Don’t Tell My Husband, But…

« No Girls Allowed (2013 UPDATE)

Don’t Tell My Husband, But…

January 15, 2013 by jenowenby

Okay, don’t tell my husband, but I’ve got a new love in my life. I’m not quite sure how it happened, so let me back up a bit.

I’ve had mixed feelings concerning self publishing for a long time. As a writer, I hold that dream of obtaining status along with Stephanie Meyer, J.K. Rowling and Suzanne Collins. Self publishing, I just wasn’t sure if it would work for me. (Ah, I just saw eyebrows arch at me. Please hold)…At the same time, I understand the control of your own story, and that’s huge, right?

I decided I should read some self published books, look at reviews, marketing, and just gain an understanding of the overall process. And I did. I read several self published books, and I swore them off. I felt that no way in the world would I group myself in that category based on what I’d read. (More eyebrows? Please hold, don’t hang up on me yet) I felt sorry for the authors, some of the books were terrible. That’s hard for me to say, because I respect anyone learning the craft, it’s hard! However, putting poor material out there, oh dear…One thing I already knew, and now reinforced a hundred fold, publish nothing without and editor. A good editor. I know some people disagree with me, and that’s okay. However, I think we can all find examples of what writing looks like without an editor.

While searching for a book to read, to escape and relax, I found a website. I love cats, so I thought I’d take a look. I didn’t find cats though. GalleyCat is a site concerning book publishing, and within their site, each week, they have a list of the top 10 self published books from Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and Smashwords. I’m intrigued, so I take a look, then I look at the books they have listed, then I’m so curious I want to know what made these books sell so well. I purchased one, then I purchased another, and another. I read five awesome self published books! I’m stoked, my faith is renewed! There’s hope again! I’m hopping around the house in my pj’s like a kid in a candy store!

I suggest you visit GalleyCat. They are full of great information. I get updates on the publishing industry, and other helpful news that helps me as a writer. I also use them to choose some great reads, and to support authors who are having great success.

Until Next Time…

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Posted in Book Review, Meanderings, Reading, writing | Tagged Amazon Kindle, blog writing, Book, don't tell, GalleyCat, J.K. Rowling, online publishing, Publish, self publish, self publish online, Smashword, Suzanne Collins, writers blog, writing blog | 24 Comments

24 Responses

on February 1, 2013 at 7:53 am | Reply The Lone Star and the Short Bus « Jen's Thoughts

[...] a few weeks ago, I mentioned GalleyCat? If not read here. I received a newsletter from them, and one of the headlines did its job and grabbed my attention. [...]
on January 24, 2013 at 7:12 pm | Reply Erin Cole

Hi Jen,

I completely understand your assumptions and fear of self-publishing; at the same time, I’ve read a lot of bad books published even at the big houses. Maybe the grammar was a clean sweep, but plot and character were not.
Going to check out GalleyCat, thanks.
- on January 24, 2013 at 7:18 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  GalleyCat and their list have kept me busy reading some great self published books.
  
  I’m also waiting for your next book release
on January 22, 2013 at 4:40 pm | Reply quirkybooks

Thanks so much. I have shared this on my Facebook Writing Page http://www.facebook.com/quirkybooksnet as I am sure it with help other writers. I have also nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award. Your blog is wonderful and so are you. http://quirkybooks.wordpress.com/2013/01/17/happy-to-be-super-sweet-super-sweet-blogging-award
- on January 24, 2013 at 6:28 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thanks Sandra! Hope you are doing well.
  - on January 25, 2013 at 12:07 pm quirkybooks
    
    Hi Jen
    
    I am busy working on my first redundancy e-Book for when I turn quirkybooks.net into an e-Book store.
on January 17, 2013 at 9:45 pm | Reply caroleditosti

Tweeted and promoted, Jen. I left a comment. Know what you’re talking about, for sure!!!!! I don’t even like current best seller fiction…that is published by authors who are known. I like the classics…I’m a snob, I guess.

Anyway. Return the favor for my tweets, etc.? I wrote an article about Aaron Swartz on Technorati. It was published today. Share it with followers? Thanks, I appreciate your support. I’ve got your back as well.

The link is: http://technorati.com/technology/article/aaron-swartz-didnt-have-to-die/

Thanks and ciao for now, Carole

You can find my writing at these links:

Google’s e-zine: Journalist, Commentator, Reviewer Technorati

Blog: Editor, Manager, Writer/Creator The Fat and the Skinny A Christian Apologist’s Sonnets

My Profile http://caroleditosti.brandyourself.com?source=sig

Carole Di Tosti, Ph.D. 83-33 118th St. 6H Kew Gardens, NY 11415
on January 16, 2013 at 1:48 pm | Reply playsonideas

Thanks for the good link. My husband and I have been published by mainstream, educational, and small houses. And by ourselves. I love self publishing — dealing with the book as a whole work of art. It’s a lot of work, but clearly focused on the love of the story.
on January 16, 2013 at 1:39 pm | Reply amaryllisturman

Thanks for the tip. I am going to check out Galleycat as well.
I am like you with dream of becoming well known author. We have to dream big if we want to reach the stars!
on January 16, 2013 at 1:24 pm | Reply Chris Elgood (@ChrisElgood)

Read you piece about self-publishing. Hope you are not 100% right. I am stuck with it because normal life span might see me dead before the other route produced anything. I wonder if there are other like me. At least I have an existing book to wave at people.
on January 16, 2013 at 2:48 am | Reply acflory

There is a lot of sad stuff out there, but there are also an extraordinary number of fantastic indie authors as well. The trick is to find them. I remember feeling exactly the same way when I first started reading indie novels. The first few depressed me and then suddenly I was following this trail of breadcrumbs that lead to happiness.
- on January 16, 2013 at 7:33 am | Reply jenowenby
  
  Do you have a place that you locate your books at? Thanks for sharing!
  - on January 16, 2013 at 2:18 pm acflory
    
    My go-to place is Indies Unlimited. They’re dedicated to making indies synonymous with quality rather than crap. I also have a page tab at Meeka’s Mind [right at the top] where I’ve listed my personal favourite indie authors.
    
    Maybe you could start a list of great indies here Jen?
  - on January 18, 2013 at 7:49 am jenowenby
    
    Thanks! I’ll take a look. Have a great weekend!
on January 15, 2013 at 6:36 pm | Reply kmtreat

Yes, tell us the titles.
- on January 16, 2013 at 7:40 am | Reply jenowenby
  
  Thanks for stopping by and sharing The books I’ve recently read are in a genre called “New Adult”. Author Rebecca Donovan (there were some mistakes in hers, but I was so engrossed in the characters, I kept reading. Also, “Hopeless” by Colleen Hoover. I’ve started “The Lion the Lamb and the Hunted” by Andrew E. Kaufman, but not finished yet. This last one is a thriller.
  Have a great day!!
on January 15, 2013 at 6:35 pm | Reply kmtreat

I just signed up to follow via facebook. Thank you Jen.
on January 15, 2013 at 3:21 pm | Reply angchronicles

This is the second time this week I’ve clicked on GalleyCat. Hmm. Maybe, I need to check this out.
on January 15, 2013 at 12:00 pm | Reply Raani York

Thank you so much, Jen! Honestly! Thank you!! This means to me, my hope isn’t for nothing… It means that even a self published book can be GOOD and isn’t just out there because it’s poor…
You helped me a lot with this!!
- on January 15, 2013 at 12:03 pm | Reply jenowenby
  
  Ah shucks, I’m so happy to hear that. It encouraged me as well! Thanks for sharing
on January 15, 2013 at 9:34 am | Reply darlenecraviotto

I’d love to know the five titles also. Always in the mood for a great read – no matter who published it.
on January 15, 2013 at 8:36 am | Reply susanscottsa

Great post thanks, am intrigued!
on January 15, 2013 at 8:31 am | Reply myrahmcilvain

Thanks so much. I’m checking GalleyCat because I’ve suffered from the same concern about finding poorly written books.
on January 15, 2013 at 7:55 am | Reply Tina Wagner Mattern

Great article, Jen! Now you have me curious as to which books you read, so pass along the titles via email, please! I’m so glad you’re pumped, pj’s and all!!!