Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Taking the Plunge

After years of watching my friends from the blogs and from elsewhere courageously and tenaciously putting their work out for the world to read, I've decided to finally do it too.

So, I'm preparing a collection of tales - most of them have appeared on this blog but there are also a few new longer ones. I hope to have them published in October.



As you can see, I'm working with the printed book template.

I love my Kindle. It’s with me everywhere I go. It’s my treasure box. A treasure box that is starting to become chaotic. That is starting to resemble a little black hole.

I’m not patient enough to be super-organized. I have close to 400 books on the Kindle itself and probably at least 200 others in the ‘cloud’. However, I have many times more printed books. I know exactly what printed books I have and where they are, on which shelf, in which room. The Kindle ones not so much.

I know e-books are the future. Or at least a very big part of the future. For writers they are convenient. Easy to get them out. Better royalties. Maybe other advantages that I'm not aware of. For readers too they are convenient, especially these days when everything is about instant gratification. I want a book. Click and I have it. No need to wait for Amazon to send it or to go to the bookstore.

But then, what happens to all these e-books? How do they endure through time?

I'll prepare the Kindle version later but, for now, I would really like to give this book a chance to live on paper, at least for a little while.

18 comments:

BernardL said...

Sales are pretty tough with print books unless you can get them into airports and bookstores. Also, if you want to sell any on your own, there is a considerable expense. As you say though, it is nice to have it in your hand.

Vesper said...

I know, Bernard. Still... :-)

Denise Covey said...

Vesper, nice to meet you. I love my print books too. Good on you for creating yours. Yes, keeping track of e-books is difficult.

Vesper said...

Denise, thanks for stopping by! We've met last year through your Halloween WEP Blogfest... :-)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Vesper:
I was tempted to do THE LEGEND OF VICTOR STANDISH in print on CreateSpace -- but I am cyber-challenged! And Bernard is right: they are expensive and with no national distribution system behind you, it will be tough.

With Kindle books, if you have a backlist and get the attention of a few readers, they will want to read all you've written. And unlike brick stores, your books will always be there for those who look you up.

Someday Amazon may change that, but for right now, Kindle books stay where they are to be found by new fans.

I wish you luck! Roland

Charles Gramlich said...

I'm getting ready to do a print one too, although it will also come out in ebook fairly quickly. Luck with yours. I'll look forward to it!

Vesper said...

Roland, I know... :-( And I will certainly prepare the Kindle book too, there's no question about that.
Thank you for your good wishes. :-)
I hope you do print The Legend of Victor Standish one day because I would really love to hold in my hands a real book with that cover! :-)

Charles, that's great news! Thank you for good wishes. Good luck to you too. By the way, I bought Under the Ember Star - on Kindle! :-) I'll read it soon.

the walking man said...

Vesper

Use no interior pictures, it keeps the cost down. Use 11 pt garamond type, it is clean and clear and is the most expedient space wise.

Order 3 proof (1 for you and 2 for people willing to edit for punctuation and spelling,I volunteer if you need me to.) copies first with cover art (if you need someone to do original cover art for a good price I have a suggestion.

When pricing take into account that cash is king and trust your readers to pay as you send, In I never got stiffed once on any of the 3 I did. Handle all shipping yourself and remember to include an average postage in your pricing, try to not take foreign currency as there is a charge for conversions.

It's actually pretty fun sending and getting mail, real mail for months.

All I can tell you is go for it, and if you need help just ask.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Hi Vesper and good morning! I wish you the very best with this venture. it sounds exciting :-)

Vesper said...

Mark, I love you! :-) Much appreciated, my friend.

Hi Keith! It's exciting, all right. Thank you so much for your good wishes! :-)

Sarah Hina said...

This makes me very happy to read, Vesper. Can't wait to buy and read.

And YES on having that book in your hand! It's one of the most precious things you'll ever touch. :)

Vesper said...

Sarah, your support means so much to me! As your gracious presence does, always... Thank you, my friend!
xoxoxo

Anonymous said...

Hi Vesper, I thought after leaving my last remark for you on my blog I would jump on over here to yours. Love hearing about your new book project. I also have a kindle which I have only had a few months, and share it with my husband. :) When he has it to read his books, I often will want to read mine at the same time, but fortunately I also have the Kindle app on my desktop PC and is synced with the Kindle device so I can read the same books there as well. I have often wanted to get my novel and stories into print also, but have not pursued it yet. I hope yours sells well and you are happy with the results.

Vesper said...

Joyce, thank you so much for visiting again and for your kind words. Yes, it's good that Kindle apps are available for PCs and tablets too. Also, a color screen is better for certain books.
You should definitely get your novels in print. That reminds me that I have to get back to When Dark Closes In and The Informant's Agenda. I really loved what I've read from them.

Brian Miller said...

nice..i look forward to seeing your book...and having a copy on my shelf....

Vesper said...

Hey, Brian! So very nice seeing you here! And, thank you, very, very much. :-)

Marilyn Brant said...

Very excited to hear that you're jumping into the world of publishing, Vesper!! And, much as I love ebooks, there's nothing quite like holding a print copy of one of your novels in your hands... It will be a thrilling moment ;).
XOX

Vesper said...

Marilyn, thank you so much! I'm very glad to see you here and thank you for the encouragement. :-) Much appreciated.
xoxoxo