Challenge: A Month of SPAs

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Resident Book Pusher]

So, I think I'm about to start a new challenge!

What do you think?
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I don't read a lot of self published authors (SPAs). I used to but I stopped because:

1) There are simply too many! There's way too much noise to slice through so it's overwhelming.
2) So many SPAs act like gigantic assholes. I don't want to be bothered with assholes.
3) So much drama surrounding them and their reactions to reviews (negative and positive). Why would I both spend my money AND get harassed? Again, I don't want to be bothered with assholes.

But recently, I've been discussing this with people in the multitude of bookclubs I belong to. I decided...maybe I'm being too harsh? That the SPAs who act like assholes represent the minority and not the majority.


Well, I'm not sure but I'm willing to give it a short go (in small doses). To test this out, I'm going to start with a month of SPAs. I'm challenging myself to read at least 1-5 chapters from a different SPA each week in February. I *hope* to write a short summery as to how the chapter(s) felt to me and if I plan to continue reading the book or author.

I don't accept review requests so all of books picked will be from books I already own. I tried my best to pick books that I think I will like - I didn't just grab any book that was self-published.

My tentative SPA reading schedule:
February 1st: Pale Queen's Courtyard (Moonlit Cities #1)

Kamvar, a soldier, has lost his way. Leonine, a thief and sorcerer, has forgotten that he had one to lose.

When the daughter of a High Priest finds herself exiled and hunted across the entirety of conquered Ekka, both men will remember who they are, and the country's invaders will learn that memories, unlike temples, are not so easily torn down.

Pale Queen's Courtyard is the first novel by Canadian author Marcin Wrona, and a finalist in SciFiNow's 2009 War of the Words.

 
February 8th: The Tribe of Ishmael (Afterlife Chronicles #1)

There are no heroes. Only villains...

Ishmael Abajian has always been a play-by-the-rules kind of guy, so when he stows aboard a train to escape from dangerous pursuers, he figures his guardian angel will overlook it. Except each train car appears to represent one of the Seven Deadly Sins. And the demon conductor informs him that he is no longer alive, deepest condolences. Not to mention the accidentally-going-to-Hell part—tough break. Too bad there’s no better luck next time.

Now trapped in a dark authoritarian world embroiled in power struggles and dreams of liberation, Ishmael teams up with a girl who may-or-may-not be a murderer in order to recover their lost memories and escape. However, as a free soul condemned neither to Hell nor Paradise, Ishmael is something that some demons have been waiting for, while others will stop at nothing to destroy: change.

The first installment in a brand-new epic fantasy series, THE TRIBE OF ISHMAEL is a dark metaphysical adventure containing hellhounds with nasty frost-bites and lots of adult content.

Welcome aboard the Sunnyside Express.
Next stop: the Afterlife.
Whatever you do, please don’t abandon all hope.
That wouldn’t be as much fun.

 
February 15th: The Madness of Hallen (Khalada Stone #1)

Half a millenium ago, the mind of Husam al-Din was ripped apart and scattered beyond the borders of the known lands. Although secured by bloody war, the peaceful legacy he brought has begun to collapse, and the world once again starts a slow descent into chaos. Against all who betrayed him, al-Din will be forced to reclaim those who survived.
There are none who can prevent his return, but there are three who would control him. All that stands in their way is their own sanity, and everyone they love.

In the mountain city of Brunn, a darkness gathers around Ohrl. Restlessness, a sense that his life should mean more than it does. On his first journey beyond the mountains he begins to understand that destiny cares not for his petty desires. It is vicious and brutal, and it will not stop until either he, or it, are totally consumed.

Na'ilah's search is almost over. She can feel his mind pulsating here in the city, but she cannot take it through strength of arms alone. Her armoury is cunning, manipulation and betrayal. Her will is to be obeyed, and her cruel heart will show no mercy to those that stand in her way.

His mind will be a vessel for the betrayals of his kind, and in time he must decide upon their right to survive. Yet before that decision can be made, Faerl must release the six most powerful men that brought this curse upon them, men who died half a millenium ago.

The Khalada Stone is the first of four epic novels following the lives of two brothers in their quest against the rightful heir to the mind of Husam al-Din.

 
February 22nd: Inhale (Just Breathe #1)

Strangers in reality, inseparable in dreams…

After years of suffocating under her boss’s scrutiny, whale biologist Zoe Morgan finally lands a job as director of a tagging project in Hervey Bay, Australia. Success Down Under all but guarantees her the promotion of a lifetime, and Zoe won’t let anything—or anyone—stand in her way. Not the whale voices she suddenly hears in her head, not the ex who won’t take no for an answer, and especially not the gorgeous figment of her imagination who keeps saving her from the fiery hell of her dreams.

Gavin Cassidy hasn’t been called to help a human Wyldling in over a year, which is fine by him. Still blaming himself for the death of his partner, he keeps the guilt at bay by indulging in every excess his rock star persona affords. That is, until he’s summoned to protect Zoe from hungry Fyre Elementals and learns his new charge is the key to restoring order in the dying Dreaming. He never expects to fall for the feisty Dr. Morgan…nor does he realize he may have to sacrifice the woman he loves to save an entire country.

*This book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

**The author will donate all profits from the sale of the JUST BREATHE trilogy to programs that educate people about whales and the challenges they face.

[Nyssa, Series Addict]

Wishing you the best of luck and many happy reads!!

I don't have a particular feeling, one way or the other, about SPAs in general. My concern is usually about the quality of the book (well ebook, actually) - grammar, typos, etc.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Resident Book Pusher]

Nyssa wrote: "Wishing you the best of luck and many happy reads!!

I don't have a particular feeling, one way or the other, about SPAs in general. My concern is usually about the quality of the book (well ebook,..."

I should add another point: Since anyone can self publish, it seems like everyone is self-publishing and over 99% that I've read has been crap.

[Nyssa, Series Addict]

I plead the fifth as both my MIL & BIL are now SPAs and my BIL was invited to the White House for his efforts. He is the author of Lauren Ipsum.
I can't link to it as I'm on my phone.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Resident Book Pusher]

Nyssa wrote: "I plead the fifth as both my MIL & BIL are now SPAs and my BIL was invited to the White House for his efforts. He is the author of Lauren Ipsum.
I can't link to it as I'm on my phone."

This? Lauren Ipsum?

[Nyssa, Series Addict]

Yes! :)

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*, Resident Book Pusher]

That's cool!

[Nyssa, Series Addict]

Yeah, thanks. I'm proud of him. He was part of a panel on technology, last year.
The illustrator, Yta, is his wife.
They're good people.