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Are you less likely to buy a Self-Published book?
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Everly
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Jan 27, 2012 09:38PM
There has been a lot of debate about whether to let people know that you're a self-published author or not. So, are you less likely to buy a book if you know the author is self-published? Why or why not?
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I'm likely to have more reservations initially, but not less likely to buy if the story tempts me to read.
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I actively seek out indie books. It's very easy to see if the writing is good, sampling is the key. I had long grown tired of what traditional publishers were publishing. Indie writing allows for great creativity. I found another new favourite writer this morning and bought his next three books.
I review a lot of indie books, but I'm less likely to buy one unless I've already read something by the author. Excerpts online, blog posts etc definitely help.
Sheila wrote: "I review a lot of indie books, but I'm less likely to buy one unless I've already read something by the author. Excerpts online, blog posts etc definitely help."
I agree, I need something to sample first. Free shorts are good too.
I agree, I need something to sample first. Free shorts are good too.
If a book sounds good, especially after reading a sample, I'll go for it! These days, if I only purchased traditionally published books...I'd have missed some real gems.
I first check the genre, then the blurb. If I think it looks interesting I always click on the 'look inside' feature.
I never check out the publisher. There are great trsditionally published books and some poor ones too. The same goes for indies. I've found some excellent indies.
I never check out the publisher. There are great trsditionally published books and some poor ones too. The same goes for indies. I've found some excellent indies.
Not anymore. I hate I waited so long to give them a chance. Now I'm glad I did. There's a lot of talent out there!
These days, I'm more likely to buy indie/self-published books than traditionally published. I've found just as many traditionally published books that have let me down a great deal, and even had a fair share of errors and typos, so I give all books a fair shake. If an indie books looks interesting to me, I'll go ahead and try it out.
I rarely buy trad pub books anymore. My fellow indies give me plenty to read and the quality is very high among those that I know. I read excellent books by other indies, both bestselling indies and little-known indies. Trad pub has become a club that focuses on big splash profits from celeb books, not building reader loyalty to great mid list authors who need help reaching their audiences but would be steady sellers if they did.
I've found some real gems in the Indie world. It's refreshing to discover new voices out there.A change is as good as a rest as they say.
I've found so many Indie books on this site and others. Some have been brilliant, others not so much. But you find that with Traditional publishers too. I read the blurb and go from there.
I'm not hindered from buying self-published books at all. If the blurb sounds interesting or if someone recommends it to me, I'll give any book a try.
Nope:) Doesn't bother me a bit. Everyone has to start somewhere. I would never discredit a book for that reason! Might pass up a winner if I did! Give all books a chance!
The stigma against self-publishing is "quality" and "consistency." For example, if you were to go eat at KFC you'd know exactly what you're going to get and exactly the way you're going to get it. Self-published books is like walking past a random small restaurant downtown and wondering if its good or not. It has the potential to become your new favourite, or it could give you food poisoning :).Traditionally published books have that quality shine to it that self-pubs don't have. And, you know that you're going to get what you ordered off the menu (in this case genre wise). Some self-published books are inconsistent in their content.
That being said, I'm only now entering the self-published market and am open to tasting new dishes. My views are likely to change. If anyone has any excellent recommendations message them to me and I'll give them a taste.
T.S. wrote: "The stigma against self-publishing is "quality" and "consistency." For example, if you were to go eat at KFC you'd know exactly what you're going to get and exactly the way you're going to get it. ..."I like that restaurant analogy.
I ALWAYS read the first few pages before I buy. And frankly, I don't pay any attention to who the publisher is. Does the story interest me? Is the writing good? I care about the book, not whose imprint is on the book.Having said that, I hope indie authors as a whole begin to invest more in professional editing. A book that is published before it is ready is a squandered opportunity. Bad writing ruins my ability to become immersed in a story and I don't give many authors a second chance.
There was a time in the past when I was a self-published book snob. Figuring they weren't "good enough" to garner agent representation. Not so much the truth anymore. I've read some very good self-published books by some talented writers. I agree with the statement above about professional editing. A skipped word, a misspelled word, an extra word, a wrong word -- when I have to re-read a sentence three or four times because it doesn't work -- It's not good. I don't mind paying the price for most of the self-published works because they are usually $3 or less. Truth is, I am less likely to buy a traditionally published epub, if that makes sense. I mean, why spend $9.99 for an epubbed book when I can spend a few more dollars for a hard copy.
You can tell which books were given enough editing attention and which weren't. I'm a stickler for that kind of thing and reread my manuscripts again and again until I want to throw up. Yes, it's tedious, but if you only have yourself to rely on, it's necessary and completely doable by the author themselves.I think indie books offer bonuses for someone willing to branch out. The cost is much less than a publishing house book. I almost had a heart attack when I saw the Nook book of The Bonesetter's Daughter was $18.99. That's madness! Self-published authors publish their work with all the material they feel needs to be included. There's no editor to contend with, no cuts to be made, unless they themselves deem them useful. How many times have they republished Stephen King's work in extended versions?
I think too often people form the idea that self-published means a manuscript of low quality because no one has checked behind the author to be sure they've written readable material. In most cases, the author has received input from many people, the kinds of people that will be reading their book. They are concerned about the quality just as much as you are!
Their are so many good indie books out there. It just takes one good experience with them to open the door for new readers.
A.F. wrote: "It doesn't bother me, but I regularly review self-published books. In fact, I'm more inclinded these days to read an unknown indie author than a book from a big traditional publisher. I've found ..."So have I. Since becoming an indie myself, I've met loads of other indie authors who have written great works. I think there is still stigma attached to us indies but you know what they say: "Once you go indie..."
Tracy wrote: "Nope:) Doesn't bother me a bit. Everyone has to start somewhere. I would never discredit a book for that reason! Might pass up a winner if I did! Give all books a chance!"Here, here!
