Reading – Page 4

E-book pricing poll

My question is: How much are you willing to pay for an e-book?

WRITERS, this is not a question of how much will you price your books. I want you to answer the question as readers. READERS, how much would/will you pay for an e-book?

At the right sidebar, you’ll find the poll ——————–>

Seeing as I love to over explain everything, here I go …

Nathan Bransford had a poll on his blog about the price of e-book based on the hardcover price. Here are the results.

My poll is different because I don’t want you to consider hardcover price. Lately, many small presses and indie authors don’t have hardcovers out there, only e-books and POD paperback. For those who don’t know, POD means Print On Demand, which means the book (paperback usually) is only printed when bought by a reader and in the quantity bought.

I also found this poll on David Maine’s blog. He asks how much you would pay for the e-book of an author you never read before, which is somewhat like what I’m asking.

The writing/publishing market changed SO MUCH during the last 2 years. I’m doing this poll more out of curiosity to see where readers stand now.

Let’s take me, as reader, in consideration (the following are thoughts of mine that may or may not be correlated):

In August, Richelle Mead will have 2 books out. Their e-prices are $9.99 and $10.99. In November, Inheritance by Christopher Paolini will be released. It’s kindle price is $13.99. I’ll buy these 3 books because I’m a huge fan of Mead and Paolini, but I’m not happy about the price their books are set.
The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa is priced around $6-$8 … a much more interesting price range, though it still isn’t comparable to indie books priced around $0.99-$2.99. Also, I think The Iron Knight, the next on the series, will be around $10. I’ll buy it, because I love the series, but I would rather it was priced like the previous ones.
The Hunger Games, a very famous series, is priced between $4.70 and $7.70 … I like the pricing here.
I’ve read several books priced at $0.99 and $2.99 but most were recommended or from authors I had heard/knew about … when it’s from a brand new author, with not many reviews to let me know if people are liking or hating it, I don’t buy. Nor yet, at least.
Some small presses (most are digital-first) are pricing their books around $8-$9 and they have a lot of debut authors. Would I pay $8 for an author I don’t know? I’m not sure. Probably not. I would have to read tons of great reviews or receive a direct recommendation of someone I know, and I would still think a hundred times before considering it.
About 2 months ago, a friend asked me suggestions for a few books on the genre she likes. I gave her a huge list, and soon she came back to me complaining that some books were more expensive on e-book format than on paperback. She gave up buying them.
I read an interview with Angela James (Executive Editor of Carina Press) where she states “the company found that at $6.99, the books no longer sell.” So, if that’s true, then why the Big Six price their book almost twice that price line? I don’t get it.

As a writer, I wouldn’t like to have my books out for over $7, I think. And perhaps even $7 is too high these days. If I ever self-publish, I’ll probably price my books around $0.99-$2.99. But what if I don’t go indie? Will my books be read/bought if their prices are not that cheap?

To me, readers are more important than money (very interesting article on the topic here), but writing is also my job.

What do you have to say about e-book pricing, as a readers and/or a writer?

Cheers,

Categories: Me, My writing, Reading

Challenges and goals

I know. It’s pretty late into 2011, but so what?

Like that common saying, better late than never.

Well, the ones of you who read my last post, know there are days that I simply can’t concentrate. Then, what better than a challenge to spicy things up? Everyone feels more compelled with a challenge, right?

I have two CHALLENGES up right now: the 1000 words a day challenge and the reading challenge from goodreads.

The first one was created by writer and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Sometimes I think 1000 words a day is too few, but, seeing as there are there days I write 5k and others I write none, it seems like a good challenge.

In her website, Debbie ask writers to display this badge on the side of the site (as you can see on mine right there —>) if you’re really trying to write a thousand words each day for at least 6 days a week. The thing is, I can’t write 6 days a week. I write 5. My family demands my full attention during weekends, and hey it’s my family, so I happily agree. Seeing as my intention is still true about writing 1000 words each day for 5 days, I will leave the badge there (I hope Debbie allows it).

If I can get 1k words a day, that’s 365k per year, which could lead to 4 or 5 novels! That’s a great number … I hope I can keep up with it.

The other challenge is from Goodreads. The widget for it is also on the right side of this blog —>

I set it up to read 36 books this year. That’s 3 per month. I can do more. I normally do more … about 48 (4 per month) or 60 (5 per month) … but, in case this year I didn’t get close to that for one reason or another, I set a lower number.

Now, for my GOALS.

I have a few.

First, I’ll try to post on this blog twice a week. On Tuesdays (or a day before or after) I’ll publish a normal post, about writing, reading, publishing, about me and whatever is going with me, etc. On Fridays, I’ll post about my WIP, ideas, outlines and editing/revisions.

Posting about my WIP also entices me to write more … imagine how embarrassing it will be if I get to Friday and I’ve only written 500 or 2000 words for the whole week? Yeah, I don’t want that to happen.

My second goal is to get 2 or 3 more manuscript ready (that means critiqued, line-edited and copy-edited) by the end of the year.

I want to get published. Soon. How, I still trying to figure out. I constantly think out going indie. But trying a e-first small press also crosses my mind. However, I don’t think about trad publishing anymore. The problem I see: the price of the books (more on that on a future post).

So, with 3 or 4 manuscript ready by the end of the year, I can start self-publishing … or, if I change my mind, while writing the second and the third, I can try and send the first to a small press. I have time to worry about that part later … right now, I’m all about WRITING!!!

What do you think of my challenges and goals?

Cheers,

Categories: Me, My writing, Reading

Can’t concentrate!

With everything that is going on in my life, I think I’m doing a good job with my writing and reading schedule. At least I hope I am.

What bothers me is that I know I can do much better than this … but how can I concentrate and totally immerse on my books when so much is going on around me? Other thing that bothers me: those “events” that disturb my concentration are out of my control and still I wish I could do something …

Let me explain a little of what I’m talking about: I moved from US to Brasil in May 2009. In November 2009, my husband had been promised to go back to US in November 2010—it’s July 2011 and we’re still waiting. And we’ve been living in between 2 houses (2 hours apart) for the last 17 months (too long to explain why now).

There are times things seem to progress and our hopes go up. Yes, we’ll go back to US! Then, other things happen, or nothing happens at all, and we loose hope and start talking about staying … See, staying in Brazil is not bad. We are Brazilians, our family is here and we love the food … but we adapted too well to living in the US. We made good friends. We miss it terribly!

Moving up and down and all around, not having my organized writing space and a normal routine, makes me crazy and spoils my concentration.

I feel like my life is pending …

There were times when I was super focused on my book, really pleased with what I was writing, then something would happen, some news would come and ruin my day … and my writing!

I’ve written 2 manuscripts this year so far. I dropped 2 others because I lost interest in them—I think so many things happened while writing them that it messed with my mojo. And I lost the inspiration to write them.

I know I’m capable of more than 2 manuscripts in 6 months—and that bothers me! I could have written 3 or 4 if I had my own desk, my own corner, one home and no travelling around, and not expecting life-changing news.

I know my life will never be smooth and calm and perfect. Nobody’s life is. Everyone is always complaining and wishing for more. Otherwise, where would be the fun in living if everyone was static and satisfied, right?

But this indecision—going, not going, move to a new apartment, not move, talk about staying, not talk, etc—drives me crazy. I like more regularity, more stability. In the last 7 years, we’ve moved 5 times! That’s just too much …

I’ve been trying to win my anxiety over … I’ve been trying to make tea (I love coffee but try to avoid it), turn the music on and loud (I can’t do anything without music), and just write … even if I’m not in the mood, even if an upsetting news has just been delivered, even if my head is spinning …

Unfortunately, I don’t always succeed.

But I’ll never stop fighting.

And when this situation settles down—when I find out if we’re really moving to the US or staying here and choosing only 1 house—my anxiety and concentration will be under control … and that will make me very happy, cause it’ll mean I’ll be able to write more and more =)

Cheers,

Categories: Reading

Reading: June

Like I said on a previous post, June was more of a reading month to me. Yes, most of the reads were short (novellas or such), but, anyway, I read more than I normally do.

NOTE: this is not a review. I don’t review books that I read. Not here at least. On my Goodreads page you’ll find the rating I gave each of them, but not a detailed review.

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I picked this one because I saw it on agent Mandy Hubbard’s post that most publisher’s would like to have a book like that on their list. And because it was high fantasy–I love high/epic fantasy.

It was a very, very good read, but I guess that, because many publishers wanted it, it was going to be even better. I guess I was too expectant for this one. But I highly recommend it!

Now, I need to read the second one: Fire.

Kristin Cashore

Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione

I picked this one from Amazon’s short stories list. I was thinking about writing more short stories and went looking for some.

Very nice. It made me want to read the rest of the series. (Technically this one is book 3.5, but you don’t need to read the first 3 before reading this one.)

Hot short read =)

Larissa Ione

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

As I’m still trying to squeeze “writing” books in between my reads, I chose this one, especially since I think my editing skills are terrible.

Good book. Good points. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do a decent editing and revising after having reading it =)

Dave King

Renni Browne

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

After almost 17 years, I reread The Princess Bride. This time in English (the first one was in Portuguese).

I remember how I found out about the book: I saw the movie on a cheap TV programming and my mother told me she had the book. I froze. Really? Was there a book about the movie? Wow! (I was ten years old, give me a break!). Of course, I read it.

And, a few days ago, I was perusing my TBR list and bumped into it. Ah, I missed it and decided it was time to reread it.

William Goldman

The Alchemist (O Alquimista) by Paulo Coelho

Well, now it’s going to be an embarrassing moment. I’ll confess something: I was never a fan of Paulo Coelho. In fact, I never even tried to read one of his work.

I remember being a kid and simply disliking him. Seriously. Just don’t ask me why I didn’t like him. I don’t know. And I grew up with that. Not liking him.

Then, now that I’m trailing the arduous path of an aspiring author, I thought “Well, it’s time to read Paulo Coelho.” Can you imagine if someday I’m slightly known and people ask me about the famous Brazilian writer, if I like him, which one of his masterpieces did I read … and I’ll say “none.” People will ask “But you’re Brazilian like him, how come YOU NEVER read anything written by him?”

So, I bought a Portuguese copy of The Alchemist. Yes, in Portuguese. I confess I prefer English to Portuguese, but, since the piece was originally written in Portuguese and it’s my first language, I gave it a try.

And the result was completely the opposite of Graceling.

I was expecting to push me through the read, cause it would be boring and philosophical and massive and I wasn’t up for this kind of reads. I didn’t need any psychology or self-help book in my hands at the moment.

Boy, was I wrong!

I read it in less than two hours. Yes, it’s a short book, but even so! I even cried at the end!

I LOVED IT! God, how it is wonderful to be wrong! Totally unexpected and heartwarming!

Paulo Coelho

Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye

I also picked this one for being shorter (novella length) …

It was a very good, steamy, quick read. I already put Kaye’s other book, Forever Freed, on my TBR list. Yum!

Laura Kaye

Be A Sex-Writing Strumpet by Stacia Kane

Self-explanatory.

I’ve been reading (not on purpose) lots of novels/novellas in which sex scenes are more detailed. And I’ve been thinking: it must not be that easy to write about it like that. Perhaps I should try and include scenes like that, instead of just letting the “camera” drift away during those very important parts.

If I succeed, I’m sure this book is one of the reasons. Very good.

Stacia Kane

For Love of an Angel by Rosalie Lario

The idea of this novella was/is unique. At least I thought it was. And I loved Michael and his kind. I wanted to be one of them. Seriously.

I’ll certainly read the rest of the series =)

Rosalie Lario

Hum, eager to see what next month will bring to my reading table!

Good readings!

Cheers,

Categories: My writing, On Writing, Reading

Writing time vs. Reading time

I came across Nathan Bransford’s post about Writing Time vs. Reading Time … and that got me thinking …

May was a writing month to me … while June was a reading one.

Well, June is not over yet, but I barely wrote–anything new at least. I did work on my book (a lot), with edits and revision and I’ve been working with an editor, and, while she revises my manuscript, I decided I should catch up with my reading. My to-read list is enormous and it gets bigger and bigger by the minute …

Though, what got me thinking was the reading time … I’ve been following some very interesting and informative people and organizations in Twitter and they post links to articles they wrote or read. And, if it sounds interesting, I open it up and read it.

I also follow many blogs and most of them post new articles daily.

Then we have emails, news (which I read online), and other social media (facebook, goodreads, orkut, etc).

And books. We all read books, don’t we?

So, with so much reading to do, is there time to write? Ah, yeah, that’s a good question.

Internet and social media made our lives easier … I shop mostly online, I do all kinds of research, search maps and places, watch new music videos by my fave bands and singers … I got to reconnect with friends I had not seen for many, many years! And I also follow my favorite writers and talk to readers and fellow aspiring authors and much more. It’s fast, easy and fun!

But it’s also easy to get carried away and forget about time when surfing the net …

As a writer, it’s necessary to turn off the internet for a few hours each day, literally, otherwise I won’t get any writing done. And that’s good because, when I get engaged in my story, I write really fast (in a good day, I can get about 8k words … but that’s for another post).

Also, I need time to read the books in my long to-read list, after all, a good writer is also a good reader.

And you? How do you balance your “reading” time and your writing (or your job, if you’re not a writer)?

Cheers,

Categories: On Writing, Reading

New Adult Fiction

That’s what I write!

Well, till a few days ago, I wasn’t sure where my manuscripts fit in this wide publishing world … now I know.

Apparently, in 2009, St. Martins “created” the New Adult category because many adults were reading Young Adults books and they felt like those adults would like a more mature protagonist, but not as mature as the protagonists of the adult session (that’s what I read on the web, at least).

And that’s exactly my case.

My first serious manuscript featured a 20 yo protagonist. Where would I place her? She is not in the teens anymore, but she isn’t quite a fulfilled adult, with job, successful career, hubby and such.

So I tried writing my girls with 17 to 18 … it didn’t work. You know why? Because I just can’t sound like a teenager anymore. I just don’t know how. My writing and dialogue sound too mature for YA and I just couldn’t have my heroines stand there while popular, shallow bitches humiliated them in the school gym. Normally, my temper would rise with the scene and, as consequence, my heroine would end up punching the bitch in the face and step over her (which I did when I was 15 btw, but that’s another story). Besides, HS is too much drama over too little … I didn’t want to relive those days. My protagonists were way too mature for HS. And I like my heroes, the male side of my story, a little older than my heroines … so, even with a 17 yo heroine, my hero was about 23-26. Still out of the YA range, right? Yeah, I know.

I went back to the 20s.

Actually, my fourth manuscript features a 19 yo heroine. She will be 20 in the sequel.

My protagonist are all around 19-25–which is the range of the New Adult category.

MG is 9-12, YA is 12-18, sometimes 14-19, and adult is over that. Of course, this is not set in stone and readers’ age vary a lot. I, for example, graduated from HS almost 12 years ago and read a lot of YA and some MG. This numbers and categories names are just references for the readers, to make it easy to find a book that may interest them.

But isn’t 19-25 yo an adult?, you may ask, and I’ll answer: yes, in some sense. I think that the main difference, in a novel, is where the protagonist is in her life, the writing tone, the word choice, and the heat level. Normally, adult books have an almost formal writing (more than YA, at least), a high usage of the F-word, and pretty detailed sex scenes. I also don’t write like that. My protagonists don’t sound so formal, I don’t write too many dirty curses (you’ll find a lot of “damn” though) and my sex scenes are more sensual than detailed.

And, like I mentioned before, many adults were seeking YA books to read (one of the reasons why the YA market is so popular these days), so now these readers can find books where the main characters are in college instead of high school, who are more mature and away from home and don’t need to follow their parents rules.

I’m sure these category didn’t just popped out of nowhere and I’m sure authors have been writing about 19-25 heroines and heroes for a long time, but now these books can be categorized and separated from the YA shelves–at least on our minds, since bookstores don’t seem to carry a New Adult shelf … yet.

I know, many authors won’t like that distinction. Many want to be in the YA shelves since those shelves are getting a lot of attention lately, but I am pretty happy about it. I don’t want readers to tag my books as purely YA, because they are not. I don’t want to write YA. Not because I don’t like it. I do like it. I read YA a lot! But I can’t write YA. It’s not for the writer in me.

Now the writer here will go back to writing =)
Cheers,

Categories: Reading

Reading: May

I promised to post about the books I’ve read in May and I was already slacking, right? Bad, bad girl!

So, what did I read in May?

To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory

I was anxious to read this one because it’s from an indie author that is doing quite well. I confess I didn’t like it as much as I wish I did. Still, it was a nice read and an interesting story.

Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress

I’ve read this one because of the class I took (it was a requirement), but it was pretty nice. A lot of info and cool stuff to know about character building and about choosing the right POV …

Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell

I’ve read this one because people talked well about it and because I read a blog written by James Scott Bell that sparkled my interest. Very good read. It’ll certainly be helpful for future manuscripts.

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas

I saw this book in many recommendation lists and the critic of my last manuscript also told me I SHOULD read it. And I did. And I agree with the many recommendation lists I browsed through. If I ever make a lists of sorts, this one will be on the top.

And right now, I’m reading Graceling by Kristin Cashore (in paperback!). It’s taking longer than usual because I’ve been editing and revising my manuscript and because of the many holidays May holds (only in the city I live, btw). One thing I can say: I’m liking it very much!

Good readings …

Cheers,

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