I am writing a book and i was thinking,

[redbreast]

After what percentage of a book do people generally decide if they like the book or throw it onside.
My fear is all my efforts with this book is "Rubbish"

[Whickerman]

Truthfully, unless it's one of my favourte authors if you haven't got me in the first 8 or 9 pages I drop it. Life's simply too short, and there's a LOT of reading material out there.

[saxy_jag]

I can usually decide by the time I'm a chapter or so into it, depending on the genre of the book.

An agent or publisher's editor will normally ask you for the first two or three chapters initially. If they like what they read, they'll ask you for the rest to see of your story delivers what it promises.

[VLADIMIR]

I tend to look at the cover and blog. If the cover/ title isn't in my zone, I don't go there. e.g. Don't do girly, Bridgette Jonesy thing, therefore avoid girlie covers & blog. Incidentally am a girlie.I'm on Vlad's computer, but a member of AB. On reading a book I'm a bu**er. Once I Start I must finish irrelevant of standard. ( prolific). Therefore read alot of crap books in my time & also several gems. Agree with previous, tend to stick to known authors but get bored with formula after 2/3 books. Keep to your dreams & do it !!!

[coccinelle]

I'll let an author 'bore' me for a chapter let's say 6 pages but then one of the characters has to intrigue me enough to keep on reading. If you think you're starting your story 'boring' (no doubt as it has to go down those lines) then go fast forward and write something interesting in the first chapter. You'll have captivated your reader and he won't mind reading the boring bit in the second part.
Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris did this for me; I left this book as the characters (one is a bottle of wine!!) at the beginning were so BORING. My sister insisted I read it and I must say after 3 chapters I got into it. Had Joanne Harris set off with arriving in France etc in the first chapter I think she'd have had a better public for this book. But that's my idea.

[wonkon-wonk]

I read 34% of your post



DTH?

[OldenDays]

I don't think you have anything like this length of time for the average consumer. Pop into a book shop to see what I mean. Assuming you're unknown you have to first pass the cover challenge. This is a bit like mechanical people telling you the colour of the car doesn't influence their decision to purchase, in that it's a lie!

Assuming, your cover has enticed them to actually pick the book up, you've got either the back cover/inlay or the first paragraph of text inside (those reading the cover/inlay blurb will usually progress to the innards) to hook them.

If that draws them in, they either decide to buy there, any read on for 2 or 3 pages total (but the vast majority decide way before this point).

So, in percentage terms.... less than 1% is your first target.

Once they've actually bought it they will commit much more time to give you a chance, and depending on several socio-economic factors you can have as much as 3 chapters to grab them.

Assuming you've cleared all these obstacles, and someone ditches the book after all that (that's called effective marketing) it's a badly written book.

[Ice.Maiden]

The first few lines have to "grab attention". If the reading's still dull after a couple or so pages - then forget it.