An Indie Book And Author Page

[simonroyle]

Originally Posted by M T McGuire

Simon, you are a star doing this. It's is a great idea, I've uploaded my book but I had to use my meat-ground .mobi file from Smashwords because my computer is having some kind of cyber hissy fit. I'm hoping the formatting will be great but I have no way of looking at a .mobi file so if you give me the bum's rush I'll undertand!

I am now working my way through your reviewers page...

Cheers

MTM

I still get a twitch when I see that Smashwords meatgrinder thing... actually Mark's instructions are great. You have a PC right? I know that because I can see this message. You download Calibre and/or Kindle for PC for free and look at your mobi file in there.

If you do get a review it would be great if you could post a comment thanking them. Here or on my site. I'll take a look at the books today - not enough coffee yet...

And thanks for the kind words.

[Shazza]

Thanks for listing my book, Simon. You are providing a very valuable service and I wish you all the very best.

Sharon

[M T McGuire]

Originally Posted by simonroyle

I still get a twitch when I see that Smashwords meatgrinder thing... actually Mark's instructions are great. You have a PC right? I know that because I can see this message. You download Calibre and/or Kindle for PC for free and look at your mobi file in there.

If you do get a review it would be great if you could post a comment thanking them. Here or on my site. I'll take a look at the books today - not enough coffee yet...

And thanks for the kind words.

You're right, the meatgrinder instructions are excellent and I will have a go at Calibre or Kindle and see what I can do. As for thanking reviewers, bless you, I will certainly thank anyone who takes it on!

Cheers

MTM

[simonroyle]

Thanks MT - Over 25 quality indie books listed now. Check them out and if you're an author with a quality Indie book join the list.

[Steve Anderson]

Thanks for including my novel The Losing Role, Simon. All the indie novels are here:

http://www.simon-royle.com/indie-books-authors/

[mish]

Originally Posted by simonroyle

Thanks MT - Over 25 quality indie books listed now. Check them out and if you're an author with a quality Indie book join the list.

Simon, just curious...do you actually review each of the books on this list before adding them?

[Monique]

Hi Mish!

I think Simon just reviews the manuscript and cover for obvious errors, but doesn't read the entire book or review.

[simonroyle]

Originally Posted by mish

Simon, just curious...do you actually review each of the books on this list before adding them?

Hi Mish,

Short answer, No. As Monique wrote, I do a quick check of the cover and the formatting. Then a slower check for obvious typos. If it passes those checks it goes up.

To date, using this system, I've made one error, which was quickly spotted by a member on this board (thanks Ficbot ). I alerted the author to the problems, and pulled the book. The author in question found the cause of the problems, fixed the errors and after another (more careful check) I reposted the book. A win for all concerned.

The longer answer is that I read some of the books and if I like them post a review (I think I'm crap at reviewing, especially compared to Ficbot, GraceKrispy and some of the reviewers on the Reviewers list I have on the site).

For the Indieviews section I read ALL the books of the authors I interview, this is so I can comment, honestly on the book when I do the interview. This is not a curl up on the sofa with a hot cup of cocoa read though; it's a speed read. Cram it in.

And then ... some of the books are right up my street and I read them for enjoyment (get away from the MS for a while). So far those books have been great, and have included:
- Heirs of Mars
- Sometimes That Happens With Chicken
- Snapdragon Alley (read it to my son and he loved it)
- The Summoning Fire
- The Losing Role (half way in)
- Remix (which jumped the queue and isn't even on the list yet; because the author sucked me in and it was good, flowing, quick read with a satisfying conclusion)

The reason I started the Indie Book and Author page was because I was sick of hearing that self-published (or Indie) books had one foot in the slush pile and the other in obscurity.

I am amazed and delighted at the talent I've found. When you couple that with the incredibly hard work that these authors put in; it's a pleasure to be associated with, and help, such people.

[kacir]

Hi Simon.

Here is an author that grabbed my attention.
Moxie Mezcal
At the time I came across his (her?) book I have already set aside perhaps a dozen unfinished books in a row. Some of them were indie authors, some where published authors, a few were my favourite writers. Nothing helped. I couldn't finish a book. I was getting worried.

Then I saw The Concrete Underground ( http://moxiemezcal.com/main/page_ebo...derground.html ) being offered here and you know I can't resist an author offering his/her book for free to Mobileread members. I started to read. Oh boy! The description "punk-as-fuck guerrilla fiction" barely scratches the surface. Soon I was reading at frantic speed, wanting to know how the book will end.

The author describes himself:
Moxie Mezcal is a dangerous malcontent, a delusional megalomaniac, and a foul-mouthed Mexican-American glitterpunk with a penchant for black lipstick and bad wigs, who writes punk-as-fuck guerrilla fiction on MoxieMezcal.com and lives under an assumed name in San Jose, California.

[simonroyle]

Originally Posted by kacir

The author describes himself:
Moxie Mezcal is a dangerous malcontent, a delusional megalomaniac, and a foul-mouthed Mexican-American glitterpunk with a penchant for black lipstick and bad wigs, who writes punk-as-fuck guerrilla fiction on MoxieMezcal.com and lives under an assumed name in San Jose, California.

I think he is a she, but not sure

We have very similar tastes - I have read Concrete Underground. Great read. I have sent a few messages to Moxie asking if I can list her book; waiting on reply.

[GraceKrispy]

I loved Moxie Mexcal's work. I've read a short and a longer by that author...

[simonroyle]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

I loved Moxie Mexcal's work. I've read a short and a longer by that author...

Good news. She got back to me today, and I'll be putting her book up. Think I'll also write a little post about her and what she's doing - with any luck she'll agree to an interview.

[Shazza]

Simon, this is working, I have had a few replies from reviewers willing to review my work. I am stoked!

Also wanted to let you know I posted about the link on KB, hope that drives some traffic your way.

thanks again for doing this!!

Off for a long weekend, back Tues, hope to hear from a couple more reviewers by then.

Sharon

[simonroyle]

Originally Posted by Shazza

Simon, this is working, I have had a few replies from reviewers willing to review my work. I am stoked!

Also wanted to let you know I posted about the link on KB, hope that drives some traffic your way.
Sharon

Thanks for posting the link Sharon, and very happy to hear that you've got some success through the page - that is great news. Hope the reviews are positive and that it converts into sales of your book.