World, Writing, Wealth discussion
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How many bad books are needed to 'kill' all indies for a reader?
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Largest market of Indies is Kindle or PoD paperback. The average 12 book per year reader is probably not on Kindle so may have limited impact. They'll stick to John Grisham etc. I have many friends who have not read a book in years. TV and movies instead. They may read something on holiday if they are in the mood or doing that type of relaxing holiday. They get the book at the airport from the top 20 bestseller list - no Indies there.
Philip wrote: "The average 12 book per year reader is probably not on Kindle so may have limited impact...."Sounds true. I'd like to believe in limited impact, but then how do we lure out the average reader out of top 20? -:)
Nik wrote: "Philip wrote: "The average 12 book per year reader is probably not on Kindle so may have limited impact...."Sounds true. I'd like to believe in limited impact, but then how do we lure out the ave..."
That is the problem. Good product, good stories, marketing - all have tried many better than I. I don't think there is a magic bullet or a best method. Just like music a lot is right place right time - I think maybe 4 years ago self pub had a real chance now (and I'm in that group) its swamped. The technology i.e. KDP changed the market just like MP3 and streaming changed music.
Do you think readers averaging a dozen books a year would experiment with something less than a bestseller or established "brands"?
I think Nik may be right - for that sort of reader, one bad experience could well discourage them, especially if they shelled out $12-14 for a paperback. Not sure what, if anything, one can do about this but I've sometimes wondered if there could be a "quality mark" scheme to certify books that reach a certain basic standard.
Mike wrote: "I think Nik may be right - for that sort of reader, one bad experience could well discourage them, especially if they shelled out $12-14 for a paperback. Not sure what, if anything, one can do ab..."
The trouble with a "quality mark" is who awards it? If you look at the star ratings on Amazon, you will see some [people are determined to slag off books by authors who seem to be writing quite good stuff. You would need a lot of people for the large number of books out there, and sooner or later you hit the person who is totally negative for no food reason, or alternatively thinks any trash is good.
I must be a "rare" reader after reading all the posts above. :)I do read mainstream authors, but I believe on giving indie authors a chance. If the storyline is something that I think I might like, then I will read it. I have found more authors that are just starting out that I have added to my ever growing list of authors to read.
Grammar errors do not bother me either. Everyone makes mistakes and I have seen a few in mainstream books too. I will read anything that pertains to the genres I like no matter if the author wrote one book or fifty books.
I know there are readers out there that won't touch a book by an indie author and that the only authors they read are mainstream. I am not one of those readers. I also don't follow the crowd. I do my own thing and I decide based on the story of the author if I will like it.
I am also over average as I read more than 12 books a year. :) Last year I read over 100 books. I have already read 28 this year. Most of the books I read last year were indie authors.
Almost 90% of the books I read are on my kindle too. I rarely read hardbacks and paperbacks as I have a hard time with my hands, so kindle is the only way to go for me. :)
Thanks Marie, it's great to get genuine reader feedback.
Graeme wrote: "Thanks Marie, it's great to get genuine reader feedback."You are welcome, Graeme. :)
Marie, good to hear that you give indies a chance. I also read and review something over 40 indie books a year. I feel someone has to do something, and since I am also an author, I feel it is partly my own duty. I agree with the kindle - it is the only reasonable way of getting through so many without filling up the house and breaking the bank. As an author it is also the only way to make them cheap enough to persuade more people to give me a chance.
Marie wrote: "I must be a "rare" reader after reading all the posts above. :)I do read mainstream authors, but I believe on giving indie authors a chance. If the storyline is something that I think I might lik..."
Good to know that there are people like you out there; it gives one hope. Thank you for posting.
I've noticed an interesting trend among indie authors; they are using some creative grass roots ways to promote their books. At any event you go to; bazaars, sci-fi-fantasy cons, festivals, county fairs, even the farmers markets; there will be an indie author there with a table or booth, selling their books. I've met and chatted with several authors at these events, and I've purchased books. To be honest, the quality control in traditional publishing has become shockingly poor. I've encountered books from major publishing houses, written by best selling authors which seem to have only a nodding acquaintance with editing. Take a peek inside the cover of any Sara J Maas book and you'll see what I mean.....appalling!
Ian wrote: "Marie, good to hear that you give indies a chance. I also read and review something over 40 indie books a year. I feel someone has to do something, and since I am also an author, I feel it is partl..."Ian, I wish more readers would pick up a book by an indie author as I am sure that once they read the story, they would enjoy it. So many readers shy away from those authors and I know it is because the author is not well known.
I have noticed more indie authors offering their books for free, so that the readers take a chance on them. In one of my groups, there is a member that has a thread that shows the free books available on Amazon for indie authors. This is where I have found what I call "diamonds in the rough" as I found so many great authors through that thread.
I have also noticed in that same group that the moderators have guest author invites. Most of those authors are finally carving their niche slowly into the mainstream. In that group, I wish they would invite more indie authors, so that members have a chance to read those stories.
I have a short story to tell you. I took a chance on an indie author over a year ago (horror genre) and I liked the book so much that I gave the book four stars. It was the author's first book too. I recommended it to some of my friends including a couple of the moderators in that group. They read the book and loved it! It amazed me at what happened next as they invited him to the guest invite for authors last year so that members could read the book.
That is why I support indie authors, because I never know what treasures I am going to find within those pages! :)
Cool. What your doing there Marie is sharing a passion. Such things can produce big results.
Graeme wrote: "Cool. What your doing there Marie is sharing a passion. Such things can produce big results."Thank you, Graeme! :)
Mike wrote: "...a "quality mark"..."That's probably something Amazon's reviews and star rating are supposed to achieve, but not sure it does.. With the ease anything can go online a verification of quality isn't a bad idea
Marie wrote: "That is why I support indie authors, because I never know what treasures I am going to find within those pages! :) ..."Great to hear! And glad you occasionally find them-:)
Holly wrote: "To be honest, the quality control in traditional publishing has become shockingly poor. ..."Hmm... Looks like we are heading towards a not very high common denominator
I read a lot of indie and small press books. I read a lot of big publishing houses books as well. I run across far more quality issues in indie books. It doesn't stop me from reading them. I've found some real gems, but I'm a lot more careful when I choose them. One thing I have noticed is that the grammar issues are getting better, compared to several years back. It's the stories and writing styles that too often seem amateurish. A lot of reviewers still won't even consider indie books. Having said all of that I think in the end the same thing sells books now that sold books since books started being written and sold; word of mouth. Indie writers need to start with the people that are willing to read an independent book and build from there. The cream (mostly) rises to the top eventually.
What do you think?