So, let’s be honest. It’s still out there, isn’t it? Yes, it has gotten a lot better, but no matter how many self-published novels are praised, no matter how many independent authors are successful, no matter how many indie books become so famous and popular, resulting in the author getting signed to a big-name publisher, there are still a select few who have that same reaction when it comes to self-published novels. You know who you are.
No, I’m not speaking of the amazing book bloggers who are more than happy to read and support independent authors; I’m not referring to the librarians who order books for their libraries based on description, rather than printing houses. I’m talking about those who claim they love reading, love books, love mentally escaping into the imaginary realm of a good story, yet as soon as they are referred a self-published novel, their immediate reaction goes a little something like this:
There it is; that’s exactly the problem. It’s not up to a publisher to “discover” a self-published novel; it’s up to readers to support a good story, despite who printed the books.
I’m always blown away when someone sneers at the thought of turning the pages of a self-published novel. Please do not think I am bitter about this. How can I be when conversely there are so many wonderful book bloggers, teachers, librarians and those book lovers out there who are more than willing to give independent authors a chance, based on whether or not the description of the book reels them in, whether the cover intrigues them, or whether the story’s subject matter is something they can relate to. To these readers I say: “Thank you!”
With respect to those who refuse to give self-published books a chance: I know we are all pressed for time and must be very selective when choosing what to read, and I am not suggesting for one second that every indie novel is great, but choosing what to read based on who printed it just seems … well, to put it simply: “unfair”. Go ahead and call me childish, but it just seems unfair to assume a book isn’t “good enough” because the author chose a different route in printing it.
It is my belief that a good story can come from anywhere. They can be drawn from a life experience or struggle; a creative idea you had while stuck in your cubicle; spotting a quirky neighbor who you envision lives their life in the most peculiar, or perhaps sinister, fashion imaginable; a trip you took to a foreign land that yielded more of an adventure than you had expected. Maybe you have a brain wave that sparks out of a conversation with a friend who has very specific mannerisms or peculiar body language … “What if my best friend is really a vampire? … maybe he’s a wizard? … maybe he’s a wizarding vampire …” Those ideas, experiences and creative sparks are then molded into stories by anyone who wishes to tell them. It is a story, right? So what if it hasn’t run through the conventional channels and filters of a traditional publishing house; it can still be great storytelling, nonetheless.
Yes - all books should be edited properly for spelling, grammar, and sentence structure; formatting should be checked, etc., but in the end (for me), the most important aspect of good fiction is: storytelling; a tale spun by someone which paints a moving image in your mind, filled with dimensional characters, wondrous settings, and a unique adventure you’ve never experienced. So, you see, traditional books and self-published books both come from the same place; they are spindled through someone’s imagination, and I won’t ever let anyone convince me that my imagination is wrong or not “good enough”.
Look, there is no way I am bashing traditional publishers. I love their books and read them all the time; I love perusing the shelves of my small local book store, as well as the massive book chain, and I love any-and-all book bloggers who encourage people to read, who share their opinions about specific books, be it self published or traditional. What I am hoping that everyone takes away from this post is simply this: The next time you want to escape into a good story, (notice I said story, not book) read the summary, examine the cover, investigate the first chapter, and please try to remember that it doesn’t matter who prints the book; what matters are the words between the pages.
No, I’m not speaking of the amazing book bloggers who are more than happy to read and support independent authors; I’m not referring to the librarians who order books for their libraries based on description, rather than printing houses. I’m talking about those who claim they love reading, love books, love mentally escaping into the imaginary realm of a good story, yet as soon as they are referred a self-published novel, their immediate reaction goes a little something like this:
- “I don’t have time for it because my ‘to read’ pile from the bookstore is just too high…”
- “If an agent won’t waste their time reviewing it, then why should I?”
- “But, I never heard of it…”
- “Nowadays, anyone can self-publish…”
- “It must not be that good if it hasn’t been discovered by a ‘real’ publisher…”
There it is; that’s exactly the problem. It’s not up to a publisher to “discover” a self-published novel; it’s up to readers to support a good story, despite who printed the books.
I’m always blown away when someone sneers at the thought of turning the pages of a self-published novel. Please do not think I am bitter about this. How can I be when conversely there are so many wonderful book bloggers, teachers, librarians and those book lovers out there who are more than willing to give independent authors a chance, based on whether or not the description of the book reels them in, whether the cover intrigues them, or whether the story’s subject matter is something they can relate to. To these readers I say: “Thank you!”
With respect to those who refuse to give self-published books a chance: I know we are all pressed for time and must be very selective when choosing what to read, and I am not suggesting for one second that every indie novel is great, but choosing what to read based on who printed it just seems … well, to put it simply: “unfair”. Go ahead and call me childish, but it just seems unfair to assume a book isn’t “good enough” because the author chose a different route in printing it.
It is my belief that a good story can come from anywhere. They can be drawn from a life experience or struggle; a creative idea you had while stuck in your cubicle; spotting a quirky neighbor who you envision lives their life in the most peculiar, or perhaps sinister, fashion imaginable; a trip you took to a foreign land that yielded more of an adventure than you had expected. Maybe you have a brain wave that sparks out of a conversation with a friend who has very specific mannerisms or peculiar body language … “What if my best friend is really a vampire? … maybe he’s a wizard? … maybe he’s a wizarding vampire …” Those ideas, experiences and creative sparks are then molded into stories by anyone who wishes to tell them. It is a story, right? So what if it hasn’t run through the conventional channels and filters of a traditional publishing house; it can still be great storytelling, nonetheless.
Yes - all books should be edited properly for spelling, grammar, and sentence structure; formatting should be checked, etc., but in the end (for me), the most important aspect of good fiction is: storytelling; a tale spun by someone which paints a moving image in your mind, filled with dimensional characters, wondrous settings, and a unique adventure you’ve never experienced. So, you see, traditional books and self-published books both come from the same place; they are spindled through someone’s imagination, and I won’t ever let anyone convince me that my imagination is wrong or not “good enough”.
Look, there is no way I am bashing traditional publishers. I love their books and read them all the time; I love perusing the shelves of my small local book store, as well as the massive book chain, and I love any-and-all book bloggers who encourage people to read, who share their opinions about specific books, be it self published or traditional. What I am hoping that everyone takes away from this post is simply this: The next time you want to escape into a good story, (notice I said story, not book) read the summary, examine the cover, investigate the first chapter, and please try to remember that it doesn’t matter who prints the book; what matters are the words between the pages.
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