What is your favorite "self-published" book?

[Maryanne Grabo]

Does self publishing scare you away, or are you one of the dedicated readers out there who will devour a good book no matter how it ended up in print?

A great example of a very successful self-published author is Christopher Paolini.  His Eragon series has proven he is a gifted writer.  He was 15 when he wrote his first draft to Eragon.  His family believed in him and published the book in 2001.  Two years later, Alfred A. Knofp Books for Young Readers published Eragon and it was an instant success.

 

My favorite "self-published" book is Journey into the Realm: The Elf Girl by Markelle Grabo. Quite similar to Christopher, Markelle started writing story ideas in fifth grade, and as a freshmen she took it more seriously.  Like Christopher's family, Markelle's parents supported her, and two years later with an editor, and graphic designer, and acceptance by POD House, Booklocker.com. Journey into the Realm: the Elf Girl became reality.  Since the debut of this 1st book in the 6 book series the author has had successful book signings,guest appearances, good sales and some very good reviews.  Her readers are waiting patiently for the second installment which is expected out April 2012.

I invite you to visit www.markellegrabo.com  where you can read the 1st chapter, see the book trailer and learn more about this young author.  Share the website with those you know love fantasy.  Become a fan of her Facebook page and she'll keep you up to date on her journey.

 

And finally, please share with all of us your favorite self published author/book.  

 

 

[Andrew Van Wey]

I enjoyed SEED by Ania Ahlborn and wouldn't have found it had I not been stumbling around the horror section on Kindle. 

I'm always amazed at those who seem to think it a point of pride not to read self-published authors.  2/3rds of the books I start to read that are traditionally published I fail to finish.  Whether they're NYT Best Sellers or borrowed off a friends bookshelf.  Saying you don't read self-published authors is, to me, no different than saying you only eat at food franchises and not mom and pop shops.  

[Maryanne Grabo]

Thanks Andrew - i like your restaruant comparison.

[Jordan Butcher]

The best thing to happen to me since my Kindle is Indie books. Many authors are so friendly and simply pumped to hear that you read and enjoyed their books. It's really an open connection between author and reader anymore.

My favorites are H.P. Mallory's To Kill a Warlock, J.L. Bryan's Jenny Pox series and Amanda Hocking's Trylle Trilogy (which even though it's about to be traditionally published... totally counts because I read them before the announcement. :))

 

It's really cool to be able to watch authors like Amanda Hocking excel they way they have.

Jordan Butcher

The Ink Puddle

[Maryanne Grabo]

My daughter has been thinking about releasing her novel in E-book, but she is not quite there yet.  She is young, but old school when it comes to books.  She loves the feel of a good book in her hands.  But, like you said, since Kindle you have opened yourself to authors that you probably would not have before.  Thanks for sharing.  I will give Amanda's Trilogy a look and maybe I'll get one of them read before she hits the big time.

[Tony Evans]

I love self published books. Because they are unknown authors I usually go off of other peoples ratings. I like self published because it gives writers the opportunity to publish books that publishing houses may have overlooked. And now I can decide for myself what I want to read.

 

Code Name Atlas

Code Name Atlas is a post-apocalyptic science fiction story. A war hero trying to leave his past behind finds himself using his skills to survive after the earth is ravaged by unknown forces. In the midst of this destruction anarchy reins and he finds himself raising an army to fight a war against a tyranical leader who will do anything in his power to control the population and lands around him. Eventually it becomes clear that this skirmish is but a small part in a war that has been raging for hundreds of years and the key to understanding why the earth was destroyed may lie in understanding this war.

 

Read more reviews

[Ian Oliver]

[e-mail]

 

[Maryanne Grabo]

That sounds pretty good.  I have been reading quite a few post-apocalyptic works lately.  I just might have to put that one on my too read shelf.  Thanks for sharing

[Maryanne Grabo]

It has been a few months since I posted this and after reading all the comments I got this thought in my head.

If you were to take your grandmothers famous chocolate chip cookie recipe, package them up yourself and put them up against Chips Ahoy, which one would sell the most?  Would it be a Chips Ahoy just because they are a "name brand", or would it be grandma's generic family recipe?

Unfortunately, people tend to buy what they are most used to, what they see the most and what is perceived to be the safest and "best' bet.  But if they would just give it a taste they'd see what they were missing.

Same goes for self-published work.  The big time publishers name may not be on it, and maybe it is not on the actual shelf in Barnes & Noble, but it sure could be a lot more tastey of a read than the ones that are.

 

-something to chew on :-)

[Beth Hobson]

Hey!

 

I don't mind reading self-published works, and with a kindle it makes it so much easier. My biggest problem is when a novel has a lot of potential but was published before the editing was complete. One of the best parts of having a book review blog is being able to spread the word about self published authors that have done it right!

 

I have several favs when it comes to self-pubbed books -- two I'd vote for would be Shatter by Elizabeth C.Mock (an epic fantasy) and The Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker (steampunk/fantasy).

 

Thanks for your recommendation, I'll have to check it out!

 

Cheers,

Beth Hobson

(Ebook Apothecary)