On the Soul of a Vampire - a review

On the Soul of a Vampire by Krisi Keley was not at all what I expected. It is a deeply emotional and introspective look at one ‘man’s’ search for meaning in life. (Or in this case, one ‘vampire’.) Written primarily in first person from the point of view of Valery  Castellene, a vampire of some 800 years, we see and feel his inner pain as he struggles with his existence. Convinced that he is evil incarnate, yet still subconsciously wishing to be good, Valery’s emotional conflict is the center of this novel. 

One would think that after that many centuries little could surprise, but even Valery is taken aback when he meets a young mortal woman named Angelina Lacroix. In her he senses sublime goodness and beauty; her very presence brings him to the brink of self control and back again. But even more alarming is the fact that she can sense his presence even when she can’t see him. She knows him by name and seems to know every detail about his existence, both past and present. As the book progresses, Valery is more and more frustrated by his need to find out the truth about this girl, struggling with his overwhelming desire to take her life and his need to protect her at all costs. Woven throughout are  flashbacks to Valery’s past which further develop the complexity of his character and the struggles he now faces. 

Lest the description so far sound somewhat like another familiar vampire saga, let me assure you that it is not remotely similar. In fact, it isn’t even really a love story in the typical sense. Yes, there are deep emotional passages, but the real crux of the story is about self discovery, forgiveness and hope.  The author writes with eloquence and sophistication, in a tone that is reminiscent of an older, more classical style. This fits well with the story since it is primarily told by Valery himself, and he is, after all, 800 years old.  

Let me reiterate that this was a very well written book, with complex characters, subtle plot twists, and a strong focus on examining man’s innate capacity for both good and evil. It is also written from a Biblical world view, and tries to (quite successfully I might add) point to a higher grace which is above even the most heinous of sins, although I would not recommend using it as a doctrinal reference. Sometimes the inner musings seemed a bit drawn out, however. I felt at times like a certain point had already been hashed over quite thoroughly and then it would reappear subsequent times. As well, I was sometimes frustrated by the use of foreign languages in the text (usually French) which were often quite lengthy and which forced me to consult the appendix for an explanation. 

Aside from that, On the Soul of a Vampire is worth consideration simply because of its uniqueness. As a book with a Christian bent it stands out as totally fearless, especially in its choice of protagonist and his portrayal.  From a secular view, it is also unique in its genre since there contains such a profound message of hope not usually found in a novel about vampires. I recommend this book for those who are looking for a meatier read. (No pun intended.) Read it if you dare. 

Buy: 

On the Soul of a Vampire

Links to 'Canadian Christians Who Write'

Thanks so much to Jayne Self at 'Canadian Christians Who Write' for the wonderful two part interview. There were lots of new responses as Jayne dug deep for her questions, touching on some aspects of writing that I haven't talked much about before. Check out Part One here, which went live on Monday, April 23. In it, I talk about about my involvement in theatre and how being a playwright has affected my overall writing. Part Two went up the following day and can be read here. I'd say the focus on this day was my faith and how writing fits into that all important aspect of my life.

PLUS - I just have to get this in! :)  In just a little over a week, the John 3:16 marketing Network is bringing you the biggest prize giveaway in their history. From May 7 - 14, stop by and find out how you can win a kindle! As well, there are over fifty other great prizes to be won during the week, including a signed copy of PLAY IT AGAIN. Go here for details and make sure you stop by on Monday, May 7.

Marcia's Laycock's A TUMBLED STONE

I can't tell you how honored and excited I am to host Marcia Laycock's launch of her new book A TUMBLED STONE on my blog today. This is the sequel to her novel ONE SMOOTH STONE which won the 'Best New Canadian Christian Author Award'. I loved the first book and finally the sequel is here! Marcia is truly an inspiration to many of us. Besides these two books she has been writing devotionals for a long time and they are truly inspired. Her writing has been endorsed by the likes of Jeanette Oke, Phil Callaway, Mark Buchanan and Sigmund Brouwer. Not bad! As well, she works tirelessly for such Canadian writers organizations like 'Inscribe' and 'The Word Guild'. Finally, she has gone through a time of personal suffering with cancer and yet, she remains positive.

Here's more about the book A TUMBLED STONE:
 

Andrea Calvert had to run away. She couldn't stay on the farm, shaming her parents . She couldn't face being pregnant and alone. She would take care of this on her own.  As she struggles to make life-changing decisions, Andrea discovers a diary and the wrenching story about her family's dysfunction. But is Andrea’s life at risk at Evie’s Diner?

 AN INTERVIEW WITH MARCIA:
How did you come to be a writer?

I started writing short stories and poems for my dolls. They didn’t complain so I kept it up. :) Then my aunt gave me a copy of Emily of New Moon for my eleventh birthday. I discovered you could call yourself a writer and determined that someday that’s what I’d be. It took many years but I published my first short story in 1990 and began writing articles for a local paper about that same time. I self published a compilation of my column in 2002 (a second edition was recently released), a second devotional book in 2005 and then my novel, One Smooth Stone won me the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award and was published. The sequel, A Tumbled Stone was just released by Word Alive Press.

Tell us how you come up with characters.  

Characters often grow out of something I hear or see. For instance, the main character in One Smooth Stone developed after a woman asked me a profound question – “Can you imagine what it would be like for someone to discover that his mother had tried to abort him?” I did imagine and the character of Alex Donnelly emerged. He’s very much a composite of many people I knew while living in the Yukon, in Canada’s western Arctic.

Andrea, the main character in A Tumbled Stone, developed slowly as the book unfolded. She too is a composite of many people I've known, young women in search of their own identities who struggle to make the right choices in their lives.

Where do you write?

I share an office in our home with my husband who is a pastor. We’re church planting right now, so we don’t have a church building where my husband would ordinarily go to work each day. It’s been an interesting adjustment and a challenge for us both as we sit back to back at our computers. :)

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?

I’m probably most proud and humbled of the fact that my husband and I, in spite of all our flaws somehow managed to raise three wonderful daughters who are a joy to us in many ways. God’s grace is evident in their lives and I’m very thankful for them. There was a time when I believed I would never have children (see my website for the story) so to have three beautiful daughters and now two great sons-in-law continues to amaze me.

What kind of planning do you do before writing a novel?

Very little. My stories usually come to me in scenes. I outline a bit as I go, just a timeline of sorts, but when I sit down to write I usually have very little idea where the story will go. I find it exciting to see it unfold. I do research along the way as needed. For instance, when I was writing One Smooth Stone I realized I need some advice from a policeman. Fortunately I had met a firearms expert at a conference so I contacted him and he gave me all the information I needed to make the scenes in the book real. I didn't have to contact anyone for A Tumbled Stone, but had to slip back in my memory to a time when we lived on the Canadian prairie. I wanted that setting to be real as well. I think the setting of a book is extremely important - some even say it acts as a hidden character in a novel.

In your opinion, what is the greatest danger or pitfall in the life of a writer?

Believing that it’s your talent that changes lives. I’ve had many people tell me amazing stories about how something I wrote changed them in some way. It’s important to remember that only God can do that. He uses our words to affect His purposes. We’re just being obedient in putting the words on paper. It’s an incredible privilege and blessing to be used in that way.

Why did you choose to write this book?

To be honest, initially it was because I had to write a sequel! :) But then as the book and the main character began to take shape in my head I got excited about what I could do with it. I wanted to write a book about a young woman struggling with an unwanted pregnancy and this gave me the opportunity.

 What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?

That writing is a ministry. It’s a hidden ministry that takes hours of sitting in a room alone but the end result can be lives changed for Christ.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?

Do go to writers’ conferences and take courses to sharpen your skills. Find a good critique group where others will give constructive criticism.

Don’t let the rejections stop you. Keep writing.

How can readers get in contact with you? 
 
My website – www.vinemarc.com
E-Mail – MarciaATvinemarcDotcom

Here's a link to the book trailer for One Smooth Stone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz1VG59-Aiw  

         

BIOGRAPHY

Marcia’s inspirational writing has won awards in both Canada and the U.S.  Her devotionals are distributed to thousands and her novel, One Smooth Stone, won the Best New Canadian Christian Author Award in 2006. Marcia is also a sought-after speaker for women’s events. Visit her at www.vinemarc.com

JOY - What NOT to do

JOY. A small word that packs a lot of meaning. There have been many thought provoking, deeply theological, and just plain beautiful posts this month on the topic of 'joy' as my fellow CW Blog Chain gang members have reflected on the meaning of the word. One thing that keeps recurring over and over is the thought that joy is not synonymous with happiness  It's much deeper than that, and often emerges in its strongest form during times of trial. I concur with all that has been said on the theme. (Check out my CW Blog Chain page to see what others have said.)

When I sat down to write this post I wondered how I could possibly add to the conversation. It seems like everything has been said already - more than once. So, rather than tell you what I think 'joy' is, or explain what it means to me, or list ways to increase your joy, I'm going to share three sure fire ways to kill your joy. In other words, in the infamous words of Papa Berenstein, 'This is what you should NOT do, so let this be a lesson to you."

J - Jealousy.  Nothing kills your joy faster than that old green eyed monster. Just when you start feeling good about yourself or your accomplishments, someone else is bound to come along and show you up. No human being is immune, but as writers this can creep up unexpectedly. How easy it is to feel envious of that person who signs with a well known agent or gets a lucrative book contract (with a paid advance and everything!) and who's only been writing for a few years. What about that self published author on Amazon who is now raking in a six figure income while I'm still slaving at my day job? Why do other people have so many five star reviews? How come that person's book is winning awards, garnering praise, appearing on Oprah ... You get it. We all feel just a weeny bit jealous at times, but as soon as you feel that first inkling - snuff it out! Celebrate other people's successes, but never allow yourself to play the 'comparison' game. You'll lose every time.
Proverbs 27: 4 - Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? 

O - Offense. Taking offense probably hurts you more than the person who offended you in the first place. It's like a bitter root that takes hold and pretty soon it can consume your life. Meanwhile, the person who has offended you often doesn't even know that they've done something wrong. After all, people are people and we all make mistakes, say things without thinking, or make errors of omission without meaning to hurt anyone. We've all felt like telling others to 'lighten up' at times, but yet, when our own sense of entitlement is stepped on we are quick to take offense. For all the writers out there, we need to learn to take constructive criticism without getting offended. The same goes for reviews. Not everyone is going to love us or our writing. Learning to guard against taking offense and shaking it off quickly when it does occur is crucial if we hope to live joyful lives, for there is nothing like an offended spirit to steal your joy away.
Proverbs 18:19 - A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Y - Yearning. Okay, maybe I'm stretching it a bit in my quest to find a 'Y' word, but I think I can make this work. Yearning in its negative connotation is similar to envy, but it is different in that its object is directed more at 'what I don't have' than at 'what someone else has'. We don't need to be jealous of someone else in order to yearn for something. It speaks of a deeply rooted discontent - currently an  epidemic in today's society. True satisfaction comes in knowing who you are, not in how much stuff you have. When we yearn for what we don't have we cannot possibly also have joy. From a writer's perspective, this could be anything from a published book, greater recognition, more sales, or even just more time to write. Be thankful for what you have NOW, at this moment, instead of always looking to the grass on the other side of the fence.
Hebrews 13:5b - Be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This has been my contribution the the CW Blog Chain. Be joyful!

Writing Lessons from Home Renovation

When we moved four years ago to our current location, my husband swore off renovating forever. You see, we've moved a lot in our years together and we've also renovated several house along the way; some with minor fixes and others from top to bottom. Well, you know what they say ... 'forever' is a long time. The renovation bug hit again and we bought the house across the street. It's a definite 'fixer-upper' and we got it for a good price. With the market rising in our area, it seemed like a good investment. Here's the catch. Renovating, if you do the work yourself, takes a lot of hard work. At this point we're still in the demolition phase. After that, there will be a ton of cleaning up and then the rebuilding will begin.

Writing is a lot like renovating a house. Do you have any fixer-uppers lurking on your computer? I know I do. In some cases, a little demolition is in order. Don't hang onto poorly written passages, long expository bits, or a plot line that is going nowhere. Just because you spent time on it doesn't mean its worth saving. Get rid of the stuff that is holding your story back. Take the mallet and the crow bar to it, without mercy. Of course, there will be some cleaning up to do afterwards. That's okay. Just imagine how open and fresh it will be once you delete all the junk. You'll be inspired afresh and able to to rebuild a story that is structurally sound, has good 'traffic flow', and is aesthetically pleasing.

Burning Hearts - a review

Burning Hearts is the first book in the ‘Sanctuary Point Series’ by ‘crime fictionista’ Nike Chillemi.  The series takes place in a small American town called Sanctuary Point shortly after World War Two has ended. The action begins almost immediately as the heroine, a young seamstress named Erica Brogna,  is caught in a house fire. Her friend and employer is also caught in the burning building. Lorne Kincade, a war veteran who is new to town, happens along on his motorcycle and helps rescue Erica’s friend. Unfortunately, the young war widow dies at the hospital. It soon becomes apparent that the woman was murdered and the fire was set on purpose. Thus begins the mystery. Who would want to kill an innocent widow?

As the drama unfolds and various suspects emerge, Erica and Lorne find themselves drawn to one another. Yet their attraction hardly has time to blossom, it seems, as even the ‘heroes’ are not exempt from suspicion – or danger. With lots of twists and turns, Chillemi weaves a tale of intrigue, action, and of course, love.  There is also a strong faith element in the book, but it is presented in a very natural, unobtrusive way that seems totally contemporaneous for the times. 

One of the things I really appreciated about this book was the authentic tone. Set in the 1940s, the characters react and speak as one would imagine. The dialogue sounds genuine for the period and the descriptions of their clothing, food, pastimes, vehicles, and even the scenery are precise, vivid and well researched, without seeming expository. As well, the characters are very well rounded, with just enough history to make them real. I read book two before reading this one, and although it stood alone quite nicely, I came to appreciate the characters even more after reading book one.  I highly recommend Burning Hearts (and Ms. Chillemi’s subsequent books) to those who like a good old fashioned crime story with just enough romance to make it sweet.

There is one thing for sure: I'm looking forward to book three!

Read my review of Good-bye Noel - Book Two here. 

Buy: 

Burning Hearts - Book One Sanctuary Point Series

Good-bye Noel - Book Two Sanctuary Point Series

Can't believe I missed this link!

Here's a link I missed from last week. thanks to Ruth Snyder for posting it on the Inscribe website.

'Kurios' Book Signing Event

Thanks to Corwyn and his staff at 'Kurios Books and Gifts' in Fort St. John for hosting a book signing event last Saturday on April 14. It wasn't a super busy day, but I did sell a book! I also had a chance to chat with customers and hand out some business cards and book marks. Any publicity is good publicity, or so it is said. It just goes to show that every event will be different and one must prepare themselves mentally for whatever happens. I forgot my camera, so I had to use my phone to take a picture, which isn't the best quality.

Don't shy away from doing events such as these, even if you don't always get the turn out you were hoping for. Experience is worth something, as is just 'getting the word out there'. One never knows what might come of a bookmark with your name and website on it. I had a fun day and I'm very grateful for all the local support I've received from places like 'Kurios'. This is actually my fourth book signing event there, and although this one probably garnered the least amount of sales, I feel as if it was worth it none the less.

New stage play released! Dorothy's Road Trip now available!

I'm excited to announce the release of my second stage play to make it into print.
'Dorothy's Road Trip' is a take on L. Frank Baum's classic tale The Wizard of Oz, and was published by JAC Publishing. 

Here's the synopsis:
A modern adaptation of the beloved Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, with several comical twists. Dorothy still gets transported to Oz, but she is anything but the typical na�ve girl. She�s a modern, assertive teenager who is used to getting her own way! (Auntie Em might even say she�s spoiled.) Her first encounter is with the Munchkinville Police Chief, who is ready to arrest Dorothy for �flying� without a license. Heralded as a hero by the Mayor and townspeople, she sets out on her quest to find the Wizard himself so that she can find her way home. Despite the protection of Good Witch Glinda, she is stalked by Glinda�s evil cousin, the Wicked Witch of the West and her personal henchman, Watson�a bumbling but well-meaning minion. Along the way, she meets a thoughtfully brainless Scarecrow, a soft-hearted though heartless Tinman, and a cowardly Lion. After an arduous journey to the Wizard�s place, they must then get past the Wizard�s personal assistant� a �French Maid�- style character more concerned with doing her nails than anything else. Oz demands an errand of his own� bring back the Witch�s wand. And so their quest continues. Through mishaps and mayhem, with twists and turns abounding, Dorothy and her Friends accomplish the impossible and all ends well. Although this version remains true to the classic story, a modern �edge� and some new characters make this play come alive for today�s audiences. 

You can buy it directly from the publisher, JAC Publishing, along with the performance rights, or buy it on Amazon. 
 It's even available in Kindle format! 

Believable Characters In Christian Fiction

Whether I’m reading a book or writing one, I want the characters to be authentic. If the characters are believable, then chances are, the whole story will be too. I try to develop as much background information as possible for my characters so that I understand their motivation, their inner workings, and their reasons (or lack thereof) for acting and reacting the way they do. 

I’ve found, however, that as an author who also writes from a Christian worldview, I have sometimes been faced with a dilemma when developing realistic characters. You see, human beings in general are innately flawed. We’re sinful, selfish creatures and even after conversion, most people still struggle with what the apostle Paul called ‘the flesh’.  Admit it. You know it’s true. 

And therein lies the problem. Some readers prefer their Christian fiction to be squeaky clean, while others, like myself, prefer the characters – even the good Christian ones – to be realistic in their struggles with the flesh. I’ve been dubbed part of the growing ‘edgy Christian’ camp when it comes to my writing style, which is okay with me since I think it best suits my work. Although my writing is not graphic, it does portray a somewhat more realistic view of the struggle that many people face with their old sinful natures, Christian or not. 

My latest book PLAY IT AGAIN is the story of a young woman caught up in the 1980s rock and roll scene who has an unexpected encounter with an older, ‘respectable’ man.  Both come to the relationship with lots of baggage, hers because of her upbringing as well as past abusive relationships, and his because of a failed marriage and what he sees as hypocrisy within the Christian church.  The real crux of the story is the fact that God doesn’t expect people to come to Him after they’ve already cleaned up their lives. He takes people just as they are, and for many, change doesn’t come over night – it’s a process. This realistic portrayal of the two main characters is one aspect of the book that I think readers appreciate.  They have not been airbrushed with the gospel, but continue to wrestle with God and with each other.  

This article was originally posted as a 'guest post' on 'All-on Writing', a blog by author Shawn Lamb.

Read Any Good Books Lately?

I'll be reviewing some great books here on my Monday 'Reads, Reviews and Interviews' feature in the near future.

Books that I've read and plan to review include:



- Burning Hearts by Nike Chillemi - part of her 'Sanctuary Point' Series and a great mystery.
- Christmas Belles of Georgia by Cash, McCauley, Odell, and Ullrick (I know, I know! It's not Christmas, but it was a good book!)
- On the Soul of a Vampire by Krisi Keley - poignant, deeply emotional, beautifully written, and not all all what I was expecting...
- Winter by Keven Newsome - out of the box, dramatic, creative, and intriguing.
- Split Sense by Barbara Brink - thoroughly riveting and seriously excellent.

I'm still 'in the middle' of a few, including::
- Beckoned by the King by Jeannie Pallett - a non-fiction devotional based on Psalm 119
- Pharmakeia by Dan Calabrese
- Piercing the Veil by Solomon Woytowich

And I don't want to neglect the 'to be read' pile which includes:
- Damascus Road by Ellen C. Maze
- The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers
- When Love Collides by Michelle Sutton
- My Fair Princess by Nona King
- A Tumbled Stone by Marcia Laycock
- Illusion by Frank Peretti
- Saying it Well by Charles Swindoll
- The Green Veil by Naomi Musch
Plus several by Sigmund Brouwer, Ted Dekker, the last two in Suzanne Collins 'The Hunger Games Series', and many more...

So many books, so little time! What's on your reading shelf?

Inscribe Post - April

I'd like to share the link to my Inscribe post for the month of April. The post is called 'Strengthened Purpose Through Fellowship' and it talks about some positive experiences with a local writer's group.

Nona King launches 'My Fair Princess'

Nona King is launching her sweet & spicy romance MY FAIR PRINCESS on Apr. 13. You can help her achieve ‘best seller’ status by purchasing the book TODAY at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and receive free gifts while you’re at it!

Here’s How

1.       Navigate to the Book Launch Page for My Fair Princess

2.       Follow the directions to purchase the book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble

3.       Return to the  Book Launch Page and fill in your Name, Email, and your Order Number in the email form located in the right sidebar.

4.       START RECEIVING FREE GIFTS

It’s that easy!

About the book

Nia Alaera is the only daughter of the Alaerian King Thaedis. As such, she stands as heir to the throne. To benefit the realm she is betrothed to the mayor of a neighboring district, sight unseen.

After all her childhood fantasies the betrothal is a bitter pill to swallow, but her dedication to her people and her family offers her silent courage… until the day she meets her mysterious husband-to-be.

With his unruly shock of auburn curls and eager smile, Shamus O’Neill reminds her more of a boy than a mayor. And those rich emerald eyes cause a flutter different than she has ever experienced before. Will her role be forever his fair princess?

Or will her heart finally burn with the passion she has longed for?

About the Author

Nona King has been writing young adult fiction and inspirational romances since 1988. Raised on a 30-acre homestead outside Aurora, Oregon, Nona’s passion for story-telling blossomed from imaginary adventures with her siblings to feature-length plays and novels. A prolific writer and blogger, her stories focus on faith, honor, and the importance of communication in relationships.

A Sampling of Free Gifts

·         Sample chapters from Traci Bonney’s new release, Chantal’s Call, part of the Women of Atherton series.

·         Nona King’s dramatic romance novella, The Story: A Tale of Redemption & Romance, FREE with coupon code.

·         Non-Fiction author Carol Peterson’s Inductive Bible Study.

·         The first novel in author E.G. Lewis’s Seeds of Christianity series, Witness.

·         Sample chapters from Tracy Krauss’s romance novel, Play It Again.

Offense Defense

When was the last time you offended someone? We all do it from time to time, and quite often we do it without even knowing it. This to me is the worst kind of offense to deal with, since you honestly don't know you've done anything and you probably didn't mean to. I've learned that it's best not to worry too much about it. I'm not psychic, after all. If I do find out that I've offended someone I try to rectify the situation with an apology and an explanation. I've also learned that TAKING offense is something to avoid since it hurts you more in the long run than the person you're mad at. I think it's one of Satan's best ways of ruining relationships.

What brought this on, you may ask? Recently I was contacted by someone who was apparently 'offended' by some comments I made in a newspaper article. It had to do with some things I said about self published books - something to the effect that there are some really bad books out there that are self published, some of which still seem to garner a lot of five star reviews...  I can see where this person was coming from, especially since they happen to be a successful self published author (whose books do not fall into the unfortunate category mentioned above...)

The really unfortunate part about it, (as I explained in a private conversation) was that I went on to say a lot of other positive stuff which included: self publishing is a very viable option for some; many self publishing houses are becoming more selective and demand professional editing therefore the quality is getting better; and I have read many great self published books. It was more of a 'consumer beware' comment than an all out slam on all self published authors. Most of my positive comments did not make it into the article, however. Sigh.

I was duly chastised by this person, which I bore with a smile, choosing not to get offended myself when it was implied that I wasn't being 'led by the Holy Spirit' when making my comments. The Holy Spirit is always used as good leverage in these situations - either getting blamed, or used to make others feel 'less' spiritual. I'm okay with it. As a long time Christian and one who has served in ministry for many years, I've learned to let this type of insinuation go - quickly! Taking offense is a trap that is all too easy to fall into and I don't want any part of it.

The bottom line is, we will all offend someone, sometime. It's just gonna happen. Learning to make it right as soon as possible, if and when you find out about it, is key, as is choosing NOT to get offended yourself because someone was offended. (It even sounds like a vicious circle when written down!) In the mean time, though, we still need to speak the truth. Worrying too much can be like wearing a muzzle. We can't tip toe around every issue simply because we don't want to offend people. Healthy debate is invigorating. And I'm not about to put anything on the Holy Spirit, either. I'm just a human being with opinions who likes to talk about issues sometimes.

Which brings me back to the truth of my statements that were found so offensive. There really are some TERRIBLE books out there, and many of them, unfortunately, are self published. Its just a fact.

BUT there are also some AMAZING books out there that are also self published. Here is just a small list of some that I have read just THIS YEAR and can personally vouch for.

Zinovy's Journey by Ginny Jaques. Loved this book!!!
Split Sense by Barbara Brink. What? This book was AWESOME!!! A 'Grace Awards' contender!
Winter by Keven Newsome. Another amazing read - also nominated for this years 'Grace Awards'

And the list could go on, I'm sure. If you're self published, please don't be offended. Instead, make sure your book is EXCELLENT and well edited, that's all. 'Nuff said. .