Often authors who indie publish their work themselves, or self-publish, are discriminated against by reviewers, readers, and book stores. There are many reasons for this, and it's true that standards are a little lower in terms of editing and proofing, than with a publishing house because anybody can publish anything, and it's hard to separate the "amateur" from the "professional" at first glance. For that reason, many reviewers refuse indie books. Book stores don't want to purchase books outright with no possibility of return; big publishing houses accept returns after a short time in stores, and then put those books on remainder.
But that's not to say an indie book can't be as good or better than something from a big house. I've read a lot of clinkers from big publishers.
One day soon the playing field will be levelled simply by quality. Meanwhile, it's money that makes the difference--money for PR, promotional ads, author tours, guest spots on TV. Even if an indie book is professional and excellent on all counts, who knows about it in order to buy it?
I've just published my second book, Arabesque: Dancing on the Edge in Los Angeles, the prequel to The Church of Tango: a Memoir. Perhaps they could have found a traditional publishing house, but I am glad they are out there and available all around the world from Amazon without years of correspondence, rejection letters, agents.
Memoirs are dicey. If the author isn't a celebrity revealing "all," or someone with a very unusual life with enormous challenges, the memoirs that sell are about humorous tales of living in foreign countries with various animals, or the challenges of building/renovating a house or starting an expat business.
My two memoirs are about facing the "normal" challenges of life: widowhood, cancer, loss of home and dreams, personal relationships, depression, hospitalization, a special time in history (1960), special places (Los Angeles, Paris, San Miguel de Allende, Buenos Aires)
The roads taken, and not taken.
Register for a free ebook giveaway (3 copies), and check out the other indie publishers on this Hop.
Let's share the love on Valentine's Day!
FREE GIVEAWAY!
TO ENTER, PLEASE JUST LEAVE A COMMENT
(Sorry that the form didn't work)
Spreading Indie LOVE ...love the pink record
ReplyDeleteTried to enter the contest but could not find a 'submit button'
ReplyDeleteAnyway stopping by to spread some Indie Blog Hop Love
What a heartfelt post, Ms. Magnus... You are right about indie books and about memoirs. Yet, I believe that every life's story deserves to be told... It's certainly easier to escape in fantasy -as I do most of the time- but probably more enriching to share even a bit of other people's lives. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd your books' covers are beautiful.
Claudette, the link says "Entry Form", and it's right above the list of participants. No one has found/entered yet, so you have a great chance!
ReplyDeleteWould love to enter your awesome giveaway, but the form isn't displaying any actions. It just has a button saying 'group' which would normally expand with a bunch of things to do, but it's +0 because there's nothing showing in it. Love a good memoir, though!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and thanks for sharing the Indie Love.
ReplyDeleteIt is an uphill struggle for most Indie authors so I am glad to see them get the recognition. The entry form does not work for me either.
I get begin and close, no other option.
Every time I click on it, the form opens with spaces for your email and name. So weird that it doesn't work for others. So I will open it to those who leave a comment--you've already entered, in that case!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAlmost though this hop and happy to be here. I admire people wo write memoirs; they are amongst the bravest in field. As much as I adore fiction, I can't ignore that the best stores come from reality. I love this post and am glad you shared it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!! Great post
ReplyDeleteTHE THREE WINNERS! Chosen blindly in a drawing are: Claudette, Smiles, and Dogsmom. Please contact me with your email addresses--tangocherie a t gmail dot com--and I will send you your book. Let me know if you prefer mobi format for the kindle or a PDF. Thank you all so much for stopping by on the Love Hop!
ReplyDelete