Jennifer Lyon


Thursday, December 8th, 2011
Reading

**My blog didn’t post as scheduled.  The server seems to be having issues. Pretty much how my entire professional life is going right now…**

I just read a damn good self published book.

SPACE IN HIS HEART by Roxanne St. Claire. I think it’s worth checking out if you enjoy contemporary romance. She had the book professionally edited, and it shows. Plus Rocki is a good writer :-) Rocki’s story of how this book came about is over on Murder She Writes if you’re interested.

I just have to say that the choices that are happening now in publishing are fantastic. I love it both as a reader and a writer.  But it’s also true that while there are some self published gems like Rocki’s book, there’s also more garbage out there too.  But more choices makes wading through a bit of garbage worth it, I think.

Okay, next I’m going to reread an older book, Jim Butcher’s STORM FRONT just to see how he developed the story.

What are you guys reading? Any thoughts on self published books?

12 comments to “Reading”

  1. Silver James
    December 8th, 2011 at 11:43 am · Link

    Don’t you hate when that happens? I usually end up making a post life too soon. Same effect. *headdesk*

    /rant/ I fear there is far more drek out there than excellent self-pubbed work. And I’m sorry, it’s not “indy” publishing. Indy publishing is being published by a small, INDEPENDENT press/publisher. When an author self-publishes, that’s what it is. I understand why they want to be indy instead of self-pub because of the stigma, but a spade is a spade in my book. /end rant/

    That said, there are some awesome self-published books and novellas out there. Rocki, Debra Webb, Courtney Milan, Leslie Kelly–those are some BIG names in this business and they’re doing it right. It’s a viable alternative in this day and age and I’m tempted myself, especially if the Penumbra series or my Delta Ghosts series don’t sell.

    I hate that publishers cut a series off before it’s completed. This happened to Julie Leto’s Phantom Brothers series and she’s now considering self-publishing the rest of the series. I really hope you’ll consider the same with the Wing Slayers if another publisher/indy publisher doesn’t pick them up.

    Okay. I’m crawling back under my rock now. ;)



  2. Jenn
    December 8th, 2011 at 12:42 pm · Link

    Silver, I so hate it when technology fails!

    Okay, I have deeper, stronger feelings about publishing that I’m trying not to force on everyone out there. But lets just say we’re on the same page. And let me also add: I treated my kids minor injuries and illnesses, but that did not make me a doctor. I do not get to call myself a doctor. And I shall leave it at that :-)



  3. Silver James
    December 8th, 2011 at 1:10 pm · Link

    I figured you wouldn’t gritch too much over my stance. ;) And in the midst of my rant, I forgot to mention what I’m reading. LOL

    I’m torn. I have SEAL of My Dreams and ENTANGLED (with one of Alli’s novellas) both on the Fire and I’m doing the eenie-meenie trying to decide which to open and start reading. LOVED the first Cat and Bones book! Can’t afford to buy the rest yet, but definitely will once funds are available. :D



  4. Dawn
    December 8th, 2011 at 4:11 pm · Link

    Technology issues really do suck! As for self-published books, I don’t think I’ve read any, so don’t really have anything to add to the discussion.

    I started reading Jennifer Ashley’s BODYGUARD. It’s part of her Shifters Unbound series. I haven’t been reading as much since I started my new job. I haven’t felt much like reading the last couple of weeks. I also have Lora Leigh’s LAWE’S JUSTICE and Jo Goodman’s A PLACE CALLED HOME, as well as a few others, waiting for me on my NOOK.



  5. Viki S.
    December 8th, 2011 at 4:12 pm · Link

    I’m halfway through Larissa Ione’s IMMORTAL RIDER. Next up is Lynsay Sands THE RENEGADE HUNTER.



  6. Jenn
    December 8th, 2011 at 6:34 pm · Link

    Silver, I like Cat and Bones too!



  7. Jenn
    December 8th, 2011 at 6:36 pm · Link

    Dawn, let me know what you think of Lora Leigh’s when you do read it. And I’m sure the new job is taking more of your energy!



  8. Jenn
    December 8th, 2011 at 6:37 pm · Link

    Viki, I read Larissa’s. Be interested to know what you think when you’re finished.



  9. B.E Sanderson
    December 8th, 2011 at 10:22 pm · Link

    I’ve been hearing a lot about Roxanne’s book and it’s all good. I hope she sells tons.

    Ooo, Storm Front is awesome. I hope you have fun re-reading it. Right now, I’m reading Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield (the one I won over at MSW). So far, it’s gripping and the story is pulling me forward, but I don’t know if I care about the characters yet. Time will tell, I guess. I know I’ll probably buy the sequel (as long as the ending to doesn’t tick me off).

    I don’t really have an opinion of self-published books yet, since I haven’t read any. I know I’ve heard some good things and some bad things, but until I experience them for myself, the jury’s still out.



  10. Shiloh
    December 9th, 2011 at 6:58 am · Link

    I usually am not a fan of self-published authors (as a reader) because it seems the quality is not that great. That being said, I know there are some really good ones out there! Roxanne St. Claire, I didn’t know she was self-published but I have read all of her Bullet Catchers and Guardian Angelino’s series and LOVE them! She is a great author!

    Lets take you for example, if you were to self-publish the rest of the WSH :wink: I would so buy the books! (And any others you self-published!)

    Sorry this is late, I had class all day yesterday and clinicals.



  11. Jenn
    December 9th, 2011 at 12:29 pm · Link

    B.E., I like STORM FRONT, and it’s nice rereading it. But it’s slow going. SOMEONE keeps talking to me every time I try to read. I swear Wizard is only chatty when I pick up a book.

    I haven’t read Sophie’s AFTERTIME yet, but Sophie herself is super cool (and too cute to live, but I forgive her).



  12. Jenn
    December 9th, 2011 at 2:47 pm · Link

    Shiloh, Rocki just self pubbed a book–it’s her first time, I believe.

    And thank you on my series! I am considering it, and working on a little test at the moment :-0



Comments are closed.





JenniferLyon.com