A self-published book challenge
This is a nice idea of someone’s. Perhaps of Mark Lawrence’s; the home of this Self-Pubbed Book Challenge seems to be his blog. It seems that ten fairly well-known book bloggers have each signed on to read about 25 self-published SFF titles, with a commitment to review at least some of them, and select just one title to move into the finalist’s round.
I found out about this from Ria at Bibliotropic, who is participating. Looks like other participants include Bookworm Blues, Elitist Book Reviews, Fantasy Faction, Fantasy Book Critic, Lynn’s Books, The Fictional Hangout, Beauty in Ruins, The Speculative Book Review, and Fantasy Book Review. You can see each blogger’s list of titles at Mark Lawrence’s site.
I hadn’t previously heard of Lawrence or, in fact, any of the authors on any of these lists of 25+ titles, at least so far as I can tell with a quick scan through the lists. That’s why I think this is a great idea. We all know that discoverability is THE issue for all authors, but surely none more so than self-published authors. I would never have discovered Lindsay Buroker without Sherwood Smith reviewing her books, or L Shelby without Elaine T suggesting to me I might look up hers. Andrea K Höst is a special case, since I saw reviews of AND ALL THE STARS everywhere the year it came out and discovered her that way. For self-pubbed-only authors, I think that’s it for me so far.
Ria at Bibliotropic has a post up describing how she chose which 25 titles to read: she picked ‘em on the basis of title, cover, and back cover copy, and shows examples of each. I must agree that THE BONE FLOWER QUEEN is an evocative title.
It’ll be interesting to follow along with these bloggers and see what gems they find in this stack of titles. I see that Lynn has already given one of hers, HIS OWN GOOD SWORD by Amanda McCrina, a thumb’s up.
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It's a great idea. I try to read and review at least one indie title a month, more if I can. And I also tend more toward women as it is exponentially more difficult for them to get any notice.
And that includes very small presses, too.
I doubt I'll ever manage that; I'm always so desperately far behind with books that I *know* I want to read. When I do read an indie title I like, though, I always do make time to review it.I'll try to remember to check back in with these bloggers periodically and see what gems they turn up.
That's a great idea--pass on a heads if they discover some gems!
I'm impressed anybody could set up such a big push for indie titles -- even though I know it's still a tiny drop in the bucket.
I just wish I'd known about it, so I could have submitted some of my own books for review.
I have no idea how it was set up, but with luck everyone will enjoy the "challenge" format and be willing to do it again.
Maybe I'll do a challenge that doesn't make bloggers select from a list of books submitted by authors.
