Reading - Why It's Important for Writers
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I was always that kid who got excited when the teacher gave us free reading time. Reading has always been a way for me to relax and to escape into other worlds and a chance to solve a mystery.
Reading, especially your genre, is also important to writers. And here’s why:
If you want to go the traditional publishing route, you need to know what is out there. It’s always good to have an idea where your book fits.
If you are querying publishers, look at the publishers/imprints and see what genres and subgenres they are publishing.
If you are querying agents, check out the author’s notes or the acknowledgments to see who represents them. If it matches your genre, add them to your list to research.
Reading builds vocabulary and exposes you to literary techniques and styles.
When I decided to write a cozy mystery, I spent almost a year reading every cozy I could get my hands on. I took note of themes, types of sleuths, locations, the voice (first or third person), the tense the story is written in, and the major/minor characters.
Follow authors and publishers that catch your eye. Sign up for newsletters to see what’s new and releasing next.
Follow book bloggers, podcasters, and book reviewers on social media and see what they are reviewing.
Reading is research.
What would you add to my list?
