The HEA Cafe

I’ve been published in ebook form since 2001. I can’t read my original works because they were sold on a format that’s no longer supported by my computer, floppy disks. I did, of course, keep paper backups of my work but that’s a different article–the need for back-up.

Today I want to talk about moving into the 21st century of ereading. I finally broke down and bought a dedicated ereader, the Sony PRS 300, their new “Pocket Reader”. Three things led me to this point: 1. the price came down to a place that was more affordable for an ereader, $199. 2. Some of my favorite authors were releasing novellas and back list works only as ebooks. 3. I’ve been doing more ebook reading at my notebook and not finding it especially comfortable.

The feedback I’ve been getting from my own readers shows a rising curve of ebook sales, and I’m now an ebook consumer as well. My little Pocket is the same size as a mass market paperback, though thinner. It can hold 350 books. I automatically slip it into my purse each day, and don’t worry that I’m leaving the house without something to read. Most importantly, the next time I go on a trip I’ll have more room in my carry-on because it won’t be full of books.

I’m still buying books in paper, but now I’m restricting it to hardcovers and paper copies of books I know I’m likely to want to keep. Much of what I’ve been buying gets recycled to the library book sale as soon as I’m done with it, and while the library will lose a bit with this purchase, it’s certainly better for the trees and the environment.

If you’ve been thinking of getting an ebook reader, this may be the right time. More models are scheduled for release later in 2010, and there’s still talk of an Apple Tablet that may make Mac users happy. My wish now is that publishers would figure out a good pricing scheme for ebooks. Some of them are releasing ebooks for twice the cost of mass market paperbacks, which makes no sense to me at all and I refuse to buy them that way. Eventually, however, I believe the market will drive them to a standard, reasonable pricing scheme.

In the meantime, I’m still getting used to my little device, but I think I’m going to like it. Maybe I’ll report back in six months on how this new love affair is progressing.

What could be better than bringing romance readers and writers together? Just like ComicCon and other fan conventions, the upcoming RomCon in Denver next year will be an exciting venue for readers and industry professionals alike.

According to Tiffany James, one of the founders of RomCon 2010, the convention’s focus will be on readers. To draw them in, all workshops and events will be geared toward educating and entertaining them. “One of the big events we’ll be hosting at RomCon is the announcement of winners of our new contest–the Readers’ Crown,” says Tiffany. “We have a vetting process in place to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that our contest judges are readers.  And, we’ve partnered with Borders to bring a true market impact to our entrants with things like end-cap placements, invitations to be interviewed on Sue Grimshaw’s True Romance program, listing of winners on her site, and much more.  Plus, winners will get airfare, hotel (2 nights), and RomCon registration paid for the next year’s RomCon event.”

How will RomCon bring authors and their readers together before and after the convention? Check out the new website Tiffany and her partners have built www.romconinc.com (the site goes live this month, so if it’s not up yet today, please keep checking.) They’re pulling together the huge amount of information that is available on the internet about the industry to really connect authors with readers. 

What’s there for authors?

·         Authors with syndicated blogs can repost headlines and/or excerpts of them with links back to their blogs. 

·         A shared calendar of literary events capturing author book signings, lectures, blog tours, charity events, etc. 

·         Forums where live chats and on-going discussions can take place. 

·         Twitter ticker tape feed that updates continually with tweets from subscribed authors

What’s there for readers?

Registered users can rate author sites, romance friendly bookstores (where are the friendly stores, do they pass out author promo items, etc.) and review sites.  That will build a knowledgebase of information that authors can use to target book tours, submit books for reviews to the highest regarded review sites, and know better what readers like in an author web site when they go to build or overhaul their own site.  And readers get to know where they should shop, what sites have the best reviews and what author sites are fun and should be in their hotlinks.

A win-win situation in my book (pun intended) and I can’t wait to join in and participate. I love to meet new readers and this website and the romance convention will provide great opportunities to for me to find new authors to read as well as new fans!

Please stop by on Thursday, October 29^th for my debut guest blog on www.romconinc.com. I’ll be talking about my super agent series and giving away a free copy of one of my books to a lucky commenter. The whole kick-off month of October will be filled with guest bloggers, like me, so visit often and enjoy!!