January 23, 2012
Did you know that you don't have to own a Kindle in order to read Kindle books? There is a FREE Kindle application that you can download to your computer or laptop! This is the link to the Kindle page where you can get the download: http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311
So when I do "go to print", you can read my books without buying a Kindle! Way cool!
Speaking of, my first eBook project is in the editing process right now. It's a little book about Faith and Science. Hopefully I'll have it uploaded in eBook format within the next couple of weeks. I'll keep you posted and do send me your e-mail if you'd like to be on my e-mail distribution list announcing new publications. (Of course I won't spam, sell or give away that list, that would be rude!)
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January 17, 2012
I've been researching eBooks. I already know how to format the document (note to self, after you upload a couple of docs, start advertising your eBook formatting services) because I've already used it when uploading to the Intranet/Internet at my old job. Easy if you know how. Not so easy if you don't.
Anyway, the whole eBook thing is a great way to get published. However, let me warn you, good editing can make your book into a great read. It's the line drawn between the amateur and the professional. A pro KNOWS that he/she isn't perfect. Yes, yes, your words might be golden, but we can all use a dispassionate editor to help us weed out passive voice, repetition and just plain bad grammar.
I know that no matter how great the concept is, your writing will determine whether I buy more of your books, or I stop reading and mentally file your work in the "slush pile". Slush being a polite word for not-good -- or worse.
You want people to enjoy your words and buy your next book, not slog through boring prose that sounds like a thousand similar tales. Think about it before you decide that you don't need or can't afford an editor.
Again, an editor can make a decent read into a great book. Seriously.
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January 2, 2012
"A page a day is a book a year. Listen to that again: A page a day is a book a year."
- Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize Winner
I really, really need to pay attention to that statement. He's right, you know, if I just wrote a page a day, I'd have two of the four books (maybe five) in this story done. Moving, making a living, work, work, work, generating on-line content, editing my niece's book, and just all that day-to-day living interfere with my writing.
I need to knock that off and block out writing time every day. Probably not today though, I have a LOT to do and need to generate some quick income to pay bills by Friday...