Which Self-Published Ebooks Would You Recommend?

nomesque · 11-01-2009, 11:46 PM

I've been reading a couple of threads about self-published/indie books, how to find good ones, etc... and it eventually occurred to me that a thread in this forum would be a good idea!

So - read any good self-published ebooks recently? Got some recommendations?

ficbot · 11-02-2009, 01:47 AM

I keep a running tally using my Delicious bookmarks. The 'multiformat' titles from Fictionwise, which tend to be from non-name authors, are here:

http://delicious.com/ficbot/Books--Multiformat

There are a few in the freebies section too. Most of those are classics, but a few Feedbooks finds are creeping in. This is one of the better ones from that lot:

http://feedbooks.com/userbook/3115

AnemicOak · 11-02-2009, 09:41 AM

Verdant Skies by Steve Jordan
http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels/verdant.htm

The Kestral Voyages series by Steve Jordan
Berserker
http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels/berserker.htm
The Lens
http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels/lens.htm

Barcey · 12-12-2009, 08:17 PM

In the Fantasy genre.

Tracey Falbe's "The Rys Chronicles". You can try the first book for free but I had purchased the four book series before I'd finished the first book. I've only read the first two but have really enjoyed both.

http://www.falbepublishing.com/braveluck/index.html

Jeff Inlo's "Delver Magic - Sanctum's Breach"
The first book of a trilogy. I've only read the first but will be reading the others soon.

http://e-library.net/search.php?aut=Jeff%20Inlo

Oh and I really enjoyed DEAD(ish). I'm not just saying that because you have an imagination for creative revenge... but you do.

BearMountainBooks · 12-12-2009, 08:54 PM

I've read and enjoyed:

Recollections by Jim Chambers -- available at Amazon or Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/3526

I reviewed it both places; it's basically a nice nostalgic read--the US in the 50s. Lot of interesting little cultural tidbits and a couple of history lessons without preaching or being boring.

Quest for the Simurg by Dasef was pretty good for I'd guess about 9 to 11 year olds or so:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/3255 Also available at Amazon. It's a little younger than I usually read for YA so I had trouble really judging it, but it's a decent little adventure if a bit simplistic in spots.

I'm currently reading "Snake Jazz" by David Baldwin - available at Amazon in paperback or Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Snake-Jazz-ebo...=AG56TWVU5XWC2

It's well written so far--the pictures appear to be specially formatted to appear very clearly on a Kindle, which is a nice touch. It's a tad expensive for a self-published, but it, like the two above, appears to be completely edited and error free.

I have a number of TBR from self-published authors including:

Snodgrass Vacation by Dave Conifer

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6019

Haven't purchased yet, but am looking into: Along Came a Demon by Linda Welch

http://www.amazon.com/Along-Came-Dem...=AG56TWVU5XWC2

A friend of mine is reading it and says so far so good. I'm waiting to see if she likes it/her opinion!

Maria

A4- · 12-13-2009, 06:10 AM

I really enjoyed the following (best one first and all for free):

Humoristic Sci-fi:
Simon Haynes - Hal Spacejock (book 1 of 5+)
http://www.spacejock.com.au/

Humoristic Fantasy:
Dan McGirt - Hero Wanted (book 1 of 3+)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2922

Unfinished:
Brett Alexander Savory - The Distance Traveled

Moejoe · 12-13-2009, 04:42 PM

Anything by Moxie Mezcal, Small Stories & Nick Name that comes up on Feedbooks and I'll grab it right away. They're doing stuff with fiction that I could only dream of doing myself. I don't buy anything from the traditional publishing industry; they hurt writers.

Moxie Mezcal · 12-14-2009, 10:15 AM

Aww, thanks Moejoe.

I whole-heartedly second the recommendation of Name Nick and Small Stories, particularly these two:

Password Incorrect by Name Nick

Herman Marmaduke by Small Stories

Here are a few others at Feedbooks that I recommend (although the first one doesn't really apply to nomesque, but everyone else is really doing yourself a disservice if you haven't read it):

DEAD(ish) by Naomi Kramer

Tokyo Zero by Marc Horne

Cassingle by Jim Hanas

There's also a group called the Year Zero Writers that put out some of the best work I've seen in the indie community. Several of them have individual books out, but there's also an anthology of shorts that's a good place to start:

Brief Objects of Beauty and Despair by Year Zero Writers

Finally, one of the YZW members, Jenn Topper, has a really great non-fiction work out that's basically a story about casting about aimlessly after college as a Gen X / 20-something trying to find yourself and figure out what you're put here on this earth to do:

29 Jobs and a Million Lies by Jenn Topper

John F · 12-14-2009, 12:30 PM

I enjoyed Jeff Inlo's Delver Magic series.

garygibsonsf · 12-16-2009, 05:33 AM

Is it very bad of me to recommend one I published by a friend (link in signature)...?

Here's one I came across I found exceedingly interesting: 'The Authoritarians'. It's non-fiction, and is a highly readable account of Dr Bob Altemeyer's thirty-year psychological research program into the nature of authoritarian mindsets and what it tells us both about people who become leaders and those who follow them. The kind of book you read and think 'shit, *that's* why things are as bad as they are.

I'm still reading it, but I can't recommend it highly enough. It's PDF, unfortunately, but I spent a little time formatting it as an .rtf myself before converting it for my Sony Reader.

You can find out more or download the original file at http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/ (he also sells a print version through Lulu). He talks about his decision to self-publish (in contrast to his previous books) there and in the book itself.

Sparrow · 12-16-2009, 06:34 AM

What a great idea for a thread! I'm looking forward to exploring the recommendations -

nomesque.

I'd recommend Richard Herley's novels - 'The Penal Colony' and 'Refuge' are both terrific.

BearMountainBooks · 01-11-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A4-

I really enjoyed the following (best one first and all for free):

Humoristic Sci-fi:
Simon Haynes - Hal Spacejock (book 1 of 5+)
http://www.spacejock.com.au/

Humoristic Fantasy:
Dan McGirt - Hero Wanted (book 1 of 3+)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2922

Unfinished:
Brett Alexander Savory - The Distance Traveled

The Simon Haynes books ARE good (They aren't self-published though. He has an Aussie publisher). I have "Hero Wanted" waiting to be read...

I just finished reading Karen McQuestion, "Lies I told My Children"
http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Told-My-C...3227096&sr=8-1

Good, fun family stories/essays. Good price too: 1.49. I didn't see her on smashwords though, only Amazon Kindle. Could by my laziness...

Maria

chlorine · 01-21-2010, 04:35 PM

I recently finished Origin, by JA Konrath, available on smashwords for 1.99$.

It's a horror novel, and succeeds quite well in being scary and keeping you wanting to read more.
Here's the short review I posted on smashwords:

Quote:

Fast, fun, and scary.
This is a story about something which looks like a demon wakes up and interacts with the pepole studying it. The demon is really scary (and there are some gory details, so it's not for the faint of heart) and the plot kept me wanting to read more. The characters are somewhat stereotyped, but overall a very enjoyable read.

Note: there's a formatting problem with the mobi version, the text is forced left-aligned, and you cannot justify it.

dreams · 01-22-2010, 01:10 AM

Many of my favorites have already been mentioned, so here are a few more..

Steve Jordan's Denial of Service Episodes 1-5

http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels.htm

https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=steve+jordan

Desbarollda, The Waltzing Mouse
By Noel Langley Published By Durrant Publishing (pdurrant on MR)

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4883

3 books by Maria Schneider (Bear Mountain Books on MR)
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BearMountainBooks

My signature also lists a few authors at smashwords to check out and a feedbooks list of MR authors.

Marseille · 01-24-2010, 01:22 PM

I was about to start a thread asking for recommendations on books from MR authors, but there are several here.

I'm about to finish The Fountainhead again, and my first Honor Harrington will be done soon too, so I was thinking I'd probably read one of Carver's early books, and then have one more spot open. I'll probably fill it with something in here.

11-01-2009, 11:46 PM	#1
nomesque Snooty Bestselling Author Posts: 1,485 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ipswich, QLD, Australia Device: PRS-650	Which Self-Published Ebooks Would You Recommend? I've been reading a couple of threads about self-published/indie books, how to find good ones, etc... and it eventually occurred to me that a thread in this forum would be a good idea! So - read any good self-published ebooks recently? Got some recommendations?

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11-02-2009, 01:47 AM	#2
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I keep a running tally using my Delicious bookmarks. The 'multiformat' titles from Fictionwise, which tend to be from non-name authors, are here: http://delicious.com/ficbot/Books--Multiformat There are a few in the freebies section too. Most of those are classics, but a few Feedbooks finds are creeping in. This is one of the better ones from that lot: http://feedbooks.com/userbook/3115

11-02-2009, 09:41 AM	#3
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Verdant Skies by Steve Jordan http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels/verdant.htm The Kestral Voyages series by Steve Jordan Berserker http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels/berserker.htm The Lens http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels/lens.htm

12-12-2009, 08:17 PM	#4
Barcey Wizard Posts: 1,531 Karma: 8059866 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Device: Kobo H2O / Aura HD / Glo / iPad3	In the Fantasy genre. Tracey Falbe's "The Rys Chronicles". You can try the first book for free but I had purchased the four book series before I'd finished the first book. I've only read the first two but have really enjoyed both. http://www.falbepublishing.com/braveluck/index.html Jeff Inlo's "Delver Magic - Sanctum's Breach" The first book of a trilogy. I've only read the first but will be reading the others soon. http://e-library.net/search.php?aut=Jeff%20Inlo Oh and I really enjoyed DEAD(ish). I'm not just saying that because you have an imagination for creative revenge... but you do.

12-12-2009, 08:54 PM	#5
BearMountainBooks Maria Schneider Posts: 3,746 Karma: 26439330 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Near Austin, Texas Device: 3g Kindle Keyboard	I've read and enjoyed: Recollections by Jim Chambers -- available at Amazon or Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/3526 I reviewed it both places; it's basically a nice nostalgic read--the US in the 50s. Lot of interesting little cultural tidbits and a couple of history lessons without preaching or being boring. Quest for the Simurg by Dasef was pretty good for I'd guess about 9 to 11 year olds or so: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/3255 Also available at Amazon. It's a little younger than I usually read for YA so I had trouble really judging it, but it's a decent little adventure if a bit simplistic in spots. I'm currently reading "Snake Jazz" by David Baldwin - available at Amazon in paperback or Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Snake-Jazz-ebo...=AG56TWVU5XWC2 It's well written so far--the pictures appear to be specially formatted to appear very clearly on a Kindle, which is a nice touch. It's a tad expensive for a self-published, but it, like the two above, appears to be completely edited and error free. I have a number of TBR from self-published authors including: Snodgrass Vacation by Dave Conifer https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/6019 Haven't purchased yet, but am looking into: Along Came a Demon by Linda Welch http://www.amazon.com/Along-Came-Dem...=AG56TWVU5XWC2 A friend of mine is reading it and says so far so good. I'm waiting to see if she likes it/her opinion! Maria

12-13-2009, 06:10 AM	#6
A4- Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 1110 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Netherlands Device: iRex iLiad v2	I really enjoyed the following (best one first and all for free): Humoristic Sci-fi: Simon Haynes - Hal Spacejock (book 1 of 5+) http://www.spacejock.com.au/ Humoristic Fantasy: Dan McGirt - Hero Wanted (book 1 of 3+) https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/2922 Unfinished: Brett Alexander Savory - The Distance Traveled

12-13-2009, 04:42 PM	#7
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Anything by Moxie Mezcal, Small Stories & Nick Name that comes up on Feedbooks and I'll grab it right away. They're doing stuff with fiction that I could only dream of doing myself. I don't buy anything from the traditional publishing industry; they hurt writers.

12-14-2009, 10:15 AM	#8
Moxie Mezcal Human Fly Posts: 32 Karma: 1500 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Jose, California Device: iPad	Aww, thanks Moejoe. I whole-heartedly second the recommendation of Name Nick and Small Stories, particularly these two: Password Incorrect by Name Nick Herman Marmaduke by Small Stories Here are a few others at Feedbooks that I recommend (although the first one doesn't really apply to nomesque, but everyone else is really doing yourself a disservice if you haven't read it): DEAD(ish) by Naomi Kramer Tokyo Zero by Marc Horne Cassingle by Jim Hanas There's also a group called the Year Zero Writers that put out some of the best work I've seen in the indie community. Several of them have individual books out, but there's also an anthology of shorts that's a good place to start: Brief Objects of Beauty and Despair by Year Zero Writers Finally, one of the YZW members, Jenn Topper, has a really great non-fiction work out that's basically a story about casting about aimlessly after college as a Gen X / 20-something trying to find yourself and figure out what you're put here on this earth to do: 29 Jobs and a Million Lies by Jenn Topper

12-14-2009, 12:30 PM	#9
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,875 Karma: 70186493 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	I enjoyed Jeff Inlo's Delver Magic series.

12-16-2009, 05:33 AM	#10
garygibsonsf Addict Posts: 321 Karma: 432192 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite	Is it very bad of me to recommend one I published by a friend (link in signature)...? Here's one I came across I found exceedingly interesting: 'The Authoritarians'. It's non-fiction, and is a highly readable account of Dr Bob Altemeyer's thirty-year psychological research program into the nature of authoritarian mindsets and what it tells us both about people who become leaders and those who follow them. The kind of book you read and think 'shit, that's why things are as bad as they are. I'm still reading it, but I can't recommend it highly enough. It's PDF, unfortunately, but I spent a little time formatting it as an .rtf myself before converting it for my Sony Reader. You can find out more or download the original file at http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~altemey/ (he also sells a print version through Lulu). He talks about his decision to self-publish (in contrast to his previous books) there and in the book itself.

12-16-2009, 06:34 AM	#11
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	What a great idea for a thread! I'm looking forward to exploring the recommendations - nomesque. I'd recommend Richard Herley's novels - 'The Penal Colony' and 'Refuge' are both terrific.

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01-22-2010, 01:10 AM	#14
dreams It's about the umbrella Posts: 25,110 Karma: 56250158 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony 505\| K Fire \| KK 3G+Wi-Fi \| iPhone 3Gs \|Vista 32-bit Hm Prem w/FF	Many of my favorites have already been mentioned, so here are a few more.. Steve Jordan's Denial of Service Episodes 1-5 http://www.stevejordanbooks.com/novels.htm https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=steve+jordan Desbarollda, The Waltzing Mouse By Noel Langley Published By Durrant Publishing (pdurrant on MR) https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4883 3 books by Maria Schneider (Bear Mountain Books on MR) https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BearMountainBooks My signature also lists a few authors at smashwords to check out and a feedbooks list of MR authors.

01-24-2010, 01:22 PM	#15
Marseille Guru Posts: 687 Karma: 5700000 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: kindle	I was about to start a thread asking for recommendations on books from MR authors, but there are several here. I'm about to finish The Fountainhead again, and my first Honor Harrington will be done soon too, so I was thinking I'd probably read one of Carver's early books, and then have one more spot open. I'll probably fill it with something in here.