I Can Sign Your E-book!

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You knew it was coming, right?

I just discovered an awesome new service called Kindlegraph. Basically, it allows authors to personalize/sign an e-book for a reader. If you have a Twitter account, you can instantly send a request to an author who's signed up (including me), and in a matter of moments the author can send you a personalized pdf bookplate of sorts that can be downloaded to your Kindle.

My novels Thicker than Blood & Bound by Guilt are on the site. Now if I can just figure out how to make my signature look neater than a five-year-old's when using a mouse to sign...

Click here to go directly to my page.

Are you a real writer?

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I just purchased a Kindle book by bestselling author and writing coach James Scott Bell called Self Publishing Attack! . I've always gotten something from every Bell book I've read, and this one was no exception. But this time, what I took away surprised me.

I just wrote this blurb on Goodreads:

An informative primer for any author who's head is spinning from the ebook revolution and needs some concrete advice for how to take advantage of this landmark time in history. Bell's book is easy to understand, straightforward, and encouraging. Mostly aimed for those wanting to epublish, it does include some insights for self publishing in print form too. I'll be reading it again!

However, it was on the very last page where something hit me hard. Bell's last words in the book are these:

Are you a real writer?

Then keep writing.

And don't stop.

Ever.

I'm not sure exactly why, maybe it's just where I am in my writing journey, but these words hit me hard. Am I a real writer? I want to be. I feel called to be. These words remind me how important it is that I need to make it my constant goal to get the words down on the page. Not talk about doing it, but actually do it. Thanks, Jim, for inspiring me yet again to never give up.

Travis Thrasher's Ghostwriter E-book cover contest

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Author Travis Thrasher has a fun contest going on over at his Facebook page. His novel Ghostwriter released in 2009, but he wants to re-release it in e-book form. His plan is to release it for FREE for a limited period. But first he needs a cover!

Over at his blog he announced the search for a winning design. Twelve designs were submitted, and he's now asking readers to vote on their favorites. This week he's sharing the first six, next week the rest. The covers with the most comments and "likes" will move onto the final round. Travis picks the final cover, but he needs input to help him make his decision.

So head on over to his Facebook page here, and cast your vote!

The Price Point for E-Books

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It still amazes me how in only a matter of a few years, e-books have become the norm. According to this breakdown of a Harris poll, 1 in 6 Americans use e-readers (only a year before it was 1 in 10), and another 1 in 6 plan to get one in the next six months. I just got a Kindle myself in November.

Let's face it. E-books aren't going away. Will they eventually replace hold-in-your-hand books? Probably not. I've heard them compared to how paperback books were introduced into the marketplace in 1935 and quickly took up real estate in what used to be almost exclusively a hardcover marketplace. I can see that happening more than I can see e-books actually replacing physical books.

Author James Scott Bell had a fascinating post called Field Report From the E-Book Revolution in which he espoused on this subject. Read the comments section too as there's more info there.

The biggest "problem" I see (and this is addressed in that post and comments) is the price point for e-books. Most publishers have been charging just about the same price for the e-book version of a book as they are for a trade paperback. Given the choice between electronic and hard copy, I'm always going to go for the hard copy if the price is the same. I think others are too.

I believe the only way publishers are going to truly make money off of the e-book revolution is if they charge less for them. And by less I mean much less. $2.99-$4.99 for a full length novel is the current going rate (with some promotions even selling them for $.99). I never understood why publishers haven't figured that out.

Now it makes a little more sense. Because most authors signed their contracts before the boon of e-books, their royalty rates are going to be based on what has been the norm---hold-in-your-hand books that generally retail for $12.99 (softcover) or $24.95 (hardcover). Using that standard contract, if an author's royalty rate is say, 15% on the wholesale price, then they'll make a buck or so each book that's sold. But if the book is priced at $4.99, then they make much less.

One publisher I've seen jump on the band wagon in a good way is Marcher Lord Press. I spoke with MLP founder Jeff Gerke about their methods, and he said, "Our model is something like this: New e-books at $9.99 for six months, then down to $6.99 and eventually $2.99. Series/trilogies: First book in the series is lowest ($2.99 or lower), second book is $4.99, third book is $9.99 when new and $6.99 after six months. Our lower selling books, or ones we just want to hook people with, or on short-term promotionals are as low as 99 cents."

Not sure how much the authors actually make on these sales, but I would venture to say MLP has taken this into account in their contracts. This methodology is what more publishers need to embrace for them to succeed in the ebook marketplace. That may require new contracts and agreements, but as an author myself I would be happy to make changes along those lines because I know it would end up in more sales overall.

The playing field is wide open. Exciting things are on the horizon for authors and publishers alike! No need to fear this new frontier. Everyone's learning and exploring together, and that makes for some interesting times.

What do you think?

Tyndale's Ebook Initiative - Fiction Titles

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By now you've probably heard that my publisher, Tyndale House, is launching a brand new e-book initiative. In a matter of days we're going to be treated to five books available exclusively as e-books. Four of them are fiction.

I'm excited that Tyndale is taking the bull by the horns and jumping into these waters. It's the way of the future! Aspiring authors have much to celebrate in this move, as according to Tyndale's press release, "This pioneering new program will give Tyndale the freedom to publish even more books with exciting authors to serve a broad spectrum of readers."

“Fiction is the hottest category in the e-book marketplace. Our challenge is that we see more publish-worthy novels than we can reasonably take to print in a year.” comments Karen Watson, Associate Publisher. “This initiative gives us a way to say yes to books that deserve an opportunity and it helps Tyndale become more agile in serving a wider range of readers.”

So ... let's have a look at the just unveiled covers of the novels we can look forward to reading in this initiative, shall we? Which ones catch your eye? I think they're all fantastic.

Stealing Jake
by Pam Hillman

When Livy O'Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she's helping to run an orphanage. Now she'll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself.

Sheriff's deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy--literally--while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town--as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off--Jake doesn't have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn't willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

Buy Stealing Jake now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle here!


Delivery
by Diana Prusik

Livi finds new purpose in her troubled life when she joins her family’s small-town florist shop. There, the strong and wacky Wilson’s Florist gang monitors the pulse of Mount Helicon, where customers carry stories even the local newspaper does not contain. Tales of birth and death, sickness and sorrow, love and betrayal, and even forgiveness—Livi hears them all. Privy to some of the community’s deepest secrets, she sometimes wishes she didn’t know so much, especially when news arrives that a dear family friend is dead. Faced with servicing his funeral, she is blasted with painful memories she’s struggled for decades to ignore. Soon, guilt and grief over childhood and adult tragedies close in. Instead of turning to loved ones or God for comfort, she leans on alcohol, her long-time clandestine companion--but secrets rarely escape the close-knit flower shop crew, who makes Livi’s business its own. Fumbling through life’s challenges together, the Wilson gang often delivers more than flowers, yet when Livi needs delivery, can the bonds of faith and friendship dissolve her defenses?"

Buy Delivery now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle here!


Cash Burn
by Michael Berrier

Billions of dollars flow through Jason Dunn's banking office each year. When he suffers a series of career setbacks and his marriage begins to crumble, he and his attractive new assistant devise a plan to disappear with a slice of the bank's cash flow. The unwelcome appearance of his brother on the scene, just released from prison, threatens to sidetrack Jason's plans. But Jason's brother "Flip" has his own problems with a parole officer who isn't fooled by this dangerous parolee. In the race to the jackpot between Jason and Flip, and the unwinding of their troubled history, the question soon becomes, Who will get burned?

Buy Cash Burn now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle here!


Reinventing Leona
by Lynn Gentry

Leona Harper loves being a pastor's wife. Her impressive resume touts thirty years of coaxing hot water from rusty parsonage plumbing, planning church potlucks, and standing beside her husband while members take potshots at his sermons. Except for the little tiff with her grown children, Leona feels her life is right on track with the wishes of the Almighty . . . until her husband drops dead in the pulpit.

When the church board decides to fill the Reverend's vacated position, Leona is forced to find a paying job, mend her fractured family, and tackle her fears. With life spiraling out of control, Leona might find the church members' antics comical if she weren't so completely panicked. Can the faith of an overwhelmed widow withstand the added heartache of two resentful children and several underhanded church members? If Leona can't trust God, how will she learn to trust herself?

Buy Reinventing Leona now for $9.99 on your Amazon Kindle here!

New from James Scott Bell

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One of my favorite authors has just released his first (and definitely not last) e-book exclusively for Nook & Kindle. Watch Your Back is a collection made up of a novella and three short stories, all for only $2.99! I had the chance to read the novella pre-publication and Jim is on top of his game. It's a cross between his last full length novel Deceived and his popular Ty Buchanan series.

Even if you don't have an e-reader, there are apps you can download for free that will enable you to read right off your computer screen, or even print the book out if you prefer reading off of good ol' paper.

But here's something else Mr. Bell has cooking: a weekend seminar series for writers! As a popular conference teacher and bestselling author of multiple how-to books you'll be sure to get the best of the best instruction one-on-one with James Scott Bell. For more info on that, click here.

Check out my friend Renee Riva's new book!

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I've been a big fan of Renee Riva's writing ever since reading her debut novel Saving Sailor, as well as its sequels Taking Tuscany and Heading Home.

I'm happy to report she has a new book on the market called Farley's Five & Dime, and it looks to be just as charming as her others.

Here's the cool thing---you can buy it now on Amazon Kindle for $.99! You can't lose with a price like that. I encourage you to check it out today.

Description:
Farley’s Five-and-Dime plops the reader into a fun, folksy, small town setting, with a touch of romance, humor, and sweet southern charm.

Set in the small town of Hog Eye Holler, Kentucky, in the 1950’s. Kids, and the young at heart alike, will enjoy meeting eleven-year-old Mazie May Farley; a cross between Pippi Longstocking and Caddie Woodlawn. The high spirited, red-headed whirlwind who helps her family run the local Five-and–Dime, has her sights on the popular town hunk-a-hunk, Billy Ray Baxter. In her comical, self-defeating schemes to snag Billy Ray away from Emma Jean Jacobs, Mazie is taken by surprise at the outcome of her high jinx attempts. When Billy fails to fall for Mazie’s numerous attempts to get him to invite her to the long anticipated Sweetheart Waltz, she raises the stakes higher and higher. Chaos and calamity ensue. The story ends on a note of sweet serendipity—but may not be exactly what Mazie was shooting for. Sometimes life has a way of surprising us when we are busy making other plans.

Read my interview with Renee at TitleTrakk.com.

Great new resource - How to Find Your Story

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Character first novelists, this one's for you. You know who you are. You have no problem creating elaborate, interesting characters for your stories. But plot? That's another story. You always come up short in this department.

Let me point you toward a great new e-book by author, publisher and editor Jeff Gerke. It's called "How to Find Your Story". Says Jeff about the book:

This system begins with what you know--your amazing characters--and takes you step-by-step through the process of designing a dynamic plot that will keep readers up late tearing through your pages.

How To Find Your Story applies the three major components of plot and produces a storyline that portrays your characters in the perfect light, includes all the elements that make a story satisfying, and sends it all zinging forward with terrific suspense.

Right now the e-book is being offered for only $4.99, since it's still a beta product (Jeff needs some input from readers). To find out more or to purchase the book, click here.