What is the most recent ‘Indie’ book you read? How did you come across it?

[Mohan]

I see a lot of fellow authors and blogs discussing the “marketing” on one’s work. Post it on xyz forum or advertise it on abc blog, use social media – tweet, FB etc etc.

I think we may need to look elsewhere by wearing the ‘reader hat.’ Observation:
a) Not a lot of Indie writers read other’s indie works (except when doing a review swap)
b) Most Indie writers who publish for Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited program don’t have a KU account of their own

So, what’s the most recent ‘Indie’ book you read? How did you come across it?

[Philip]

The most recent 'Indie' book I have read and reviewed is Green Like the Color: A Memoir by Green Markos. Like all the other 'Indie' books I have read I discovered it on Goodreads, the best place to be, for readers and authors, I think.



Green Like the Color: A Memoir

[Sharon]

Sundark: An Elle Black Penny Dread, by Elizabeth Watasin. I heard a preliminary chapter read at an author event, and was quite interested.

I don't do review swaps, and I don't use a Kindle (I use a Kobo) ... and I read a lot of indies. I may be the person who blows your theory.

[Mohan]

Thanks Philip and Sharon
You may the exception to my theory. :-)

[Dwayne]

Mohan wrote: "Not a lot of Indie writers read other’s indie works (except when doing a review swap)"

I read mostly Indie works and I don't do review swaps. I'd rather pick, choose and buy what I want to read.

I get to know Indie authors here on Goodreads and browse their works, looking for anything that interests me.

Right now I'm reading "Going Green" by Christina McMullen.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished Dissonant by Indie author Christina McMullen. I don't do review swaps either, and generally don't like zombie and werewolf stories, but she is the best Indie author I've read recently. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Katharine]

Another exception here! ;-)

I don't do review swaps either, though the last one I read was an acquaintance's book that I read to review.

The last one I actually bought was Minette by Melanie Clegg. I initially came across her because she was a friend-of-a-friend but it was her blog that sold me her books - fascinating, well-written and regularly updated. She has a very strong blogging voice and I wish I knew how she does it!

The two before that were both Goodreads finds, one, The Sham because I'd connected with the author and liked her posts about writing, and the other, Witness because the author plugged it on here and the strength of the writing in the sample on Amazon drew me in.

I've also bought indie books plugged on Facebook, Twitter, and other forums, though on Twitter it's because I've liked the author's tweets about other things rather than because they've tweeted an irresistible tagline. (Message there for all those services that charge money to repeatedly tweet the tagline - I am not convinced.)
The closest I've ever come to buying a book because someone plugged it on Twitter was when the author's tame monkey took over his Twitter feed and tweeted about his book. That was what he said, anyway.... It made me laugh and the book was a comedy - the method may not work for other genres!

[J.D.]

I read a fair amount of indie books. I find them by seeing them advertised in twitter, from various indie book newletters and often from just browsing around. I also make sure that if I enjoy the book I leave an honest review.

I also read a lot of non-indie books, of course. I read way too much :)

[Mohan]

So J.D., it sounds like adverts on twitter, and indie book newsletters seem to be effective? :-)

[Dwayne]

Ken wrote: "I just finished Dissonant by Indie author Christina McMullen. I don't do review swaps either, and generally don't like zombie and werewolf stories, but she is the ..."

Good to see a second for Christina.

[Michael]

I read Found.. First I watched the film, which blew me away. The book became a necessity after that. I loved the novel just as much, if not more.

[Lenita]

I read Lost City by Jeffrey Poole. I found out about it on Goodreads and got it for free on Amazon. It's still free. It's a wonderful book. See my review on Amazon or Goodreads.

[Nenia]

She's been a longtime friend of mine and I actually like her writing style, so it was a privilege to get the chance to read it. :)

[G.G.]

Mohan wrote: "I see a lot of fellow authors and blogs discussing the “marketing” on one’s work. Post it on xyz forum or advertise it on abc blog, use social media – tweet, FB etc etc.

I think we may need to lo..."

a) For the last two years or so Indies are about all I've read (aside from a few exceptions).

I don't do review swap. In fact, when I read something, I like to keep it quiet until I know I like it and will write a review. Else, I don't want to get the authors' hope too high just so I delete their books without a review or a rating.
If they decide to read my book, I have no saying in it.

b) Doesn't apply to me. I'm not on select. I just recently acquired a Kindle via reward points. I'm not using it because it's one of those with no back lights. Can't read unless in a well lit room. So KU with them? I have not used my free trial. I'm not sure I will. While I read a lot, I also hardly ever buy a book that costs more than 2.99$, add this with the free offers and I'm set. There's no way I'd spend $10 a month so why would I join?

C) how did I come across the books I read?

(I won't mention the one I'm reading right now for the reason mentioned earlier.)

I don't remember how I found the last book I read (The Alien Chronicles). I think it was from Amazon, after looking for an advertised book, which I didn't buy, I bought one that was in the line up instead. 'People who bought this also bought that, or people who look at this also look at' kind of thing.

The book before that was a sequel from a book I've come across on a group read on GR. The group read was Evolution of Angels by Nathan Wall I liked it and was in the mood to continue the series right away so I picked up The Descendants.

Else, I also often choose books from authors I've encountered on GR or on Facebook. Or books I've had on my iPad for so long, I thought it would be time to read them.

[Mohan]

All, Thanks for responding. The responses confirm my hunch that word-of-mouth or serendipity is more effective than actively marketing and seeking readership. :-)

[Shomeret]

The author of the most recent indie book I read approached my co-blogger asking for a review. It happened to be dealing with a topic that is of special concern to both of us. We are known to review books on this topic. My co-blogger was over-booked and asked me to review it.

This is not the typical way that indie books come to my attention, however. My favorite book of 2014 was an indie and I found it on Goodreads. That's usually the way I find books in general.

[Melissa]

Free on Amazon or free from authors... Currently reading a Kindle freebie by Megan chase called I Love the 80s. Just finished reading Emma Scott's Unbreakable, free for review. :-)

[Justin]

Indie books are mostly all I've been reading for the last year and a half. One because I like to support my fellow indies by reading their books and two I treat indie and traditional in the same light in the sense I won't choose one over the other.

That being said I just read two books by indie authors and both were very well written books.

Steampunk Omnibus

From Dirt to Gold: A Journey Through Darkness to Light

[Dana]

I have not read many indie books. Maybe one or two. And I am very interested in doing so. can anyone recommend any? I like mysteries.. horror.. thrillers. would be grateful for any recommendations

[Katharine]

You might like Changed Souls by Harriet Truscott.

[Mohan]

Thanks to all for the responses. The reason for my original query was twofold: understand whether “marketing” really works. From the responses, it sounds like word-of-mouth is more effective when it comes to indie. :-)

BTW, I continue to seek reviewers and inputs for The Bounce!

Genera: Asian American | Semi-Autobiographical fiction | Kindle Short Reads

[Melissa]

Dana wrote: "I have not read many indie books. Maybe one or two. And I am very interested in doing so. can anyone recommend any? I like mysteries.. horror.. thrillers. would be grateful for any recommendations"

Hi! Just saw you wanted a recommend. In the thriller genre is The Rose Master. Pretty awesome book. It was breathtaking.

[Jason]

Dana wrote: "I have not read many indie books. Maybe one or two. And I am very interested in doing so. can anyone recommend any? I like mysteries.. horror.. thrillers. would be grateful for any recommendations"

I just recently read and reviewed No Reflection (The Furies). Very good, very creepy.

[Justin]

I interact with fellow indies on here on a regular basis. If I don't hear about their book based upon them or curiosity I usually come across them on social media. If I come across a book outside of Goodreads I always run to goodreads to check it out to see if it's on here.

[Wayne]

I just finished "the Archer" by Martin Archer. Found it recommended On Amazon.

[Sarah]

The Place We Went To Yesterday by Lisa Mauro. It was a Book of the Month at Rave Reviews Book Club. I've reviewed it on Goodreads.

[K.P.]

most of the indie books I find here are due to various book clubs pay it forwards or exchanges. I don't buy kindle books (I have an ereader tho) and tend to buy paperbacks (I know totes tree killer here). so I lurk make friends and when I have extra spending money buy books off amazon. very slow reader here (between programming jams usually). it's something I do now being sober... but hey I get out of my head and over coding blocks easier this way lolz

[T.L.]

I get mine through a variety. Lots are from fb groups, some from here, and some I just typed in 'indie' as a search on Amazon. That's how I found Jacqueline Rhoades' books (which I love). I make a point of reading and reviewing all I can.

The trouble being, not many seem to be returning the favour. :-(

[S.]

Had to be Angelcide by Doug Romig.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[K.P.]

I feel ya TL...

[Sarah]

T.L. wrote: "I get mine through a variety. Lots are from fb groups, some from here, and some I just typed in 'indie' as a search on Amazon. That's how I found Jacqueline Rhoades' books (which I love). I make a ..."

I'd never thought of typing "Indie" into Amazon, and I wonder how many people do. I'll give it a try.

[Philip]

The Daddy of All Mysteries by Jess Welsby is a self published memoir I first read about in my local newspaper, the Liverpool Echo, but it was Goodreads which led me to buy and read the book. All of the self published books I have read I discovered on Goodreads.



The Daddy of All Mysteries