THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion

Free paranormal novella by Patricia Leslie, author of Go to http://directory.ac5.org/TamLin
Then click on the "Resources" tab for access to the novella and some other short writings. (I'm her husband, but even if you think I'm biased, you can see for yourself for free.)

This piece is written from the heart. It rings true. My newest baby, DEADLY EYES, a murder mystery set on the island of St. Croix, in the Caribbean, is ready to be born, and I was asked to write about my feelings in this online newspaper. I think you will all feel as I do.
Mike
http://www.theindietimes.com/2012/03/...

Hello authors and readers. We are new on Goodreads (a few days old) having started on Twitter. We choose good independent books and put them on our shelf. These are nominated by authors and readers. We realize that some great books go unnoticed just because an agent didn't fall in love with them. If you know some good well-written indie books, please email us. We would like to include them on our bookshelf.

The Platte River Waltz, introductory chapters has just enough story to stick the sex and violence together.

Kidding. I think you will enjoy the story and characters in this piece of 'frontier' fiction. Free this weekend on Amazon.

Ken wrote: "The Platte River Waltz, introductory chapters has just enough story to stick the sex and violence together.

Kidding. I think you will enjoy the story and characters in this piece ..."

just enough plot...barely (pun intended!!) LOL

MARCH 4 - 10 IS READ AN EBOOK WEEK at Smashwords.com Many indie books are discounted, including mine, for this one week event. So, please take a look... YOU'RE CERTAIN FIND AT LEAST ONE BOOK. http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

I very much support indie authors. Too much of the time people that write think that getting published by a major publishing house is the way to go but I think it is important to stay true to your work and not let corporate greed get to it. That is why I support Indie writers.

We are always looking for more good indie books.

Hi! Fine idea! I released Tollesbury Time Forever on January 3rd - it has sold really well and received some great reviews (almost 50 five star) and is now starting to sell really well in the United States. Having the opportunity to publish independently has been absolutely wonderful! It has also allowed me to discover books I would never have discovered so I'm now very much on an Indie reading spree!

Hello people,
Here is the first of my trilogy. It's a fun romp through the misery of one family as they deal with demons, witches, bullets and blood.
http://www.amazon.com/Horror-Shade-Tr...

Rob wrote: "I very much support indie authors. Too much of the time people that write think that getting published by a major publishing house is the way to go but I think it is important to stay true to your ..."

I like your attitude, Rob! I wish more people would feel the same way. It seems a lot of readers won't touch indie authors with a ten-foot pole and aren't willing to even try reading some self-published works.

I myself was first published by a small press, but when it closed down last October, I looked at the option of self-publishing with CreateSpace, Amazon Kindle and Smashwords. I like the idea of having more control over my formatting, book covers and pricing and, of course, I really like the higher royalties without the middleman! Now, all I have to do is overcome the stigma and negative reputation of being an indie author and convince readers to buy my books! :)

Since I got my Kindle back in November, I think the majority of the books I buy are by Indie authors. I still have the half dozen or so 'mainstream' authors that I've read for years that I still buy for Kindle as their new books are available. However, most of my 'new to me' authors now are the Indie authors ... and I've picked up 3 or 4 I follow regularly now.

Pre-Kindle, my exposure to new to me authors was pretty much limited to books I found at the local library. Now, with the Kindle, they come from a much broader base from online lists and recommendations.

Sharon wrote: "Since I got my Kindle back in November, I think the majority of the books I buy are by Indie authors. I still have the half dozen or so 'mainstream' authors that I've read for years that I still bu..."

I like your attitude, too, Sharon! :D

It's great that you're willing to try out new authors, especially if they are indies.

I'm like you in that, before I joined Goodreads, my reading was confined to those authors and books I could find in the local bookstore or library. Now, I have the opportunity to be exposed to so many new authors and I love it.

To all. We have a selection of good Indie books. Please check out what we have on our bookshelf, and nominate the ones you have read and liked. Thank you.

As an Indie Author, I love it too!!

I have a question. When you see a title on, say Amazon (which is where I do most of my shopping since I have a Kindle) how do you know if it is an indie author or not?

It's not always easy. the best way is look inside the book - on the copyright page - to see who the publisher is. The author will usually have their name as the publisher.

Thanks. Can't seem to find the info on the Amazon book listing but I did find it on a couple of the books I've downloaded.

Interesting to see that the one I'm reading now The Covert Element: A James Becker Thriller is, in fact, by an indie author.

As an indie author I'd like to say thank you to all of you willing to take a chance on us. It is more appreciated than you will ever know.

@Sharon. On Amazon, you just click on 'See inside' and then go to the copyright page where you get the information.
@Annalise - what is the link to your book?

Annalise wrote: "As an indie author I'd like to say thank you to all of you willing to take a chance on us. It is more appreciated than you will ever know."

Hear, hear! I would also like to add my heartfelt thanks to every reader out there who isn't scared off by the indie label and is willing to support us.

Best Indie Books wrote: "@Sharon. On Amazon, you just click on 'See inside' and then go to the copyright page where you get the information.
@Annalise - what is the link to your book?"

Howl - a YA PNR
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Howl - a YA..."

@Annalise -Do you have any excerpts?

Best Indie Books wrote: "Howl - a YA..."

@Annalise -Do you have any excerpts?"

Sure - where should I post it?

Annalise wrote: "Best Indie Books wrote: "Howl - a YA..."

@Annalise -Do you have any excerpts?"

Sure - where should I post it?"

Just send us a message here or an email to [email protected]

I just noticed that my novel, Tollesbury Time Forever, is currently number 2 in the Amazon UK Literary Fiction Average Review Rankings! Not bad for an Indie Author!!

Stuart wrote: "I just noticed that my novel, Tollesbury Time Forever, is currently number 2 in the Amazon UK Literary Fiction Average Review Rankings! Not bad for an Indie Author!!"

Yay, Stuart, how wonderful for you! Congratulations.

Thank you Cheryl!!

Stuart wrote: "Thank you Cheryl!!"

No problem. It's nice to celebrate and share in the successes of indie authors.

Sharon,

What is so awesome about Goodreads is that the Independent Authors usually interact with their fans. You can also show your support of a particular by clicking on Become a fan button on the author's fan page. For example, here is John L. Betcher link. If you click on it then you can become a fan of his.

Have a great one!

Lynn

Stuart wrote: "I just noticed that my novel, Tollesbury Time Forever, is currently number 2 in the Amazon UK Literary Fiction Average Review Rankings! Not bad for an Indie Author!!"

That is very good Stuart. I just checked it isn't even in the top 100 in the U.S. but does have mostly 5 star ratings. Continued "Bestsellers" in the U.K.

Lynn

Lynn wrote: "Sharon,

What is so awesome about Goodreads is that the Independent Authors usually interact with their fans. You can also show your support of a particular by clicking on Become a fan button on th..."

Thanks ... I'm more or less 'tech-challenged' so am still trying to find my way online at times. Will go there and do that.

Lynn wrote: "Stuart wrote: "I just noticed that my novel, Tollesbury Time Forever, is currently number 2 in the Amazon UK Literary Fiction Average Review Rankings! Not bad for an Indie Author!!"..."

Thank you Lynn! Still very early days although sales have been almost three times as much in the US over the last week. Who knows how all this works but I'm really enjoying it!

This is a great week for eBook readers...I mean those that read books on Kindle or nook or whatever. Smashwords has Read An eBook Week specials going on. I'm happy to say that our book is on there: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/... and if you use the discount code provided on the page, you can get it for free. I'm sure some think that I'm crazy for doing this but I'd love for people that have limited funds to read our book too. I'd also love it if they would give an honest review of it. For those that don't know, reviews seem to matter to some people who'd like to purchase a book...especially relatively unknown authors.

I'd also like to add my thanks to those wonderful readers that support Independent Authors by their purchases and their word of mouth recommendations.

Have a great one!

Lynn

Sharon,

You're most welcome. It took me awhile to figure out how Goodreads works. Others helped me along the way, so I like to pay it forward.

Lynn

Stuart,

You're most welcome. I've yet to figure it all out. I have friends you have been at it for years and haven't figured it all out. I think we all just learn to roll with the waves. :)

Lynn

So very happy to see all the posts in this thread! James Mason group has always been a MAJOR supporter of Indie writers- and PROUD to be so!!

As an Indie writer, one of the things that I really appreciate is when a thoughtful blogger is willing to spend time reviewing or otherwise promoting Indie writers. It's not as common as it should be, but so very helpful when it happens.

Steven wrote: "As an Indie writer, one of the things that I really appreciate is when a thoughtful blogger is willing to spend time reviewing or otherwise promoting Indie writers. It's not as common as it should ..."

Do you mean a blogger that isn't also an Indie author/writer?

Lynn

Lynn wrote: "Steven wrote: "As an Indie writer, one of the things that I really appreciate is when a thoughtful blogger is willing to spend time reviewing or otherwise promoting Indie writers. It's not as commo..."

Yes, there seems to be a general reluctance among some book bloggers to explore Indies but I've had terrific experiences with a few that are very Indie-friendly. I write for kids, so it's a fairly narrow segment of the blog world, and I feel like it is really helpful to have those folks out there who are willing to listen to all voices.

I find it strange that there are still some people who refuse to read Indie authors as if they are some sub-class set of writers. I've read many wonderful books by Indie authors, just as I have with traditionally published authors. I've also read books I did not enjoy, again within both methods. I look for a great story with characters I can relate to. Who published it never even hits my radar when I select a book.

For those who enjoy writing: Keep writing!
For those who enjoy reading: Keep reading!
I enjoy both. If you do too: Join me!

Scott wrote: "I've read many wonderful books by Indie authors, just as I have with traditionally published authors. I've also read books I did not enjoy, again within both methods. I look for a great story with characters I can relate to. Who published it never even hits my radar when I select a book. ."

Exactly.

I have to admit that all of my pre-Kindle "auto-buy" authors are traditionally published. That's what I had access to before I had my Kindle and there were only six on that list. Since purchasing my Kindle four months ago, I've added four more "auto-buy" authors and I believe two of those are traditionally published and two Indie authors.

I'm with you there Scott! The written word is a wonder to be shared. It shouldn't be subjected to snobbery and prejudice. The people will be heard just in the days of the pamphlets of Thomas Paine and the lithographs of William Blake. Come on you Indies!!

This is the link http://www.smashwords.com/profile/vie...

they are putting books out at a 50% reduction in cost-this is a fine small publisher-WAMM by name-they are interested in good writing-who is not? However, they are also prepared to publish works that are not so traditional as well as genre work.

If anyone is looking to have their work pubbed through a straight-up company-no up front fees-no fees at all-then take a crack at a submission.

Appreciate that Carroll

Best Indie Books wrote: "To all. We have a selection of good Indie books. Please check out what we have on our bookshelf, and nominate the ones you have read and liked. Thank you."

Thank you, BIB for listing Whispers from the Mirror on your shelf and for your generous rating.
Peace...

I published my fourth book today. I hope you enjoy it. I thank you for your interest in my writing.

James Cuffy, better known as Cuff, is living in paradise with his girlfriend, on the small Caribbean island of St. Croix, where the sky is as blue as Cuff’s eyes, the ocean as pretty as Rosie’s cheeks, where the gentle lapping of the waves is a lullaby, and the swaying of the palm trees is a dance. The sandy beaches are as white as sugar, and the horizon is a world away. St. Croix indeed is paradise, the perfect place for living, laughing, and loving.

But the sandy beaches and the turquoise sea can provide no cover from the deadly eyes of the unknown stalker pursuing Cuff. Murder leads to murder as he attempts to untangle the terrible web in which he has suddenly become entangled.

The twists and turns are relentless, the roads of the fast action leading in all directions, but time is running out, and Cuff, his faithful Rosie at his side, knows it.

My Amazon purchase site: http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Eyes-ebo...

Trailer for DEADLY EYES: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWLBtV...

Mike

Hi! I have just joined this group and am an Indie Author, Please excuse me if this is not the right thread to mention my books. It appears to be, but I just popped in.

I am in the middle of writing the third book in The Gastien Series. For those of you who have not read the first two yet, here is the description for the first book Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream:

In this first book of the Gastien series, young Gastien Beauchamp begins his journey from the farm to Paris with two goals in life. The first is to become an artist with his own studio, following his own rules. That is an almost impossible dream for a peasant with no money or formal training. Paris spits out talented men into the gutters every day. “Good” gets you nowhere. “Great” maybe gets you a bowl of soup.

The second is to become the greatest lover in France. That should be easy. With his stunning looks and willingness to learn, the women of Paris are about to be awakened in a way they have only dreamt about in the nineteenth century!

Gastien also has focus, drive, and raw, natural talent. With the dream burning inside of him, he is determined to succeed at any cost. Poor Gastien. If he could only know in advance what brutal struggles await him, he might turn around and go back home.

Sometimes the “impossible” is possible. But the cost can be extremely high.

*********************************

Thank you for letting me share. Now, back to writing!

Caddy

Caddy wrote: "Hi! I have just joined this group and am an Indie Author, Please excuse me if this is not the right thread to mention my books. It appears to be, but I just popped in.

I am in the middle of wr..."

@Caddy. We have added your first book to our shelf. We will look at the excerpts some more before going any further. We get a lot of requests but without excerpts we can't do anything. Let's keep in touch about the sequel.
BIB

Mike wrote: "I published my fourth book today. I hope you enjoy it. I thank you for your interest in my writing.

James Cuffy, better known as Cuff, is living in paradise with his girlfriend, on the small Carib..."

@Mike - your book on Amazon doesn't have excerpts. Do you have them anywhere else?
BIB