Waiting for the next Book by Stacia Kane + Giveaway

Filed in Blogoversary , Giveaways , Guest Post , Stacia Kane , The Latin Lover Posted on January 23, 2011 @ 9:00 am 108 comments

Today the phenomenal Stacia Kane took over the daunting task of taking our place on the blog. She will tell you how hard it actually is to keep a secret as an author and how the wait for the next book is out of her point of view. We all know her Downside novels created a huge Terrible Fever- a well deserved one because let’s be honest her books are unique and wonderful. Be sure to answer one of her questions at the end of the post to win an fabulous prize pack. 

So, any of you who follow my blog or my Twitter—if any of you reading this do—will be aware that I finished the fourth Downside book, which still doesn’t have a title, a few weeks ago. This afternoon I heard from my wonderful editor, who (huge sigh of relief) loves the book.

Hey, we writers can’t take this for granted; we never know how a book is going to be received, not ever. And chances are the one we like the least is the one readers like the best. I know that’s true for me. I felt CITY OF GHOSTS was the weakest of the first three books, but everyone seems to love it. But the point is, I write the book, and I feel however I feel about it and I hope, but there’s always the chance that my editor will email me to ask me who the hell I’m trying to kid with that big pile of messy stupidity I sent her, and did I really think I could get away with that? So, luckily, I managed to dodge that bullet one more time.
But. In a way this next stretch is even harder to get through. Not just writing the fifth book, and then the sixth. That’s going to be fun, and I’m looking forward to it. No, I mean the wait.
Not just the wait, but the worry.
Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1)It’s exciting to know what happens next. It’s exciting to think—to hope—that readers will be excited by this scene or that, or that they’ll love that line as much as you will, or that they’ll be pleased that X or Y happened. It’s exciting to picture their reactions when they finish the book. Sure, it’s scary, because they might hate it, but in general all you can do is try to be optimistic. And having my editor tell me she loves it does help a lot with that.
But it takes so long. Having the secret—in this case, having another three books’ worth of secrets—begins to wear. It’s already starting for me a bit; I might see someone guess this or that and want to tell them they’re right or wrong, but I don’t want to spoil anything (and if it’s a reader conversation I’ve stumbled across—as opposed to one on my blog or @ replied to me on Twitter—I don’t join in, just like I don’t read the Goodreads group some readers set up. It’s not for me, it’s for you guys, and you shouldn’t feel like I’m always peering over your shoulder to see what you’re saying).
Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts, Book 2)It’s just…it’s like planning a surprise party for your best friend, but that friend’s birthday isn’t for a year and a half yet. You have all the plans laid and the work done, but now you have to keep your mouth shut about it for that long. And you want to tell. You want to tell because you’re excited, as I said above. You want to tell because you can’t wait for the reaction. But you can’t tell, and it’s some weird form of torture, because you’re supposed to be promoting this book and the series, and making people anticipate the next book, while at the same time not telling them anything that will happen in the next book.
I’ll put up the first chapter, of course, but not until we’re much closer to the release date (which I don’t have yet). I’ve posted a couple of little excerpts, yes. But how many of those can I post without giving away the whole book, you know? Especially because I don’t want to give spoilers, and as the book goes on—beyond the first three or four chapters, really—everything has to do with that book’s plot and that book’s characters, so it’s all spoilery. And at what point are you just being kind of a jerk, posting little excerpts from, say, the sixth book, which won’t be out for another two-and-a-half years or something (Not saying it will be, I have no idea, I’m just saying it could be a while, is all)?
So it’s hard not to tell. And it’s hard not to worry. What if you all forget about it, about the series? What if you no longer care? There are so many other books coming out between now and then, it’ll be easy to move on from my little gang of ghetto no-hopers. Maybe the fact that I tried to give you some sort of ending in the third book in case I didn’t get contracted for more means you’re already satisfied with that ending and don’t want to read more. Maybe you’ll all be sick to death of witches by the time the book comes out. Who knows? So much can happen.
City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 3)So next time you’re bemoaning the length of time between book releases, just remember. It drives us crazy too. We can’t wait for you to read our work. We can’t wait to entertain you again, and we really really hope we will.
What do you think, do you like excerpts? Spoilers? Is there a particular question you’re hoping is answered, or a particular thing you’d like to see, in the next Downside book? (I won’t tell you if it will or won’t be in there, but it’d be a fun way to enter the contest, right?)
Thanks so much for letting me come play today, Ladies! It’s always so much fun to visit Book Lovers.

Thank you Stacia, as always we loved to have you over! 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway

Stacia generously offered to give away the first 3 Downside novels, signed to one lucky commentator!!

Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1)  Unholy Magic (Downside Ghosts, Book 2)  City of Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 3)
You’re also getting an extra entry for the main giveaway if you entered our Big Blogoversary Giveaway here.

All you have to do is answer Stacia’s question (only one or several, as you wish).
(You can read our full giveaway policy here)
Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).
This giveaway is open worldwide!
Giveaway ends on Friday February 4th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck! 🙂

About Susi


Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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108 Comments

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  • RK Charron January 23, 2011 at 9:07 am

    Thank you for the wonderful post Stacia. I hadn't considered the wait from the author's point of view before & it would totally drive me bonkers to have to hold on to story revelations for two or more years!
    I have a new-found respect for you and all the authors' books I so anxiously await.
    As for spoilers… *Plugs ears* *Shuts eyes* "No.No.Noooooo"
    🙂
    Thank you again for sharing,
    All the best,
    Rob

  • GeishasMom73 January 23, 2011 at 9:19 am

    Great post Stacia! I love excerpts! I have been accidentally spoiled by them in the past but they really whet the appetite! I am always impatient for the latest installment of my favorite series.

    Stacie
    GeishasMom73 on twitter

  • Ricki January 23, 2011 at 9:34 am

    I have not read any of the Downside novels, so I don't know if there are any questions I want answered or anything I want to see in future books. It sounds like an awesome series, though.
    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

  • Just_Me37 January 23, 2011 at 10:00 am

    I'd love to be entered, I hear so much about this series but haven't had a chance to read these yet. On the topic of spoilers and excerpts – I love them. They make me want the books more and it feels like it makes the wait a little less (although sometimes longer :D).

    crazy_canadian_chick37 at hotmail dot com

  • Shannon@BooksDevoured January 23, 2011 at 10:25 am

    I only read excerpts for a series I am unfamiliar with. Once I am invested in the series I want to discover everything about the book in the time the author intends to tell it. One word at a time. I would be a newbie to the books, so I can not wait to read them all!

    BooksDevoured(at)gmail.com

  • Elizabeth January 23, 2011 at 10:27 am

    I love getting to read extracts they give me a little tease of what is to come.

    elizabeth_14@hotmail.co.uk

  • Dina January 23, 2011 at 10:37 am

    Hi Stacia, I have not read your boosk yet, but I do like excerpts as they give you insight of whats to come.

    thanks
    Dina

    dlsmilad@yahoo.com

  • Victoria January 23, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Hi Stacia –

    I haven't read you yet but have heard good things.

    I like small excerpts. They usually give me enough to decide if I want to read the book or not. I will not read a pre-released chapter of a series I already read. I've found it just makes me long to have to book in my hand too much :).

    Thank you.

    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Mel January 23, 2011 at 11:28 am

    Good post – it's good to know that authors get frustrated as well! 🙂

    I actively avoid excerts wherever possible – it frustrates me no end to read the start of a book but not the have the rest in my hands!! It is good for generating excitement – but I find even if there's a long wait between books it just gives me an excuse to reread the first few before the new one! 🙂

    Mel
    notanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

  • Teril January 23, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    ohh the suspense! Yes I agree it is good to know that even the authors cannot wait for their release. As a reader I do not mind spoilers out there as long as they give me a warning on when they are coming so I can stop looking.
    That was a great interview. Thank you.

    terilhack at gmail dot com

  • Kaya H January 23, 2011 at 12:19 pm

    Nice interview! I cannot wait for the realease. It is hard sometimes not to take a peak at spoilers. I try to resist most of the time. the wait is what kill some sometimes between books in a series.

    kasuranna at yahoo dot com

  • BLHmistress January 23, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I haven't read the series yet either but they are high on my list and I been wanting to for awhile. One question I can answer is I love excerpts -they help me decide if this is what I truly want to read or not.99% of the time it makes me want to read them even more.

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Emily January 23, 2011 at 1:01 pm

    What an interesting post! I have to say two things- one, I love excerpts as they get my motor running in a serious way for upcoming books, and two, and I know I'm in the minority on this one, I don't mind spoilers! I think knowing that a certain event happens in isolation doesn't ruin the book at all! How do we get to that place? What else happens? I remember when Harry Potter 6 came out in book form and the fact that Dumbledore died was leaked online and I remember thinking, there's got to be more to it than that! I know a lot of people hate spoilers with a fiery passion though, and I can respect that too.

    Thanks for offering the giveaway!

    Emily
    whatbookisthat at gmail dot com

  • Natasha January 23, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    Hi Stacia! Awesome post and giveaway!
    I'm not a big fan on spoilers. I like little hints from experts and blurbs but nothing that will give the storyline away too much.

    natashajennex(at)gmail.com

  • Tynga January 23, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    Thanks for the great post and giveaway!
    I actually never read excerpt or Description in the back. I'm so scared of spoilers and it's almost just to much teasing for me!
    Now you gonna ask how I choose my books then? I confess I judge books by their cover! If it's pretty, I must have it lol and if it's not pretty, then I must have heard great things about it from my fellow bloggers to buy it hehe

    THanks!
    TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

  • Deea January 23, 2011 at 1:21 pm

    Great interview! It gave me a whole new perspective on the series and on the writing world in general. I can see why Stacia is worried, but she shouldn't be.:) I think that when readers really like a series and a writer's work, they won't stop buying and reading it just because the latest installment wasn't what they expected or because they didn't agree with a certain idea. On the contrary… They'll be intrigued to keep reading.
    And I like to read excerpts and teasers from time to time, but only if they are spoiler-free. Keep up the good work!

    Sorry for the too long comment.:) And thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.;)

    xoxo
    andreea(dot)c88(at)gmail.com

  • LSUReader January 23, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    I do like excerpts. I don't like spoilers. I really enjoyed this column. I can only immagine how difficult it is for an author to be so ahead of her readers like this. Thanks for sharing your insight.

  • Mikki-Manó January 23, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    I love excerpts and spoilers. I really do. They make the waiting for the relese of the next book or epizode easier. however they don't ruin the whole story =) So I get happier when I get home and find a new excerpt or a spoiler on my favourite author's site =)
    mikki-mano @ hotmail . com

  • draconismoi January 23, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Well that's just mean, asking us if we want specific spoilers but then refusing to actually dish them out!

    As you may have guessed, I LOVE spoilers. Huge fan of excerpts, and if you have any scenes you deleted from the books, well then can we have those too?

    cass at feministdracona dot net

  • Kelly January 23, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    Thanks Stacia!

    I hate spoilers. BLECH! I would like to see LESS of the drug use aspect Chess' life. The drug use is really bothersome to me.

    Otherwise, I love the books.

    readingwithmartinis@gmail.com

  • Stephanie January 23, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    I like excerpts and spoilers because it gives me a little glimpse of what the book is going to be about. They make me want the book so much more so I can place the excerpts and spilers into context.

    smccar1 at hotmail dot com

  • elaing8 January 23, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    I love reading excerpts and spoilers for books. Then I know what to expect. I am one that reads the last page first. yes I need to know 🙂

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

  • Cathy M January 23, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    Hi Stacia,

    Great post. I haven't had the pleasure of reading any of your books yet, but you've got me totally jazzed at this series.

    Love excerpts, especially when they include a special moment with the characters. No spoiler though, I want to discover the joy of the story all by myself.

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com

  • Estella January 23, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    I don't read a lot of excerpts and I dislike spoilers.

    Haven't read any of you books yet, but an looking forward to the series.

    kissinoak ar frontier dot com

  • throuthehaze January 23, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    I love excerpts because it gives me a feel for what the book is about. I do avoid spoilers though. I prefer to find out for myself what happens.

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

  • Cem January 23, 2011 at 4:09 pm

    Spoilers?! *covers ears and shuts of laptop* …I loathe spoilers. Ever since my sister ruined the death at the end of Harry Potter 5 for me just a few chapters before I got there. Do not want to know! Lately I seem to be avoiding excerpts as well. There are exceptions to this with my absoulute favourite series/authors, where I don't have the will power to avoid them. But mostly I've been learning lately that those teasers are just that and it's far more satisfying to wait for the whole story, with everything in context.

    cemsbooks(at)gmail(dot)com

  • sarah January 23, 2011 at 4:21 pm

    i love giveaways and spoilers!!!i can'y speak for anyone else but when i become a fan of an author and the series they are writing i always buy everything they release i can't not buy it i'm very devoted to my favorite authors and Stacia Kane is one of them i adore the downside series!!!

  • Blodeuedd January 23, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    Not entering since I have read them 🙂

    Excerpts, sure they can be fun, but I do not hunt them down. Spoilers, I try to stay away but I am just too bad

  • Danielle Gorman January 23, 2011 at 4:42 pm

    I am on the fence when it comes to excerpts. I like them, I just hate that they get me excited to read a book that is months away. Sometimes I would rather just wait until right before the book comes out to read them.
    Now spoilers I love. I don't know why, but I like them. I know some feel that they ruin it for them if they find out some spoilers but for me the more the better.

    iqb99@yahoo.com

  • Cindy L January 23, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    I love excerpts. It lets me know if I will like the writing style or not. As far as spoilers…no way! If I know how it's going to turn out, I won't read it.

    cbandy10(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • Anonymous January 23, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    Thank you Stacia! Don't worry – I won't be soon forgetting the Downside crew, even though I'm reading lots of other books. Downside is so unique and captivating – not something one forgets and not a world that becomes irrelvant.

    I like the excerpts. I think they're fun and a way to tide over eager readers. I like spoilers, too, I just don't want to know the whole entire story beforehand.

    And I'd LOVE to know how Terrible is going to react to Chess' actions that happened at the end of Unholy Magic (see – trying to not be spoilery!).

    Twitter:
    @JDegLnghrn

  • Missy Ann January 23, 2011 at 5:01 pm

    I'm not much of an excerpt gal, I always feel like they're spoilers. I prefer to read the book with the entire story being 100% new to me.
    (not real big on movie trailers either for the same reason)

    Now if I had a magic wand (or a big fat juicy book contract I could tempt you with) I want the Church's story. Haunted week through year 1 of the ghosts'/church's rising.

    melissa.walker@gmail.com

  • Robin K January 23, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    I don't read many excerpts. I cannot stand sampling when I can have the whole treat 🙂

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

  • Zanthera Degore January 23, 2011 at 5:22 pm

    Hiya Stacia!

    Excerpts are good for people new to the series otherwise we know how awesome you write and your style kicks butt.

    As for spoilers they are no different than watching TV and hearing those word "Next time on…." Gets you all excited to read the next book and see the hows and why it "got there."

    A loyal fan

  • Jessie Kwak January 23, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    I agree with Shannon at #5–I'll read excerpts of series or books that I'm not familiar with, to see if I like the writing. I like a good story, but if the prose isn't readable I won't bother to buy it.

    Once I'm hooked, though, I don't want anything spoiled for me. I always skip your posts that have excerpts. Can't wait for Downside 4!

    jessiekwak(at)gmail.com

  • shala_darkstone January 23, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    I absolutely don't like spoilers, but I do like excerpts to see if I like the writing style.
    maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

  • Paranormal Haven January 23, 2011 at 7:20 pm

    Great post! I love excerpts that give a little info about the plot and the characters. Almost spoilers but not completely. Just enough of a taste to peek my interest.

    Stephanie G
    Paranormal Haven

  • Chelsea B. January 23, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I adore excerpts. They get me through waiting for new books 🙂

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

  • laylamessner January 23, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    I actually don't like spoilers or excerpts. When a book gives, at the end, the first chapter of the next book, I don't read it. Random lines on Twitter are fun though.

    Honestly, what I'm most hoping for in Downside 4 is more sex between Chess and Terrible ;).

    @LaylaMessner on Twitter.

  • Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal January 23, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Hey, Stacia! I adore the world you've built with Chess. It's so gritty and crazy.

    As for me, I love your excerpts. They tickle my interest without giving away the *really* good stuff. I try to stay away from spoilers, though, because spoilers make me hurt. Not in a good way, either.

    Can't wait for Downside #4!

    -Kelly
    Soulswallo@yahoo.com

  • Andrew Jack January 23, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    Hi Stacia, good blog post, as always 🙂

    I love excerpts, previews and pretty much anything in advance except spoilers. I love the Downside world so much it's great to be able to hang out there for a bit ahead of time.

    Andrew

    andrew@andrewjackwriting

  • JoAnna January 23, 2011 at 8:55 pm

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I have not read this series yet *hangs head in shame*. But it is on my wishlist. I like excerpts. I can never resist reading the first chapter preview at the end of a book. Of course it makes the waiting for the book even more torturous.

    beckerjo(at)verizon(dot)net

  • Kaetrin January 23, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    I haven't read any of the Downside Ghosts books yet, although I've heard a great buzz about them – which makes me a perfect candidate for this giveway!! 🙂 Just sayin'.

    I like excerpts but I'd prefer to keep things generally spoiler free. I'll read them if I come across them but I don't read the end of the book first and I think it's usually better to experience the book as the author intended rather than knowing what happens already. But like I said, if I come across a little "hide/unhide" button, I ALWAYS click it. It doesn't make sense but there it is. 😀

  • JenM January 23, 2011 at 9:38 pm

    Prior to starting a book I usually try really hard to avoid all spoilers. For example, I just don't have the time to sit down and read Shadowfever, so I'm currently going crazy trying to avoid everything about it. However once I start reading it, I'll probably spoil it myself by reading the ending soon after I've started. I'd say I do that with about 75% of the books I read.

    jen at delux dot com

  • Barbara E. January 23, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    I like reading excerpts, but I'd prefer it not be the first chapter of a book. I've done that before and got confused and thought I'd read the book already, LOL. I don't like spoilers much, I'd rather read the book. If I do happen to read some spoilers, I'll still read the book, but it's always more fun to find out what happens as I read.
    I haven't had a chance to start the Downside books yet, so I can't answer the question of what I'd like to see, etc. I'm looking forward to getting started on the series though.

    Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

  • Jason January 23, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    I don't like spoilers at all, and am not a fan of excerpts either. I like a good synopsis and that is it.

    Thanks! jason [at] jasonkivela.com

  • Stephanie January 23, 2011 at 11:40 pm

    Love the Downside series. I think spoilers are good. It gives the reader a small glimpse into the book that keeps you interested and waiting to read the full book. Thanks stacia for such a good series. Can't wait for the 4th book!!!

    smjackson412@gmail.com

  • Sarah Mäkelä January 23, 2011 at 11:45 pm

    I really like excerpts, and sometimes I enjoy spoilers because I just *have* to know what's going to happen with a particular character or plot line in the next book.

    Twitter: @sarahmakela

  • Carmen R January 24, 2011 at 12:15 am

    I tend to stay away from excerpts and spoilers. I like to be surprised by a book that I have waited for.

  • donnas January 24, 2011 at 1:04 am

    I do like excerpts. I find they are a great way to see if you like the writing style of a new author along with short stories. I am not a fan of spoilers, unless they are clearly marked in a discussion forum. Its hard to really discuss a book with others without them, but as long as they are clearly marked its easy to skip over them.

    I dont know what I want to happen because I havent had a chance to read the Downside books yet. They are tops on my wishlist though so hopefully soon!

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

  • winnie January 24, 2011 at 2:24 am

    I like to read excerpts because they are usually non-spoiler but interesting parts of the book. As for spoilers, I do read minor ones but try to stary away from major, large spoilers as I like to have the reading experience of finding things out as I read the book.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Pink Panther January 24, 2011 at 5:44 am

    Thanks for the lovely interview, Stacia! I've just started reading the Downside series and it's great!
    Personally, I can't resist spoilers! They give me a hint of what the book will be about and get nasty surprises out of the way, like heroines or heroes getting killed. I always hate THAT.
    You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

  • Maureen January 24, 2011 at 5:46 am

    I had never thought of the author's point of view since you have to wait so long for your work to be released. I like excerpts since they give me an idea of what the story is about but I definitely don't like spoilers, I want to find out what's happening as I read.
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

  • Jessica January 24, 2011 at 8:07 am

    I like and don't like excerpts. I like them because I like seeing what the next book is about, especially if there was a cliffhanger at the end. But I don't like them because they're evil little things, letting you get a taste for the next book which won't be out for some time. They can be devious little things!

    jessbess2505[at]yahoo[dot]com

  • Tore January 24, 2011 at 9:45 am

    I have never read any of your books but would like to. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

  • -petit January 24, 2011 at 10:27 am

    I don't read excerpts, because i always feel lost when i read them, but i like to read spoilers XDDD
    Thanks for the giveaway 😀
    sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br

  • Sharon S. January 24, 2011 at 11:42 am

    This is one of the series I am most anxious to start! Winning the first 3 would be a sign . I love spoilers. I will read a book and constantly flip to the back to find out the outcome , but I would never ruin it for someone else. I love excerpts too. I prefer lots of short ones to one long one since I am a dialogue fan.

  • Indigo January 24, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Love excerpts. They always give you a sense of an author's writing style and feel for the storyline.

    As for spoilers, I tend to stay away from them. I'd rather be entertained reading the story as it unfolds from beginning to end. (Hugs)Indigo

    ravensquietscreams@gmail.com

  • Sarah January 24, 2011 at 12:33 pm

    I have the first 3 Downside books (and loved them!) so not entering this contest but I can't stand spoilers – I won't read excerpts because I don't want anything ruined for me!

    smaccall @ comcast.net

  • Bethany C. January 24, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    I am very anti-spoiler; I go out of my way to avoid them. If I read the first book in a series and like it (like yours) I won't even read the synopsis on the back. Thanks for the contest!

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

  • BooksforCompany January 24, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    l hate hate spoilers! l stay way away from them and hate it when they come up in reviews and having not been warned.
    I never really read extracts but l do think it may be a good idea to start doing it as l will know if the writing style of the author is something l will enjoy etc.
    booksforcompany (at)gmail.com

  • Sullivan McPig January 24, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    To me it depends on what kind of spoilers. If it's a spoiler telling me a character I love is going to survive or not, I want to know. I can't handle the stress of having to worry about my favourite characters. I hardly read excerpts though, unless it's from an unknown author and I want to know if they're writing in present tense or not (hate present tense most of the time).

    As for this series: I just got myself the first book and am looking forward to reading it.

  • Rebecca T. Little January 24, 2011 at 2:26 pm

    Excerpts? Love them. They are what appetizers are to a great meal. They whet the appetite and leave you wanting more. Do I want a side of spoiler with my excerpts? Generally not. An excerpt has a specific function, but it isn't to ruin the book!

    Thanks for your thoughts in this post. As a writer in the query phase, hopefully I'll have secrets of my own to keep soon 🙂

    Rebecca
    Twitter: @rebeccatlittle

  • les121 January 24, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    I like excerpts! They give you a taste of what to expect. I generally hate spoilers, but sometimes I can't stop myself from reading spoilery comments/reviews/excerpts. Curiosity killed the cat, you know lol

    Thanks for the giveaway! I have heard great things about the downside series and can't wait to read it!

    drakeLa90 at aol dot com

  • Sheree January 25, 2011 at 3:26 am

    Kudos to writers for keeping such juicy secrets to themselves. Of course, I would love spoilers as well as excerpts. They all add to my anticipation of the book.

    ironss[at]gmail.com

  • Kulsuma January 25, 2011 at 11:28 am

    Excerpts are great little teasers! I haven't read this series but it looks amazing!
    k_anon[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

  • Darlyn January 25, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    I love excerpts as well as teasers but not spoilers. They'll ruin everything and would lose my interest in reading the book!

    darlyn225 at gmail dot com

    Love the giveaway!I so want to read the series!

  • Ina January 25, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    I really love excerpts, especially when I'm not sure if I would like a book or not – after reading the excerpt I know what to expect and most of the time I can't wait to read on *g* if there's a spoiler in it isn't that important to me, either way I will read it soon enough 😉
    can't wait to read your books – I've heard a lot of great things about it and I'm kind of curious about your heroine…
    greetings, Ina

  • Idris January 25, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I love books about ghosts!!! I haven't read too many, but I really enjoyed them. So thank you so much for the giveaway!!!!

    And I like spoilers… Sometimes when I don't like too much the book or the movie, I cheat a little, just a little, and if I like what I see, I continue.

    But sometimes, when the story is too good, I don't like to know what will happen until I read it, or see it…

    Thank you again.

    idroskicinia at aol dot com

  • Heather January 25, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    I love excerpts, but not spoilers. When I read a book in a series I love I like to experience all at once.

    I've read all the Downside books and I don't honestly know what I'd like to see in the next installment…except more Chess and more Terrible.

    By the way, I love the new author photo. That shirt kicks serious ass!

    email: killerzombiecupcake (@) gmail.com

  • unseelieme January 25, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    I think this might be my favorite UF series.

    I love excerpts, but not when they contain spoilers. I like them to give a little peek without revealing too much.

    And what I'd like to see in the next books (other than more of Terrible, Lex and Chess) I wouldn't dream of suggesting anything. You're doing just fine writing the stories on your own. I just want to read them.

  • Nellie January 25, 2011 at 8:12 pm

    I love excerpts because then I can get an idea of what the book is about that isn't on the jacket.

    Thank you for doing the guest blog!

    Email: solimond(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Jasmine1485 January 26, 2011 at 5:52 am

    I love reading excerpts, but I like them best when they give me just enough to intrigue me, but don't contain any spoilers. It takes some of the fun out of it for me if I read spoilers before I get to the book :S

    Kate1485 at hotmail.com

  • Cheryl January 26, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Spoilers: I don't care much for them, I'd rather wait to read the whole book. I don't think it's jerkish to post them, though. An author isn't likely to post something major as a spoiler so for those that like it, it's good. Those that don't can skip over it. But I do like when authors post little sentences they are excited about because it shows me they are excited to be writing and aren't bored with it themselves. *That* intrigues me more than spoilers – knowing an author is stoked about their work. It makes me wonder what new dastardly deeds are in store for the series.

  • Reading mind January 26, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    I usually love quotes and snippets from the series I love and the books i'm dying to read. I think excerpts are really good to make a book known, I usually decide to buy if I like it!

    And Love your books!

    aliasgirl AT libero DOT it

  • John The Bookworm January 26, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Lovely lovely post from you, Stacia. Your blog writing is always so interesting!

    I'm definitely up for excerpts. They tell a cool part of the story and can get interest/anticipation up for me (if it's the write kind). Spoilers and the like – not so much. I haven't read the Downside series, but I would love to try it out, and this giveaway is as good a way as any to try. 😛

    dreaminginbooksATgmailDOTcom

    @dreamingreviews on Twitter

  • L'Aussie January 26, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    I'm glad I happened on this via twitter just now. I love excerpts. I get a feel for the book, the author's voice and if I'd like to keep on reading. I haven't read any of these books but i would LOVE to.

    den.covey@gmail.com

  • Becky January 26, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    Wait, there is going to be another! I thought it was just a Trilogy! I am so ready for some Terrible action 😉

    I love the excerpts, gives me something to look forward to, a nice tease!!

    beckalynn83@hotmail.com

  • MadamMarsee January 26, 2011 at 5:28 pm

    I personally never read spoilers…
    Unless its the part in the back of the previous book and its going to take me a while to get the next book in the series. Even then I don't like doing it! I don't wanna spoil a point that the book is REALLY leading up to!
    Missmarsee(at)gmail(dot)com

    Can't wait!

  • Linda January 26, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Nice to see from an author's point of view!

    I love excerpts, truthfully. They always either soothe my tension or make me want the book more and more. And I feel like each excerpt should tease the reader with a new idea.

    crystaldiamond101@gmail.com

  • Jocelyn Modo January 26, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    I love excerpts. Any little sneak peak I can get at a book I'm waiting for, I'm all over it!

    ♥ya!
    Jocelyn

  • Tamara January 26, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    Excerpts are teases! I can't read them or I'll rip my hair out wondering what's gonna happen next. (That doesn't always stops me since the moment a excerpt is up I can't help but read it *no self-control*) As for spoilers, as long as I know something good is gonna happen down the road I'm happy. (Just tell me that or, again, I'll lose my sleep wondering what is it)

    So, bottom line is I'd rather not know anything until the book's out.

    tamara525@gmail.com

  • Tamara January 26, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    Excerpts are teases! I can't read them or I'll rip my hair out wondering what's gonna happen next. (That doesn't always stops me since the moment a excerpt is up I can't help but read it *no self-control*) As for spoilers, as long as I know something good is gonna happen down the road I'm happy. (Just tell me that or, again, I'll lose my sleep wondering what is it)

    So, bottom line is I'd rather not know anything until the book's out.

    tamara525@gmail.com

  • Edna January 26, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    I don't usually read excerpts because I don't want to be spoiled. I want to read the book in one go, not wait months and months between the first chapter and the rest of the book.

    I just started the third Downside book and I'm enjoying it immensely. I only hope for more wonderful moments between Chess and Terrible. I love those two so much. 🙂

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    nalynboni AT gmail DOT com

  • Diana January 27, 2011 at 9:46 am

    I haven't read the Downside series yet but they are on my list .
    I love the excerpts, gives me something to look forward to.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    artgiote@gmail.com

  • SandyG265 January 27, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    I don't like spoilers. But I do like excerpts. There are several books that I've bought because I've been able to read the first chapter or two on line.

    sgiden at verizon.net

  • CiNdY January 27, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    I LOVE excerpts!! The wait for a book kills me! But I absolutely HATE spoilers. I hate when I accidentally read one of em. Why ruin a book for someone else??
    cmurphy213@yahoo.com

  • Julie S January 27, 2011 at 6:24 pm

    Excerpts are really good because you kinda get a brief view of what's to come. Spoilers can be really really bad though!! I prefer summaries though.

    juliecookies(at)gmail.com

  • SweetShenanigans January 27, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    I don't like spoilers because I like to save the exciting parts for when I'm actually reading the book. However, an excerpt without spoilers I really enjoy to get a feel of the mood of the writing, if you know what I mean.
    girl23rocks at hotmail dot com

  • Jillene January 27, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    I love seeing excerpts and spoilers, as long as they're still somewhat vague. Those spoilers that dangle a little tidbit of information and leave you wondering how that could possibly happen? That's what I love. I don't want anyone to blurt out how the plot is resolved, but hints are fun. It makes me even more excited about what's going to happen next and how that little tidbit could come to be. Especially if it's an unexpected twist.

  • Hisuin January 29, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    I like excerpts to know what the story's about. It's like a warming-up before starting to read.

    Spoilers? No, I don't like them at all, I prefer reading at my own pace and make the discoveries on my own.

    I can't answer about the Downworld thing since I haven't read them yet 🙂

    Mail: laura.jadenuchiha (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Belle Découverte January 29, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    I enjoy excerpts but I do not enjoy spoilers. I like to find out things for myself when I read the book and spoilers ruin my experience of reading the book.

    bdecouverte@gmail.com

  • Meredith January 30, 2011 at 12:04 am

    I tried to avoid excerpts and spoilers! I like to read the whole book. However, if it's a new author or series, I might read a little excerpt. I'm bad enough about peeking in the back of the books to see how things turn out!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

  • vickyvak January 30, 2011 at 7:48 am

    Great post! I rarely read excerpts and never spoilers! They take the fun out of reading a book! Why read a book if you know what will happen?

    vicky.vak8(at)gmail.com

  • natalie23 January 30, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    I like reading excerpts from books, but I much prefer random little quotes. It's so funny trying to figure out what could have made the person say that.
    As for what I'd like to see in the fourth Downside book, that's easy, more Terrible,pretty please.

    natalie23[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

  • gconoy February 1, 2011 at 4:06 pm

    i do enjoy excerpts, if they don't give away too much, so of course, i don't like spoilers. i like it, when authors or reviewers post very small parts from the book, not even a chapter – just those small appetizers that makes you wanna read the book.

    haven't read any book of the series yet, so i can't say, if i want sth special for the newest book. 😉

    hrududu AT hotmail DOT de

  • Jessica February 2, 2011 at 12:11 am

    I like excerpts far more than big chunks of the book.

    @tjotjoc

  • Amy February 2, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    I like excerpts and spoilers. Spoilers are so bad for me but I just can't help myself! Sometimes there are things I really want to know and I just have to read spoilers. Spoilers are addictions!

    angeldream3(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Mysteriousrose February 3, 2011 at 3:26 pm

    I really like to get books recommended by others but I don't like knowing to much of the books before I read them.

    forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)dk

  • Marie February 3, 2011 at 9:22 pm

    Comment #100!

    I'm ambivalent when it comes to excerpts. I basically never read excerpt from books of a series/author I haven't read before. I guess it might make me want to read the book, but I go more by friend's opinions and reviews, and if I a book seems interesting, I simply buy it based on the synopsis. If I start reading parts of the book, I want to have the entire book available.

    The only time I really read excerpts, is when it's a series I follow, and I really can't wait until the next book comes out. It might very well make the wait harder, but I have to read it when I'm that excited by a book.

    Mostly I prefer that it's the first chapter of the book, so you don't read anything without knowing what's happened before, but it can be okay if it, for example, is an excerpt with a couple that we know have gotten together in previous books, and we get a glimpse of what's to come in the next book, but no major plot points. I wouldn't want to read an excerpt that revealed anything major.

    When it comes to spoilers, I'm absolutely against them. I understand that some people want them, but it always drives me mad trying to avoid spoilers on the internet when they spread like wildfire even before release date. People can be pretty arrogant about those things. I used to be the type of person who read the last page of the book (or the last sentence). Nowadays, I often cover up the last sentences of every chapter when I read the opposite page, especially when I know that the author is the type of writer to drop surprises right at the end of a chapter. I don't even want to read a few paragraphs ahead.

    When it comes to what I'd like to see in the next Downside books, I guess my main answer is that I want to be surprised. Those are the books I enjoy the most. (Not to say that it can't be nice to have a predictable read sometimes. 😉

    One thing I'd really like to see (and that I expect to see), is evolution of the characters. That's one of the great things about reading a series, that you get to follow the characters through all these events, and you count on them to evolve through that, otherwise you frankly get bored. So far I've loved that aspect about the Downside series, and that's something I'm looking forward to. 😀

    And along with a lot of other readers, I'm interested in seeing more about Chess's relation to the Church, and if and how that changes.

    Winning the Downside books, signed by Stacia, would absolutely make my day!

    mi-mi(at)tele2(dot)se

  • Laura H. February 3, 2011 at 10:41 pm

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I like excerpts just so long as they don't contain spoilers. It's no fun to find out you're there without finding out how you got there!

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

  • mbreakfield February 3, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    I love excerpts and spoilers. I even sometimes read the end of a book first.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    marlenebreakfield(at)yahoo(dot)com

  • jmspettoli February 3, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    I like excerpts to a point. I'm usually really exited to read them but once I'm done (and I like it) I feel like I have to have the book right that second (even if the book is not even published yet)! I guess I'm just impatient (sigh).

    spettolij AT gmail DOT com

  • Jordin February 4, 2011 at 12:33 am

    I personally love getting my hands on the first chapter and the way jim butcher does it is pretty good. He had four chapters and released one chapter at midnight on tuesday every week for 4 weeks to create buzz and wet the appetite of fans for his 12th dresden files book. i stayed up till midnight for every single chapter. Ilona Andrews little snippets and the POV of curran blurbs that were released for free were a great gift for the fans. It is always a pleasant surprise to find little snippets or opening chapters to upcoming releases. But i do not expect them and i would not want them to ruin the story for me. Out of context conversations of rejected content or the first chapter are all good ways to get me pumped for the book as well as convince me to buy a book that i might be on the fence about.

    wow, i think i am rambling. Anyways i cant wait to finish J F Lewis' third book so i can pick up this series. 🙂

  • CLMcCune February 4, 2011 at 1:09 am

    I like teasers…just a hint of the story. Enough to make me want to read, but nothing that gives it away. Read excerpts once on a series & learned the love interest dies in book 3…did not buy this series. TMI!

  • Katie February 4, 2011 at 1:22 am

    sweetcakeruffin@yahoo.com
    @katiewoodruffin (twitter)

    Tiny tid-bits yes,those are fun as long as they are not spoilers,but spoilers hell to the NO's! My brother spoiled the end of a series for me once and I've been irritated about it ever since. Books, movies…don't even me what you think about a poem. All the fun of reading a book for me is contained in the finding out what happens.
    I so want these signed copies!Then I'm going to donate my copies of DS 1-3 to my local library.
    Katie

  • Aleetha February 4, 2011 at 2:13 am

    I love reading excerpts. I hope all author will provide it for their readers. It really helps us to know how the story begins 🙂
    But Spoiler, I kinda choose it.

    aleetha.ally at gmail dot com
    twitter: @aleetha

  • lindseye February 4, 2011 at 9:09 am

    I like excerpts if I am unfamiliar with an author but do not usually read them. Sometimes if I am dying for the next book in the series I will look but I have to much to read so I can find a distraction until the next book is released.

    linze_e at hotmail.com

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