This is what I thought I was doing this on, but as I don’t know a whole lot about this topic, I wasn’t quite sure if maybe I’d come up with another idea. But I didn’t, so here is my post!
What I think of when I hear “independent author” is someone who has gone out and had their books self-published. I know that the Fifty Shades of Grey books started out that way, (even though I heard the author tried to deny it at the RT Convention last year in Kansas City). There’s nothing wrong with this, and as with the example I just listed, there are often some books that could go on to be really big hits if they would only get the chance. But, I have to also admit, I’ve read a few, or tried to read a few that just weren’t great. I won’t name any of those. Because honestly, I wouldn’t have listed Fifty Shades as very good either. The books I believe count as independent authors’ books and I liked, I will share them below. Now, know that some of them are not perfect, could definitely use a professional publishing house’s editor to make them better, but I won’t tell you which of these need that. I’ll just recommend them, and let you give them a chance, and make your own decision.
1.
Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa’s body screams at her to run… but yet she’s powerless to move.
Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees – and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell – Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.
Because what Alessa hasn’t figured out yet is that she’s not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university’s idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface…
Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from 1815, England … but she doesn’t realize it until she meets her soul mate from the past and he triggers her memories to gradually return.
When Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie’s high school, she feels a connection to him, like she knows him. But he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching Drew is more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can’t she get him out of her mind?
Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, but fighting fate isn’t easy, and she’s determined to unravel the mysteries of the past.
“Well, that’s what I wanted to know, so I thought I would humor the old girl and read it. So I did. I got completely caught up in the characters.” Johnathon touched the book’s dark emerald green cover.
“Well that’s easy enough to do when the characters hear you talking to yourself,” Rebecca said.
“It’s more than that. You can talk with them too,” Johnathon exclaimed.
Have you ever come face-to-face with the person who hurt you most in your life? That’s exactly what happens to Sandra Morgan, a young and beautiful assistant district attorney. She comes face-to-face with the man who abused her when she was a child when he is on trial in the New Orleans Criminal Court-and Morgan is the prosecutor. A shocking courtroom decision consumes her as she battles with her inner demons in an effort to seek the revenge to which she feels entitled. But after the trial of her life, is there really a winner?
The Vara of Yima, the original Garden of Eden, sealed from the rest of the world and populated with the fittest of men and women. A secret paradise that 150 years ago became ravaged by smog that choked out the skies.
Now the Vara exists in a permanent state of darkness and its people need a champion, a chosen one to save them from the smog that threatens to fill the realm and poison its inhabitants.
That’s what they needed. They got Sammy Ellis instead. She isn’t important enough for her dad to stick around for, never mind saving a realm or junk like that. Her only responsibility was to help the chosen one open the gateway into the Vara, but not only has she entered the realm in their place, she’s also locked them out in the process.
Stuck in a twilight land of giant mushrooms, pursued by dark forces and still in her pyjamas, being unimportant back in the real world is starting to seem way more attractive.
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Thanks for the recommendations – I'll be sure to check some of them out 🙂
PS: didn't know that about 50 shades of grey, although I'm not surprised!
Lena from A-Z challenge
(unwaveringme.blogspot and Baxter's mama from baxterpoodle.blogspot)
Good, hope you get a chance and aren't disappointed by them. Thanks for stopping by!
Excellent list. It's not easy doing things independently. I'm sure these authors would appreciate this post. Thanks for sharing.
I've tried to let the authors know I've shared their books, and the ones who know seem to like it.
Very honest take on independant publishing. Great attitude about it too. 🙂
Thanks! That's what I was striving for.
I've read some fabulous self-pubbed books, but unfortunately, I've read more dodgy ones then I've read good ones and I'm hesitant to take any review requests anymore. :(( I feel like it's a real shame, though, because some authors ROCK self-pubbing. And then it's so hard for them to build up their readership because fewer people trust them. So awkward. I really love the cover for Stitch!
That's how I am as well. It is so hard to accept a book and then try to read it, and not be able to. There are just so many books I want to read, it is hard to waste time on a book I'm not enjoying. And then again, there are ones that I see people love, and I just can't get into. So it all goes into what people like anyway sometimes. Thanks for stopping by!
There are so many writer's blogs in the A to Z Blog challenge! I have added so many must-read books to my list. Have a great challenge
It's great to find new reads! Thanks for stopping by!
There are some very good ones (and the better self-publishers make a point of paying an editor) just as there are plenty of bad books put out by publishers. I suppose the very bottom of the market, the entirely unpublishable works that nevertheless get put out wouldn't be there without indie publishing, but it seems to come down to what it always has: looking around to find stuff you might like before you buy it.
Exactly true! You have to see what you like. And some that I haven't liked, I know many others have liked. So it all is in perception, and taste. Thanks for stopping by!
We indies all thank you for this post. 😉 I spent a good long while trying to decide whether to try the traditional agent/publisher route, or just do it myself. I concluded that it would be the same amount of effort either way, but going indie gave me much better time to market.
It's been tiring, frustrating, exhilarating, and lots of fun!
I have a really close friend doing the books on her own, I've listed her above, and I'm sure she'd feel the same way you do. Thanks for stopping by!