E-book week part 2

I've added more e-book links to the right. Notice the link for books by Pauline Baird Jones. Ms. Jones is an award winning author, gadget geek extraordinaire, and our guest today. I haven't read all her books -yet. I read and loved The Key.

CP: Welcome Pauline to my humble blog.
PBJ: Thank you. I'm happy to be here.

CP: I hear you have three different e-book readers. Is that true?
PBJ: I'm afraid that's old news. I now have four. It's not as bad as it sounds. One was a gift. One started life as a phone and new features were introduced later. I use them all for different tasks and/or situations.

CP: Do you have a favorite?
PBJ: Oh wow. I like them all! I got the ebookwise first. I like it because it is fast and easy to use. It has backlighting and you can make notes on the screen. I like to load my MIP and read it and be able to make notes. You can also easily jump around a document. You can get books through a usb cable OR through a phone line (you can shop using the phone line) If you're looking for an affordable reader, then its a great option. Battery lasts about ten hours, but you can boost that by adjusting the back light settings.

The Sony Reader was a gift from my sister and it's pretty cool. The screen has to be seen to be believed. The battery lasts several days, because it has no backlighting. I can sort my books into collections myself. The more books I load, the slower the start up (still faster than a computer) and it took me a while to figure how to move around inside a book. You can do it, but not as quickly as the ebookwise. I can load my own docs, but not make notes.

Both have dictionary function that will let you look up words. Both allow you to adjust text size and have a nice, reading screen.

My iPhone is my baby. My kids had them before I did and I sighed in envy, but my trusty Treo was still working. Well, it died quite suddenly and very abruptly and my hubby told me to get an iPhone, I'd had a tough year. He was so sweet. I still wouldn't have done it, though, if the salesman hadn't assured me that e-reading was on the way. I had to wait a couple of months for the big applications releases. The iPhone has a big screen for a smart phone. The touch screen is easy to use and you can adjust the font size. It can't go into huge print, because the screen is still smaller than a regular book. I use eReader, but I also have Stanza loaded. I can browse for books in Safari and download them through the program, or shop by computer and connect the iPhone and download.

If you don't require a book-like experience and want a multi function device, the iPhone is a great choice (or Palm has a nice smart phone for $99). I like it because I can listen to music while I read. I mean the iPhone does everything an iPod does, so it has all that. I'm lucky I can read a smaller screen because I had Lasik some years back and got mono vision. Obviously my cell is with me all the time, so that's nice. I like having the chance to read if I suddenly find myself waiting.

My Kindle2 just arrived and I haven't spent much quality time with it yet.

All four readers fit into my purse, with the iPhone, the easiest, the Sony Reader and Kindle2 next and the ebookwise last (its the heaviest of the devices and the bulkiest).

I tell people the choice depends on what you HAVE to have. If you want a more book-like experience, then the Sony Reader is the one you want. If you want multi function, a smart phone is the way to go. If you're concerned about price, but want a dedicated reader, ebookwise is a great option.

One device I've been watching is a phone, that has an eInk screen that rolls out for a larger reading screen, then rolls back into a nice, small phone. But as far as I can tell, its not for sale yet.

CP: Are you at the top of the the waiting list?
PBJ: I wish. Too bad they're not looking for beta testers (smiles).

CP: I know your Kindle2 is very new. I'd like you to come back and share some thoughts on it once you've had a chance to play with it.
PBJ: Thanks. I'd like that.

CP: Do you have any parting words of wisdom?
PBJ: A good place to get info about ereaders is EPIC. Published authors can join for $30. They also have lots of good information for people interested in e-publishing. They hold a conference every year and they always have reader demos.

CP: Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts
PBJ: I had fun. I always enjoy talking about the tools of the trade.

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Pauline Baird Jones is the award-winning author of eight novels of action-adventure, suspense, romantic suspense and comedy-mystery. She's also written two non-fiction books, Adapting Your Novel for Film and Made-up Mayhem. Her seventh novel, Out of Time, an action-adventure romance set in World War II, is an EPPIE 2007 winner. Her eighth novel, The Key, released in 2007 from LL Dreamspell and won a Independent Book Award Bronze Medal (IPPY) for 2008 and 2007 Dream Realm Awards Winner. She also has short stories in several anthologies.



And now it's your turn. Do you have a favorite e-reader or e-book? If yes, please use the comments link below to tell us about it.

Great Resources for Writers

Day 31 has arrived! I didn't think I'd make it, but I did! Thirty-one straight days of blogging from someone who couldn't imagine even creating a blog. I think I squeezed a year's worth of mistakes into a single month. Not a bad start.

I won't be blogging every day now that the challenge is over, but I'll be here several times a week bringing news of good books, writing techniques, etc. etc. If there is something in particular you'd like to read about, please use the comment link below to make a request.

I don't want to end the month without thanking Dani Greer and the other blog-a-dayers for this wonderful experience. Many of their blogs have landed in my list of favorite blogs.

Have you noticed my list of favorite blog sites off to the right? Ever wonder why they are my favorites? Many are in the list because they provide great advice and tips to authors.

Some, like Velda Brotherton offer great tips on the process of writing and tips to improve writing. Today's post is about including the senses in your scenes.

Teagan Oliver offers other views on writing. Recently she tooks us on a tour of the hero's journey.

LJ Sellers, who is a tallented writer and editor, offers tips on both writing and editing. Today she shares some simple edits that make for stronger, clearer storytelling.

Over at BlogBookTours, Dani Greer works hard to help us create and maintain effective blogs and to use those blogs to market our books.

Helen Ginger, besides having great taste in blog page designs, provides all sorts of tips from writing to marketing. She often hosts guest bloggers with expertise in specific areas.

Some sites are a mixed bag. Pauline Baird Jones has a blog and website that offer much helpful information for both readers and writers.

I learn something everytime I visit these sites. If you are interested in writing or the business of writing, you may want to check them out too.

I've learned quite a bit from the August blog-a-day challenge and plan to put much of it to work immediately. I'm a member of the Houston writing group, The Final Twist. We publish an annual anthology of mystery stories. This year's book, A Death in Texas, is due out October 10. To celebrate, the sixteen authors represented in A Death in Texas will use The Final Twist's group blog to showcase what the group has to offer. Every day in September a different author will blog about writing, the business of writing, or simply provide a sample story. (A blog a day - sound familiar?) This will all lead up to the official release party at Katy Budget Books in Houston on October 10, 2008.

Hope to see you at the blog and KBB.

The Key by Pauline Baird Jones

I've had The Key on my list of books to review for a few months now. The problem I've had - the book was so enjoyable that everything I wrote seemed inadequate. Now Dream Realm Awards has done my job for me by naming The Key the 2007 winner in the Speculative Fiction Romance category.

I heartily concur. Congratulations Ms. Jones!

In The Key, we follow Sara Donovan to a distant galaxy where Sara and her shipmates find themselves in middle of a bitter civil war. As the story unfolds, Sara encounters multiple alien cultures, engages in space battles, discovers a hidden city, and learns a great deal about herself. Underlying all the action and intrigue is Sara's growing attraction to an incredibly hot alien with secrets of his own.

I don't generally seek science fiction, fantasy, or romance stories. Books in these genres must come to me as recommendations from trusted sources. After several people suggested I would enjoy The Key, I picked it up - and then couldn't put it down until the last word. Anyone in the market for a fun read should check out this book - just be careful when you start it as you just may find yourself staying up all night to finish.

Writers looking to improve their craft may also want to check out Ms. Jones web page for writers - Adventures in Writing. Ms. Jones is quite generous about sharing her substantial knowledge.

Preparing for Multi-Author Events

I recently returned to my well-worn copy of Austin Camacho's Successfully Marketing Print-On-Demand Fiction (don't let the title fool you - this book is full of great marketing tips for any kind of book, presented in a concise, easy to digest manner) because I thought I remembered a chapter on preparing for team events. It took me few seconds to find the information because it wasn't a full chapter, but a topic in Chapter 15 called "The Double Variation".

So what did Mr. Camacho (http://www.ascamacho.com/) have to say?

• If your ego is out of control, don't consider a group event
• Choose other authors whose company you enjoy
• Choose authors whose work you can enthusiastically recommend to others

Uh oh. With only one published book and one soon-to-be published short story, I consider myself a beginner who has much to learn - so no ego problems here. The group event in question is the release of A Death in Texas, an anthology of mystery stories. I have met many of the authors at monthly meetings of The Final Twist, and I definitely enjoy their company. That leaves the little matter of enthusiastically recommending their work. That's hard to do when I haven't read most of their books. That sounds bad, so let me just list a few of my feeble excuses here.

I found this wonderful group less than a year ago when researching how to market Hacksaw. It was once again Mr. Camacho's advice - find a writing group in your area and learn with them (Chapter 5 - Join the Club). I discussed in an earlier blog about how welcoming they were. I knew immediately that I would join. And they've been quite helpful while I muddled my way through publicity kits, book signings, interviews, etc. etc. Different members helped to prepare me each step along the way. So, as you can see, it's been all about me. I've been a taker of information on a steep learning curve, just trying to figure out how to let readers know my book exists. Even though I read many accounts on what would happen once the book was released and thought I was prepared, I was not. So it took me awhile - months - to learn to balance the marketing and publicity aspects of a writing career with the more desirable writing and reading aspects. Only recently have I become a contributor to the group, sharing my learning experiences with others and accepting responsibility for group publicity (TheFinalTwist.com). So, my first excuse - an unexpectedly hectic schedule.

My second, and last, excuse is even weaker. Many of these fine people write in genres that I don't typically read - Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Romance. This is a weak excuse because it isn't the whole truth. The whole truth is that I was worried about what would happen if I read, and did not enjoy, one of their books. What is the right thing to do when you can't look someone in the eye and tell them that I thoroughly enjoyed their work? I know it happens. I know I've read books that came highly recommended and did not enjoy them and I've recommended books to people who came back later and asked why, exactly, I thought they'd enjoy such-and-such. But never before have I been face to face with the authors on a monthly basis.

Thankfully, my unasked questions were answered by another member of the group. I know she bought my book and believe she has read it. I have to guess at the last part, though, because her only comment to date has been that the publisher did a great job with the cover. (Ouch!) So I had my answer - I will find something positive to say to each member when I read their work. (Shameless self promotion inserted here - two other members have told me that they couldn't put Hacksaw down. One even took the time to write a review on Amazon. So there! Back to the grown-up blog...)

But what do I do at a group event if a reader asks for my opinion on someone else's book? What do I say if I can't 'enthusiastically recommend' the work?

After reading the first few books in the stack, I know I will not have this problem at the October 10 release party for A Death in Texas. I have been working my way through books written by members of The Final Twist. I started with a book by Rosemary Poole Carter because she recommended this group to me, then moved on to those genres that I don't typically read because I thought an education was in order.

So far, I've read books by Rosemary Poole Carter (Women of Magdalene), Diana L. Driver (Ninth Lord of the Night), and Pauline Baird Jones (The Key). The result? Look for more on these books in future blogs as each deserves a great review. I can no longer say that I don't typically read these genres as I'll be actively seeking more from all three of these ladies. I hope they can write as fast as I can read.

I think I can relax now. If all The Final Twist authors are as accomplished as these three, I will have no problem 'enthusiastically recommending' their work. The thought did occur to me - what if my fellow authors don't feel the same way about my book? But I decided to leave that worry for another day.

If you are interested in meeting The Final Twist authors and happen to live near Katy, Texas, stop by Katy Budget Books between 5 and 8 pm on October 10. We'll be looking for you.

Books discussed in this article:

Ninth Lord of the Night, Diana L. Driver, L&L Dreamspell, $16.95, 230 pages, ISBN: 9781603180023

The Key, Pauline Baird Jones, L&L Dreamspell, $21.95, 476 pages, ISBN: 978-1603180108

Successfully Marketing Print on Demand Fiction, Austin S. Camacho, Infinity Publishing, $14.95, 121 pages, ISBN: 978-0741417510

Successfully Marketing Your Novel in the 21st Century, Austin S. Camacho, Infinity Publishing, $14.95, 252 pages, ISBN: 978-0976218180

Women of Magdalene, Rosemary Poole-Carter, Kunati Inc., $24.95, 288 pages, ISBN: 978-1601640147