The Sunday Symposium is a weekly feature in which I'll be discussing various bookish topics and asking for your commentary, as well. This week, I'd like to get your take on indie/self-published novels.
So, the weird thing about me is that I LOVE indie music, but like, the second that music gets airtime on a real radio station, I stop loving it. It's no longer something I discovered and tried to force everyone I know to listen to because it is just that awesome. At that point, it's something everyone else is trying to make me listen to. I told you I'm weird.
However, some of the larger publishers ARE taking a second look at some of the more popular indie authors -- think Abbi Glines and Tammara Webber -- and giving them deals to publish the books that have already made them household names. I haven't read a book by either of those authors, but I do own a couple of their books, thanks to friends and fellow bloggers who swear by them.
But popularity does not a good book make. Beautiful Disaster, I'm looking at you. No, I haven't read that book, but based on the ubiquitous reviews I've seen blasting the love interest for being a complete and total douche and the protagonist for putting up with it, I know this book is not for me. So, even though a book has numerous fans, it can still be a dud for others. Which is one of the reasons indies scare me so much.
That said, I did read a couple of really amazing indie novels recently: Torched and Angelfall. The first was pitched to me by the author herself. Usually, I read the email and then file it away, never to be looked upon again. I get quite a few these days, and admittedly, I'm terrible at responding because I just don't know what to say. The few times I've responded politely with a "not at this time," I always get another response a little while later asking when a good time would be. But Andrea Lynn Colt's email was perfection, as was the premise of her novel. And she also had another thing on her side: a blurb from an established, well-respected author, one whose writing I've tasted and enjoyed.
With Angelfall, that was all word of mouth, and I still resisted, even though some of the readers and bloggers I trust most absolutely loved this novel. And now I absolutely love this novel. I've already read it twice and am dying for the next book just like everyone else. I have the ebook, the audiobook, and the paperback. I'm obsessed with it!
I haven't exactly changed my position on indie novels, but I have a new-found respect for them. And I'd like to read more of them. I just want to know I'm going to love them before picking them up. Is that too much to ask? No? Well then, how about you recommend your favorite indie novel to me...one that you're absolutely certain I can't go wrong with?
Also, where do you stand on independent/self-published books? I know a lot of bloggers I interact with are moving more and more toward indies, but what about the average reader? What do those of you who don't spend all your free time reading and reviewing think of indies? Or even if you are a fellow blogger, how do you feel about them?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts! And your suggestions!!! :D Have a great week, everybody!
I'm a pretty big fan of indie authors, but it takes a lot for me to pick up one of the books. Like - I read specific blogs that give me good insight on what I think I will and will not like. I would definitely say Colleen Hoover is my favorite "indie" author. Two of her books have been picked up by a publisher,but she has a new one that was recently released and it's incredible.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
I actually won a copy of Hopeless from a friend and fellow blogger who loves indies, so I'm definitely giving that one a chance. That's one that I don't think I've heard a single negative thing about. :)
DeleteI'm sure you can guess how I feel about this subject. I don't think whether a book is self-published or published by a big publisher indicates how good it is.
ReplyDeleteBooks like The Sea of Tranquility, On the Island, Hopeless, or anything by Tammara Webber is far better than a lot of traditionally published books. I mean, I hated Incarnate. Passionately. And the Angelfire series.
That's not to say I've never been burned by a self-pubbed, I have. And there are some that have been picked up by a big publisher that I have found to be kind of awful.
I guess I'm saying "who" published a book means far less to me than the story. And honestly, these indies that are hitting it big are bringing in the money. Colleen Hoover stated that she made over $30,000 in a matter of a few weeks, which she donated to charity. They would be crazy to give up that control or money, and a lot if traditionally published authors are starting to move in that direction.
Oops, didn't mean to leave such s long comment.
DeleteAnd thanks for sharing your thoughts.
No worries, Andrea. I love how passionate you are about indies. I wrote this post knowing you'd probably have some valuable insight. :)
DeleteYeah, for me, it's not even necessarily that it's not published by a big company, just that it didn't go through the rigorous cycle that it would had it been published by a big publisher: the numerous drafts, professional editing, etc. That's not to say that some indies don't go through that process before being released to the world, just that a big percentage probably don't...at least not the ones being proffered in my inbox. :(
I just received The Sea of Tranquility for review, and I'm really excited about that one, as well as Hopeless. I'll be honest, your review of the Angelfire book(s) you did read caused me to lose any and all interest in reading any of those books. So, reviews and word-of-mouth have a lot of bearing on which books I pick up or don't. I think I nabbed a copy of Easy thanks to you, too. If I see a lot of buzz for an indie and then I've seen you loved it, too, I am far more likely to give it a shot. I trust your opinion a lot, if you can't tell. :)
That is such an interesting fact. But it makes sense. And, wow, she donated it to charity? That makes me want to read her books even more!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a few suggestions, some that I'd already decided to pick up because of you, and for leaving such a thoughtful response. I promise you I won't take indies for granted and will give them the attention they deserve going forward. :D
I used to be traditionally-published snob,lol, as in I only read them, but once I got my Kindle it opened my eyes to some really great books - books I wouldn't have read if I hadn't given them a chance. I had read Easy and Losing It BEFORE they even got picked up by one of the big publishing companies. Sure, there are some poorly written Indie books out there, but, hey, let's face it, there's some pretty poor traditionally published ones as well. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is sooo true...I've read some really terrible books published by the big six. And I don't want anyone to think that I'm a "traditionally-published snob". :P It doesn't matter WHO publishes a book...I just want to enjoy the reading experience.
DeleteI used to only read published authors that I had heard of. Facebook introduced me to the Indie world and I must say, I am not disappointed in the slightest! I will say that before hitting Facebook, I had picked up quite a few of the freebies and was unable to even finish them. Being on here gives me a sense of how other feel about the authors/books I have an interest in. I have read so many wonderful books since then and follow certain author religiously. I read most of the books and have to wonder to myself why they have not been picked up yet as I feel their writing is far superior than some well known authors. I could go on and on but I won't. I will however leave you with a book/author suggestion that I think will rock your socks! Tasting Never by CM Stunich. Book 2, Finding Never will be released on 2/2 although it isn't a tear your hair out, cry in the corner cliffhanger! It is a deep, dark, emotional read and I loved it more than any other read in 2012!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the discussion!
Marlena
Thanks for your thoughts! I'm glad to see so many people branching out into indie reads...and I really want to be one of them! All authors need our support, whether they have a big publisher backing them or not. Thanks for the suggestion, too!
DeleteI love indie novels, but I understand your concern; I don't like wasting my reading time neither. I often tend to read something that's been released on the market by a popular publisher so I know I'll at least enjoy what I'm reading. With the indie books, it's a "hit or miss" thing for me. I also read Beautiful Disaster and I liked it very much, but we all have the right for our own opinion. And don't get me started on Angelfall -- I could swoon over that book for days! And I can't wait to read the sequel, because I've been dying to get my hands on it for over a year :)
ReplyDeleteNow on what I would recommend... My favorite indie author it's definitely Colleen Hoover. I've been a sobbing mess at Slammed and Point of Retreat and they're still my-all-time-contemporary-romance-favorite novels. You'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll fall in love. And there's also Hopeless by the same amazing author, but it's a hard and intense read since it approaches subjects such as child abuse.
Abbi Glines is another wonderful author and I've been in love with her Existence Trilogy where Death falls in love. Her contemporary series are also well-written and incredibly entertaining.
Tammara Webber's Easy is just gorgeous. There are no words to express how much impact that read had on me. Just give it a try.
Next I would recommend Amy Bartol's YA paranormal series called The Premonition. It has action, complex plot, romance, humour and an incredible paranormal side that will leave you wanting more.
Christine Zolendz's Mad World series is also a paranormal New Adult romance with angels. Sexy, funny -- you're gonna adore it.
The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski is another book I'd recommend any time. The start might be a bit slower, but the story development is heart-warming.
The Thoughtless series by S.C. Stephens is... Not for everyone :) The first book is absolute terror with a gut-wrenching love triangle. I was frustrated, angry, exasperated and in love with the swoon worthy Kellan Kyle. The second book is a lot better, because we don't have all that angst and drama. But don't think it's a light read -- it's a rocky path in order to gain trust. Overall, if you're a courageous person and you want to dive in this series, prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster ;)
And finally, On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves and On Dublin Street by Samantha Young. Both utterly amazing but very different.
My final advice? Read these ASAP, not necessarily in my order :) Hope you enjoy them!
Most of those you suggested have been on my radar for awhile. Guess it's time I give them a try, huh? :) Yes, we totally do have a right to our own opinions...I love that everyone has their own voice, especially in the bookish world. But all those opinions do sometimes make it hard to wade through the books and find something that will be interesting to me. I just have to find like-minded individuals' reviews...not all that difficult, but it does make finding good indie recs harder than recs for books that are tradionally published. Again, thanks for your thoughts...and for all of those amazing suggestions!
DeleteGreat post, Jen! I totally see where you're coming from. As you know, I am a huge supporter of indie authors. Probably because I read a ton of chick lit, and there are some really amazing authors that chose to publish their own books. Either because publishers seem to frown upon chick lit in whole as a genre because there isn't the huge fanbase like YA, or because they just chose to do it on their own. Either way, I have the same fear going into reading an indie book as you do. I have sooooo many books that I'm just dying to read, and no where near enough time to read them all. At the same time, I would hate to miss out on a really stellar book simply because I didn't give it a chance.
ReplyDeleteSo when I'm approached by an indie author for a review, I first look at the cover. (I know, soooo bad of me... but I can't help it!) I read the synopsis, then read reviews. I usually just look at the stars ratings to see if people are enjoying the book or not. Sometimes reviews give TOO much of the story away, especially with chick lit where it's rather predictable to begin with. So I don't always read the content of the review, just the rating. If it's getting all 4's and 5's and it really sounds like a good one to me, I will most likely accept the review request and give it a fair chance. If it's receiving more 3's and I'm not sure I will enjoy it, I tend to politely decline the request, simply because I have so many other books I feel that it's best to not pick up a book that I'm already hesitant about.
Having said all of that, I'm not sure that I would be able to recommend a book to you. I also received Torched for review, and sadly I haven't gotten to it yet... but I've heard amazing things about it, and I'm definitely eager to give it a read. Honestly... it was the cover of Torched that pulled me right in.
My favorite indie books have all been in the chick lit genre, which I know you don't normally read. If you're ever interested in a contemporary chick lit story by an indie author, definitely let me know and I have probably 6-8 I could easily recommend. Good luck with your indie search!! If I come across any YA fantasy that I think you will like by an indie author, I will definitely let you know. :)
Oops... wow, sorry this is so long!
DeleteI look at covers, too, don't feel bad. And sometimes that's what turns me off...gotta stop judging those covers!! :P The cover of Torched caught my eye, too, though, so a good cover does help in some cases. I really appreciate your thoughts...you're obviously passionate about your indies! :D
DeleteI love Indie books and authors.
ReplyDeleteFor recommendations, I have a few depending on what genre you're looking for. Since I don't know and have a really crappy memory for things, here's a quick list of my favorites:
I LOVED Project ELE by Rebecca Gober and Courtney Nuckels. It's a young adult sci-fi dystopian. One of my favorite books last year.
Frost by Kate Avery Ellison, which is YA fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi.
Henry Franks by Peter Adam Soloman, which is a YA horror/thriller/retelling.
There's more and some Adult books as well but I said my favs and I love YA.
Project Ele sounds pretty great. And I think I've heard of Frost, but I can't remember what it's about. I'll do some research and see if these are for me. Thanks for your recommendations!
DeleteI've actually seen Flat Out Love around and was considering it. And I've heard good things about Samantha Young's books, too. I'm glad I'm not the only one who waits for others to find good indie reads for me. :)
ReplyDelete