Quote:
Originally Posted by Elfwreck
I don't even need "highly recommended;" just "I liked this and I think you will too" is enough to get me to check it out; if the description sounds interesting and the price is in my range, I'll pick it up. There's so many self-published works that any rec at all is a big waving flag.
There's a problem with word of mouth recs for ebooks: because there's no legit secondary market, there's no way to say, "try a secondhand copy first" or "I'll loan you mine; if you like it, you buy one for yourself." Or buy the author's other works. With print books, people have always been able to say, "this is incredible! Oh, you can't afford it right now? Take mine; get it back to me in a week." Even if that's not time for someone to finish it, it's long enough for them to decide if they like it.
With ebooks, it's "this is great! Go pay $5 and find out for yourself!" Which is not awful (that's how we recommend restaurants), but not how most of us grew up suggesting books to new readers. The social dynamic's different, and indie ebooks are suffering because of it.
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Well, I loaned a neighbor my copy of Neil Gaiman's
The Graveyard Book over a year ago. I think I need to get on her case about it. It was/is a gorgeous hardcover.
As to trying out an indie eBook, I tried this book, Goblin Market, because it was only .99 and was inspired by the Christina Rosetti poem and the movie Labyrinth, both of which I love. I've read 76 pages in 2 days. It would have been more because I am really enjoying it but I've been really busy with family over the last couple of days and work. Anyway, it is certainly my flavor of mind candy and the first book I'm reading on my new Kobo.
