Shelf Pleasure is an online destination for women who love reading and a go-to source for the latest book news and trends. I was asked to share my thoughts for their Love/Hate feature section about an all too common trend in self-publishing these days – unpolished novels finding their way to the consumer market. My article, “I Buy Your Book, You Owe Me A Good Read” appeared on their site earlier this week.

I’m always eager to dive into the plot of a good book. Recognizing that there are lots of good stories out there that aren’t picked up by nationally renowned publishers, I’m willing to give self-published authors a chance. Despite the often cheaper price, I still expect a good, solid story and a professional effort. Unfortunately, that’s not always what I get. Too often, I end up frustrated by stories with too many plot holes, inauthentic characters, and other storytelling weaknesses.

Sure, I’m a book editor, so this may be an especially big pet peeve of mine and I quickly notice these things. It’s pretty hard for me to ignore poor writing and editing. But no matter who the reader is, we all deserve a professionally-published product for our money. You, as the reader, have a right to expect that the unspoken agreement between you and the author will be honored and upheld: You bought their book, so the author should give you a good read.

Check out my full article and feel free to leave a comment on Shelf Pleasure, or here on my blog. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic, and so would the editors of Shelf Pleasure, Stacy and Kristen. They really work hard to create a dynamic online community with open forums, a monthly book club, and a place to connect with your favorite authors through interviews and live chats. If you’re looking for a great read, one that is most definitely worth your time and money, check out the recommendations there. And a big thank you to Shelf Pleasure for publishing my article!

Founder of The Writer’s Ally, Ally E. Machate is a bestselling book collaborator, award-winning editor, and expert publishing consultant who loves using her insider knowledge and experience with the publishing industry to lead serious authors toward success. She and her team live to help make great books happen, whether that means showing a writer how to improve a manuscript, get an agent, or self-publish; or coaching an author on growing her platform to sell more books. Since 1999, she has supported hundreds of authors on their publishing journey and takes pride in serving as their books’ best ally.