Lemme tell ya, them guys ain’t dumb

[rolanni]

Well, now, where was I?

Right. Seem to have run right out of “rest,” with the result that my ankle has started to swell up again. Spent yesterday on the couch, redlining Necessity’s Child. Today will be more of the same, and that should see the end of that part of the project. Then, I really do need to get with the desk-top, do the changes, and the text-block moves. And, yanno, write the final third of the book.

Happily, my backbrain has forked over with An Idea regarding the future of one of the characters. Sadly, it would involve a sequel that would entangle with the sequel to Dragon Ship.

Perhaps the backbrain will kindly produce some more information on this subject some time soon. After all, it has all the time in the world, here.

* * *

We have thus far collected $89.24 for the Planned Parenthood breast cancer screening program. Our thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy of The Cat’s Job in February. For those who came in late, we are contributing the February proceeds (that means, the money that we get, after the bookstores get their piece of the action)of the eChapbook edition of The Cat’s Job to Planned Parenthood. Complete explanation, with links, here

* * *

Speaking of Amazon (note that smooth transition, baby) — If you are an author who sells Kindle editions of your work, it is worth your while to check the catalog pages of your books to ascertain whether Amazon has arbitrarily marked your book down to $0.99US

Pinbeam Books has five titles that have been marked down. On the publisher page, the list price still shows at $2.99US. It is on the catalog page (i.e. the page that people Actually Buy The Book From) that the discounted price is displayed (You! Save! $2.00!)

At least one other author has noticed this, regarding his own books, that I know of. I suspect that there are more, because the answer to my inquiry to KDP support is: We wanted to write you to confirm that we received your recent email to KDP Support and will be responding to you as soon as possible. Unfortunately, our response time is taking a bit longer than the usual 24 hours we normally reply within.

And, yes, before someone says it — Amazon does indeed have the power to do whateverthehell they want to do with any book they list. Says so in their manifesto contract. However, Amazon is trying very hard to position itself as The Author’s Friend; the guy who’ll cut authors a fair deal and give them 70% royalties.

Only?

Books that are sold at $0.99US earn 35% royalties.

* * *

We watched Source Code Friday night — it was, I thought, very well done, even riveting. Even Mozart was riveted, and his taste in film runs almost exclusively to vintage musicals.

Recommended.

* * *

And for those who have been jonseing for an eArc of Dragon Ship, we have word from a proactive reader who enquired of Baenebooks that “Assuming the book stays on schedule, we should be publishing the eARC sometime between May and June…”

. . .and that’s all the news.

How’s your weekend coming along?

Originally published at Sharon Lee, Writer. You can comment here or there.

Comments

weekend going fine

[kalilama.livejournal.com]

Wrote two poems this morning, the equivalent of a few jumping jacks and stretches. Then wrote a final line for a poem that might be getting ready to stick its foot, though not an iamb (ha ha, geek poet humor), into actual Poetry, capital P.

Spent yesterday in MA at a family photo session (professional type) with my excellent grandsons and their excellent parents.

And now I realize that I have not eaten breakfast.

[shaneseb.livejournal.com]

I can't wait for the e-arc! Thank you so much. Now if I only had a time machine...

Nook

[elizabeth belden handler (from livejournal.com)]

I tried to buy this on Nook, but the buy button refused to light. I bought it on kindle, instead. As I have a tablet, I can use either format.

Re: Nook

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I just went over and tried to buy a Nook edition from my pc. I had to hit the buy button twice, but it did finally give me the popup box warning that I was about to buy a book.

So, hoping it's a temporary glitch.

And thank you for persevering!

RE: Ankle

[margotinez.livejournal.com]

I'm new to your list, but a fervent fan of your books. I'm sorry to hear that your ankle continues to trouble you. I've had best results with elevation and icing. Do you have some handy snow you could pop into a baggie? A bag of frozen peas also works.
Kind regards,
Margot

[attilathepbnun.livejournal.com]

I have conquered the tv, cable-box and dvd-player!! All now function as they should ...
It took three trips back-and-forth to various stories for assorted components, but I'm quite pleased.

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

entanglement with the sequel to Dragon Ship? Not Necessity's Child, I think, that was not a sequelae (huh, that isn't really the right term, is it, sequels in books are not pathological).

Entangle us! PLEASE?

Yes

[claire774.livejournal.com]

Please go ahead and write anything you can find a contract for. The more the merrier I say.

About the books. I've noticed that if a book comes out as a mass market paperback Amazon is selling it usually for $7.99. So it's worth trying to get your books published, if I'm understanding this, as a mass market paperback. I sit and wait for some authors' work to come out as a mass market thingie. Beats paying $15, $16 for a hardback.

Of course I buy Miller and Lee's work as soon as it comes out if I can. Still holding out for paper. I find that mostly the Kindle price is ridiculously expensive for a full length novel.