ebooks

An Interview about High Crimes, Writing, Publishing, and more

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Happy New Year, everyone! Let’s hope 2019 brings us less darkness, more light, and trust in our institutions again. And some fun! We need some, don’t we? I was delighted to be interviewed by Rich Ehisen on his Open Mic Blog. It was a wide-ranging conversation, so it’s long, but I think it worked out … Read more

The Libby App

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You know that your local library has thousands of ebooks and audiobooks, but did you know that you can borrow them, instantly, for free, using your favorite device? How? There’s a new app in town, created by Overdrive, and it’s called— wait for it— Libby.  Wasn’t it kind of Overdrive to name their new application after … Read more

My Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza!

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Hi all. The holidays have started in earnest, and I’ve got all sorts of gifts for you this month. Btw, when I say you, I mean YOU, my reader friends. These aren’t for anyone else (unless you want to give them away)… they’re meant to tide you over when you’re shopping, cooking, partying, and generally … Read more

“Digital Fatigue” or Chutzpah?

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A blog post on Publishers Weekly recently claims that “digital fatigue” is making ebooks less appealing, and, as a result, fewer of us are buying them. Huh? What is “digital fatigue?” According to the author of the PW article, the phrase was coined by Codex president Peter Hildick-Smith who believes this is a new consumer … Read more

Buy Books Through Facebook – No Amazon Required

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Now and again a quiet revolution starts brewing. This is one of those times. Facebook has just made it possible for readers to buy ebooks directly from an author’s fan page without clicking to Amazon or any other retailer. It’s a huge development, and I think it’s going to require a major shift in buyers’ … Read more

Boxed Sets: An Informal Poll

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Hi, all. I want to ask readers a few questions. As you probably know, there are dozens of Boxed (Ebook) Sets on the market. Some (like Killer Femmes) include 5 authors, some as many as 12. Most are priced at 99¢ and sell quite well. The reason we authors create these sets is to, hopefully, … Read more

Easy Innocence — Countdown Deal

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Just to let you know that EASY INNOCENCE, the first Georgia Davis PI thriller, is part of Amazon’s new Countdown Deal. The ebook is just $.99 today and tomorrow, then $1.99 Wednesday and Thursday, and $2.99 Friday and Saturday. If you haven’t read it, I hope you’ll take a look here.

NEW RULE: No More Binge Publishing!

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BooksYou know how Bill Maher has his New Rule shtick? Well, I’m taking a page from his playbook. Many of you aren’t going to like this, but I think it has to be said: STOP publishing all these ebooks. I don’t want to sound negative, but it’s getting nuts out there. Ever since the self-publishing floodgates opened, “the more the merrier” has been the rule of thumb for indie authors. If you’re not making the sales you want, just write a new book and publish it. Add to your series. Start a new one. That’s the way to boost sales. I know people who are publishing five or six books a year! Which is why I call it Binge Publishing. (Btw, I’m talking about new books here, not backlist novels. Will deal with them later.)

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