Small Press Anyone?
There are so many amazing publishing companies out there these days. I was wondering if you stick to the big guns or dabble around with the small press as well. Or even look at the small press publisher. And if you don't dabble with Small Press books, can I ask why?
Me, I do both. Although I enjoy chatting up the big hot selling books as much as the next person, I LOVE finding that new gem no one else has seen yet and screaming from the rooftops about it. Yes, I've been doing that a lot lately. I've found a few brilliantly bright-shiny books that others have not heard of yet. And I enjoy showing them off to everyone. And sharing the great finds with you as well.
We all have our genre of books we pretty much stick to, and love. Mine is Urban Fantasy and Fantasy. (Yes, there are deviations of these that I love too but for general purposes these are the main areas I read.) And different presses specialize in different genre. And some do a little of everything. I've found one small press that fits my book loves wonderfully, and they have mystery reads and other genre as well but I'm hooked on their Fantasy and Urban Fantasy reads. Amazing writing, story, and the editing is clean.
I like that the books are new and fresh in thinking. Beyond the norm that the big publishers want us to have. I like getting different books, new views, and voices. Nothing wrong with the big publishers as I do love them, but we are talking Small Press here today. :)
But with the Small Press books it seems hard to find them. First we don't know about the books as they don't get as much air time as the big publishers do. Nor are they ones to be found on all the local bookstore shelves either. They seem to be leaning toward ebook formats, but they do have printed books as well (so don't be discouraged!) Most of the Small Press books are found out here on the web. And ordering online. (As you all know, ordering online isn't like it use to be, that dark secret that no one should know about or do because the end of the world will fall upon us.) So for people who don't do online book searching don't know about these amazing diamonds hiding around the web.
Do you share with off-line friends the books you find by Small Press Publishers?
If you enjoy Small Press books do you have a small press you seem to have attached to? Let me know who it is. I'd like to take a look at their books as well, if they are in my genre of reading.
The Small Press that has caught my attention is Mundania Press. I hope you get a chance to check them out. Really great stuff there.
I've also read a series from Ridan Publishing, and there is an author whom I've listened to a podcast from and enjoy that writes with this publisher, but need to try his books yet. Ridan Publishing is still rather small, but looks like a good source for Fantasy and Science Fiction.
So, want to share your thoughts?
Do you read Small Press books? If not, do you mind mentioning why? Do you share Small Press books with those not online searching the blogs? What Small Presses do you gravitate toward?
Maybe I would if I read more ebooks but at is it..nope, and I can't buy ebooks either so I am rather stuck. And since they are small press then if they have print then not in the places I can buy from
ReplyDeleteI'm having the same trouble as Blodeuedd. Small Press is very hard to get when you do not live in the US. I just can't afford the shipping costs on top of the price of the books I buy, so have to make do with what I can buy at bookdepository and the ocassional ebook.
ReplyDeleteBlodeuedd - Oh yes! I didn't mention the out of US readers. Thanks for mentioning that. I know, I don't read ebooks either. It's hard on the computer after working all day, on a computer. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSullivan McPig - Yes! That is true. I think some of the small presses do have books sold on Book Depository, Amazon, and such. But their prises are slightly higher And I don't think they show up there on release day, it seems to take a week or so. Thank you for stopping by!! I really appreciate it.
I just read a book by a small press. Forgive me it is the weekend and I'm being too lazy to reach for the book to see which one it happens to be! However, there are a lot of great small press publishers whose books I have enjoyed. They are on par with the big publishers with the quality IMO. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI loved MAX AND MENNA by Shauna Kelley, pubbed by Lucky Press. I've also really enjoyed a lot of stuff from Vagabondage Press.
Great post!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started blogging, I tended to stick to the big name publishers as that was all I knew. As I got deeper into reviewing, I discovered the wonderful little gems presented by both small press and self-published authors!
I've had pretty good luck with The Story Plant. They're a very small press with titles outside my usual genre, but I've found several good books through them. I've also found several good titles that are only available as eBooks. I don't like reading on my PC, especially after spending all day at work on one, but it's easier to read them on my nook.
Hi Mel!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite small press is Crescent Moon Press, I have yet to read anything from them that wasn't top notch, great editing (and right now, most of the print and ebooks are on sale between 40-50% off on Amazon until 10-31-11). Of course, Samhain and Ellora's Cave (Cerriden Press), and I read Josh Lanyon Loose Id, and I've been wanting to try Musa Publishing.
But, I've found you have to be very careful, some small presses only publish the owners and their friends books, to avoid the stigma of self-pub (which there shouldn't be anyway, I mean, look at Amanda Hocking).
I do love the large houses, but I get tired of being hand fed what they think the popular genres should be, or the fact that they might think a genre is old or worn out, rubbish! As long as the idea is fresh, it really doesn't matter the genre or the author.
Thanks!!
Dottie :)
Melissa (Books&Things) - Yes! So glad you've been enjoying the small presses too. And they are right on que with the big publishere I thought too. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMaggie Desmond-O'Brien - Thank you! Oh yes! I forgot about Vagabondage Press. I think I've only read one book by them, but I did enjoy it. :) Thank you so kindly for stopping by!
Alexia - I was the same as you when I started blogging. I never even thought of small presses being out there. And have fallen in love with them. I don't think I've read anything by The Story Plant. I'll have to look into them. Ha,I'm working on the family to get me a Nook for Xmas. ;D Hoping! Thank you!!
Dottie (Tink's Place) - Thank you! I think I might have a book or two from Crescent Moon Press. I just found them so haven't really tried anything yet. Oh thank you for the tip on the discount! And the new presses to look into. lol. Thank you! I'm glad to see I'm not the only one with the same feel with the large publishing companies. ;D Thank you!!
When I read, my main concern is the story. I never really paid much attention to the publisher. So I must have read books published by small publishers before... though now that you brought it up, I ought to pay more attention to the publisher of the book I'm picking up :)
ReplyDeleteI love small publishers. They are a great venue for new authors. I'm finding many authors that I love at the smaller presses. Great blog topic!
ReplyDeleteCherry - I was always one to not worry about small press or large press publishers when picking up a book. And still don't really look at who the publisher is, but I've started looking as I mention it in the reviews (maybe I don't have to) but found I've really been enjoying the small presses just as much or more than the large presses as well. It was just one of those things that struck me and had to ask. :) But really no need to really look. :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteSharron Riddle - Thank you for stopping by. It's all new to me this year, and I've found some amazing authors through the small presses, and awsome books to add to my collection that I can show off as no one really hears of them. :) hee hee.