Saturday Book Discussion: So who's reading all those self-published ebooks, anyway?

[inverarity]

Comments

[silverflight8]

Or when there is fanfiction, which at least lets you know what setting and characters you're getting - usually, anyway.

[archersangel]

this.

[the_woods_]

I love self-pub eBooks. I don't read the fiction, but they have helped me with work (eBooks on photography, film, design, etc.). I think it all depends on what type of eBooks you're looking for.

-n

[the_woods_]

Oh ! And in my case, I just download the PDF's and read them on my laptop :)

-n

[larissa_j]

If a self published ebook comes with a rec from someone I trust then I'll read it otherwise I'm not likely to touch it.

And those pimp posts you linked to are priceless.

[acharmedlife]

I troll Amazon a few times a week for cheap/free ebooks. It's highly entertaining. And by cheap, I mean under $2.

You're completely right about the fanfiction.net comment. It all reads like really bad fanfic, especially when there are type/grammar errors.

I actually started up a blog to review the trash I find on amazon. I've been downloading romance novels and I am having a blast. A lot of them are just SO. BAD. but I just can't stop reading. It's like a trainwreck - so horrible, but you can't stop watching.

I've been thinking about writing a few romances for a joke and sticking them up on amazon. I can write better than most of them in my sleep.

But in all seriousness, I do actually go through Amazon looking for some books with interesting premises. I haven't found any gems yet, but I have found a couple writers who might exhibit some promise if they keep at their craft.

I haven't read any of Amanda Hocking's stuff - I'm not into paranormal romance - but she has a post-apocalyptic book up there that I might check out.

[zweilous]

Ooh, this is kind off-topic, but I also download free/cheap romance novels off Amazon and, I must say, it's one of the most amusing hobbies I have at the moment. I collect trashy romances anyway because when you've got titles like 'In Bed With Her Tall, Sexy Handsome Boss' you just know the content of the book is going to be brilliant and well thought out.

Anyway, my rambling aside...would you mind sharing your blog with me? I'd love to see if I've missed out on any particular trainwrecks gems (from any genre, honestly, I love awkwardly written books).

[acharmedlife]

It is soooooooooooo entertaining! Especially when I find historical romances with titles like "How to seduce a rake" or something. I actually found an author who is decent - Marsha Canham. She writes historical stuff - some pirate stories (YAY) and some other historical romances (Scottish highlands, Robin Hood, etc.). She is a legit published author and has won some awards, but now her ebooks are often on sale. Much better than the usual tripe :P

I posted the blog link below. I'm behind on posting reviews because I only just started, but I have three more coming in the next couple days.

[acharmedlife]

PS, I'd love to hear some of the winners you've found, too. hehe.

[twasadark]

Didn't someone say that 90% of everything is crap? I get your point, I really do. I think you have a little too much faith in modern publishing to consistently produce good books, however.

I work as a writer/editor and I've self-pubbed a couple of books. I've also written fanfic and have read a LOT of fanfic. You're right about the need for gatekeepers and about fanfiction.net. Personally, though, I got really tired of paying for fiction from big publishers that is utterly dreadful, and would much rather load up my Kindle with free fanfic and free or cheap reads from sites like Books on the Knob. I've managed to find a great collection of talented writers on Livejournal here who whet my appetite for fiction. Most of my nonfiction I get via the used books section on Amazon, although I've purchased some great self-pubbed nonfiction pieces as well.

I guess what I'm saying is, it depends.