For those of you who don't know e-books are taking over the world of writing as we know it.
Think about it, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, JK Rowling, Stephen King, all of these writers sent our paper manuscripts to publishing houses, waiting silently without twitter, facebook, blogs, and such. COULD YOU IMAGINE? Here we're given free rein to follow our prey... stalk them even. All we want is to make sure they're still alive in their slush pile. Once we get word we are once again calm. What did they do? Fly to New York and drive in front of the building hoping to see anything... anything at all?
All of their short stories and novels were put in print. It's what I want. It's what a lot of writers want. Getting that can be a lot harder at times. With Kindles, Nooks, and iPads a reader is given a lot more options. Rather than leaving their couch to go to their local library they're scanning amazon for the latest 99 cents books.
Isn't our goal as a writer to be seen? If less readers are going in the bookstores then shouldn't we also be available online?
I won't lie, at first I was against all of it. However with people like Talli Roland, Anne Gallagher, and Juliette Sonabett I don't want to miss the chance at their amazing novels because I chose to boycott something that I shouldn't be against. That's right people, I'm giving in. I'm buying myself a Kindle Fire, and you want to know something? I'm actually excited! I can't wait to read an e-book on my ereader. I never thought I'd conform but I realized from the standpoint of a writer I was ruining my chance to- be heard and seen.
Could someone change your mind to pick up an e-book (like me *winks*)? Are you still not convinced at the awesomeness that is simplicity?
Don't get me wrong I will always love print and when it is available I'll always buy it but for all my friends who are going the self-publishing route I'm not about to miss out on awesome reads because I wanted to pretend I was stubborn.
So go ahead... buy your first e-book, you can thank me later.
40 comments:
Oh, goodness. I "gave in" as soon as I realized that I could have all my books with me, wherever I went, AND that my kids couldn't tear the pages on a very expensive hardback. The book gets delivered to my Kindle on the day it's released, like magic, saving me a schlep to the store and giving me more time to write (and read!) I pull up a book on my phone to read in the grocery line or doctor's office. Digital IS simplicity in my life.
Also, I've read a few self-pubbed books that I wouldn't have gotten to read because they didn't make it past the gatekeepers - and I won't be surprised if I end up doing the same thing in a few years.
Lastly, my Kindle has a very pretty cover, and it makes me feel fancy. (Can't underestimate that!)
I've always been team digital. YAY for you on taking the leap!
I use my iPod Touch as an ebook reader. I still love the real thing though, but ebooks are great (or not so great) for impulse buys. Which means I have a huge pile of books (print and ebook format) still to read. :P
Speaking strictly as a reader and leaving my author self at the door, I love my ereader! I never really thought I'd jump on board with ebooks. How could they feel the same to read? No pages to flip, no new book smell. Then I got a kindle and got over it. I love ebooks. I dislike reading paper so much now that I have a stack of books waiting to be read yet I buy new ones on my kindle. Books I have in hardcover on my shelf, I've purchase in ebook so I have them with me at all times in case I want to read a little of it sometime. I love my ereader and I don't' think I'll ever go back to just paper.
I jumped a year or so ago. I've bought a few trad. pubs but that doesn't save a whole lot of money. I read manuscripts and I've loved some of the self published book I've read!
Have fun! I still love print too but times are changing.
I'm just treading dubious into this right now. I'm also waiting for the kindle fire to be released in the UK. In the mean time I have a book that's about to be published on amazon on the 27th. I wrote it solely for amazon publication to see how easy it was and how successful could will be. An experiment, some would call it. Only time will tell how it goes...
I've crossed over to the dark side. I love me an e-book!
I guess you could say I'm a hyporcrite. When I release my books (self-publishing), I will make them available electronically. But...personally, I prefer to hold the book in my hand. I'm one of the last hold-outs I know, and it sucks when friends have books come out because the paperbacks always come MONTHS after the e-versions. So I have to wait. I just...can't...do it.
You know, Jen. I was like you at first. I wasn't sure about the whole ebook/reader thing, mainly because of the past. The legacy that printed books has given us. However, my attitude has changed. I still adore print, but I can't deny the convenience of my Nook. On a recent trip, I was able to enjoy numerous authors, where before I'd never have been able to tote five novels on an airplane. :)
I recognize that it is the future, but I am slow. Maybe soon though as so many offerings are available.
Yay Jen! Thanks for the shout-out!
I don't think it has to be an either/ or. I think there's room for both in the world.
Welcome to the eReader side!
I have not purchased a physical book since buying my first iPad. I am converted.
It was cool to hold my first book in my hands, but after what's happened the past two months with the eBook version, I can forgo that feeling!
I'm of the opinion they both can co-exist. I've purchased and read e-books, but I've also continued to buy hardbacks. There is a time and a place for both! :)
E-books dragged me, clawing at the dirt, into their dark clutches. I never thought I'd actually enjoy reading them (on my computer and kindle) and buying them. It's so easy to try books I'd otherwise never try.
I'm very glad that they'll get more people to read more often.
I bought my Kindle last year, and I love it. It fits in my purse, so I can take it everywhere and consequently get in more reading time. (Which means I get to buy more books and support more authors--yay!) Surprisingly, I find e-ink to be much more pleasant to read than paper and ink.
One of the nice things about e-publishing is that you can use it for any size story. My story, Lyon's Legacy, is a novella, which is a tough length to market. I'm not putting it out in paper by itself because it is shorter than a regular novel. Maybe next year when the sequel is published, I'll combine both of them in a paper edition.
LOL! I'm laughing because I came to a similar realization two years ago!! LOL!!
I had been trying to find an agent for forever...it just didn't happen. I shelved my MS and worked on another. But the first just kept nagging me. I wanted it out there. Digital was not my thing either and it wasn't what I wanted for my book. But when faced with the reality of people reading it digitally, or not at all...well...you know what won.
I was offered a digital contract by a primarily digital publisher for my book and figured I needed to get an ereader to be able to support digital publishing. I asked for a reader for Christmas. At the time, the only real options were Sony Reader or Kindle..and at the time, Kindle was over $300 and Sony Pocket was only like $250 at Target. I got the Sony.
I adore reading on my reader, but as an author, I do still want my books in print.
And it's funny...slowly...over the last two years...I've seen many readers, who had previously vowed NEVER to own an ereader, succumb and get one...and then love it.
I caved in too Jen! My Kindle has been shipped! I promised Anne, her's would be the first book I buy and download. I can't hardly wait.
I love my Kindle and you know what - you will ultimately too. I truly believe that while I also would love to see myself in actual,physical print someday, that I read more when the books are so easily accessible. I love the feel and smell of a bookstore, but there are so many times I'm grateful that I can grab any new book I want without having to pack up the kids and head to one. There has to be a balance, right?
After buying my Kindle, I don't buy paper books anymore. I love reading on my Kindle. I love being able to carry hundreds of books around with me in my handbag.
I read ebooks but I still buy and read paper books. Also because I've used the library for Kindle books I've also downloaded some audiobooks onto my iPod. I think reading in all forms is important and I might never have tried audiobooks if not for using e-books.
I love my Kindle but I also still read lots of print. Have to admit--there's nothing like holding my own printed book in my hands! Although it's fun to see it in e-version too!
Sounds like my experience. I finally got one, and though I still definitely read more print, I love having a kindle to get those online authors you mentioned, as well as checking out a bunch of previews of books I hear about, and there's a slew of public domain classics too, which is great.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
You are too cute... Welcome to the world of ebooks!
I love my kindle and couldn't live without it. I love getting free books and discovering an amazing author, then going on to buy more of their books, plus having all my fav authors just a few clicks away. less clutter, no need to wait for my book to be delivered or my husband to take me to the book store. Just all the books I want a few clicks away heaven.
Totally! It's convenient and fast. And if I absolutely am in love with a book then I go out and buy the hard copy version for my bookshelf!
Have fun!
I think the key thing to trying out ebooks is that you don't have to give up reading print books. It's not all or nothing ebooks! With Borders closing I picked up probably a dozen (or more... yeah I bought a lot) of books that were even cheaper than the typical $9.99 ebook. Also, I go to author signings at my local bookstore which require a purchased book from their store to have signed. I don't want to give that up!
At the same time, I took my Nook on vacation and had 2 weighty novels to read. I cannot tell you how awesome it was to have a lightweight ereader on the plane instead of heavier books.
Use both!
Since I got my Kindle at Christmas, I've hardly read a print book. But for me, it's an eyesight issue. I just love being able to make the font bigger and not strain my eyes!
Well, and the lightweight Kindle is great as well.
The only paper books I've purchased lately are ones I got signed by the author. (And then I had to read them without being able to change the font size -- how annoying!) :D
I want a Kindle Fire, too. I'm hoping Santa is good to me!
I. I'm holding 257 books in my left hand right now.
II. I'm no longer tripping over books in the hallway and bedroom.
III. About a month back, I was stuck in a forever line at the coffee house. The lady in front of me had a Kindle and I asked what she was reading. She said she just finished it and would email it to me though Amazon/Kindle's lending option. It showed up in my own Kindle 60 seconds later and automatically went back to hers when I finished with it. Can't beat that.
I have a first generation Kindle, so I guess I made that leap about 3 years ago, and it's awesome. Like so many others have said--it's just very convenient, and I've read (and bought) a lot more books as a result. I hope you like the Kindle Fire! I'm thinking of getting one myself!
I haven't had the extra money to invest in an e book, but maybe one day. I am old fashioned I guess. I get most of my books at the library and look for the ones that are second had off of Amazon.
My parents owned a bookstore when I was a girl, "The Canterbury Bookstore", real books are so alive to me. :)I love combing through shelves of books, and watching others do the same. :)
Great post Jen! I'm so happy you're taking the plunge and getting a Kindle Fire! You'll have to let me know how you like it. I bought my first Kindle about 2 months ago, and I love it! It's so light and easy to use, and I take it with me wherever I go. I will always love a book, but e-readers are fun and they open up the door to a new kind of reading experience that no one should miss out on! Thanks for the shout out too:)
I have a new e-reader and am still waiting to buy my first ebook. Not sure why. I'm an old broad who would rather have a lump of paper in her hand,I guess. Still, I have nothing against ebooks. It just takes us older folk a bit of time to adapt. :)
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I'm giving a Kindle Fire in my contest, along with other goodies. And I have decided to eBook it. The world is changing in publishing. We have to change with it. Thought-provoking post as always, Roland
My family bought me an ereader last year for my birthday and I love it! I love my print books too, but sometimes there's nothing quite like an ebook! :)
I think I'll always love paper and ink... though I would buy a Kindle for travel, since they are thin and can hold a ton of books.
Hi Jen! :) That is soooo true. Before my hubby got me a Kindle, I was already reading e-books on my desktop...and writers friends' MS. Like you, I don't want to miss those e-books either! I've joined the 'e-book force'! LOL! But I must admit, there is nothing that will ever replace a printed book...ahhh the scent of the pages, the colours of the cover, the feel of it in my hands...what can replace that? :) x
Yeah - I succumbed to kindle for Mac so I could read Roland Yeoman's stories... and spiralled from there. Still would always get the print version eventually, but this allows me to support bloggy friends and meet new favourite authors so easily - I love it... just means I can't read these guys in the bath!
Lx
I crossed over as well. I mean I am not published but I bought a Kindle a few months ago when I used to be firmly against them!
I got a Kindle in May, but returned it after I realized I couldn't check out books from my library. I began getting ebooks, but found I only liked to read shorter ones via the computer. Four months after I put the library's Nook on hold, I finally got one to test drive. The same week (no joke), Kindle began participating in my library's ereader lending program. So, I should get a fire in a few days.
Jen, I'm so sorry I missed this post. I've been away from the blogs and just punched my name into the search engine, and here you were.
Thanks for the shout-out, I'm thrilled to be included with those ladies. Great company.
As for the Kindle, I was against it too but now I'm hoping Santa loves me this year and I can get one too. We'll see what happens.
Happy Holidays!
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