Until I got into reading Indie books, I rarely came across a book I just couldn't finish. Now, I run across them rather frequently. While I'm not going to be so crass as to list titles, I will say there have been a number from my Indie Fever reading challenge list I couldn't get through. I tried, I did. But, when someone uses the word as in place of when, and, because, and where (as well as many verbs), I can't even stomach the word as where it's supposed to be.
Or, the worst, dialogue is stilted and feels forced along with the book being improperly formatted. Sorry, but I'm thirty-five years old and have too many other things to do than force my way through a book I don't like.
Please, for the love of all that's good in the world, HIRE AN EDITOR!
I hear it all the time: Why aren't my books selling?
Well, I can give you one reason: When someone reads a book with five or more errors on every page, they don't want to read anything else written by you. It doesn't matter if your story is the greatest one since Harry Potter; if someone can't read it, it's not going to sell. Period. Ever. If it's your first book, people won't pick up anything else you ever write.
Isn't an editor the best investment you can make for yourself and your work? It makes you look like you know what you're doing when you publish a book that's been edited by someone who follows a style guide like The Chicago Manual of Style or The Elements of Style.
It also helps when that editor is a reader and has been educated in the craft of writing.
Sorry I went on a rant today. It's just frustrating to offer a great service at a decent price and not have people take advantage of it when it can make them money in the long run.
Have you come across a book lately you couldn't finish? Why? Please don't list titles. This isn't a bash-fest.
Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!
Jo
OK - I won't name it. But it is probably Tom Cruise's favorite book. I've tried multiple times, and it is the best cure for insomnia I have ever found - even beats vodka... :-)
ReplyDeleteHehe!! Okay. You'll have to e-mail me that one :) Something that beats vodka? WOW! Thanks for the comment, Sandi! :)
DeleteJo - I'm sorry to say I have the same complaint. The latest one I'm thinking of was an anthology of stories. I couldn't finish the first two stories and I deleted the book. Maybe story #3 was awesome. I'll never know. Why did I stop? Obvious grammar errors, for one - if I can see them, the errors are obvious. Poor spelling (ditto). Sentences that threw me out of the story. When I was younger, I used to blame myself for "not being a good enough reader". Now I know better.
ReplyDeleteSandi: I'm taking a wild guess. It doesn't have to do with a certain book that started a certain belief system beginning with "S", did it?
I wonder, if people are going to bother writing a book, why they don't use an editor. Just writing something interesting takes months and months. Not to send it to an editor is saying you don't care if it's the best it can be. I'm sorry to hear you got hold of one that was poorly done, Alana, those cast a dark shadow on all self-published books.
DeleteIntriguing. I may have to do a Google search on that one :)