Independent and Unknown Writers- There are Gems if You're Willing to Dig

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When might be the last time you browsed through the zillions of available titles on Smashwords, Kobo, Diesel, Amazon or any of the myriad of other places where unknown and independent writers put their stuff? Recently? It's been a while? Never? I have to say to those who happen upon this, you ought to take some time to have a little bit of fun. I can say there are an uncountable amount of titles in these grab bags of eBooks, but you would be downright surprised as to how many of them are actually quite good work. Sure, many of them are likely poorly done, but not nearly as many as many would like to think. I have come across the occasional entry that simply wasn't worth pursuing for another minute because it was so badly written, but this has been an exception rather than the norm. I would say the biggest problem with so many of these isn't the crappy writing and worse story, but the simple fact that the stories are largely predictable and possess so-so writing. So, these places are not a venue for substandard writers, but often developing writers and the not-yet-great ones. However... I have to say I have come across numerous, and I mean numerous, books available freely or perhaps for ninety nine cents that were really well done. Great writing with thought-provoking plots, great stories and rich characters. In fact, because I enjoy reading as much as the next guy, I've found perusing through these sites is more fun than digging through those zany discount DVD bins at Walmart. Have you ever been to one of those rock stores where they'll let you dig through the piles of rocks to find the select few you want (fill the bag for $5)? This is like that. What I'll often do is select from the various genres I like and then I'll browse through the titles. I've never been a sucker for the cover but a good title will often catch my attention. I'll download the ones I believe sound promising and give them a shot. If I'm a bit into the story and it just isn't doing it for me, I'll quickly dismiss and delete it. However, if I find one I really like, I'll be sure to write a review of the story and let the writer know I did so. I believe these people knew they had a great book in them but just didn't have the ability to attain an agent or even capture one's attention. Let's face it- there simply is no way these agents could go through all of these, and even the ones that do make it to print and the bookstore are too often met with disappointment. There's just too much out there for all the avid readers to get to! But I can say I've found finding great books this way to be entertaining on several levels. I like the hunt, I like the treasure, and I really like seeing the work of these people acknowledged. The vast majority of those I've contacted have been quite elated to know they earned another fan. So, rather than skim along these mylot discussions where people are sharing ninety words about their breakfast, take a moment to be a literary archaeologist and read an independent novel. They haven't been homogenized by the editors and, now and then, you'll come across something so awesome you'll want everyone to know about it.