Tag: Engaging in Shameless Other-Promotion Page 1 of 2

Well, this is a wrap on Self-Published Author Appreciation Week 2026 here at the Irresponsible Reader. Not that I’ll cease appreciating self-published authors–far from it. But I can now, with good conscience, also appreciate unpublished authors, “Big 5” or “Traditionally Published” authors, as well as Authors Published by Small/Indie Presses. I suppose it’d be easier to just say “Authors” (but I do have a special place in my heart for the self-published among you)

As a whole, I think this is a bigger year than we’ve had in the past–but I’ll wait for Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub to weigh in on the official counts. (it’s done great for me in terms of number of posts and number of views). I hope you all have at least peaked at at the Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week 2026 Hub to see what other blogs and sites have put out.

Unlike the last couple of years where I asked authors for one Self-Published recommendation, this year I asked for 1-3, and boy howdy–what that the right call. There were so many great books recommended I don’t know when I’ll get to them. But I assure you, I do have a shopping list! (and am very happy that I own/have read a handful already).

We heard from:

I also got to chat about being a Publisher (of yourself) with:

I think I’ve gotten some pretty good answers on this topic over the last couple of years or so–I’m going to have to move on to another topic for the videos in ’27. I have some ideas, let’s see if I can hang onto them for a year.

I want to thank all of these authors for their time and contributions at least one more time. I loved reading/collaborating/talking with each of you this year, and hope I get you back here in some form or the other soon. You’ve added to my TBR list–and I know you’ve added to other people’s, too. I hope you can live with yourselves.

So, what was mentioned by these august writers (in July)? It’s a diverse batch of 39 titles–something will likely appeal to everyone who reads these posts. Likely multiple somethings.

Thanks again to all who participated. Thanks to all who read any of this series. And thank you to all of those Self-Published Authors out there. I hope you felt appreciated this week.

Image by OpenIcons from Pixabay
The 2026 Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week Logo was made by Witty and Sarcastic Book Club

I had a longer intro written for this series of posts, but it ended up too long. (If you’re curious, it makes up a couple of paragraphs in my Welcome to Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week post). Here’s the compressed version:

One of the things that’s impressed me over the years is seeing the way that Self-Published Authors all tend to support each other. They don’t come across as competitors, you’re colleagues—teammates, almost. Once again this year for SPAAW, I’m exploiting that.

As an expression of that, I’ve asked some authors to promote 1-3 self-published works by someone else—to just give me a quick elevator pitch for them to help get the word out. Several of them replied with those lists (a few have resisted the call for particular titles and have just talked about some other authors–which is close enough for me). Naturally, I’ve asked them all for a quick bit about one of their books/series, too—they should get some attention as well, don’t you think?

https://irresponsiblereader.com/?p=116786&preview=true

Other-Promotion:

The Kidnapping of Alice Ingrid

by Cate Holman
I read a lot of books published by Thomas and Mercer, not because I am an Amazon fan, but because some of my favorite indie authors have been picked up by then. Cate
Holman is no exception, and The Kidnapping of Alice Ingrid is a classic, twisty thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end.

The story of Alice Ingrid, her mother, and the web that family and a lust for so-called “social justice” will not only hold your attention, but it makes you think and feel, one of the things that sets truly great fiction apart.

Website ~ Instagram ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

Killer Delivery

by Claire Feeny
Claire Feeny has created a great heroine with Dana Capone, and Killer Delivery is just a part of one of the best mystery/thriller series I’ve read in a long time. It’s kind of a sleeper that somehow caught my attention long after it was released, but I like the author’s other work, and gave this a shot.

It’s well worth it. Feeny creates complex characters you can’t help but root for. A great, and fast read.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

The Hitchhiker

by Vincent Zandri
Zandri is a staple for me, and to be fair we’re also friends and work together. But this novel in particular is one of my favorites of his lately. Vincent is prolific, so reading all of his work is an endeavor, although a worthy one. He’s got several series heroes, so you can probably find one you like, from Chase Baker to Dick Moonlight, but this standalone is a heart stopping thriller. Highly recommend.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

A Bit of Self-Promotion by Troy Lambert

Baker Street

It has been a while since I reentered the Max Boucher universe, and there are a lot of reasons (excuses) for that, but this is one of my favorites. What started as a novella grew into a short novel, the next in the series rather than a prequel like I originally planned.

I really started writing this book on a challenge from a friend in a critique group, and turned into this story of family, loss, and betrayal. One early reader calls it “the best Max Boucher story yet.” I share their opinion.

You’ll think you know what’s going on, but you’ll be wrong. Dead wrong.

Website ~ Linktree ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

Be sure to check out these books and show these Self-Published Authors some appreciation! They’re available at the links above or at the retailer of your choice!

Feel free to head over to my Bookshop.org page to see all the books I’m featuring this week (this may spoil some of the other lists, you’ve been warned). At least as many of them that Bookshop.org sells, anyway.

Visit the SPAAW 2026 Hub to see what other Self-Published Appreciation Posts are out there.

Image by OpenIcons from Pixabay
The 2026 Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week Logo was made by Witty and Sarcastic Book Club

I had a longer intro written for this series of posts, but it ended up too long. (If you’re curious, it makes up a couple of paragraphs in my Welcome to Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week post). Here’s the compressed version:

One of the things that’s impressed me over the years is seeing the way that Self-Published Authors all tend to support each other. They don’t come across as competitors, you’re colleagues—teammates, almost. Once again this year for SPAAW, I’m exploiting that.

As an expression of that, I’ve asked some authors to promote 1-3 self-published works by someone else—to just give me a quick elevator pitch for them to help get the word out. Several of them replied with those lists (a few have resisted the call for particular titles and have just talked about some other authors–which is close enough for me). Naturally, I’ve asked them all for a quick bit about one of their books/series, too—they should get some attention as well, don’t you think?

Other-Promotion:

The City that Would Eat the World

by John Bierce
The City that Would Eat the World by John Bierce. This is progression fantasy for people who aren’t prog fantasy fans like me. Insanely intricate and well thought out worldbuilding that also happens to be a thoughtful inspection of our current economic reality. Plus, it’s loads of fun, especially for fans of Pratchett.

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

The Redemption of Howard Marsh series

by Bob McGough
A down and out magician who can only use his powers when he’s drugged up (a methgician, if you will) reluctantly solves small crimes out of his storage unit in rural Alabama. He’s not saving the world, but hopefully might save himself along the way. The author has done a great job making this fictitious county feel more real than a lot of real cities in other urban fantasy. Plus, possum familiar and zombie turkey. Need I say more?

Website ~ Linktree ~ Buy the First Book on Bookshop.org

Soon Enough

by Magnus Watt
(series: Thin Places). Authors pitch new UF on the subreddit all the time, but this one hooked me by invoking ghost tours in Edinburgh (I highly recommend them!. What starts out as a failed comedian actually seeing a ghost on one ends in a century old war among the Scottish supernatural community. Watt mixes myth, mundane life, and even fairies in a way that feels very unique. This is very much a debut novel, and has some growing pains because of it, but in some ways it epitomizes the indie scene in that we get to watch a new talent develop right before our eyes.

Website ~ Instagram ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

A Bit of Self-Promotion by M. D. Presley
(technically, I copied and pasted from his pinned Bluesky post here, he’s been so busy I didn’t want to point out to him that he didn’t give me anything for his own work.)

Electric City Switches

Armed with only a pen, Corbin must disarm deadly enchantments left by his mentor’s ex while uncovering what she stole and why in this stand alone mystical mystery.

Includes ghosts, gods, and a… whip sword?

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

Be sure to check out these books and show these Self-Published Authors some appreciation! They’re available at the links above or at the retailer of your choice!

Feel free to head over to my Bookshop.org page to see all the books I’m featuring this week (this may spoil some of the other lists, you’ve been warned). At least as many of them that Bookshop.org sells, anyway.

Visit the SPAAW 2026 Hub to see what other Self-Published Appreciation Posts are out there.

Image by OpenIcons from Pixabay
The 2026 Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week Logo was made by Witty and Sarcastic Book Club

I had a longer intro written for this series of posts, but it ended up too long. (If you’re curious, it makes up a couple of paragraphs in my Welcome to Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week post). Here’s the compressed version:

One of the things that’s impressed me over the years is seeing the way that Self-Published Authors all tend to support each other. They don’t come across as competitors, you’re colleagues—teammates, almost. Once again this year for SPAAW, I’m exploiting that.

As an expression of that, I’ve asked some authors to promote 1-3 self-published works by someone else—to just give me a quick elevator pitch for them to help get the word out. Several of them replied with those lists (a few have resisted the call for particular titles and have just talked about some other authors–which is close enough for me). Naturally, I’ve asked them all for a quick bit about one of their books/series, too—they should get some attention as well, don’t you think?

Other-Promotion:

The Prophet of Edan

by Philip Chase
An epic fantasy that seems to do what you expect until it absolutely doesn’t. The kind of deliberate pace, lavishness of description, and extensive worldbuilding you see in epic fantasy but with stunning twists that will knock your socks off.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

The Execution of Rooker Flynn

by AR Witham
This is a pirate adventure inside a portal fantasy that won’t let you go. Wonderful characters, fascinating story. The prequel novel (Legend of Black Jack) is almost YA but the Rooker Flynn trilogy definitely isn’t.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

Discovery

by J.A.J. Minton
Cosmic horror near-future story with incredible characters operating across a broad swath of a story. Jerry Springer meets Chthulhu. You won’t regret it.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

A Bit of Self-Promotion by JCM Berne

Hybrid Helix

Rohan just wants a peaceful life after a decade of combat, acting as a living weapon of mass destruction for the il’Drach Empire. Of course, that doesn’t happen, because that wouldn’t be much of a series, would it?

Website ~ Linktree ~ Buy the First Book on Bookshop.org

Be sure to check out these books and show these Self-Published Authors some appreciation! They’re available at the links above or at the retailer of your choice!

Feel free to head over to my Bookshop.org page to see all the books I’m featuring this week (this may spoil some of the other lists, you’ve been warned). At least as many of them that Bookshop.org sells, anyway.

Visit the SPAAW 2026 Hub to see what other Self-Published Appreciation Posts are out there.

Image by OpenIcons from Pixabay
The 2026 Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week Logo was made by Witty and Sarcastic Book Club

I had a longer intro written for this series of posts, but it ended up too long. (If you’re curious, it makes up a couple of paragraphs in my Welcome to Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week post). Here’s the compressed version:

One of the things that’s impressed me over the years is seeing the way that Self-Published Authors all tend to support each other. They don’t come across as competitors, you’re colleagues—teammates, almost. Once again this year for SPAAW, I’m exploiting that.

As an expression of that, I’ve asked some authors to promote 1-3 self-published works by someone else—to just give me a quick elevator pitch for them to help get the word out. Several of them replied with those lists (a few have resisted the call for particular titles and have just talked about some other authors–which is close enough for me). Naturally, I’ve asked them all for a quick bit about one of their books/series, too—they should get some attention as well, don’t you think?

Other-Promotion:

Far Removed

by CB Lansdell
One of the most unique sci-fantasy books I’ve read in a long time. It’s dark and dystopian, but not without hope, and not a single character in the duology is human. There’s some pretty cool science/magic involved too. The second book just came out in June, and it’s excellent.

Website ~ Instagram ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

Metal

by J.F. Lawrence
I actually read this one a couple years ago, but it has stuck with me. It’s an apocalyptic story, where societal collapse occurs due to a metal-consuming strain of bacteria. Metal is a crucial component of our infrastructure and so many devices…imagine if all of that suddenly failed. It’s a book that makes you think, but also one that tells a great story.

Website ~ Twitter

A Black Dragon on Red

by P.L. Stuart
Usually when a series gets to book 6, I have a good idea of how the story is going to go. But this one surprised me (in a great way!) I fell in love with the series during book 1 – the Atlantis-inspired story drew me in, but the character work kept me coming back for more. A Black Dragon on Red wasn’t at all what I expected it to be going in, but it might be my favorite of the series so far.

Website ~ Twitter ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

A Bit of Self-Promotion by A.J. Calvin

The Caein Legacy

The Caein Legacy is a complete, 4-book series that begins with Exile.

Andrew and Alexander both harbor secrets that, if exposed, would land them in line for the headsman’s axe. The kingdom’s laws regarding both magi and dragon-kind have rarely been enforced, but when the new king ascends the throne, the lax policy quickly begins to change. The king is uncompromising in the enforcement of the laws, even when those affected are blood relatives—his brother, Alexander, and his half-brother, Andrew.

When Alexander’s secret is revealed, Andrew must find a means to save him. The only option he is left with is making his own secret—that he is half-dragon—known to the world. When the kingdom learns the truth of their origins, the brothers are forced to flee. Their exile sparks a war, as others like them begin to fight for their right to exist.

Signed copies available at my website: https://ajcalvin.net/shop/

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Buy the Book on Bookshop.org

Be sure to check out these books and show these Self-Published Authors some appreciation! They’re available at the links above or at the retailer of your choice!

Feel free to head over to my Bookshop.org page to see all the books I’m featuring this week (this may spoil some of the other lists, you’ve been warned). At least as many of them that Bookshop.org sells, anyway.

Visit the SPAAW 2026 Hub to see what other Self-Published Appreciation Posts are out there.

Image by OpenIcons from Pixabay
The 2026 Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week Logo was made by Witty and Sarcastic Book Club