Over and over and over, aspiring writers and published authors are told not to compare themselves or their work to other authors. There are a million good reasons to avoid comparing your work, not the least of which is that writers are hyper-critical and we never quite think we measure up. (Yes, there are a few who are arrogant and think they’re better than everyone else, but I don’t know many of those people…I mean, who would want to?)
But on Monday, I received a request from one of my editors at HCI Vows (for whom I am writing the fictionalized memoir/romance I’ve talked about before on the blog) and they’ve asked me to give them a few “comparative” titles…authors who I think are similar to me.
Hmmm….really? Because I don’t have a clue.
This is throwing me for a loop, so I’ve decided to open the question up here on Plotmonkeys.
And of course, since I’m still emptying my shelves, I’m giving books away, too…all collections with other authors.
Two people who comment today will receive a copy of MORE THAN WORDS, Volume 2, which I shared with Debbie Macomber, Beverly Barton, Sharon Sala and Jasmine Cresswell. (Yea, I know, right? ME…with Macomber, Barton, Sala and Cresswell? WTH? They’re all LEGENDS! And I’m just…me! Very intimidating, but also a great experience. The ladies are CLASSY and GENEROUS souls.) I’m also including a copy of A FARE TO REMEMBER, which I shared with Vicki Lewis Thompson and Kate Hoffman, I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (with Linda Lael Miller, Roxanne St. Claire and Catherine Mulvany) and the collection DARE ME, which I shared with Cherry Adair and Jill Shalvis.
All of these authors are fabulous, but I’m not sure I’d compare my work to ANY of them.
So, if you’ve read my work…what other authors would you compare me to? I’m not asking if I’m better or worse! I’m more interested in theme, storytelling style, level of sensuality, humor, etc. Like at Borders when they have those signs that say, “If you like XX, you may also like…”
Where would I fit?
This really has me perplexed, so if you haven’t read my work or you simply have no idea, you can say so and still be entered for the contest. I won’t be offended!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Well, obviously any of the other Plotmonkeys, and HelenKay Dimon. I’ll be honest, I’ve been reading a lot of Urban Fantasy and YA lately, so I’m not up to date on my contemporary romance. But you rock, regardless of who you are in an anthology with!
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Thanks, Stacy~. This is a very hard assignment!
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I’m shaking my head here, Julie. I’m sorry but I have no idea. I don’t usually choose my books that way. Like Stacy said you rock–period!
Cher
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I know, right? Very tough assignment! I don’t buy my books that way, either. I rarely even LOOK at books that way!
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Wow Jules, that is all I could think of after reading your blog today. That is a hard one, but I am going to take a stab at it. I had to sit and think about it a bit before responding and I think I got it. Of course, I am gonna jump on the Marisela bandwagon here…your kick ass female character remind me of Colleen Gleason’s Victoria Gardella, so I could say you are similar in that way. Some of your characters are just as snarky as Eve Dallas a la J.D. Robb. Though your female characters can be tough as nails, they also have that soft side a la Joanne Rock, Les and Tori Carrington. I also think that in terms of sensuality, you are up there with La Nora, Carly, Les, Gena Showalter, Stephanie Bond, Janelle, and even Suze Brockmann. You guys really know how to ratchet up the temperature in your books. Your connected stories remind me of Robyn Carr, in the way you write family situations, how they deal with them, and the connectivity between people. Lori Foster comes to mind too. All these authors to me, write stories with a great plot and stories that make you feel like you know the characters. I know I sometimes lose myself in the stories, often forgetting where I am after reading them. I hope this helps.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Thanks, Paula! I knew you’d come through. I’m fans of all these authors, which I think is why it’s so hard for me to say I’m anything like them…I mean, I’m just a fan of their work!
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You are welcome Jules. I see that not many people compare authors. I don’t usually either, but when you sit and let yourself think about it, you start to see comparisons in the kinds of books you read and love. You really made my brain work this morning with this question, thank you very much! This is a quite a task they set out for you to do at HCI Vows. From what you mentioned about them before and the premise of the books they are offering, am I right in thinking they are looking for authors more along the lines of those that write for More than Words?
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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They definitely want single title authors…and they definitely want authors with recognizable names. This is for the “accounts” (bookstores) and sales force. They have to “sell” the books in to the stores before the books are even written, so it’s easier for them to have a “comparable” author to compare me to (an author with name recognition) in order to describe my work. It’s not easy…thank you for lending your brain power!
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Okay, I am gonna throw out some names that could be in that box of possibilities for you okay. How about Robyn Carr who is getting really good buzz right now…Kristan Higgins comes to mind. To me, her books are enjoyable because the characters could be people sitting right next to me. Les, would be a great one too, because she touches me, and I am sure others, with the characters she writes, as do the rest of the monkeys. Rachel Gibson, Jennifer Crusie, Joanne Rock, Kelley St. John, Debbie Macomber, Helen Brenna, Tori Carrington, Stephanie Bond. I read the More than Words books and I like these guys stuff too. How about Linda Lael Miller, Susan Wiggs and Sherryl Woods are good too. Hopefully this will helps. If you need more names, let me know…I will check my bookshelves and get back to you.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I would say Leslie, the Carringtons or Stephanie Bond. I am not sure on this one.
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Three authors I’m huge fans of, both personally and professionally! Thanks, as these are great suggestions!
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If I really had to narrow it down…I am sticking with Leslie. I seem to always group you and Leslie together and then Janelle and Carly together. Don’t ask why. I bet if I met you all, it would be different.
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lol…this comment made me laugh as Julie and I usually are the “bad girls” and Janelle and Carly much better behaved.
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Julie, when is “Three Seductions and a Wedding” going to be released?
Enquiring minds want to know
Cher
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It’s a June release, Cher, thanks for asking! I just got the all clear to announce that I’m also doing a FREE online read at eHarlequin called “Surprise Wedding” that is a prequel to 3 SEDUCTIONS AND A WEDDING. I’m probably going to run a fun contest here at Plotmonkeys for everyone who will go and read the free read over at eHarlequin…some fun cross-promo and a chance to win books!
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Whoot!
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Wow, Julie. This IS a tough question. Your paranormal books, I’d suggest Maureen Child and maybe Michelle Hauf. Your contemporaries, Carly, Janelle, and Leslie obviously come to mind, yet the voices of each of you is so different. Wow. I’d hate like all get out to answer this question about my own stuff. Just sayin’!
Happy Monday, Jungle buddies. I need
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I’ve never read Child or Hauf…wait, I think I did read Michele Hauf and her book was really dark and bloody, if memory serves (though that might have been Jennifer Armitrout…I read them around the same time.) I’ll go and check. Thanks for the ideas!
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Well I’m thinking Joanne Rock, Lorri Borrill, Stephanie Bond, it’s kind of tough to compare you guys. I like all your books.
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Stephanie keeps coming up…since I’ve read absolutely everything she’s ever written (I’m a HUGE fan of her work!) I can see the similarities…we have a very sympatico sense of humor!
And Joanne and Lori are awesome, but I think they need single title authors since this will be a single title book. Adds another layer to the difficulty, huh!?
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Misa Ramirez is one who comes to mind as I have always loved Marisela and her character Loal reminds me of her, but also in a Stephanie Plum way. It’s a great combination.
You’re right, this is hard. Couldn’t you just go to the Border’s computer and punch your name in and see what it says??
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ev, I wish it was that easy! Borders has to come up with their own comparisons, which is why they only do it for a select few authors and I’m not one of them.
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For me, I never compare authors… I never really thought about how alike they could be… I see individual stories and authors… I step into the world and lives of the characters for the enjoyment of the story and the HEAs!
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Colleen, to be honest, I rarely compare authors, either. Not when I’m reading! I only do it for business purposes, LOL!
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Julie–I know this has been said today, but I just don’t compare authors that way. Whenever I come upon a blog post that does compare authors’ works (if you like _______, then try ______ and ________.) I always finish up thinking, “Wow, I never considered it that way.” Sorry I’m not very helpful.
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Don’t apologize! At least I’m not the only one who found this task near to impossible!
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I’m afraid I’m in the “don’t compare” group. Heck, I don’t even always like the fact that books are put into certain genres. I go for every book and author is unique. I’m afraid editors or publishers are always trying to keyhole everything (it’s their job lol). I don’t want to know what genres are in or out. And it’s sad when authors write a certain genre because it’s what selling. I truly want to hear their true voice. But of course it’s a business too (sigh).
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I don’t think that authors only write in a certain genre because it’s selling. For instance, I wrote paranormal way before paranormal was hot. I wrote the first paranormal Blaze way back in 2004 and wrote my very first paranormal back in 1992! It’s just that I couldn’t sell that story until 2008, LOL, when paranormal became popular. I know very few authors who can successfully jump on a bandwagon…usually, by the time they jump on, the wagon has passed, LOL!
But I agree, it’s hard to compare and it’s good to know that it’s not something readers normally seem to do.
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Oh, I never thought of it that way about not being able to sell something until it was popular – thanks!
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not sure who to say either; very hard ?. I do love your books though.
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Thanks, Robyn!
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I don’t think my work compares to any author at the moment. But if someone, one day said, “you write like Sandra Brown”, then I think I would just die on the spot. Or if they said my voice was “unique” then again I would be over the moon! Caroline x
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See?! That’s my very dilemma! How arrogant is it for me to say, “I write like X”? It’s a little unnerving, but it has to be done!
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That’s why having readers help out, makes it less unnerving Jules. Great move on your part. I feel the same way you do…I could never compare myself to another author, but ask me to make a comp of my faves, it might take time, but I will be able to do it.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Another vote for the “I don’t compare” group. I have read authors that have been compared to a favorite and then been disappointed because they don’t touch me the same way. Comparisons are not a good thing in my mind! One’s work/worth/accomplishments should stand on their own merit.
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I agree, Karen! But unfortunately, “comps” are becoming as popular in publishing as they are in real estate. It’s like a salesperson’s shorthand.
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I don’t compare authors and their works. I take each book as it comes into
my hands and enjoy it. (or not!) To me, each author stands alone on his or
her own merits!!
Pat Cochran
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Ditto above!
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I haven’t read your books yet. I am looking forward to reading them.
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denise, that’s precisely why I’m doing all these giveaways over the next few months…to introduce people to my work!
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I hate to say it, but I havent read any of your books yet. They are on my wishlist but I just havent been able to get a hold of them yet.
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Ditto above! If you don’t win in the next few months (I’ll be doing giveaways, usually on Wednesdays, for the foreseeable future)…I have a free online read in April from eHarlequin and a new Blaze out in June.
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Not having read any of your books I wandered around your website, and it feels to me that you wright enough different types of books that no comparison can be made.
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Thanks, Anne! You’re precisely right…I’ve written in three distinct genres: sexy contemporary, action-adventure and sexy paranormal. I’d like to think of myself as versatile, but it does make my life a little harder when it comes to comparisons and the dreaded “branding.”
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Hard assignment, Julie, I just know I love your books. I think Paula did an awesome job with her choices. I also could see your voice compared to Jill Shalvis or HelenKay Dimon.
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Liza, I second Jill Shalvis…haven’t read HKD yet, though I have her on my TBR shelf.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I would say JoAnn Ross and Susan Mallery.
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Another two authors I admire! Thanks! I would be honored to be in the same sentence as either of them!
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I don’t personally compare the authors I read – I take each author as an individual. However, if I already have all the titles by an author that I like to read, I do find the “if you like _______, then you might like ________” helpful. I don’t always like the suggested author but at least I’ve given another author a chance.
I hope you are able to come up with some names.
As much as I would love to read the books that you are giving away today – I need to be counted out of the drawing since I’m in NZ.
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Thanks, Lyn! We have a NZ contest coming up in just a few weeks!
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I’m having a hard time coming up with a good comparison! I find it harder to “match” contemporary authors than in other genres, like paranormal, fantasy, and mystery. I do have a lot of contemporary authors I enjoy reading, but I just enjoy them as is, not comparing them to everybody else!
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I think you’re right…it is harder for contemporary. Probably because it’s so broad!
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You have your own voice Julie and I don’t compare you to anyone else. I can say if people like your books they may also enjoy Jill Shalvis, Leslie Kelly, Carly Phillips, Janelle Denison and others but not because you write like they do but because each of you writes good contemporary romance.
It seems that just because there are now ebooks they are making it more difficult for the readers to find what they want and I am sure there are many, like me, that still buy books!
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I don’t think it’s the fault of ebooks. I think the economy is more to blame than anything else…publishers want a sure thing.
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I love all these authors!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks, Linda!
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If this open to international reader. please please count me in !
i’d really like to read your works !
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Mariska, this one is US only because I’m shipping books. I had to send books a few weeks ago to Germany and it was VERY cost prohibitive. The shipping was more expensive than the books themselves! I wish there were cheaper ways to ship so everyone could be included, but alas, that isn’t the case right now. Keep coming back for our gift card giveaways…those are open to anyone as long as you have access to those online stores.
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Julie,
I love your work. Your very unique person. I would also say you fit in with Stephanie Bond, Vickie Thompson, and Susan Mallery. I always look forward to your upcoming books. :)
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Julie,
Signs like that are for foods, movies and off brand chocolates. When I see those signs I think of someone who is trying to offer me a generic version. You can’t compare authors that way. Each are unique in every way esp. you!! You are one of a kind, sweetie! One of a kind!
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I’m not one to compare either, but I was thinking Vicki Lewis Thompson.
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To be honest Julie, I have not read one of your books yet. I have you on my list of new authors to buy a book but not yet.
Can I still be entered??
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Julie, IMO, you just can’t compare authors. Each are unique and write in their own voice. If I found one author that compared to another….I wouldn’t buy either. When I pick up a book, I want originality. I am sorry to not provide you with the insight you are looking for. But the question is next to impossible to answer. You are unique and that is why I love your work!!!
Talina
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hmmm…so i’ve been sitting here thinking about this and if I have to pick someone whose style you might be similar to, I have to say a cross between Jill Shalvis and Joanne Rock….but that’s only if I’m pressed…honestly though…I don’t think you are like any one particular author…you have your own unique sense of writing, as a matter of fact you all do…that’s why you’re you and not some nameless nobody or one hit wonder. Those that get published multiple times all have something unique and different about them that catches the readers imaginations, hearts and soul. It’s what makes you …well….you. what makes Karen …Karen, Leslie…Leslie and Janelle…Janelle…yeah…if you look hard enough you might find something similar but you’d have to really look deep and think hard….and if you have to look that deep and think that hard then the similarities/resemblence couldn’t have been that much to begin with. I’ve been to the RWA convention, met all of you….love all of you, read all of your books…and I’d never think to lump you into one catagory like that, I think it does a disservice to you and your talent because that’s like saying….she’s just like so and so…so why bother buying her books when you can buy so and sos and get the same thing.
Oh and someone else might have the same style writing and any one of you…but that doesn’t mean they are going to touch the readers heart the way that any of you will/would.
It’s like when your kids say they wish/want to be like someone else and I always say why? You’re just as good, nice, special in your own way…and yeah…that one may have money, and that one may have looks but none of them have the good heart, brains and love that you do. And if you try to be someone your not…you lose some of what’s special about you.
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Good writing is more important than the genre to me. If something is good then it doesn’t matter what it is about. I would like to read your work however if you want to put me in the contest I would be happy to comment. :Irish1:
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I dont think I have read any of your books.
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Just wanted to say that I’ve read all these, and they’re terrific! Please don’t enter me :)