I’m launching my novel “A Friend Like Frank” on my own. That is to say, no official “publisher” involved. It’s an experiment. You see, I’ve done it the old fashioned way: send a manuscript to one publisher after another, year after year, rejection after rejection. I eventually did succeed in getting “Adeline” published by an old fashioned publisher and although it did a lot for my self esteem, it hasn’t done much for my pocketbook. I’ll need to work hard selling as many copies of “Adeline” as possible for many years before I ever see a royalty check.
So, I decided to try publishing via electronically. “A Friend Like Frank” is available for Kindle users, through Amazon as an e-book exclusively for ninety days. No published manuscript, no new book smell or raised letters on the cover. Just words on the flat Kindle screen. It’s sure different, but I kind of like it.
There are definite pros and cons, most of them obvious and I think I’ll be one of those people who opt for both. The convenience of the Kindle makes it tremendously attractive, yet an actual printed book on a rainy day with a hot cup of coffee is a ritual. Living without printed books would feel as though I were missing my best friend. Yet, going to Mexico with three or four good novels taking up no more space than a very small tablet is the ultimate space and weight saver. There’s a lot to be said for that.
Technology is taking us places we never thought we would go and sometimes it’s hard to accept. I have times of sweet nostalgia for the simplicity of my childhood years where a color television in the living room was way cool. Yet, I often think of how nice it would have been to get through college with the use of the internet. I truly hated library research! It was slow and tedious. Am I better off for having experienced it? Maybe just a bit more appreciative of the technology at our finger tips today.
I kind of envy little kids these days. They come into the world with little techie brains and grasp computer concepts quicker than learning to tie a shoe. Do all kids shoes come with Velcro now? Maybe they do. I’m always on the lookout for a little kid to teach me how to use a new cell phone when I get one, or how to turn on the WII. Then I need them to show me how to go from the WII to the TV or to music. It’s all too much for me.
Amazing, isn’t it, that I published an e-book! I’m quite proud of myself. I hope you read it. It’s only $.99 on Amazon and it’s a great romantic comedy. If you read it, you may want to order “Adeline” too. I need to sell a lot of those and actually, it’s my favorite. Check them both out and enjoy!
Later,
Mary Ann
