I’ve been writing for a few years now and have seen some interesting trends going on among authors.
At first, long ago, when I started taking writing more seriously, it was like everyone was out to take care of themselves. You had a book. There was a colossal pool one had to sink or swim in and like Rose after the Titanic sank, people grabbed onto whatever kept them afloat and didn’t invite anyone else to hop on board.
But times have changed, thank God.
Especially with authors breaking into Indy publishing. That little floatie is hard to navigate, people have found. Over time, one floater grabbed onto another floater, which grabbed onto another, and eventually, we had book bundles.
And readers loved them!
So, more authors started to see the value in banding together, and they also started joining promotional forces with other authors. “Let’s work together and help each other out,” They said.
And it was beautiful!
But then, the bundles were everywhere. And still are. So, Indie’s, being the creative entrepreneurs they are, came up with newer and more brilliant ideas: Shared story worlds, themed collections, genre collections based on a topic or holiday, and more.
And the ideas keep coming!
When I was invited to join the Be Still My Heart Collection, I was thrilled. Why? Well, for one, I love being part of a group of like-minded people (writers, artist, believers, etc). Second, I know what the Bible says about banding together and helping each other out. It works better for everyone involved. And I believe, authors have found that by working together and helping each other, it’s actually taken their little floaties that were bobbing along haphazardly in the waves and helped them find more direction.
Individual floaties became rafts, that grew into boats… and, yeah, you get the point, right? Ha!
I love where all this is going!
How about you, dear reader friends? And authors, too…
Do you enjoy the bundled collections from various authors? So many books in one place! Reader’s bliss…yes?
Or how about the shared worlds? How many of you have found a story land you love and will gobble up all the stories involving that fictional land, or town, or whatever?
I enjoyed the experience I had with the Be Still My Heart group. The collection is only .99¢ to sample seven Christian Romance authors. What a deal, right?
If you’d like to check out Be Still My Heart, you can find it at these distributors:
Happy reading!
Blessings-
Jackie C.
Renate says
Hi Jackie! Thanks for your educational post about the journey of an Indy author. As a reader, I have enjoyed the journey watching authors develop not only their writing style, but their creativity in designing covers and marketing their craft. Through bundled sets I have discover many a new author. The generosity of providing the reader with 7, 12, 15 novellas for just 99 cents is appreciated by this avid reader, but often felt I cheated each author out of receiving a fair compensation for their work. That is why I enjoy the new series style such as a Tuscan Legacy, where each author receives their recognition and compensation. Purchased this set and can’t wait to read it. Glad to hear about how authors work together and support each other. Best wishes.
Colleen says
I love a good collaboration with my favorite authors and new authors. This is sharing great ideas and finding new strengths. Congrats on the new bundle.
Paula Dye says
I absolutely love the shared world stories! My first experience in reading this is Arcadia Valley Romance, and I have had a blast with these authors and stories! I am sad to see them coming to an end! I am very much looking forward to the Tuscan series, I am trying to be patient and wait til they are all released before reading them in order!
Andrea Cox says
I’m hit or miss on book bundles. I’d love to be a part of one, but I have found in many that typos and inconsistencies are a lot more prevalent than in individual books, which drives the copyeditor side of me crazy. If they are edited well (particularly with good copyediting and proofreading, which I think is a crucial investment, similar to marketing), I love them and will look for more books by the authors. Another reason why I sometimes don’t enjoy them is the length. I like feeling like I make progress as a reader, and with five or more stories in a single book, that makes for a tough read to finish the whole bundle in order to have a book checked off my reading list. So I often have to read several novellas in between book bundles, so that I feel like I’ve finished enough books in the month and made more of a dent in my TBR piles.
Happy writing!
Andrea
andrearenee2004@yahoo.com
WritingToInspire.blogspot.com
Margaret Nelson says
If I only know one author in a book bundle, I probably will not buy it. If there are 2 or more than I know and love, I’ll get it. I’m not sure if I’ve met any new authors through book bundles yet.
I agree that I like the series like Arcadia Valley and the Tuscan Legacy even better than book bundles.
Jackie Castle says
Ah, that’s so neat. I bet it has been a fun read. I know a few of the authors writing for that series and they have some great books!
Jackie Castle says
I can understand that, because you get a shared world and the books are seperate.
Jackie Castle says
Thank you
Jackie Castle says
Thanks Renate
Autumn Macarthur says
Jackie, as an author I’ve been part of many boxed sets and enjoyed the experience. I loved the way you described it.
Congratulations on the new set, it looks wonderful!
Julie says
I love both the bundled books for 1 price as well as a fictional place & several stories by different authors. I’ve met many new authors this way.
Jackie Castle says
Thanks Autumn
Jackie Castle says
Thanks Autumn
Jackie Castle says
Both have their perks, don’t they?
Jenni says
I love book bundles! As long as there’s one by a known fav author, I pick up the bundle, and generally discover new fav authors. I also find the somewhat shorter length perfect for those snatches of time when waiting around for something … the Kindle app is the most used on my phone, by far :)
Narelle Atkins says
Hi Jackie, I’ve found book bundles are an affordable way to discover new authors.