Young Adult Fiction for Adults discussion

I've been trying to check out more indie authors, both self-published and pubbed by some of the smaller e/POD publishers. I kind of like the self-published books because they're usually less expensive to give a new author a try.

It seems like a lot of the sites don't even have a category to browse for YA or Teen. So far I've found , which is on my current reading shelf thanks to this group, but that's about it.

Anyone else into looking at indie authors? Find any good YA?

Umm, now that I'm trying to find books in that category, I can't. lol
My novel was published through a smaller publisher, I chose that route because I wanted to be involved in all decisions and overall, in the entire process. The novel is Imprinted Souls if you want to check it out. :)

Daniele wrote: "Umm, now that I'm trying to find books in that category, I can't. lol
My novel was published through a smaller publisher, I chose that route because I wanted to be involved in all decisions and ov..."

I know. I was totally surprised that the category seems to be practically non-existent. It makes it really hard to shop and it must make marketing harder as well. I'd think with the all the Twilight craziness and what seems to be a good trend in Teen Paranormal in general, that there would...links. Maybe most of the people writing indie teen stuff are teens reading each other at Wattpad and Fictionpress. Don't know.

Anyway, thanks for the response and letting me know about your book. When you look at some of the big publisher shenanigans going on lately, your decision to keep more control seems a smart one.

Thanks, Susan. Maybe being self-published is just something they choose not to advertise... I really don't know. Now I'm determined to find some kind of listing. lol

So Peep has a whole list of indie books and where she found them on another thread. I think it's in the non-series books category.

You can find a lot of indie authors at kindleboards.com

I am not sure how many of them are YA. A lot of them are taking advantage of direct self publishing to the Kindle Store, Smashwords, and other ebook stores as well, so it shouldn't be too hard to find a lot of indie books on sites like those.

Becca wrote: "So Peep has a whole list of indie books and where she found them on another thread. I think it's in the non-series books category."

Thanks, Becca. I'll go look for that.

Jenny wrote: "You can find a lot of indie authors at kindleboards.com

I am not sure how many of them are YA. A lot of them are taking advantage of direct self publishing to the Kindle Store, Smashwords, and ot..."

Thanks, Jenny. I do shop both those places. Smashwords does have a YA category and I should spend more time there. Kindle Store doesn't, which I think is just odd. In the Kindle Store, I need the indie books that specify simultaneous device usage unlimited because I don't own a Kindle. I like the browsing experience at the Kindle Store better than at Smashwords, but then when I find something at Kindle in a format I can't use, I often go look it up on Smashwords to find it's not there. Sigh.

That was probably more babble than you needed. Sorry. I've never been to kindleboards. I will check that out. Thanks.

You don't have to get books that specify simultaneous device usage unlimited to read a Kindle book. That only refers to how many devices an account can put that particular book on simultaneously (usually 6 - for people who use a variety of devices to read their books, or who share an account with family members, etc.)

If you mean that you have to find books without a DRM, you can still read books that do have a DRM on the free Kindle for PC/Mac software or on the iPhone/Blackberry/Android apps whether you own a Kindle or not. You may not want to purchase these books if you don't have a Kindle, but many are free or incredibly cheap so worth the software/app download.

Also, the YA books for the Kindle are listed under "Children's Chapter Books" rather than being separated out. Most of it is YA though. Hopefully they plan to do something about that since it is misleading.

I should also note that the authors who hang around on kindleboards publish their works in a variety of formats.

One book that I have noticed getting a lot of good reviews is Portal by Imogen Rose.

My book A Measure of Disorder is available on Smashwords and in paperback at Amazon and B&N.com. I am currently working on the second book in the series. : )

@Jenny, yes, I meant that I look for DRM-free books to convert formats because I want to read them on my device. After dropping all that money on it, I'd rather use it than read on the computer, you know?

Thanks for letting me know that the YA books are in the Children's store. It's good to know where to look. As a parent, I don't love that at all. I wouldn't give a 9yo a copy of Sloppy Firsts, for example.

Anyway, thanks for all your help and I will check out Portal.

@Alan, thanks for letting me know. I'll take a look!

Thanks for the shout out, Susan! I'll be honored to count you as a reader. And I wholeheartedly agree with Jenny about stopping over to www.kindleboards.com. There's a great, positive community over there full of passionate readers and indie authors.

I do agree that it's a cheap way to give a new author a chance and get outside of the mainstream a bit. I just picked up Failing Test and Not What She Seems after finding them over there.

@Jason, Thanks for the recs. I've GOT to stop shopping and read your book!

Susan wrote: "@Jason, Thanks for the recs. I've GOT to stop shopping and read your book!"

Tearing someone away from shopping...now THAT would be an achievement.

Tell me something about what qualities you appreciate most in a book. :)

Jason wrote: "Tell me something about what qualities you appreciate most in a book. :) "

Just generally? To pick up a book, I need a good concept. In romance, for example, an impossible relationship will always snag me. You know they get together, but you want to know HOW?? In a paranormal/fantasy, it's usually something about the world. I often just like something about the idea of the supernatural world and want to know more.

(That's what it was for me with The Synthesis. Everyone's got powers but her? Since the world I'm writing in right now is about the characters having problems because they've got powers and most people don't, your heroine's situation is the flip side of my heroine's. That snagged my attention. It's different and fresh. Good job on that.)

Once I'm in the book, I want a tight read in a competent voice (I don't want to be tripping over awkward language or getting ensnared in purple prose). I don't want to bombarded and completely lost, but I don't like to meander through a slow beginning. I want everything that happens to develop the story in some way, and if I can't see where it's going, then I want to be inspired to WANT to see.

Ideally, at the end of it, I want to feel there was a point. That the character learned something and was changed by what we just went through.

And part of the reason I'm looking at indie reads is that the Agency pricing model has made it nearly impossible to find books at the $5 price point anymore. That's my limit, especially for authors I don't know, with very few exceptions. I'll usually favor authors who price something under $3, and probably won't even look at a sample of something priced over $5 unless it's strongly recommended by another reader.

Haha, maybe that's more than you wanted to know! Probably. I never know when to shut up. Thanks for asking.

That's excellent Susan!

I agree that pricing has gotten out of hand. I won't buy anything in the store generally unless I've got a coupon or something. I hated to have to price my paperback at $14.99, but it was the only way I could make anything on it going the POD route. The eBook is $3.99 though.

I don't see how the trad publishers can continue to operate the way they have been. Something has to change.

Alan wrote: "That's excellent Susan!

I agree that pricing has gotten out of hand. I won't buy anything in the store generally unless I've got a coupon or something. I hated to have to price my paperback at $14..."

Alan, it's totally depressing that we can't use those coupons for Agency 5 ebooks that are priced the same as the high-priced paperbacks. :loves coupons; is sad:

I think that the majority of people who have an interest in the indie book movement are aware that there are costs involved in POD that make it necessary to price those higher than most would like to see them. I hope most people get that it's just what they cost. And if they don't, and are put off by the price, there's the e-format offering a bargain.

What turns me off is seeing indies and internet pubs following the NY pricing example, pricing newbies at $8 or more for the ebook, when that's the format they can really control and offer as an incentive to try.

I'm baffled when I see indies with a $20 POD book, no movement behind them to sell it, and no ebook offered, when the monetary investment is so minimal and would allow them of offer a more attractive, Try Me! price.

Anyway, what I wanted to say was "I hear ya!" It's not just about making money on it, per se, but about covering costs, protecting yourself against discounting, and a bunch of things go into that pricing decision. It's a physical product with associated costs, and you didn't work this hard to PAY for people to read it!

I love e, and I wouldn't pay $15 for a tbp, but I'm not your demographic for that and it doesn't seem an unreasonable price for that market.

...and...sometimes I get really long-winded and off-topic. Sorry.

P.S. And I should probably state firmly that this is just my personal stuff here. My budget, my feelings, my opinions. I don't really think I should be in charge of how people price their ebooks, it just sounds that way sometimes.

Thanks for that detailed response, Susan. That's exactly what I was looking for. I think we can all agree that we're looking for clean writing that doesn't get bogged down with too much description and to find some growth and direction in the book.

I didn't realize you are a writer as well. How far along are you with your manuscript? I do love stories like these where people discover something that just changes their whole world, so be sure to keep me updated about your work.

As for the price thing, I completely agree with your structure. More than $3 just seems excessive for an indie ebook. There are plenty of people who are trying to be competitive and then lots of others who don't notice what everybody else is doing.

These are our personal opinions, but we're holding onto our own purse strings, and so we can have a say with that!

--Jason
www.powerlessbooks.com

If there's anyone reading who saw the rec for Portal above, that's available at Smashwords as well as Amazon for non-Kindle owners. It was on sale for 99cents earlier this week, and when I talked to the author--Imogen Rose and she was really nice--she said that was a sale price because she's releasing the second book. I've enjoyed what I've read of it so far.

Jason wrote: "Thanks for that detailed response, Susan. That's exactly what I was looking for. I think we can all agree that we're looking for clean writing that doesn't get bogged down with too much description...How far along are you with your manuscript? "

Now I'm really hijacking my own thread. I've got most of my beta reads back and they've gone really well. I'm just doing some cleaning up formatting stuff and mostly waiting on my cover art.

That's great, Susan! One of the fun things about playing author has been to check out the work other people are producing. Now that you've got the betas back, what are your plans with it from here on out? Definitely let me know if you end up making your work available!

The biggest plus for me about this whole thing is just talking with people who are excited about reading, exchanging ideas like this, and having a good time in general. There are lots of great indie writers doing the same thing I am, and it's easy to strike up a conversation with anyone.

Smashwords is having a sale through July that a lot of authors, including myself, are participating in. My book is being offered at 50% off along with many others.

Lisa Mangum click on this link its an awesome read and its her first book i dont know if this what your looking for but i love it & cant wait to read her next book.

@Jason, thanks, that's really nice of you. I'll let you know.

@Alan, Smashwords really has a lot going for it. I hope it gains in popularity.

@Jodie, thanks for the rec. I'll be sure to check that out.

Just wanted to say I read this not too long ago and I really loved it!

Just discovered this topic today or I would have posted a lot sooner! I'm an indie YA author. My novel is called Glimpse. It is available on Amazon and Goodreads. The e-book is $1.99 and the paperback is $7.99.

Stacey

Stacey, I just added your book to tbr list.It looks really intresting!

I just found this thread today so I wanted to let you know that I'm an indie YA author as well. My novel is called Torn. It is available almost everywhere and has competitive pricing. I've seen it listed for as little as $5 but I can't remember where. I don't have it in e-book format yet, only trade paperback. You can read sample chapters on my website at http://www.closetcasepress.com. And chapter 1 and 13 are available here on Goodreads.

Lori wrote: "Stacey, I just added your book to tbr list.It looks really intresting!"

Thanks, Lori! Glimpse is also available on Smashwords, forgot to put that in the other post. Lots of ways to read it. :)

I added your too Amber.

Going to check out Torn, Amber.

Stacey--fantastic blurb on Glimpse. Bravo. I'm trying to add to cart on Smashwords, but it's hating me right now. I'll get it though! (ETA: Got it!)

Finished Portal, but haven't written about it yet. Really enjoyed it. The characters really stayed with me whenever I put it down. (50% off on Smashwords through tomorrow!)

Not YA, but if you want a free read in installments, my friend just started serializing her novella on her blog. The first installment went up this morning and the full story is available at all the usual places.

Oo thanks for the pimpage!

Cheers, Susan! Also, thanks for inadvertantly hooking me back up with Christel. :) We were good friends/roommates all through college and then worked at a dry cleaners together here in Portland before I moved to L.A. and we lost track of each other. Craziness.

Stacey wrote: "Cheers, Susan! Also, thanks for inadvertantly hooking me back up with Christel. :) We were good friends/roommates all through college and then worked at a dry cleaners together here in Portland b..."

Stacey, that was so random. I hardly know Christel at all. She's a twitter friend of a friend, and I started talking to her just a couple weeks ago when she offered to beta read for me. Obviously you two were meant to reconnect.

I'm really enjoying . I haven't gotten too far, as it's been a busy day, but the scene where Avery starts talking to Zellie was just so completely delightful. I was like- yay Zellie!

Susan wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Cheers, Susan! Also, thanks for inadvertantly hooking me back up with Christel. :) We were good friends/roommates all through college and then worked at a dry cleaners together her..."

I like that name for the character...Zellie. It's creative but not completely implausible.

Thanks,Jason. It is a nick name for Hazel. (That I invented. lol)

I finished last night. Or...make that really early this morning. I really enjoyed it. The voice is authentic. The attraction between the characters is powerful and sensual, but still kind of innocent, which is really sweet. An interesting concept with the psychic stuff, and there are definitely some surprises.

I agree with others in that I love smaller publishers, the control you have in decisions, and the family-feel, the good communication. It IS hard to market, at least since I'm starting out, but once I find my audience, I'm sure all will work out well. I have some self-published books I take great pride in, having tediously edited, formatted, and designed coverart for them. They are available as both print and ebooks, so come check them out on my page sometime.
If you REALLY want to help me out, you can buy my first book with Old Line Publishing, Bloodmaiden, a YA fantasy/romance/suspense/horror short novel. Check it out also on my Goodreads page. I'm currently offering a free ebook to anyone willing to buy the book. Just send me a message for more info.
Bloodmaiden

I finished recently and really enjoyed it!

sounds awesome! I just bought it for my Kindle app. :) Can't wait to read it.

Thanks, Kourtni! Hope you enjoy the book.:)

Thanks, Kourtni! I'm glad you got something out of it!

You're very welcome!

Jason I really look forward to reading The Shadowing! I love Mira and the rest of the characters and I am excited to read more about them!

Not a lot of time for reading for me this week, so I'm still enjoying bit by bit--and I think I might even be learning some science stuff(!!).

Mine book is finally out now! Hush Money. I hope you'll take a look.

Thanks Lori and Susan! :)

Amber

Kourtni wrote:Jason I really look forward to reading The Shadowing! I love Mira and the rest of the characters and I am excited to read more about them!"

Thanks Kourtni! That means a lot. We should be about a month away from the release of the 2nd book. The cover is finally starting to come together, but I'm having a fit because they seem incapable of getting Aoi's hair right!

Susan wrote: "Not a lot of time for reading for me this week, so I'm still enjoying bit by bit--and I think I might even be learning some science stuff(!!).

Mine book is finall..."

Thanks Susan, I'm glad you're able to get into the story. It's definitely not a race so don't feel like you're on the clock. It's there waiting for you when you have the time for it.

I just added your book too! (And tagged it on Amazon.)

Jason wrote: "I just added your book too! (And tagged it on Amazon.) "

Thanks, Jason!

Congrats Susan! I tagged it on Amazon and marked your reviews as helpful. Good luck with the book!

Alan wrote: "Congrats Susan! I tagged it on Amazon and marked your reviews as helpful. Good luck with the book!"
Thanks, Alan!

Stacey- Glimpse was AHmazing! It was absolutely my type of book. I loved it. :)

Thank you, Kourtni! If you liked Glimpse, you'll like Susan's book Hush Money as well. I read it last week and it is "super." (...uh because it's about superheroes.)

Awesome, thanks! It's on my tbr.

My wife has self-published a YA ebook called Halloween available at Amazon(Kindle) and Smashwords(Other).

The book is about a boy in the 60's going trick-or-treating. Reminds me of my youth. I used to love the sight and sound of leaves blowing on the street when I went out with my friends.