eBooks Ecstasy banner

 

 

U.S.A.

May 15, 2003
Volume 1 No. 33
ISSN 1530-5287

eBook Ecstasy

The eBook Ecstasy newsletter may be published bi-monthly in 2003. There was no March newsletter due to a lack of epublishing news. April and May 2003 ebook releases with four star reviews have been combined in this issue. Also in this issue are articles by Karen S. Wiesner and S. Joan Popek.

eBook Ecstasy is a free monthly newsletter aimed at introducing readers to great ebooks. In upcoming issues, we plan to include information on worthy ebook news. So, epublishers can feel free to send us their press releases about innovations, authors should send notification of book signings, awards or other achievements and readers should provide feedback as to the features you would like to see added to eBook Ecstasy. This is *your* newsletter.

***************************************************
Content

Special Announcement
ePublishing News
Market News
Sponsors
Tech Corner
E-Book Corner
New Releases
Classifieds

***************************************************
Featured E-Author: S. Joan Popek
Featured E-Author: Karen S. Wiesner
Featured Reviewer: Kathy Boswell
Featured Reviewer: Cindy Penn

***************************************************
***Special Announcement***

Seeking an editor to assist with the publication of this newsletter.
E-authors and E-publishers - If you would like to contribute an article to eBook Ecstasy, please contact me so we can highlight you and your web sites. E-book reviewers, I am especially interested in four star reviews of upcoming releases.
Lida E. Quillen,

***************************************************
ePublishing News

Anthony Hernandez has a new column "Two Cents" with his thoughts on a wide variety of topics affecting publishing and  e-publishing in particular. Current column is "Musings on eBook Piracy."
http://www.epicauthors.com/twocents.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bent Lorentzen's YA fantasy novel, Dragon's Moon, is a Dream Realm award finalist. Available from TT Books.
http://twilighttimesbooks.com/DragonsMoon_ch1.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
BooksWeLove - new web site targeted toward readers. Promo opportunities for publishers and authors.
http://www.BooksWeLove.org

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Celia A. Leaman has an interesting author interview in Mind Like Water Monthly.
http://www.mindlikewater.com/MLW_Monthly/Issue13.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dee Loyd's romantic suspense novel, Ghost of a Chance, is a Dream Realm award finalist. Available from LTD Books.
http://wwwltdbooks.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Denise A. Agnew will release a serial novel, Fearless Persuasion, via email starting June 1st. Free to subscribers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MusingsNewsletter

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Dr. Bob Rich's, action adventure, The Making of a Forest Fighter, is a Dream Realm award finalist. Available from Zumaya Publications.
http://www.zumayapublications.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ebooklove - a new email list for discussing romance ebooks. Every time an author or publisher posts an ebook promo to the group, they will give away a free copy of the ebook to an active participating member of the list.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ebooklove

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"E-Publisher Acceptance Rates," an article by Karen S. Wiesner, is available at Writing-World.com.
http://www.writing-world.com/publish/wiesner.shtml

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
G. W. Thomas, author The Book of the Black Sun (Fictionwise & Double Dragon),  has joined Bob Gunner at Cyber-Pulp along with Megan Powell and David Bain.
http://come.to/cyberpulp

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jeff Strand's award-winning horror novel, Graverobbers Wanted (No Experience Necessary), has been optioned as a screenplay by Local Talent Productions.
http://www.localtalentfilms.com/ltp/index-ltp.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Joyce and Jim Lavene will be teaching an online workshop during the month of  June and into July. The course is "Writing the Cozy Mystery."  There are chat rooms and one on one classes during the 6 week course. If you're interested, it's at http://www.WritersCollege.com/catalogs

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Margin: Exploring Modern Magical Realism is conducting a poll to survey reader/writer thoughts on the future of literary magical realism. Polls need to be posted by Dec. 1, 2003 and results will be made available in 2004.
http://www.magical-realism.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Open eBook Forum announces eBook Industry Statistics program.
http://www.openebook.org/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tamara Lea Hoyt recently signed an agreement for the motion picture/TV rights to City of Grateful Night with MFD Films, LLC. This was her first ebook, a "timesweep" concerning the Jack the Ripper murders, published by LTDBooks.
http://www.ltdboooks.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Warren Adler's E-Sheet 15, "Have I Lost My Mind" delves into Mr. Adler's experiences with electronic publishing.
http://www.WarrenAdler.com/

***************************************************
Market News

Awe-Struck submissions are temporarily closed. Still seeking science fiction at this time, though.
http://www.awe-struck.net

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Baen Books now accepts electronic submissions. Prefers 100k - 300k word novels.
http://www.baen.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
DLSIJ Press will open to submissions in September 2003.
http://dlsijpress.com/authors/booksub.shtml

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Double Dragon Publishing will open to submissions June 1st.
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
E2K - an online literary journal has extended the deadline for their Flash Fiction contest until July 15th.
http://netauthor.org/may2003/index.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
New Concepts Publishing is putting together some erotic and spicy anthologies.
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rogue Worlds magazine will open to submissions July 1st. The magazine is changing format and will no longer be published online. A PDF issue will be published January 2004 and a print version may be in the works.
http://www.specficworld.com/rgworlds.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
SpecFicWorld.com has two anthologies still open to submissions: "Trip the Light Fantastic" and "Darkways of the Wizard."
http://www.specficworld.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Phobos Sci-Fi Writing Contest. No entry fee. Contest ends July 31, 2003. Each Entrant may submit up to three (3) short stories. Open to all Science Fiction sub-genres, however, works of high fantasy or horror that lack a Science Fiction theme or conceit will not be considered. Submissions will be accepted electronically. Twelve contest- winning short story authors shall each receive a cash prize of $500.
http://www.phobosweb.com/contest/rules.php

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Scheherazade Tales Romance E-Novels is open for submissions in novel-length romance only. Looking for great love stories that may or may not fit the mold of traditional romance. Query first.
http://scheherazadetales.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Wings ePress, Inc. accepting submissions in all genres. Query first.
http://www.wings-press.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Writer's Weekend 2003 Contest is for both short stories and novel excerpts and is open to the public, not just to contest attendees.  Entrants have good chances of feedback. Deadline is June 15, 2003. Prizes: 1st place - $100; 2nd place - $50; 3rd place- $25. Conference limited to 50 attendees. Good chance of meeting authors like Mercedes Lackey, Lindsay McKenna, Karen Harbaugh, Greg Bear and Larry Dixon, as well as some editors.
http://www.WritersWeekend.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Zumaya Publishing is open to submissions.
http://www.zumayapublications.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rumor Mill

eBookLand.net closed May 16th due to general economic downturn.

EPPRO - as of June 20, 2003, The Electronic and Print-published Professionals (EPPRO) will cease to exist.

SynergEbooks acquired all current ebook contracts from Zander eBooks in April 2003.

***************************************************
SPONSORS:

AllAboutMurder announces their newsletter, AAM in the News. "We have a bit of something for everyone. Like murder, suspense, thrills, and a bit of romance? Check out our monthly updates from movies, to books, to writers tibbits, to quizzes and polls. Interested? You need not be a member of AllAboutMurder to subscribe! Hope to have you join in the fun!"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AAM_in_the_News

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ebooksonthe.net is dedicated to providing the best in quality epublishing standards. Each book has been carefully selected by the editors and publishers with a wide variety of reading information and entertainment needs in mind.
http://www.ebooksonthe.net

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ralan's SpecFic & Humor Webstravaganza. Want to know what's up on the publishing scene? Want to make your submissions the best they can be? Join Ralan's mailing list.
http//www.ralan.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sell Writing Online - a place where writers can benefit from online writing opportunities. Hundreds of writers markets as well as contests, author interviews, ebooks, and much more
http://www.sellwritingonline.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
SpecFicWorld.com has a new look and a few new features. They will also be publishing three new anthologies this year along with adding a new speculative fiction contest.
http://www.specficworld.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Blue Iris Journal reviews books in all formats. Monthly column, "Sahara Ice," by Steve Lazarowitz.
http://www.blueirisjournal.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Eternal Night Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Fiction Web Site. Seeking author bios, sample chapters, interviews, and book reviews. If you contact Steve or Leslie Mazey, let them know you're an eBook Ecstasy subscriber.
http://www.eternalnight.co.uk

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Writer's Life is an online interactive writing source for published as well as unpublished authors.  It is your place for writing tips, short stories and poems by various authors, freelance opportunities, freelance success stories, paying markets, publishing links, awards, newsletter, writing group and more!
http://www.thewriterslife.net/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twilight Times Books offers some exciting fantasy ebooks along with The Complete Guide to Writing Fantasy. A complete fantasy resource in one volume - Character Creation, Clothing and Weapons, Combat, Health and Medicine, Magic, Mythology, World Building and much more.
http://twilighttimesbooks.com/

***************************************************
Tech Corner
 

A Reuter's column and an AP story are both skeptical of ebooks.
http://www.teleread.org/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Amaya - open source web browser and HTML editor. Easy to use.
http://www.w3.org/Amaya

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Article by Andy Grass, "The solution to ebooks; obvious and open."
http://www.oreillynet.com/pub/wlg/3227

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Audacity 1.0.0 - audio program that lets you manipulate, edit and modify sound files. Freeware.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ClipMem - for people who do raw html editing or programming. It "remembers" everything you send to the clipboard.
http://www.snowblind.net/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How to Get Search Engine Traffic" by Jim Daniels.
http://www.bizweb2000.com/gazette/seo.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"How to Sell More Books, eBook and PDFs Online" - Content Biz interview with Book Zone's Mary Westheimer.
http://www.contentbiz.com/sample.cfm?contentID=2322

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Imagemapic 2.0 - freeware program. Easy to use image map generator.
http://www.snowblind.net/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jon Noring's article at eBookWeb.com, "OEBPS: The Universal Consumer eBook Format?"
[Ed. Note - Recommended.]
http://12.108.175.91/ebookweb/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
pdf995 - a program for converting files to pdf format. Editor add-in for automatic insertion of imbedded links, bookmarks, combining multiple pdfs into a single pdf file, support for digital signatures, etc. Free.
http://pdf995.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stgthumb - produces an HTML gallery of thumbnails. Freeware.
http://www.stgsys.com/stgthumb.asp

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Association of Solo Professionals on the Web offers complete marketing guidance and networking opportunities for self-employed professionals. You no longer have to spend days looking for marketing advice online.
http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/cgi-bin/prolinkz/pl.cgi?fbwjv

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tucows - links to downloads of thousands of different software programs. Lots of shareware or freeware programs.
http://www.tucows.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Web Monkey - web developer's resource.
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ZDnet - downloads, reviews and tech tips.
http://www.zdnet.com/

***************************************************
(1) FEATURED E-AUTHOR

My 12 Step Program for Successful Self-Promotion

S. Joan Popek, author of Jump Start Your Writing Career with Electronic Publishers
 

Okay, you've submitted your book and an e-publishing company has said they would like to publish your work as an e-book.

What now?

Most e-publishers promote their authors' work, to a degree, but like some of the traditional publishing houses, if you are not already a "big" name, most of the promotion is up to you.  This is true especially if this is your first book.  Ah-ha--Catch 22?  If it's your first book, how are you supposed to know what to do to promote?

When my first e-book was published, I felt like a child that is handed a piece of chocolate and told they can have more if they can figure out how to open the refrigerator door.

I learned about doors.  I am still learning, and I have devised a program for self promotion. It's a twelve step program.  Yep, just like the big guys at A.A.

Step 1. Forget everything your mother taught you about modesty.  Self promotion involves talking about yourself and your work constantly. Become assertive--even aggressive. In self promotion, no foot shuffling, aw-shucks attitude is allowed.  Write press releases, contact your local newspaper, all of your email lists, all of the editors you have had previous dealings with, all of your friends, your relatives and their friends, even the President of the United States if you happen to know him or know someone--who knows someone--who knows someone--who knows his secretary.  Okay, most of us don't go that far but you get the idea. Brag it up.  Tell them all how wonderful the book is and where they can get a copy.

Step 2. Join writers' groups, both online and off.  Authors in these clubs are all willing to offer suggestions about what to do, who to contact, which reviewers do a good job and where to get your book reviewed.

Step 3.  Get reviews and offer to be interviewed.  Send requests to everyone you can think of.  Contact local news agencies and online sites that offer regular reviews.  Don't forget magazines, both online and off.  Most will agree and ask you to send a review copy.  Some will want it on disk, some will allow email copies. A list of possible review sites is at the end of this article.

Step 4.   Keep a log of your review requests and your reviews.  I learned this the hard way.  I sent requests to about 100 people and review agencies.  At least half of those agreed to review THE ADMINISTRATOR.  I didn't keep a list.  I found myself sending requests to places I had already sent one, and when I was asked for a list of reviews by a potential interviewer, I couldn't remember where all the reviews were.  I hadn't even thought to print or save a copy of some of the online ones and, trust me, they don't stay up forever.  It's also a good idea to keep track of the editor contacts you make along the way, especially with magazines.  Many future assignments can come from these contacts.

Step 5. Update your bio.  You will need it for your reviews and interviews.

Step 6. Attend writers' conferences.  Either as a guest author or an attendee. It's surprising how many authors and even editors at these things are interested in electronic publishing.  One of my most lucrative writing assignments began at a convention simply because I talked myself and e-books up so much.

Step 7.   Arrange book signings.  All writer's gatherings have them, and many of your local book stores are more than happy to have you for signings.  Just call and speak to the manager.  Remember, no modesty. Tell them how exciting this new field is and your exuberance will be contagious.  Find out if other writers in your groups are having signings and team up.

Step 8. List your book in every place possible on the NET.  Most search engines are free and many writers' sites and magazines have self posting "add your site" spots.  Use them!  Begin by doing a search for--what else?  Search engines.  Find the link that says something like "add your site" or "list your site." List your homepage and/or the URL of where your e-book is featured.  Next, search for writer and review sites by typing in keywords like writers, reviews, books, author and any other
key words you can think of.

Step 9.  If you don't already have one, get a homepage or author's page.  Many such are available free, and many writer's groups offer free or low priced author pages and will even help you build them.  Check with yours.

Step 10.   Ask for help.  Don't be embarrassed to ask other writers what to do when you are stumped.  We are all in the same ink-pot.  We can and do help each other.  I didn't have a clue where to start and asked everyone I knew that had an Ebook. They were all more than willing to help.  Many will exchange links and even offer to "blurb" your book if they have a column or publication.

Step 11.   Stay in constant contact with your publisher and/or your editor.  Keep abreast of any new developments with your book.  Keep them updated with your reviews.  They can use them to advertise your book. They can also steer you in the right direction for other ways to promote your book.

Step 12.   Keep writing!  In the whirlwind, "keep 'em interested" world of self promotion it's easy to put off starting that next book or sending that short story or article to that editor you've contacted.  I found myself so immersed in the promotion game that I was only writing email, promos and letters.  My story ideas sat on a shelf in my brain gathering dust.  I had to wrestle them out of their hiding place and flog them back into my conscious mind before I could even write this article.  Don't let that happen to you!

While you are surfing and promoting, take a look at my home page at http://www.sjoanpopek.com for more tips, news and, of course, you can get a sample and purchase information of all of my books!   See?  How's that for self promotion?

Good Luck and see ya between the pages,
Jo

 - - - - - - -
Author Info:

S. Joan Popek is an age challenged grandmother tiptoeing through the Twilight Zone while she gazes longingly at Ganymede.  She lives in New Mexico with her husband, Joe and a dog named Nubbins.  A science fiction addict since childhood, she is an award winning author with several books out and has been published in a number of magazines including Writer's Digest and Fiction Writer.  She has been an editor for several small press magazines and now publishes a small review/flash fiction e-zine, The Popper Gazette, to promote authors. http://jopop.us Her homepage is http://www.sjoanpopek.com

Try some of her books for mind boggling entertainment:

SOUND THE RAM'S HORN http://www.hardshell.com
JUMP START YOUR WRITING CAREER WITH ELECTRONIC PUBLISHERS
http://www.atlanticbridge.net
THE ADMINISTRATOR http://www.fictionworks.com
FAIRY TALES WITH A FREUDIAN FLAIR http://www.atlanticbridge.net

Copyright © 2003

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
(2) FEATURED E-AUTHOR

Why Children's E-Books Don't Sell
{or how to promote a children’s e-book}

by Karen S. Wiesner

I’ve talked to a lot of children’s e-book authors and I’ve heard one recurring comment:  “In the length of time my children’s e-book has been out, I can count on one hand how many copies have sold.”  Most of these same authors have promoted aggressively, too.  So does it pay to advertise something that doesn’t sell? Well, in this case we need to analyze *how* we're promoting these particular e-books.

I believe our lack of sales is because most children's books are checked out at libraries—due to how expensive they can be, bought either through school book club offers (like Scholastic) or right there in the bookstore, where parents and kids can check them out. Even if adults are online, are they on the look-out for books online? No—or at least it would be a rare occurrence. Are they looking for kids books, even if they are looking for books? Probably not. And most of the children who would be interested in our books aren't able to find them because they're inaccessible to them online.  It makes sense that a young adult book would sell better because kids in that age group are online and can find the books, ask their parents if they can buy them and they can tell their friends about it. E-authors of children's books will find that very hard.

Print versions that come with free download coupons would be a boon to e-authors because it gives the two-fold benefit of the buyer having the hard copy that's more tangible for them (imagine booting up the computer at bedtime when your kids want a story; nah, parents would rather grab something from the shelf and get to it). The free download from the publisher's website will get parents online for the freebie, which may make them more eager to look at what else the publisher has to offer and to be more comfortable buying books online in the future.
However, a lot of publishers wouldn't be willing to give away books free. So what do we do in the meantime? Here are some suggestions I will be or am implementing with my children's book, in addition to an extremely aggressive campaign of online advertising:

Donations, donations, donations! Yes, this will cost you money, but you'll also increase the likelihood of future sales. If your publisher is as eager to increase their buyers as you are, they may be willing to give you a discount on author sales to do this. Donate CD copies of your books (make sure there's plenty of information on how to use the book and how to order the book contained in the CD booklet) to your local library, your local elementary schools, your local County Extension Office (frequently, they have parenting classes or field questions from parents about childcare and may give out promotional items about your book if they really like it), daycare centers in the area (make sure they have computers, of course!), any community groups that cater to kids and parents (for instance, in my area, we have a Toy Lending Library).

Donate a copy to local churches. Print copies can go in the church nursery. If your church has Sunday School for kids, Kids Praise Team or Storytime, you can ask the leaders to give out information to the kids about your book to take home with them. You can donate copies specifically to elementary school rooms. Be sure to teach the teachers and/or aides how to use the CDs, so they can be useful in the classroom.

If you have print copies of your books, you can also donate copies to the waiting rooms of children's dentists and doctors. Groups like Boys and Girls Club (7 year olds and up) might appreciate copies if your book is suitable for an older group. Bookstores that cater to innovative learning books and toys. In my area, there’s a store called Mind Sparks that I plan to approach about stocking my book.  If appropriate, ask experts, librarians and teachers to give you reviews of your book. Or ask the kids in the classrooms what they think.

Public appearances. Another reason our children's e-books probably don't sell (and I'm as guilty as anyone else for this!) is because we either don’t have the time or the inclination to hand-sell our books. I hate public appearances as much as the next author, but they're proven sellers. Don't simply give away copies of your CDs. Schedule with teachers so you can go directly into the classrooms, armed with a CD copy of your book to read to the kids. Then send each of the kids home with literature about how they can order your book.

Schedule with your local library. Take your laptop there if they don't have a handy computer, and read your book to the kids that show up. Send them home with literature on how to order your book and have copies available for sale. Make an appointment with daycare centers and children old enough to be fascinated by a book on computer. Have a drawing at these appearances, so one kid goes home with a copy of your book.

Local churches might put literature out about your book, especially if your book is a theme of kindness or special abilities. Ask clinics or dentists if you can put literature out about your book. Include a printed sample of your book to entice the bored parents. Schedule with clubs to speak and/or read your book. Schedule with bookstores owners to show them how your book works. Plan to give them a copy. Offer to do a booksignings where you can also show the public how e-books work. Do booksignings in your local discount stores that have books, like Wal-Mart or Shopko. Advertise in your local newspaper. Send copies to talk shows or kids magazines/parenting magazines with a "Kids e-books—how cool is this" press release.

Online marketing is useful, but there's a whole 'nother sector of the population that isn't online and wouldn't think of going online to buy a children's book. We need to go out there where the children's book buyers are and tell them about our wonderful, inexpensive kids books.

That said, don't expect miracles to happen overnight. Regular e-books have been an upward battle that we're still marching for victory to sell to the public. Children's e-books will be much harder to sell because our audience isn't yet online, for the most part. As I've said for years, the first battle is getting people interested in the e-book format. The second battle is actually selling the e-book. We're still on that first step, so let’s keep on marching for victory!

 - - - - - - -
Author Info:

Karen Wiesner is the author of ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING The Definitive Guide {The Most Complete Reference to Non-Subsidy E-Publishing}, winner of the 2001 EPPIE for Best Non-fiction. It was excerpted in the 2001 Writers Digest Novel & Short Story Market and made the 2001 Inscriptions’ Books of the Year  list. eBooks N’ Bytes chose the Guide to be their first winner of the eBooks N’ Bytes Award of Excellence for Epublishing Book of the Year (2002). The Guide was also a finalist in the 2002 Indie Awards. The 2003 edition is published by Hard Shell Word Factory www.hardshell.com in two volumes:

- ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING The Definitive Guide {The Most Complete Resource to Non-Subsidy E-Publishing} [updated every year]
0-7599-3762-1 (trade paperback) Note: Trade paperback copy comes with coupon for a free download of the book  http://www.hardshell.com/detail.asp?product_ID=0-7599-3762-1
0-7599-3763-X (electronic) http://www.hardshell.com/detail.asp?product_ID=0-7599-3763-X
- WEAVE YOUR WEB {The Promotional Companion to ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING The Definitive Guide} [updated every 5 years]
0-7599-3774-5 (trade paperback) Note: Trade paperback copy comes with coupon for a free download of the book Order: http://www.hardshell.com/detail.asp?product_ID=0-7599-3774-5
0-7599-3775-3 (electronic) http://www.hardshell.com/detail.asp?product_ID=0-7599-3775-3

Karen writes children’s books under the pen name Karen Sue Wiesner for Writers Exchange E-Publishing http://ebooks.writers-exchange.com.  Releases include:
- TAKING RESPONSIBILITY BUILDS TRUST (Making Good Choices Series); illustrations by Robert Beers
- CODY KNOWS with Linda Derkez; illustrations by Candace Hardy
Upcoming releases include:  THE TREE OF LIFE (Hard Christian Questions Series for Children), as well as more books in the Making Good Choices Series and CODY KNOWS II.

Karen has won the Inscriptions Engraver Award for best on-line columnist two years in a row, the Year 2000 for eXcellence in E-publishing Award:  E-author from ebookadvisor, was a two time recipient of the E-Pub Ambassador Award, and was a recipient of The Simply Charming Award for outstanding promotion of e-books.  She was also nominated for the 2000 EPIC Florence Moyer Service Award. Karen also writes fiction and poetry.

Visit her website at www.karenwiesner.com.

Copyright © 2003

***************************************************

E-BOOK CORNER

Title: More than Magick
Author: Mary Taffs
 
http://www.marytaffs.com/
Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
http://www.awe-struck.net
ISBN: 1-5874-93-76-4
Paranormal/Magickal Romance
May 2003
eBook/Multiple Formats

Reviewed by Cindy Penn, Senior Editor WordWeaving.com

Terrific sequel! Very highly recommended

Two months with her lifemate have not convinced the skeptical Diana to turn her life over to Goddess. An adept, Diana could bring especially strong gifts to the Balance, if only she would yield and dedicate herself to service. Now sight dreams bring torturous messages to Diana as she helplessly watches a man abusing a woman. Despite her determination to not serve Goddess, however, Diana cannot stand to see a woman tortured, even if she is an enemy. Soon word comes to verify Diana's dream: Carla of Ocean Magick has been abducted.

Carla's disappearance leads to an investigation as to how Ocean Magick's Barrier could have been breached. It is quickly determined that the Guardian of Ocean Magick has lost his ability to do magick. Consequently, Win is named Guardian Pro Tem of Ocean Magick. But with Diana's refusal to serve Goddess, he will have to work with another High Priestess. Their new
assignment will bring about self-exploration, trouble to their relationship, and unexpected danger.

Once again author Mary Taffs brings a powerful understanding of the metaphysics of magick to this fascinatingly created sequel of MAGICK. In MORE THAN MAGICK Taffs combines magickal elements and paranormal skills for a gripping read readers will treasure. Diana and Win's relationship faces tremendous challenges as they struggle with responsibility and secrets of the past. With Taff's talented pen, emotional complexities are convincing, realistic, and well developed. Favorite characters from the previous novel make appearances as well, especially Mr. Bill, the delightful feline with a mind of his own. MORE THAN MAGICK comes very highly recommended and will leave reader's appetite whetted for the next novel in this fantastic series.

Reviewed by Cindy Penn, Senior Editor, WordWeaving.com, Amazon top 50 Reviewer, eBook Specialist, Midwest Book Reviews

- - - - - -
Reviewer info:

Cindy personally reviews 50-60 books a month.When she's not reviewing or working on WordWeaving, she spends time with her beloved teen sons and soon-to-be husband. Owned by 21 cats, two dogs, four tarantulas, one snake, two bearded dragons, and two fire bellied toads, Cindy threatens to sell tickets to the 'Zoo' to raise extra cash so she can buy more books.
http://www.wordweaving.com/

Copyright © 2003  All Rights Reserved.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

E-BOOK CORNER

Title: Lady of the Two Lands
Author: Elizabeth Delisi
 
http://www.elizabethdelisi.com
NovelBooks, Inc.
http://www.NovelBooksinc.com
Time Travel Romance
April 2003

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell

This one-sitting read really captured my interest on several levels. One is that it was an Egyptian romance and two is that it was a time travel. I've been a fan of Egyptian romances since I read Joyce Verrette years ago and simply fell in love with ancient Egypt. When Elizabeth Delisi asked me to review her book, of course, I jumped at the chance!

Harriet "Hattie" Williams is an artist who has been asked to illustrate a book on ancient Egypt and most especially the reign of Hatshepsut. Hattie is going great guns at the museum but she feels as if someone is watching over her shoulder and it's most disconcerting. Then Thomas Harris, the curator, takes Hattie into a small storage room to show her a beautiful necklace that they believe may have belonged to Hatshepsut. Tom wants Hattie to make a drawing of the necklace to add to the book but she cannot take it out of the storage room. Tom tells Hattie he has to leave for a meeting but will be back in a couple of hours or so.

Hattie gets to work but still keeps feeling like someone is in the room with her. She turns around to surprise whoever it is and stumbles. As she stumbles, she slams the door closed and it locks. Then she grabs the necklace as she starts to fall. She has a most incredible dream in which Hatshepsut tells her that she's been looking for her and she has to go and take her place for a little while.

When Hattie wakes up, she's in ancient Egypt and she's in Hatshepsut's body but Hatshepsut supposedly had been poisoned. Senemut, Hatshepsut's daughter's tutor, is with her and cannot understand what's happened to her but neither can she. What does this all mean? Can Hattie and Senemut figure it all out before it's too late?

I simply could not put this one down. Everything about this book was thoroughly enjoyable from the characters to the woo-woo aspect and most especially the ending! Elizabeth Delisi really captured the essence of ancient Egypt much to my reading satisfaction! I eagerly look forward to Elizabeth Delisi's next book!

- - - - - -
Reviewer info:

Kathy Boswell, Managing Editor, The Best Reviews
Member, Reviewers International Organization (RIO)

Copyright © 2003  All Rights Reserved.

***************************************************
NEW RELEASES

Amber Quill Press
http://www.amberquill.com

Mind Trap - sequel to Get Out of My Mind
Tony Ruggiero
Science fiction thriller

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Atlantic Bridge Publishing
http://www.atlanticbridge.net

Beyond Love
Glenda Diana
Regency romance

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
http://www.awe-struck.net

More Than Magick - sequel to Magick
Mary Taffs
Paranormal romance

Where the Heart Leads
Ginny McBlain
Contemporary military romance

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Double Dragon Publishing
http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/

Westchester Station: the Assault - sequel to Westchester Station
Patick Welch
Speculative fiction

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Fictionwise
http://www.fictionwise.com/

Memory Blank
John E. Stith
Science Fiction

More Than Magick - sequel to Magick
Mary Taffs
Paranormal romance

Sunset With No Traffic
Marc Sanchez
Dark fantasy/horror

Tainted Garden
Jeff Stanley
Science Fiction

The Destiny of the Sword (Book 3)
Dave Duncan
Fantasy

Where the Firethorns Grow
Marilyn Kapp
Suspense/thriller

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Hard Shell Word Factory
http://www.hardshell.com

DarkWind - sequel to BloodWind
Charlotte Boyett-Compo
http://www.windlegends.org/
SF/Futuristic

Deadly Obsession
Patricia Rasey
Thriller

MotherShip
Tony Chandler
YA Science Fiction

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
New Concepts Publishing
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com

Rhiannon
Louise Crawford
Fantasy romance

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
NovelBooks, Inc.
http://www.novelbooksinc.com/

Becoming Your Own Critique Partner
Jane Toombs & Janet Lane Walters
Non-Fiction

Lady of the Two Lands
Elizabeth Delisi
http://www.elizabethdelisi.com
Time Travel Romance

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twilight Times Books
http://twilighttimesbooks.com/

Bishops' Well
J. L. Graham
SF short story

Rewards of Justice
Floss Flamand
Fantasy short story
 

***************************************************
CLASSIFIEDS:

Amber Quill Press is offering free short stories in PDF, HTML or .LIT format.
http://amberquill.com/shortstories.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Awe-Struck E-Books - for the best in romance and sci-fi and everything in between, check out the reads at Awe-Struck E-Books. "Choose a pure pick-a-pak of great Awe-Struck titles for sitting by the pool..."
http://www.awe-struck.net/SALEPAGE/salepage.html

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bubble Book Club - new discussion group for readers of ebooks. Comments and reviews of ebooks welcome.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bubblebookclub

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
ContentBiz - newsletter for online Publishing Execs.
http://www.contentbiz.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Digging Up Texas: A Guide to the Archaeology of the State by Robert Marcom is now available from Republic of Texas Press. Illustrated with drawings and photos, this book is a comprehensive introduction to Texas archaeology.
"Very enjoyable, and should be a much needed  first step into Archeology.  ...The resources alone will be worth the price of the book.
--Joe D. Rogers, Archeological Steward, Texas Historical Commission, Hereford, Texas.
http://www.republicoftexaspress.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
eBooks N' Bytes, brought to you by Eva Almeida, is jammed packed with useful resources for electronic authors, gathered together in well-organized sections. Includes: where to promote your e-Books, links to send out free press releases, e-book publishers accepting submissions, and e-book reviews.Don't forget to list your e-Book in the directory.
http://www.ebooksnbytes.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Glenda D. Tudor's Colorado Spitfire will be available soon from Atlantic Bridge Publishing. Free short stories available on her website.
http://glendatudor1.tripod.com

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
How to Promote, Advertise & Market Your Published Book by Arline Chase and Mary Cox-Bilz currently available from eBooksonthe.net.
http://www.ebooksonthe.net/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Linda Suzane's Midnight Blood newsletter - vampire fiction.
http://www.midnightblood.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Mark Joyner, best-selling author of "MindControlMarketing.com" is giving away his secrets of Internet marketing.
http://www.aesop.com/leaving1.htm

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Romantic Promotions will promote your romance novel across fifteen web sites.
http://romanticpromotions.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stargate Electronic Library, Inc. CD books for kids. The Cosmic Photo Book by Robert Marcom is on sale. More than 500 photos from NASA archives, captions, facts and data presented in an entertaining format.
http://www.stargatecdbooks.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Novel Advice newsletter is now free. Informative articles by well-known writers.
http://www.noveladvice.com/

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Twilight Times Books maintains a Freebies page with listings of Free ebooks from various publishers.
http://www.twilighttimesbooks.com/freebies.html

***************************************************

Thank you for subscribing.

Publisher ~ Lida E. Quillen
Electronic Mail Distribution ~ Lida E. Quillen
E-Book Ecstasy Online: http://www.ebook-ecstasy.com/ebook-ecstasy/
Copyright © 2001, 2002 & 2003 Lida E. Quillen. All rights reserved.
Founder of E-Book Ecstasy ~ Glenda D. Tudor
http://glendatudor1.tripod.com

Community email addresses:
  Post message:  E-BookEcstasy@yahoogroups.com
  Subscribe:  E-BookEcstasy-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
  Unsubscribe:  E-BookEcstasy-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Shortcut URL to Yahoogroups:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eBook-ecstasy

eBook Ecstasy is a free monthly newsletter providing the latest epublishing news.

Editor's note: Permission is granted to distribute the eBook Ecstasy Newsletter
in whole or in part to writers' and readers' email lists as well as
appropriate web sites if you include the following info:

eBook Ecstasy Newsletter, Volume 1 No. 33
Source ~ Copyright © 2001, 2002 & 2003 Lida E. Quillen
http://www.ebook-ecstasy.com/ebook-ecstasy/

 

 

The Moon Child

Prophecy

Eyes of Truth

Reflections
Advertise here for $5.00 per month!