The Indie Bookshelf discussion

51 views
Why Do You Read Indie?

Comments Showing 1-23 of 23 (23 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Melissa (new)

Melissa (melissaperea) I read Indie because the quality, selection and price are awesome. I get great books that are affordable and meet wonderful authors in the process. I don't frown on trade publishing, but I look at supporting Indie Authors in the same way I support Farmer's Markets. It cuts out the middle man and my money goes to the person who most deserves it.

Why do you read Indie? And how did you get into the Indie world?


message 2: by Liz (new)

Liz I totally agree with Melissa! I feel the Indie Authors give their true selves / stories to us in how they want it written (if this makes any sense). Plus the price is affordable and not outrageous.


message 3: by Daisy Sloan (new)

Daisy Sloan | 13 comments I like to support those that are starting out. You find some wonderful authors and stories you may not have found otherwise. Besides, as good as publishing houses are, they don't always find those gems and give them a chance! I want to!


message 4: by Melissa (new)

Melissa (melissaperea) Lee Anne wrote: "I like to support those that are starting out. You find some wonderful authors and stories you may not have found otherwise. Besides, as good as publishing houses are, they don't always find those ..."

TOTALLY!!!!!!!!! Great points.


message 5: by Melissa (new)

Melissa (melissaperea) Liz wrote: "I totally agree with Melissa! I feel the Indie Authors give their true selves / stories to us in how they want it written (if this makes any sense). Plus the price is affordable and not outrageous."

They get the freedom to tell their story. It's beautiful.


message 6: by Lindsay (new)

Lindsay (lindsay_sparkes) | 109 comments Ditto! It started out because I couldn't afford to read at the speed I was and blossomed into something beautiful.


message 7: by Anne OK (new)

Anne OK (anne-ok) | 6 comments The variety, price, and so many new-to-me-authors to experience. It has given me chances to read other genres I ordinarily would not pay the prices to chance. I still read the mainstream authors I've grown to love BUT I've already discovered lots of new indie authors who've taken up residence in my reading world.

Goodreads and the book friends I've made here have opened doors to the reading world I never would have discovered otherwise!


message 8: by Daisy Sloan (new)

Daisy Sloan | 13 comments AnneOK wrote: "The variety, price, and so many new-to-me-authors to experience. It has given me chances to read other genres I ordinarily would not pay the prices to chance. I still read the mainstream authors ..."

Absolutely! GR has lead me to some pretty awesome authors. It's also gotten me to read some new genres. Things I wouldn't have looked at before!


message 9: by Leslie (new)

Leslie | 145 comments Mod
AnneOK wrote: "The variety, price, and so many new-to-me-authors to experience. It has given me chances to read other genres I ordinarily would not pay the prices to chance. I still read the mainstream authors ..."

Couldn't agree more with you, Anne! I have read many because of you, too!


message 10: by Leslie (new)

Leslie | 145 comments Mod
Lee Anne wrote: "AnneOK wrote: "The variety, price, and so many new-to-me-authors to experience. It has given me chances to read other genres I ordinarily would not pay the prices to chance. I still read the main..."

Lee Anne, you hit the nail on the head!! ;)


message 11: by Rebekah (new)

Rebekah Martin (martinbeks) | 3 comments Before I was an indie author, myself, I would get free books for my kindle and a lot of the ones I read were indie authors. Most of the time I couldn't tell them from a traditionally published author. I agree with what Melissa said: Give to the person that deserves the profits most. :-)


message 12: by Ariel (new)

Ariel (cannibalcutie) | 2 comments Indie books aren't overwhelming. They don't come with tons of advertisements and peer pressure to read them. Plus, it gives the lesser-known guys a chance to shine when I read one and review it or someone asks what book I'm reading. Free promoting!!! <3 :P


message 13: by Leslie (new)

Leslie | 145 comments Mod
Rebekah and Ariel, I agree completely!! :)


message 14: by Jenn (new)

Jenn Cooksey (jenncooksey) | 17 comments Melissa wrote: "Liz wrote: "I totally agree with Melissa! I feel the Indie Authors give their true selves / stories to us in how they want it written (if this makes any sense). Plus the price is affordable and not..."

Thank you for getting it, you guys... Keeping my stories "my own" was one of the major reasons I chose to self-pub rather than going the traditional route. Plus, I get to set pricing and the fact of the matter is, books are a form of art, yes, but a book is nothing if it's not being read and enjoyed. With the economy the way it is, most people just can't afford to indulge themselves with much anymore, which makes me so sad. I'd rather price lower for quality work and have people be able to buy it guilt free or having to choose between reading and that much needed dose of yummy, morning caffeine. ;-)


message 15: by Christine (new)

Christine (xtinela) | 12 comments There are books I've read by Indies and I've said "This would never get published." But they were engaging, delicious, funny, genre bending novels that opened my mind more than a Janet Evanovitch ever would.

Also, I feel like I'm readin some supersecret tome that I can discover and give to my friends....


message 16: by Daisy Sloan (new)

Daisy Sloan | 13 comments Jenn wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Liz wrote: "I totally agree with Melissa! I feel the Indie Authors give their true selves / stories to us in how they want it written (if this makes any sense). Plus the price is af..."

Price is a very big deal and part of the reason I read indie. One if my favorite authors published the much anticipated next book in her series months ago. I still haven't read it because it's $15 for the ebook. I have no problems paying good money for great books but if I pay that much for 1 book I won't get to read that many!!


message 17: by Mike (new)

Mike Cooley (mikecooley) I LOVE the originality and the fearlessness of many indie writers. It's a breath of fresh air for me.


message 18: by Rebekah (new)

Rebekah Martin (martinbeks) | 3 comments Lee *show me the smut* Anne wrote: "Jenn wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Liz wrote: "I totally agree with Melissa! I feel the Indie Authors give their true selves / stories to us in how they want it written (if this makes any sense). Plus th..."

There's a book by Gemma Halliday that the eBook is $12.99. I love her Hollywood Scandals and High Heels mysteries, but they're all under $5! Wish this book was. I read the first chapter and fell in love. I just can't afford to pay $12.99 on a book, let alone an eBook! :-(


message 19: by Jenn (new)

Jenn Cooksey (jenncooksey) | 17 comments Can I just say that as an author, I'm so totally loving this group and the opportunity to hear from readers about what they like and appreciate in terms of publishing and writing... Seriously, you guys, I heart you.

:-*


message 20: by Daisy Sloan (new)

Daisy Sloan | 13 comments I know authors have to make money off their books but they have to be priced accordingly. High enough to make money and keep writing but not so high they price you out of sales. After all what do you get out of an unsold book? Nothing....


message 21: by Jenn (last edited Aug 17, 2012 01:47PM) (new)

Jenn Cooksey (jenncooksey) | 17 comments Lee *show me the smut* Anne wrote: "I know authors have to make money off their books but they have to be priced accordingly. High enough to make money and keep writing but not so high they price you out of sales. After all what do y..."

Exactly.

There was a blogpost about this a little while back, which discussed this topic, and while I agree that books are certainly art and subconsciously people feel like if a book is priced too low, it must suck, but at the same time, I know that I personally don't have the funds to pay $10-$20 for every book I buy from all my most read authors. I'd single-handedly bankrupt my family and we'd get tossed out on the street. Plus, I'm a debut author, no one I know would pay over $5 to read an e-book written by someone they've never heard of, so, I try to price my work where I think my friends and I would be able to comfortably afford it while at the same time, I don't feel like I'm devaluing my work. It's a tricky balance, but I think it can be found. And like you said, LeeAnn, what purpose does an unsold book serve? Nothing.

I just want to share my stories and possibly have a positive impact on people's lives. My husband on the other hand I think has dreams of sailing off into the sunset on some huge yacht all my fortune and riches has afforded him. He's delusional of course. I get seasick. ;-)


message 22: by Daisy Sloan (new)

Daisy Sloan | 13 comments I LOVE free books. I've found so many authors that offer their books for free for a day or two. I've also found some FABULOUS authors whose books are anywhere from $0.99 to $5. I'll pay a dollar or 3 for a new author if the books looks good. I I like it I keep reading their books. For Example: R.L. Matthewson. I picked up the first in the Pyte series for $0.99. I immediately bought the second one when I finished the first. The third will get read next week, then I'll start on other books by Matthewson.

You have to get the reader in the door first. Then, they'll keep reading and recommending!


message 23: by Jenn (new)

Jenn Cooksey (jenncooksey) | 17 comments Lee *show me the smut* Anne wrote: "I LOVE free books. I've found so many authors that offer their books for free for a day or two. I've also found some FABULOUS authors whose books are anywhere from $0.99 to $5. I'll pay a dollar o..."

You speaketh the truth, LeeAnn (sorry. not sure if you have a space in your name or not. :-*).


back to top