Unknown Authors vs. Big Time Authors

Today I wanted to start a discussion and get some thoughts from other readers.  When you are cruising around your book blogs, are you more likely to buy books from authors you have heard about, or do you like to find books by authors that you have never heard of before?

For me, I like to find new authors.  They are like finding diamonds in the rough.  It is hard to fathom why so many wonderful authors are still struggling to be picked up by major publishing companies.  Now, I understand those big companies can only sign on so many wonderful authors due to money and demand.  Wouldn't it be great though if they had a program for new authors?  Maybe one new author a month to offer a contract to? 

If you are a follower of my blog, you will notice that I do a lot of reviews for authors that are not only from small publishing companies, but they aren't as well known as some of the bigger authors.  Does that mean they are horrible writers? No.  It just means that they haven't been discovered yet.  I feel that every book that is written is someone's hard work and effort to open a new world to someone in the joy of words.  That is why on my blog I strive to not only review huge authors, but the little guys as well.  Just because I haven't heard about them, doesn't mean they shouldn't have a chance to share their work as well. You would be surprised at how many of the books have made my favorites list.  

For example, RIVER OF TEARS by Michele L. Montgomery is still my favorite book of 2009.  I have read that book 3 times and the words still send my emotions into overdrive and tug at my heart.  It is a book that has stayed with me and I still have not found a book that touched me as much as it did since then.  It will probably be my favorite book of 2010 if I keep re reading it over and over again.  This author was one that I had never heard of, the cover was not fancy with half naked men on the front, and I still wanted to read it.  A true diamond in the rough was found.

I have also read and reviewed several books from Tierney O'Malley and Tory Richards.  Both of these wonderful authors have several books out.  Do a lot of people know about them? No. Well, if you are a big publishing company you need to wake up and snatch them up before you lose out on some amazing writing!  They both have a wonderful talent for writing romance and the details are great.  

Chastity Bush is another writer who I have read for several times.  Each book I have reviewed is from different genres so I know this author does not have a problem writing.  She can put a story together wonderfully and she can write on different subjects. I have read paranormal, romance and historical from her.  Not bad for an author as young as she is.

This is just a small sample of what is out there waiting to be discovered.  I believe that if given the chance, an unknown author to you, could easily become a well loved author for yourself as well.  So my challenge for everyone is this-- the next time you are out shopping for books, pick up a book from an author that you haven't heard of before.  Whether it be from a regular book store or from an online small house publishing company, you never know what kind of diamond you will find.  You just might be reading the next Nora Roberts, Stephen King or James Patterson.