I was invited to the Southern Library Associations Author's Night for SF/Fantasy last night and it was a lot of fun. Another local writer, M. F. Korn, and I went. There was a question and answer session, which I enjoyed, and later we sold and signed books and talked with librarians, who are a writer's natural allies in this world. I sold quite a few copies, especialy of Swords of Talera, and was happy about that. I was a little surprised at the number of librarians who asked if our materials were on Kindle. I'd say about a third of them wanted to know about the ebook markets for out books, which in my case is virtually nonexistent except for Swords of Talera, which is available on ebook from Barnes and Noble. That was one of the questions from the audience for us in the more formal part of the night, as well.
In other news, I did a guest post on the real west over at Richard Prosch's Meridian Bridge. Thanks, Rich.
I'm working on two stories at present. One is a western tale for my planned Kindle ebook, which I'll try to publish in July. That story is working under the title "Powder Burn." The other story is for a secret project that I'm not currently at liberty to speak of. How's that for a tease? ;)
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Nice. Cool venue.
ReplyDeleteYes, librarians are a writer's natural allies.
Up until recently, I had suppressed a tendency to caper, when a Librarian would whisper to a patron, "Published author."
At which point I would make a gesture like picking my nose...Like to show I was really intelligent. :)
sounds like fun times all round, charles, keep at em :)
ReplyDeletethe more ways to get stuff to librarians, and others, the better!
"M.F. Korn" - Possibly the COOLEST name I've ever heard, lol !
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear some good news on the writing front. :)
ReplyDeleteAs usual, I love your titles "Powder Burn" is so visceral.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had good presentation.
Ivan, I always wear my great red cape with the big "A" on the back whenever I venture into the library.
ReplyDeleteLaughingwolf, agreed.
Heff, I know. I guess that's why he uses his initials instead of Mike. More memorable this way. I heard a couple of folks tell him, "I won't forget your name." maybe I need to change my name.
Bernardl, sometimes a bit of rain falls after a long dry spell.
David J. West, I like it too. It just popped into my head with the first sentence of the story.
My interested is piqued.
ReplyDeleteYou are rocking.
ReplyDeleteTravis Erwin, cool.
ReplyDeletePatti, thankee.
Glad to hear you're moving some books. I will do a review in the next month of Book Two of the Talera series.
ReplyDeleteHm.. a secret project. I may have to rip it out of you.
Charles, good for you! Sounds like you are generating good interest, ya big tease!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun night! Congrats on the book sales.
ReplyDeleteLove the title Powder Burn. Best of luck on your e-book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like good news all around Charles. I have not read any of your books. I have to learn to find and purchase them from out here. And I have not tried e-book, although my son is reading Sherlock Holmes on my Iphone.
ReplyDeleteLooks like book selling is picking up, and best of luck on your ebooks, Charles.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good time. As a librarian, I have to say it is a great thrill to have authors like yourself come and share time with readers.
ReplyDeleteAnd, as a librarian, thanks for the tip o' the hat!
David Cranmer, cool. In good time the secret will be revealed.
ReplyDeletejodi, Yes, summer is going perty good so far.
Greg Schwartz, I appreciate that.
Travis Cody, thanks. I kind of like the title too. I don't know of any books titled that.
Ocean Girl, the only book I have on ebook is Swords of Talera, although there's a longish story called "Chimes" available on the Kindle at Amazon. I am doing a fair amount of ereading these days.
Barbara Martin, thanks, I appreciate that.
Don, I feel like a real writer when I talk to Librarians and get their interest.
Oh, a secret?
ReplyDeleteI am all ears. ;-)
So good to hear that you had a good Author's Night and that there are still librarians out there!
Congrats, baby. I just wish I could've been there, too. You SO rock!
ReplyDeleteMerisi, I like librarians. I love one in particular. Just below :)
ReplyDeleteLana, you are sweetness personified. AT least to me ;)
My wife uses the Barnes and Noble reader and often downloads books from the library--interestingly, after the time expires, the book is no longer on your reader.
ReplyDeleteSoooooo, this Secret Project.... what is it? ;-p
ReplyDeleteSage, I've heard they can do that now. Haven't seen it myself.
ReplyDeleteSteve Malley, I'd tell you but then I'd have to kill someone closer than New Zealand.
I like your new Avatar, intriguing!
ReplyDeletefound new horror fan bunch: http://horrorbloggeralliance.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeletepsychologist jessica penot began it
other links in her name on my sidebar
Great for you, Charles, selling a lot of books!
ReplyDeleteJust as I logged on to this page, our university librarian strolled past. Wish she'd seen what you wrote: I know she'd have appreciated it.
Merisi, thanks. I'll eventually run some more of these western theme pics Lana took.
ReplyDeletelaughingwolf, cool. I'll check that out. SOunds like a group I might want to get to know. Thanks.
Mary Witz, I'm not sure how I escaped becoming a librarian myself. It was probably my calling.
Post appreciated. As for ebooks, I like old novels with illustrations, particularly westerns. These for me are part of the pleasure of reading a good story.
ReplyDeleteWith digital media, image and word so often serve and illuminate each other, I'm wondering whether the ebook offers an opportunity to introduce that feature of book publishing again. I, for one, would love it.
Ron, I recently downloaded a Michael Moorcock story from Tor's site and it came with a neat picture illustration. It wsn't in color but was still cool.
ReplyDeleteI hope the e-book interest lasts.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is an excellent title, Charles.
That's interesting about librarians asking if the books are available as ebooks. I've recently attracted a new generation of fans of my old romances who are discovering them as ebooks. The format really does seem to be changing the way people read.
ReplyDeleteBernita, it has. I started the upload process yesterday.
ReplyDeleteCandy, I know, I was surprised but I probably shouldn't have been.