Review by Jen Farr
For UK readers who are looking to inject some variety into their book collection, Your Paper Quest is a monthly subscription box service like no other. Each month, they pick a theme and carefully select two novels by self-published authors to send out to their subscribers. Recently, they were kind enough to send me their March box, which was themed around the phrase, “Catch Me if You Can”.
The box arrived within a few days and fit through the letterbox easily – no need to wait in for the postman or trek to the depot. As a whole, it was a nice little package – two books, a note from the curators, and even a few bookmarks, which as any reader knows, are extremely useful when your book collection is out of control.
Both books focused on the idea of escaping something for a fresh start. I started with California Hustle by Jeffrey Messineo, a high stakes crime thriller in which a seasoned hustler attempts his biggest con yet. I don’t often read thrillers, but this one was a fun ride.
Next up was The Teddy & Bara Show by Will Tinkham, an Americana story set during the Great Depression. The titular duo abandon their dull lives in Minneapolis and run off to Chicago dressed as clowns, only to quickly discover that they might be in over their heads. It’s a rich story with a lot of heart.
Something I really liked was that each book came with a little bonus insert. Inside California Hustle was a note from Jeffrey Messineo, where they talked about their inspiration for the story and thanked the reader for their support. The insert in The Teddy & Bara Show was a fun piece of memorabilia – a ticket to Al Capone’s birthday bash, which is a plot point in the book. It’s extra touches like this that show that Your Paper Quest really are invested in uplifting the authors they choose to feature, and that they go the extra mile to deliver a product that feels premium, without a premium price tag. The books even come with their own golden stamp of approval!
Subscribers are also invited to join Your Paper Quest’s virtual book club, for the opportunity to connect with other readers and foster a sense of community.
I have to say, I think that Your Paper Quest is onto something. There are so many excellent self-published books out there, but without the marketing power of a press behind them, these authors often struggle to get noticed in a crowded marketplace. Your Paper Quest shines a light on their books, provides them with an income stream, and most importantly of all, connects readers with fantastic stories.
A monthly subscription to Your Paper Quest is £18 and they ship within the UK. To subscribe, visit yourpaperquest.co.uk and use promo code “Idle20” for 20% off your first month.
If you subscribe in time for their May box, you’ll find a little something from Idle Ink inside!
You can find them on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube @yourpaperquest.
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