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Old 03-07-2014, 08:46 AM   #90
QuantumIguana
Philosopher
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Even if we were to throw the definition of author out the window, and agree to the incorrect proposition that writing a book doesn't make you an author, it wouldn't help you in the slightest to find a good book. What you want is a method to find a book that you will like. No non-standard definition of "author" will help you with that. There isn't going to be some "certified author" certificate on the cover of the book.

The same techniques for finding good books that were used before self-published books became widely available still work today. One is to buy books from authors you have already read and enjoyed. When Terry Pratchett or C.J. Cherryh put out a new book, I'm very likely to enjoy it. No need to sample, I just buy it. There are also professional reviewers. Some can be shills, but some provide good reviews. You will have to figure out the shills from the good reviewers, but that has always been the case. Then there are reader reviewers. That's no sure thing, but it does show that a number of people liked the book. Truly awful books tend to have no reviews, and nearly no sales. Then there's word of mouth from people you know personally, whose tastes in books you understand. Sometimes, a recommendation can be a good indication you might enjoy the book, and sometimes, if certain people recommend a book, it's a good reason not to read it. It's up to you to figure out which is which.

Eliminating books isn't going to help you get the books that you want. It might well be that you aren't the one making the decisions, and books that you like might be the ones consigned to the bonfire. There's nothing wrong with a book having a niche market. It may not be a large enough market for a publisher, but for those who are in that niche, it's a good read.
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