You've probably read (or tried to read) a self-published book. You probably know someone who has self-published a book.
I love to read but I struggle finding self-published books I want to read. Trust me, a glut of self-published books cross my desk. Oftentimes, self-published authors give away their e-book for free on Amazon (it drives up their bestseller ranking and yes, as a conventionally published author, I do think this is cheating, but it's a way to try an author with whom you're unfamiliar).
While no shortage of self-published books exists, I can speak to the embarrassment of well-written ones. That's not to say many of these poorly written books don't come from writers with great talent; however, often they don't come from authors with the knowledge or inclination to edit, proofread, design or listen to any criticism whatsoever, any combination of which can overshadow any talent that exists. In hopes of finding quality self-published writing, I signed on as a judge for the Independent Book Publishers Association Book Awards. I'm partially through the books and I have to tell you, it's not looking great out there (when I find one that gives me hope, I promise, I'll review it).
Before all the self-published writers out there start composing an email to me suggesting I remove my head from my ass, let me say, though, that quality self-published books exist. The author of CL's Self Publishing Notebook, Jon Kile, has one (or else he wouldn't write for us). But Jon's an anomaly in the world of the self-publishing: He pays an editor, takes her edit suggestions well, makes her edits, pays a cover designer and has a marketing plan.
And you wouldn't know it, of course, unless you knew him. And he likens the search for good self-published books to wading through "a morass of shit".
So how do you find quality self-published work? CL sat down with Eric Campbell, owner of Lutz-based Down & Out Books, an indie book publisher that pays for editing, publicity and printing — and pays authors royalties. While they are a print-on-demand publisher — which, yes, does make it harder to get their authors into bookstores — because they, not the author, bear the financial risk for every book, Campbell will, and does reject authors. In a five-month span, Down & Out accepted six manuscripts out of 83 submissions. Of those six, two had published through traditional means and two had self-published.
Quality self-published books exist, Rebecca Bush, whose company, RTC Publicity, does publicity for Down & Out, says, but "you have to sift for it."
How? Down & Out has tips for finding engaging self-published reads. (We've italicized our own additions.)
- Look for local authors; if you can meet an author and talk to them, you have a better sense of what to expect from their book.
- Go to local signings — bookstores often don't have self-published authors, but bars will host readings. Keep St. Pete Lit and Wordier Than Thou are two groups that showcase the local lit scene.
- Look for book reviews from a third party (and Amazon reviews don't count). Good ones? Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, and Library Journal, because writers can't pay to get their books reviewed in these. Mystery fans can check Mystery Scene Magazine. CL rarely reviews self-published books, so if you see us publish even a critical review of a self-published book, that means we think it's worth someone's time.
- Any author who has transitioned from the traditional publishing industry to indie or boutique publishing. Kris Radish, a local writer who also owns Wine Madonna, is one such writer.
- Attend genre-based conventions, like Bouchercon, the World Mystery Convention.
This article appears in Dec 15-22, 2016.