Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The E-Book Phenomena

Years ago I'd give talks about e-publishing and only a few people really were interested.

I'd also speak up at conferences and mention e-books were definitely in our future. I was poo-poohed, sometimes insulted, and heard things like "but I want to smell the paper and be able to turn the pages." (And I still hear that at times.)

One fellow author got down right angry with me and told me I ought to keep my mouth shut because nothing like that was ever going to take off. I haven't as yet checked to see if her books are on Kindle, but I bet they are.

At this time I already had several books published electronically. At first, of course, the computer was the only way they could be read. Then came the Rocket ebook, which was easy to use, easy to download books to, and great to read on. The back lighting made it easy to read in bed and if you fell asleep it turned off automatically. Sony came along and bought them out and it was years before they came out with their own e-reader which wasn't nearly as good or easy to use as the old Rocket.

By this time of course, everyone was talking about e-books, then along came the Kindle and opinions began to change. Oh, I've still heard people talk about the smell of a book--but frankly, I don't care what a book smells like.  I do still read the kind of books where you turn the pages the old-fashioned way, in fact I have quite a TBR pile--and not in just one place. I also have a TBR list on my Kindle. I've read lots of books on Kindle and love to read that way. Because I haven't paid a whole lot for any of the books on Kindle, if I don't like a book I don't feel the least bit bad about not finishing ti.

What I like best about the Kindle is I can take enough books on a trip without weighing down my suitcase. What I don't like about it is it's not back lit, so you do need enough light to read on a plane or in bed.

And, yes, most of my books are on Kindle and the Nook. Earlier books in my Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series (written as F.M.Meredith) that are no longer in print can be found on Kindle.

Final Respects is the first one in the series.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Final+Respects+by+F.M.+Meredith&x=14&y=21

I loved writing this book and at the time had no idea this would end up a series. If you're one of those people who likes to start at the beginning of a series, you  might try this one.

And to wrap this up, I'd like to run into all those folks who gave me such a hard time years ago and say, "I told you so" or even more satisfying, "Nyay, nyah, nyah, nyah, nyah."

Marilyn

8 comments:

Morgan Mandel said...

All ebooks needed was a good vehicle. Kindle is that vehicle. Some also say the Nook, or Ipad.

They're all great choices.

I still read paper books, but not as often. So much handier to tuck my Kindle into my purse, so I'll never be without something to read.

Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

I read paper books still, but like you,Morgan, when I know I'm going to have to wait somewhere or going on a trip, the Kindle is the answer.

Marilyn

Terry Odell said...

I started with the eBookwise, got hooked on the back light, so now I have the NOOKcolor. While I still read paper, one thing that isn't mentioned often is that it's a physical effort sometimes to hold a print book open wide enough to read the print that the publishers let flow into the gutter. I don't like my wrists to hurt when I'm reading. And if it takes two hands, how do you hold your libation?

Terry
Terry's Place
Romance with a Twist--of Mystery

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

Yay, Terry, a great reason to use an e-reader!

Marilyn

J D Webb said...

I too began on the ebookwise and have graduated to Kindle. I read a lot so I use kindle and "smelly" books - the ones that I physically turn the pages. I don't think either method will die. I'm one who remembers that TV was going to kill radio. I heard that on the radio the other day!!
Good article Marilyn.
Dave

Carolyn J. Rose said...

I'm grateful that e-publishing is so simple and that I put my stories out there for readers to evaluate without spending years searching for a gatekeeper who will allow me to do that.
I got a Kindle a few months ago, but loaned it to a friend so we could share book - haven't seen her or the Kindle since. Hmmmm

Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredith said...

JD, I totally agree with you, both kinds of books are going to stick around.

Carolyn, I'd never loan a Kindle to a friend--goodness, I've loaned plenty of books that were never returned, but a Kindle? Wow.

Marilyn

Earl Staggs said...

Marilyn, you have every right to say "I told you so" to those people, and I hope you enjoy it every time you do.