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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7471-The-Gems-of-Self-published-Drama.html
Drama: February 10, 2016 Issue [#7471]

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Drama


 This week: The Gems of Self-published Drama
  Edited by: NaNoKit Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

There are some pretty good reads to be found from self-published authors and small publishing houses. Of course, there are some terrible reads to be found as well.

This week's Drama Newsletter is all about hidden gems, waiting to be discovered.

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Letter from the editor

Have you ever read a self-published novel/novel from a small publishing house? No? You should, as there are some good ones out there.

The Christmas before last, I received a Kobo e-reader. Yes, I am a lucky girl. *Bigsmile* I immediately started looking around for books to put on it, and stumbled upon a novel titled Aerisia: Land Beyond the Sunset, by Sarah Ashwood. It's published by Griffineus Publications, who appear to only have one author – Sarah Ashwood. The story is about a young woman who is brought to another world, as she is the Artan – the world's saviour according to ancient legend.

It may not be the most unique concept, but it actually makes for a good read. There are interesting characters, interesting races, and the author offers the reader a good insight into the history of her world. There is sadness and tragedy. Joy and victory. She managed to hook me to such an extent that I bought the next novel, Aerisia: Gateway to the Underworld, and the final one in the series, Aerisia: Field of Battle.

Another interesting find was The Homecoming Masquerade (Girls Wearing Black: Book One) by Spencer Baum. From what I can tell, he's a self-published author. The Homecoming Masquerade is a fascinating story, with many layers to it. Politics, vampires, slavery, resistance, a battle for power. Friendship. Romance. Blackmail. It's well-written and, once more, it held my attention well enough for me to purchase the second novel, The Festival of the Moon, which is just as good. There are more novels in the series, and I have just bought book three – The Rose Ransom.

One good thing about an e-reader is that it offers access to authors like the above. I love holding a novel in my hands. It may sound strange, but I like the smell of books. Digital publishing, though, means that undiscovered authors can make themselves available for discovery, and if you're willing to dig around a bit, you can find some previously hidden gems.

Digging around is, indeed, required. I have tried other self-published authors and I don't want to sound harsh, but they really need to work on their writing. I've tried to read novels filled with so many typos that I had to stop. It made me wonder why they didn't bother to proofread their work, as it's not a very nice thing to do to one's audience.

I understand that a self-published author doesn't have the support of a publishing house, or a professional editor. Even with that support, mistakes can slip through. There are limits, however, to the amount of mistakes a reader should have to put up with. And every author can find some kind of help – from family or friends, or from a site like Writing.Com, where people are happy to offer feedback. Just like you are welcome to offer me feedback on my Newsletters, as I am prone to mistakes.

The gems, then, stand out all the more. Some of them could do with a polish, but they have value. They make for an enjoyable few hours of reading. If you have an e-reader, there are those you can try for free. The others are available for only a very small amount of money, and I think that it's worth it to support independents or small publishing houses.

If you have found some good reads from self-publishers or small publishing houses, please feel free to let us know!


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Editor's Picks

Here are some of the latest additions to the Drama Genre:

 Stairlift to Heaven Open in new Window. (18+)
A man in a wheelchair finds there is no disabled access to the afterlife
#2073854 by kev kerekes Author IconMail Icon


 
STATIC
Begin Again Open in new Window. (ASR)
I surrender. At least for today. A Lanterne Poem. Mostly.
#2074367 by Whata SpoonStealer Author IconMail Icon


 "Hey, I saw your photo in the paper..." Open in new Window. (E)
Contest entry: The Writer's Cramp
#2074040 by bri426 Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2073981 by Not Available.


Some contests that might inspire you:

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2048721 by Not Available.


 
FORUM
Once Upon a Jane Austen Activity Open in new Window. (ASR)
Three months' activity for the lovers of Jane Austen's literature
#2074187 by ~Minja~ Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1706238 by Not Available.


FORUM
The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1982107 by Not Available.





 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*


Osirantinous Author Icon - Thanks for including my story, Kittiara. And thanks for a great newsletter. Most of us don't write what we know, but that shouldn't stop us. We can do the research to sound like old pros! I think those 'in the know' definitely have an easier time of writing, but maybe they also have to 'dumb' it down so their poor 'not in the know' readers understand! I say write what you want to write, but keep it uncomplicated so the research you do doesn't more time than the actual writing.

You are welcome! *Smile* And mostly, I would agree with you. The law, though? Oof, that would be a tough topic to research. Exceptions to exceptions to exceptions, and it's ever changing. Would take someone far more confident than me to go there! You do have an excellent point about experts needing to "dumb down" their work. I wonder if that would be tedious to do, or good fun. Perhaps a bit of both, at different times.

~~~

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Drama Newsletter Team


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