweat the comparisons? Or are you confident enough to say “Hell, yeah! I’m the next [insert author of your choice here]!”

28 Replies to “Deb Linda’s “Ha! You wish!” List”

  1. Well, here’s the thing, Linda. I will have read IN A FIX before I’ve read any of these wonderful recommendations, so it will be impossible for me not to compare THEM to IN A FIX. Oh, well. Timing, don’tcha know? 😉

  2. It’s so funny that when I first “met” you, Deb Linda, I had to ask about Urban Fiction. I was soooo uneducated then! An ARC for In A Fix is on tour and I am one lucky recipient. While I know nothing about the books you have listed, I know that the story has already grabbed me and I’m hooked! I guess I can get in to this Urban Fiction thing after all!

  4. I love the Steph Plum books and have also read and enjoyed a few of the Sookie Stackhouse books, so I’m even MORE pumped to read IN A FIX (this weekend’s excitement! WOOT!).

    And I do like the comparisons – for me it’s not so much an “I’m the next so-and-so” as much as giving people an idea of the tone/voice of the books. I’m getting from your comparisons that the tone is a funny but clever take on UF with lots of fun and sexy moments – that’s important. You want to know what kind of book your getting into, right?

    1. Very good point, Deb Joanne. I do like it when I see comparisons of other new authors to ones I’m already familiar with. Guess it just feels weird to find myself in the same position.

        1. I wouldn’t sweat that at all–SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE rocks. Sooo engaging! I still giggle when I think about Bubby Dora–I just love her.

  5. So funny; your choices are exactly the authors I’d loooove my books to be compared to! I was totally pumped when one of my readers compared me to Janet Evanovich. And, dammit, September is too long to wait for In a Fix. I’m chomping at the bit!

    I definitely appreciate book comparisons. I’m rarely disappointed, because I don’t expect a book to be “exactly like” Author X, but it’s nice to get a feel for what to expect.

    1. You can bet your sweet patootie that I wouldn’t mind if even a small portion of Evanovich’s reading audience decided to give my humble little LUF (light urban fantasy) a try. 😉

      Re waiting until September for In a Fix: it’s now up at NetGalley. If you sign up there, they might let you download a digital file. Not quite the same as fondling pages, I know, but it’ll do in a pinch. 😉 Just let me know if you do–I can maybe get my publicist at Tor to put you on the approved reader list.

      (Geez. Doesn’t THAT sound hoity-toity. But I guess that’s how the electronic galley thing works.)

  6. I…well *mumblemumble*haven’treadthese*mumblemumble*. I know. I think I’m the only woman in the country who hasn’t read at least one Stephanie Plum book. Come September, I’ll be able to say to people, “You haven’t read that? It’s sort of like a Linda Grimes…” 🙂

    And, no, I’m not comfortable doing the comparisons to my own work. Maybe someday.

    1. LOL! Hey, to each her own, right?

      I was trying to think why it’s so hard for us to compare our own books to others. I thinks it might, at least in part, be because we’re so darn close to our own. Comparisons require a little distance–that whole “can’t see the forest for the trees” thing.

  7. from your list, i’ve only read janet evanovich’s books and i have to say, that’s a very accurate comparison. stephanie and ciel? both loveable, slightly bumbling, but always manage to save the day (and leave us readers wanting more!)

    that said, ciel is one of a kind, and i’m so glad i’ve already met her! 🙂

    1. Aww, thanks, Abby. I’m so glad you liked it. And that you want more, because book 2 is coming out next summer. 😉

  8. Linda, I already read In A Fix, sorry you’ll have to check out LIbraryJournal for my review 🙂
    but as a reader I don’t mind comparing like authors, IF, and here’s the thing if the recommender knows what they’re talking about.
    I can see you compared to Janet E, and to a certain degree Kristan, the other two I haven’t read. But I do know that people will soon be using your novels as comparisons too. 🙂
    nuf said
    deb

    1. Wow! Thank you so much! You’ve made my day. 🙂

      It’s always been my dream to see one of my books on the shelf at my local library. Maybe I’ll actually have a shot at it now.

  10. I can’t wait for everyone to meet Ciel!!!! And Billy and Mark… Of course you should compare yourself to Janet Evanovich. Ciel has that same madcap heroine quality and the books are so much fun. Loving all the comments about the time when others will compare their books to YOURS!!

    1. Aw, thanks. Of course, you have to say that–you’re my agent. It’s like when my mom tells me I’m pretty. 😉

  11. I love the comparisons! Of course, when it’s my turn, I want other people to make the comparison’s for me, so I don’t have to put myself out there…but I might be willing to say “if you like…Linda Grimes,” (for instance) then you might appreciate that I aspire to be this writer some day…

  12. I need to make an embarrassing confession here – I go on those “If you like blank person you will like blank person lists. I do. Try not to judge me too hard. I’ve found some good authors that way.

    I know I’m going to love your book, regardless. I love your blog and I assume that’s your voice. Or do you disguise your voice on your blog? Tricky. Now I HAVE to buy your book just so I can see what you’re up to.

    1. Oh, I don’t mind at all when other people make the comparisons. It’s just tough for me to do it with my books, is all.

      Hmmm. I’d say the “voice” of my blog is similar to my books. Except, of course, I’m older and wiser than my MC. Still a smart-ass, though. 😉

Comments are closed.