Print or eBook? How about both? It's all reading, folks!

I'm amazed at the numbers of readers who get all upset about eReaders, and declaring that they will never switch from print books. Yeesh!

There was a recent piece in HuffPost, about using eReaders, and many of the comments were from people who said they'd never give up their print books. I'm thinking, 'So, don't.' I don't see anyone trying to pry a print book from anyone's fingers. Stick with print books, but know there's a place for both print, and eBooks. 

It's all reading, folks! No matter whether on a Tab, or an exclusive eReading device, or yes, a print book. Every method of reading has its place. Using an eReader or Tab app allows for making print larger for those who have difficulty with small print. Using an eReader or Tab app makes it easy to take lots of books when traveling. And, yes, it's nice to be able to sit with a real book, sometimes.

In the end, it's all about reading, and these days, there are multiple ways to read. We should celebrate that. As an author, I don't care how readers want to read my books, but I'm glad my readers have all the options.

Happy Reading,

Wil

Advice for writers: Being unpublished doesn't mean you suck

"Unpublished? You Don't Actually Suck."  That was the title of a Huff Post Books piece earlier this week, in which the writer detailed her feelings about trying to convince herself that her work really did not suck.  She also introduced Writer's Bloq, one of many new ways in which indie authors support each other.  I commend her and all those who help their fellow authors.  I was inspired to write a comment on Huff Post Books about the piece, and I've repeated it here:

I know I don't suck. Just ask those who now have the tens of thousands of copies of my books. But the realization that maybe there was some merit in my (so far) seven YA novels, and that people might actually want to read what I'd written? Well, let's just say that realization was a long time coming.

The problem is that I don't write what apparently 'sells.' I don't write fantasy, or dystopia, or about vampires. I write solid family and adventure reality-based fiction for Young Adults. I write what I want to write, and I've had to find my niche market.

Three years ago, I had four unpublished works and a brain full of doubts and worries. Now I have some amazingly positive and inspiring reviews with scores of good ratings, and more motivation than ever to keep writing. 

Good luck to all those who find the courage and tenacity to keep at it, and who persevere in this new world of self-publishing. You, too, can find that you don't suck.

Smashwords ships SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE to Amazon

Yes! Amazon will now list my eBook SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE. The eBook version for the Kindle will now join my print version of SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE which has been available on Amazon for over a year.

I am really excited and pleased by this. Smashwords has been working to make this happen, and it's finally starting. The first shipment of Smashwords books to Amazon took place on January 14th, and I was really pleased to see my eBook SONS and BROTHERS in SEATTLE part of that first group. It normally takes about two weeks for the books to appear, so I will be watching!

Happy Reading,

Wil