1) Are you interested in reading the views held by your favourite authors, or authors that you like in general, on topics not directly related to their books?
Generally, no, but it really depends on the subject. I'm mostly interested in authors' views on writing.
1a) If so, how much does it bother you when you find out their views are quite different from yours, or even offensive to you?
Not at all really. I'm generally conservative and I expect most authors to be generally liberal, so when their views are different than mine, it's not a surprise. It's a lot like musicians. I almost always disagree with the political/social messages, but that's not important to me. What's important is how good they are at their craft.
1b) If not, can your view of such authors still be influenced by hearing about their views involuntarily?
Only if their views are bat-shit crazy.
2) Have the political, religious, social,... views of an author ever been a factor in your decision not to read a book by him or her?
Not for fiction writers. For non-fiction writers, I can usually safely assume what they will say and have heard them say it before, so I don't see the need to read or purchase their books.
2a) Or in your decision not to buy it?
See previous answer.
3) Have you ever had the opposite reaction to such a controversy, feeling more inclined to buy or read books by the author, rather than less?
Probably. It's like protesters that bring attention to things that I never would have heard of otherwise (the "all publicity is good" effect). If the stink is big enough, I might buy something. Although I can't recall a specific example.
4) Do you think, all things considered, that it's a good thing for authors to write on their blogs about things not directly related to their work? Does that enhance the reading experience, hinder it, or neither?
Neither for me. I separate the work and non-work subjects easily.
*MySmiley*
I play air tambourine. Competitively.
I play air tambourine. Competitively.
/Survey: Author blogs and political controversies
- 11/10/2010 05:13:40 PM
894 Views
A Good Survey
- 11/10/2010 07:09:52 PM
638 Views
Re: A Good Survey
- 11/10/2010 07:11:06 PM
512 Views
Took you long enough to post about the Moon article 
*NM*
- 13/10/2010 03:18:35 AM
286 Views
*NM*
- 13/10/2010 03:18:35 AM
286 Views
That would be why I didn't just post about the Moon article. 
*NM*
- 13/10/2010 10:52:07 AM
202 Views
*NM*
- 13/10/2010 10:52:07 AM
202 Views