Indie Tuesday—Why Quality Matters (A Reader's Perspective)

Charity Tinnin @CharityTinnin: Long-term success as an indie or hybrid author depends on a number of factors. Some of which you can't control. However, one you can absolutely control is the quality of the product you introduce into the market. This fall, Jessica and I will focus on giving you resources to help you put out a great book. But first, our YA friend, Kim Vandel makes the case for why quality matters from a reader's perspective.

Why Quality Matters (A Reader's Perspective)

by Kim Vandel @KimVandel

Hi, my name is Kim, and I’m a reading addict. A bookaholic. My craving for a good story is never satisfied, so I keep a stash of reading material on my nightstand, my computer, and even my phone. I need to have a book available at all times otherwise I break into a cold sweat and start to get the shakes. 

Perhaps you can understand how exciting the advent of indie publishing was for me since it meant more books to read. When I purchased an e-reader, it was like letting a sugar junkie go trick-or-treating on Halloween. I loaded that baby up. 

Then a pattern began to emerge with some of the self-published books I bought. My excitement would dwindle as I started to read. Three pages into the book I’d find myself doing more editing than reading. “Than” and “then” are not interchangeable. 

After a few poorly (sometimes horribly) written books, I found myself less and less willing to read anything indie. I gravitated toward traditionally published books, thinking that if it had gone through a publisher it had at least been professionally edited. Yes, there are plenty of traditionally published (professionally edited) books that are less than print-worthy. I just figured my odds were better with a traditional publisher. I admit it. It was pure laziness. I wanted someone to sift through the millions of books out there for me. I wanted someone to point me in the direction of the houses that gave out full-size candy bars, not homemade fruit leather. 

Fortunately, indie publishing is not what it was a couple of years ago or even what it was six months ago. Talented authors are investing the time and money it takes to produce a quality product. They learn the craft of writing and create a story worth reading. They act as a general contractor for their book, securing professional editing, formatting, and cover art. They build a frame that will make their masterpiece shine. 

I’ve seen some fantastic authors emerge, authors who’ve proved that an independently published book can be just as good—or better—than a traditionally published book. A few hard-working authors restored my faith in indie publishing and took away my excuse for being lazy. But I’m okay with that. There’s plenty of room on my e-reader, and my craving for a good story won’t be going away anytime soon. I’m pretty sure I’ll be a reading addict for life. 

Kim's right that indie publishing has come a long way in the last two-three years. The cream is rising to the top, and we could not be more excited about that fact. So we have to ask: what book(s) convinced you to give indie publishing a second look? 

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Bookaholic @KimVandel shares why she stopped reading indie books ... and then started again. #IndieTuesday (Click to Tweet)

In #IndiePub, quality matters. #Reader @KimVandel gives her perspective on why. #IndieTuesday (Click to Tweet)

Kim Vandel is a writer and voracious reader from the Seattle suburbs. She won the 2013 Cascade Award in the Unpublished Young Adult category, and her current project is a YA fantasy set in Washington state. It features plenty of coffee but no vampires. You can find her at kimvandel.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest.