The last book in the 26-books-in-52-weeks challenge has to be a self-published book. I’ve read many first-class self-published books, so as has been common throughout this challenge, I won’t be choosing just one.

First of all in the interests of full disclosure – I myself am a self-published author – or to use more up-to-date terminology I’m an indie-author.

But call them what you like – self-publishers, or author-publishers or indie-publishers – such authors are a growing presence in the world of publishing.

I would also say don’t be put off reading a book that is indie-published. Yes, there are some poor quality ones that have not been professionally produced, but there are also many diamonds.

The best indie-publishers have a completely professional attitude towards their books. It’s a given that they must be good at their craft. But they will also usually hire an editor and a proofreader at the very least, and sometimes both a book and a cover designer as well. Indie authors have to be commercially minded, they are in effect running a small business. So they will also have to spend time marketing, seeking reviews, and generally building up and communicating with their loyal readers.

So, below, in no particular order, I’ve listed some of my favourite indie-published books:

First of all three novels in the romance-plus genre (definitely not chick-lit):

• Midnight Sky by Jan Ruth the first in a wonderful series of three. This author’s Wild Water trilogy is also well worth a read. 
• Who’d Have Thought It? by Christine Webber. This was a most enjoyable story and Christine has a new book out in January.
• The Good Sister by Maggie Christensen. This is the latest novel by this prolific Australian author. It’s a truly heart-warming read.

Then in crime fiction:

• Behind Closed Doors by JJ Marsh the first in the marvellous Beatrice Stubbs series of detective novels set all over Europe and so amazingly original and entertaining.

And finally in historic fiction:

• The Rise of Zenobia by JD Smith the first in the amazing Overlord series. 

And that’s it – book(s) number 26 brings the challenge to an end. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the trouble to read, comment on and publicise these posts.

So for one last time in this challenge, it’s over to you.

• Does it matter to you how a book has come to be published?
• If you haven’t tried an indie-published novel then has this post maybe encouraged you to try one?
• If you have read a book from this category, what did you think of it?