Most of what I am reading at the moment I am getting from libraries, so support for starving artists is out; and it's not really like I spread the word about writers people might not have heard of ;) It's partly "broadening of own viewpoint" but is mostly "I want easy-to-read SFF that doesn't reinforce *ist stereotypes, coz I'm bored of those." Portrayal of Difficult Shit is fine, provided it's handled well (e.g. I'm completely okay with Lois McMaster Bujold). Will search library catalogue NAO for Octavia Butler, and failing that will just have to make it along to a CUSFS event ;)