Bought a Tablet and want to read eBooks?

Tablet + eBooks = reading made simple. 

Truly, an equation that does work.  I learned this important fact about six months ago, and I only wish I’d bought the Tab earlier. But, more importantly, I’m really glad I didn’t buy a proprietary eReader.

In fact, I’d looked at Kindles when they first came out. Then I looked at Nook, and Kobo readers. I looked at ‘no name’ readers. But, I didn’t buy, as I found some issues.

Proprietary eReaders = Different formats = Bad

One of the problems with buying a proprietary eReader is the issue of reading other formats. Okay, so if you only buy eBooks on Amazon, and you have a Kindle, that’s not a problem. But, if you like to shop around to find eBooks, that is a problem. In my case, I’ve been buying eBooks and reading them on my laptop since 2007, so I have the additional problem that some of my eBooks cannot be read on a Kindle, or on a Nook, or whatever.

One other problem I’ve heard of, but not personally experienced, is the issue of books that disappear from a Kindle or Nook or whatever, because they’ve been ‘unpublished’ somehow. Now, for me, that stinks (and I’m being polite here). If I buy something, I want to keep it for as long as I want.

Reading on a Tablet

How does this work? Easy:

1. Put an eReading app on your Tablet. I use FB Reader for Android, and highly recommend it, for ease of use. (It presents all book formats with no conversion necessary.)
2. Buy your eBooks at Amazon, or the Apple iTunes Bookstore, or at B&N, or at Kobo, or at Smashwords, or at any other fine eBook (online) retailer. I use my computer to do this.
3. Download the books from the retailer into your computer. Make a backup copy on your backup drive, as you do for all important data.
4. Transfer the eBooks from your computer to your Tablet.
5.  Start reading, and enjoy.

Old Publishing Model (the Big 6) vs. New Publishing Model (self-publishing)

Hmm... let's see. Old publishing model. I send my book to hundreds of agents, and perhaps directly to a publisher or two. I'm told that only vampire, fantasy, and dystopia sells, and my niche audience is not economically viable. I write solid family and adventure reality-based fiction for Young Adults, so my manuscripts are consigned to the slush pile and then the round file. I've got no hope of every getting my stories read. After a while, I lose hope, and I may even stop writing.

New publishing model. I self publish. 


Let's see how that worked: 

I started 2-and-a-half years ago. I am much more than "strikingly upbeat" about how well my 7 books are doing. Tens of thousands of readers have found my books. I am absolutely awed by some of the wonderful reviews and delighted at the ratings. For example, at the Apple iBookstore listing for my book 'Playing the Baseball Card', there have been 54 ratings with an overall average of four stars. 

Old vs. New? New wins! I am more motivated than ever to keep writing.

Playing the Baseball Card

I've seen a big surge in sales of Playing the Baseball Card recently, and I'm more than pleased.  I would say that I'm awed and humbled.  

I know it's the right time of year for Baseball, so that makes a difference.  But, there's a more important factor at play here.  Good ratings with positive reviews.

At Barnes and Noble, there have been 45 ratings with an overall average of 3.5 stars.  A reviewer at B&N called the book 'inspiring.'  One of the best things about writing is the ability to share my work, but when it inspires someone, that's a home run.

But, even better? 

At the Apple iBookstore listing for Playing the Baseball Card, there have been 54 ratings with an overall average of four stars.  What's more, there is an amazing review at the iBookstore, and the review has touched me deeply. Here it is:

Father and Husband 

     

by Umpire 24

In my 53 years of living this may be one of the most emotional books I personally have read. Being a big baseball fan and a father of a son who played baseball this book was awesome. I would think any baseball fan and father would love to read this, I actually had a good cry for the first time all during this book. Any if you have time this is a must read book!!

Still top 2% at Barnes and Noble.com + other listings

Playing the Baseball Card is now my top book at BarnesandNoble.com, but Playing the 'Son' Card and A Family Legacy: THE WATSON WORKS are close behind, and all three have continued to stay in the TOP 2% of best sellers.

My books are also available at Apple's iBookstore, Sony books, Kobo, Smashwords, and now at Diesel eBooks. One of my books, Sons and Brothers in Seattle, is also available at Amazon.com and the others will soon join that title.

All in all, pretty good availability and not bad sales results, either. I am still working on sequels and new titles, so more titles will be added to my lists.

Happy reading,

Wil

Kobo has new $149 eReader - and my books

A new entrant on the eReader market is being made available by Kobo. It's now for sale in Canada at Chapters and Indigo and is expected to be available in the US, at Borders, as early as May, but maybe not until June.

The really good thing from my perspective, is that my fiction titles are available on Kobo Books, including my Free eBooks, so now my books will be conveniently available on one more new eReader. I was really pleased that my titles were available at Apple's iBookstore on the day of launch for the iPad.

Don't forget, there's still a good way to read books on your computer, with mobipocket reader. See my April 1st blog post for details.

So, lots of ways to read. Hope you enjoy,

Wil

Read my books on iPad? Find them in the iBookstore!

Yes! My 5 books are available in Apple's new iBookstore for the iPad!

Obviously I'm pretty happy about that, and I should also mention that three of my books are Free at the iBookstore. Thanks to Smashwords for making this possible. Here is the Smashwords press release. (BTW, iPad and iBookstore are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.)

Enjoy!

Wil