on Sep 26th, 2011 It’s a whole new world out there, my reading friends. And we’re all benefiting from it. Self-publishing allows an author a certain freedom to offer her readers more options. I know I’ve certainly taken advantage of it (as have my fellow Smutketeers). Let me tell you a little bit about my self-publishing journey so far.
I self-published a short little sexy story with a holiday theme last fall entitled A Very Sexy Christmas. It was previously published at a now defunct e-publisher (my one and only e-publisher secret shame) and I was always sad it didn’t really have its time to shine. So I polished it up, changed the title, got a new cover and ta da.
Christmas will be here soon. If you haven’t read A Very Sexy Christmas, you should give it a try. Can’t beat the price (99 cents!).
Then there’s Indulgent Pleasures. The idea behind this book came to me out of nowhere and I wrote it fast. We’re talking fast fast. I thought it had promise so I made the agent rounds with it and I got nowhere. I put it away. Just forgot all about it until last spring and all the talk of self-publishing got me thinking…
I mean, who can resist a heroine with a secret and a hunky former pro baseball player who have lots and lots of sex? Plus, it’s a full length novel. At $2.99 it’s a steal! I really love this story and I’m so glad I self-published it. I’m even contemplating writing a sequel or two. A few readers suggested I redeem a particular character in the book. We’ll see.
Finally, I must talk about Melt With You which is slated to release one week from today on October 3rd.
Dragging a man into a supply closet at work so she can maul him—that’s so not Lanie’s style. But there’s something about Wes, the sexy paramedic with the bad reputation, that she can’t resist. After a terrible breakup, a move and a job change, Lanie’s ready to indulge in some new and exciting adventures. But Wes wants more…
From the moment he meets Lanie under um, stressful circumstances, Wes is a goner. Yeah, he has a reputation around the hospital as a serial dater but lately he’s thought about settling down. And he believes the petite nurse with the curvy body might be the one. Too bad she only wants a quick affair.
Lanie can’t deny the chemistry between them is strong but will she take a chance on fate? Or will she let Wes go?
You see, I had just wrapped up my Fated series and I created this character who I believed deserved his time to shine. Knowing that it would take a while to get the novella on the schedule at Samhain (who the Fated series is published with), I decided to write it for self-publication. I asked the cover artist who designed the covers for the series and she came up with the sexiest cover. I’m in love! This one will only be 99 cents as well. I can’t wait for it to come out – and hopefully my readers are excited too.
This is the great thing about self-publishing. It allows us authors to provide our readers with more books to choose from. And though I don’t want to go strictly to self-publishing, I do like having the option.
In celebrating that option, I’m going to give away my first two self-publishing books (A Very Sexy Christmas and Indulgent Pleasures) to one lucky commenter. Just leave me a comment and let me know if you’ve read any self-published books lately. Are you liking them? Loving them? Hating them? Not even trying them?
I’m reading Bella Andre’s new self-pub’d series right now (I’m on book two and I’m reading it slo-o-o-owly so I can savor it. Because damn it, I don’t think the next one is out until November!). Talk about a self-publishing success story. She’s done very well in the self-pub’d waters and she’s traditionally published. I love her!
Share with me your latest self-published reads and you’re entered! Good luck!
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Congrats on the releases Karen! I love self Pub – I have found so many amazing authors from Smashwords and Amazon. I just finished reading Skylar Kade’s new self pub Mastering Lara and I just recently bought Eden’s EVER- The Turning, Rg’s Eternal Guardian, and Melissa Schroeder’s A Little Harmless Surprise. Thanks for the great reads Karen xoxo
by Dawn September 26th, 2011 at 2:29 amSounds great!! The three most recent self-published books I’ve read are:
by Jess @ From Me to You ... Book Reviews September 26th, 2011 at 6:46 am1: “Eternal Guardian” [Children of the Goddess Series, Book 4.5] by R. G. Alexander
2: “Glimmer” [Nina Decker Series, Book 1] by Vivi Anna
3: “Ecstatic Evil” [Tova Gallagher Series, First Entry] by Amanda McNeil
I always read Sahara Kelly’s self-pub books, I have a few right now on my TBR mountain lol. I have read yours, Rg’s and Eden’s recent self-pub ones and have enjoyed them.
BTW your upcoming release heroine kind of sounds like me, heehee. I do get to see some yummy rescue workers in the hospital. As a matter of fact saw one just this weekend that looked exactly like Jake Gyllenhaall!
by Ivelisse September 26th, 2011 at 6:57 amI don’t really know if I have read any or not. I go through so many books I just grab them if they look good.
by Sue Sattler September 26th, 2011 at 7:32 amAGH karen its still only available on Kindle I have a Sony Ereader. Its the only book I havent read of yours
gillian cry:
by gillian September 26th, 2011 at 9:21 amI have picked up self-published titles, mostly from authors I already love, but occasionally from new ones. A couple recent ones were by Marie Force and Delilah Devlin and Myla Jackson. They’ve been great–I love that this way, we get a chance to read writing that we might not get a chance to buy through traditional channels!
by Fedora September 26th, 2011 at 10:22 amI can’t remember all the self published books I’ve read but I find them to be very interesting because to me there’s less editing and the author comes through just a little more.
by Ana Ovi September 26th, 2011 at 10:43 amI love the covers! Beautiful and 99 cents is a deal
I’ll put it on my TBB list for when I go on my holiday reading kick lol.
~~*Drea*~~
by Drea Becraft September 26th, 2011 at 11:02 amIve read so many books, i cant keep up with them. Im sure ive read self pub, but i never pay attention. If its by a favorite author, i automatically buy it and i love finding new authors. If the book sounds good, im gonna snatch it. :)
by Shadow September 26th, 2011 at 11:58 amI read some great self-published titles. Lily Evans and Marie Force are both wonderful writers.
These books sounds great. Can’t wait to read them!
by Sarah L September 26th, 2011 at 12:51 pmI do read self published books and I love the books by Lori Brighton and Beverley Kendall.
by Jane September 26th, 2011 at 1:18 pmI read such an assortment of books, I don’t pay much attention to whether they are self-published or not. I must start paying more attention.
by JeanP September 26th, 2011 at 1:39 pmWhat I find interesting is that so many of you don’t notice that the books are self-published or not. I guess us authors are acutely aware only because we’re in the biz. You’re all just happy because you’re reading books by your favorite authors or discovering new ones.
I think that’s awesome.
Ana, your point is even more interesting. That the author’s authentic voice shines more strongly because they’re not as strongly edited/revised, etc. Very interesting…
And Ive, I should’ve named my heroine after you! I think I need to hang out at hospitals more often and watch for yummy rescue workers.
by Karen Erickson September 26th, 2011 at 1:44 pmI’ve got several self pubs in my TBR list-Lexxie Couper, Marie Force and others I don’t recall at the moment. I love the freedom it gives authors.
by Nancy Gilliland September 26th, 2011 at 1:47 pmI’ve ran across few last year but cannot remember names (nor were they a keeper)
by Erika W. September 26th, 2011 at 2:48 pmI love when authors self publish. The books are generally more reasonably priced, so I can buy more. I know some publishing companies that charge $10 or more for ebooks (often the print copies are much cheaper). I think that is crazy. I would definitely buy more ebooks that are priced at like $5 or less. Congrats on the ebooks and I hope to see more in the future. I hope to win them, but they are on my wish list now either way.
by June M. September 26th, 2011 at 3:40 pmCongrats on the upcoming self-pub’d books, Karen! I’ve already read Indulgent Pleasures – loved it! Longer than your usual novellas and a sweet, sexy story. I can’t wait for another Fated story!
I’ve been reading more self-pub’d works lately. I will buy a self-pub from an established author that I know & like. (“Established” meaning has pub’d with a known-to-me print and/or ebook publisher.)
by Katherine September 26th, 2011 at 3:54 pmIt’s rare that I will read an unknown self-pub author. I’ve read too many that suffered from poor plotting, typos and editing. Ugh.
oooh cool I totally didn’t know a lot of authors self publish. I gotta find that Bella Andre’s stuff =) I like her too….first I gotta check out Karen’s stuff hehehe
by christina h September 26th, 2011 at 4:34 pmIt’s all about the options, isn’t it? More options for us means more books for our readers-yay!
by edenbradley September 26th, 2011 at 6:01 pmEden/Eve :)
Your stories look great! I haven’t read any self-published books yet.
by Robin D September 26th, 2011 at 7:08 pmThese all sound great.
by elaing8 September 26th, 2011 at 7:24 pmI have read quite a few self published books lately.And I have a few I still need to read.I’m really enjoying them.
I love reading any kind of romance. I know I have read a lot of self published short stories, and I believe a couple full lengths. Basically, if the price is right, then I’ll give it a try.
emilytardy@yahoo.com
by Emily Tardy September 26th, 2011 at 9:38 pmI love self publishing , IT seems to me that the author get more say that way .
by jennifer mathis September 27th, 2011 at 9:44 amEternal Guardian was the last self-pub I read
I read self-publishing books often and I love them! I can’t wait to read yours, I’ve added them to my wishlist pile. Congratulations!
by Crystal H September 27th, 2011 at 11:16 amI’m so fkn excited you are writing another in the Fated series!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t wait!!
KittyKelly
by KittyKelly September 27th, 2011 at 6:05 pmHonestly I dont know if I’ve read any self published books or not, but I just love books in general and if it looks good I read it. I’m sure I probably have read some self published work and I plan on seeking out self pulished books in the future. :)
by Ashley A September 27th, 2011 at 7:30 pmThe only self published books I’ve read so far are by Dara Joy. Cat Scratched, Wildcat Arrows and Death By Ploot-Ploot. I like the idea of the author having more controll over the works instead of all kinds of editors & publishers who may or may not understand what the writer is trying to get across in their books.
by Mina Gerhart September 27th, 2011 at 7:54 pmI love the cover for A Very Sexy Christmas
and would enjoy reading both books.
Mindy :)
Birdsooong@aol.com
I have read at least a dozen self-published books. I really like them. I also like the fact that we don’t have to wait so long for them.
by Susan R September 28th, 2011 at 4:10 pmIs it October 3rd, yet?
by Tracey D September 29th, 2011 at 3:22 amOh I will so have to pick up Fated 3 and the Christmas one! I also like Bella Andre so will have to get to buying lol.
I was one of the readers hoping for some sequels hehehe. In addition to the the one possibly up for redemption, I thought would be fun for syblings too so keeping my fingers crossed for more.
I do readself pubbed books… I take them like I do indie, traditional etc. none I pick up can be a basis to judge another. I honestly go by the blurb first and sometimes reviews (though even bad reviews have caused me to pick up some)…I don’t look to much to see who or how a book was pubbed.
by Pam S (pams00) September 29th, 2011 at 2:36 pmI just read Sundered and Bound by Shannon Mayer and really enjoyed them. Now I’m looking forward to more of her books.
by Na S. September 29th, 2011 at 11:24 pmThese sounds really good.
by KarenB September 30th, 2011 at 12:19 pmCongrats.
I read Bad To the Bone by Karen Tabke.
by Zina October 1st, 2011 at 2:59 pmZina
Forgot to say I’ll be picking up the latest Fated I love that series!!!
by Zina October 1st, 2011 at 3:08 pmZina