I just bought it and can't wait to read it. I also sent you a friend request on Goodreads. I am a rabid follower but not the dangerous kind, I swear... lol ;-)
Good luck and let's hope this and the rest of the books out there eventually push you into Amazon's Million e-Book club. ;-)
Just bought it. Thanks for all that you do, Joe. You inspired me to try this self pub thingy with my children's books, and it's gradually changing my life. Slow reader, but will post a review soonest.
Thanks, and bought it for hubby who is new to ebks. Archangel says It's much easier to write a book than finish a book. Congratulations for making it through again and again. There's the proof of the hard work.
Ok, I am having a bit of trouble trying to get this on a Nook. I have Kindle for PC so I opened it in that initially. I seem to no longer have an option to "transfer to computer" as noted in the instruction from Blake:
"Visit the Manage Your Kindle page. Locate the item you wish to download in the "Your Orders" section at the bottom of the page. If you have a lot of content, you may need to use the Previous and Next options at the bottom to navigate through all of your content. Click on "Deliver to" next to the title and choose "Transfer via Computer" from the list. Save the file to your computer when prompted by your web browser."
I just get options to open it in various Kindle formats -- Kindle for PC, Kindle Cloud Reader, etc.
How do I locate the file? They don't seem to have any naming convention I can understand. I have dozens of Kindle downloads.
This kind of thing where a book is only readable on a Kindle platform is anti-consumer.
I figured it out. I don't know if I'm going to jump through these kinds of hoops again. There are plenty of very good books I haven't read that I can buy direct from B&N and have them sync to my Nook.
It's a bit sad to see these Amazon exclusive deals. I don't think they do consumers any good and in the long run writers will be better served if B&N and others hang around to proved competition to Amazon.
Joe, I look forward to reading this in a couple of weeks when I have time to take a brief break. I notice it's only available right now thru Amazon. Is this a contractual agreement or will it be available thru other ebook distributors at some point?
Just re-started it. This is my first Jack Daniels book, but far from my first Konrath or Crouch book. The hyperlinking inside the book to the first appearances in the other books is brilliant, but deadly :) I clicked on the first hyperlink, and then just HAD to go by "Shaken" so I wouldn't feel all out of touch (GREAT read BTW). So I read that in one day, and then back to this one.
I don't think you need to read the previous books first, but it definitely helped to have the time-spanning and jumping "Stirred" to help familiarize me with Jack and Harry and the villains.
Hoping to finish it up late tonight or tomorrow and get a review up shortly thereafter.
Great read so far - hard to put down, and suspense and comedy mixed nicely.
I saw it hit #33 in paid downloads at one point over the weekend. What a great value !
You know, that this book is Kindle-format only upsets me. I can't read it on a Nook unless I jump through hoops.
But I had a thought: Maybe the best e-reader is platform agnostic. I might be better off with my next e-reader being something that lets me load the Kindle app, the B&N app, and so on.
It's ironic but books like this are making me think an Apple e-reader is better, or an Android e-reader. Why should I get a Kindle and be locked into Amazon's ecosystem?
At least the Nook Color roots easily. The Kindle Fire, once rooted, seems to cause some headaches.
@Mark...content exclusive to BN.com, Kobo, and Kindle is the future. Don't blame the writers. The platforms want exclusive content, and why shouldn't they?
"@Mark...content exclusive to BN.com, Kobo, and Kindle is the future. Don't blame the writers. The platforms want exclusive content, and why shouldn't they?"
That's why a platform-independent reader makes sense, one that can run a Kindle app, a Kobo app, a B&N app, etc. Why should readers need a Kindle to read a Kindle exclusive, a Nook to read a Nook exclusive, and so on? That way lies madness.
I'm talking myself into an Android-based e-reader. Why should I limit myself to being able to read only the Kindle format?
Would you agree from a consumer's viewpoint that an open platform e-reader that can read epub, mobi, azw, pdf, and other formats makes more sense than a closed platform like a Kindle or Nook?
@Mark: I agree with your comment "That's why a platform-independent reader makes sense, one that can run a Kindle app, a Kobo app, a B&N app, etc. Why should readers need a Kindle to read a Kindle exclusive, a Nook to read a Nook exclusive, and so on? That way lies madness." Is such a thing readily available, short of rooting a Nook Color or buying an Apple iPad (in other words affordable)?
@Blake: I take issue with the idea of platform-exclusive content. That may be acceptable in the field of software but seems contrary to the spirit of books and the idea of exchange of ideas and freedom of information. If that is indeed the future, then I guess I'll have to miss out on some future books. I'm sure I'll be able to find plenty to read without them.
Not all platforms are created equal, Walt. Writers need to make a living, and they are going to give preference to the platforms that best help to promote and sell their work. DRM-free has been and is the answer to all of this. It's not a difficult thing to ask of a dedicated reader. If someone who has a Nook wants to read Stirred badly enough, they'll take the minute or two required to port the mobi file to an epub file for their device. Content is only going to get more exclusive going forward. That's the tradeoff for merchandising and promo.
@Blake: If someone who has a Nook wants to read Stirred badly enough, they'll take the minute or two required to port the mobi file to an epub file for their device.
The problem with this is a lot of Amazon exclusive content isn't DRM-free. I even had an email exchange a few days ago with an AmazonEncore author who wanted his book to be DRM-free and Amazon refused. There's no easy way to get an Amazon DRM-encoded file onto a Nook.
Content is only going to get more exclusive going forward. That's the tradeoff for merchandising and promo.
This may be, but it's certainly consumer hostile. I don't see how you can say otherwise. I don't want to have to own a Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and who knows what else to read and enjoy books. I want to own one e-reader and be able to buy any and all ebooks and be able to read them.
Just imagine if you had to use a PC to read this blog, an iPad to read another blog, an Android device to read a third blog, and so on. Sort of a nightmarish scenario for readers of blogs, don't you think?
Exclusives may be good for authors and for sellers, but they are not good for readers.
@Walt: @Mark: I agree with your comment "That's why a platform-independent reader makes sense, one that can run a Kindle app, a Kobo app, a B&N app, etc. Why should readers need a Kindle to read a Kindle exclusive, a Nook to read a Nook exclusive, and so on? That way lies madness." Is such a thing readily available, short of rooting a Nook Color or buying an Apple iPad (in other words affordable)?
I think the Nook Color is the most affordable, best device for rooting. However, it's not e-ink.
Also, in terms of getting books onto a device, rooting means side-loading. So when we talk about rooting and side-loading we are probably cutting out a large percentage of customers.
What we really want is an option to buy from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc., and have the file delivered to our device of choice.
This idea of devices specific to a seller is not a good one. Imagine if you needed one TV to see shows on CBS, another TV for NBC, another for ABC, and so on. Just crazy.
They are ebooks, folks. There's no reason from a reader's standpoint why they should be limited to one device.
My feeling is support books that are available on multiple platforms and shy away from books that are exclusive. Do we readers really want to encourage exclusive releases? There are more good books available than we can ever read in a lifetime. Find the ones that are available everywhere instead of the ones that are exclusive.
Joe, you've been a champion for writers. How about being a champion for readers?
I even had an email exchange a few days ago with an AmazonEncore author who wanted his book to be DRM-free and Amazon refused.
That author is lying, or misguided.
Amazon has always allowed me to choose whether or not to use DRM. Shaken and Stirred have no DRM. Neither does The Detachment by Eisler. At our request. I have a hard time believing an author who insisted on no DRM would be denied this.
I own a Nook and have no problem or issue with converting mobi (Kindle) to ePub to side port onto the Nook. If I want to read a book bad enough going through those extra steps is no big deal and worth it for my favorite authors.
Heck, I've purchased ebooks from Amazon instead of B&N because they were a buck or two cheaper on Amazon for whatever reason. Converting to Nook format after that is worth it to me.
I would never shy away from an ebook I really wanted to read simply because it's only available in one place. If that's a good deal for the author then more power to them. I'll always read what I want to read one way or another.
"I own a Nook and have no problem or issue with converting mobi (Kindle) to ePub to side port onto the Nook. If I want to read a book bad enough going through those extra steps is no big deal and worth it for my favorite authors."
How do you do this if the Kindle book has DRM? I tried it with Calibre on a book with DRM and the plugin asked me for a device number from the Kindle I don't have. I couldn't strip the DRM without that number.
Anyway, it's a pain to have to do this. It would be far simpler to get a device that can run the Kindle app, the Nook app, etc.
Exclusives really make a strong argument for NOT getting a Kindle or a Nook if you don't mind side-loading.
@Mark Exclusives really make a strong argument for NOT getting a Kindle or a Nook if you don't mind side-loading.
Personally, I prefer Nook for its physical design, but the Nook store simply doesn't carry many of the books I shop for and I've noticed a number of instances lately where prices were higher than on Kindle (including books by authors I won't mention by name...cough...Joe, Blake...cough). So, I'm going to go buy a Kindle. Not because I want to spend $79 bucks on a new device rather than on books, but because that's life. Also, as a writer, I sell a TON more copies of my ebooks on Kindle than Nook. Not sure why exactly, but so be it. All I know is it will be interesting to see how sales numbers change after Christmas on both devices. At this point, as both a writer and reader, the Kindle seems to be the path of least resistance.
Sorry to go off topic here, but I just thought someone might find this interesting. Over at techdirt.com, Barry Eisler is talking about copyright and piracy. Highly recommended reading!
@Jude: I'm sure that's exactly what Amazon would like us all to do, but I won't be doing it. I already have a Nook that still works just fine. I can buy ebooks from Kobo, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and several other sources and read them on my Nook. I am not locked into a single source.
I remember when Amazon was just starting out. They were the outsider, the little guy. Now they are a big behemoth intent on throwing their weight around in any way they can. Having also read about some of the working conditions they subject their employees to, I think I am about ready to stop using them altogether.
Here's the first of the articles that started all of the discussion about Amazon's treatment of some of its employees: Inside Amazon's Warehouse in case you're interested.
Walled gardens are the price you pay for cheap devices.
Have you seen the price of e-readers?
There is no profit for Amazon (or Kobo or Barnes & Noble) in the devices. The money is in the content. That's why the have to try and tie you to their store - it's the only place there is any profit.
I expect devices to continue getting cheaper and cheaper, and those walls to get higher.
"There is no profit for Amazon (or Kobo or Barnes & Noble) in the devices. The money is in the content. That's why the have to try and tie you to their store - it's the only place there is any profit."
You have a lot more flexibility going with an e-reader that reads epub files, however. That's B&N, Kobo, Sony, etc.
If you want to go with the Nook Color you can root it quite easily, including using an SD card for rebooting it into a rooted state if you don't want to permanently root it, and then you can run the Kindle app and the other apps.
Until I ran into Amazon's DRM I hadn't really thought about this issue. Now that I have it's clear to me that there are significant advantages in not being tied to Amazon. With a $99 Nook, for example, I can read epub files and if I really want an Amazon book I can convert that to epub if it's DRM-free.
Anyway, it's something to think about the next time you're shopping for an e-reader.
OK have bought! It was only £.99 pence for me. Teehee. I wonder if anyone else in the UK reads your books. I also wonder if anyone else in the UK is taking your advice like I am. Hope not. Less competition.
Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS): Development of nanotechnology-based, sustained release and targeted delivery formulations with NDDS to reduce adverse drug reactions and side-effects in the therapeutic areas of oncology, NSAID, neuro science, arthritic disorders, stress and lifestyle related diseases, immuno chemistry, infectious diseases and wound healing.
I haven't published an ebook before, but I'm going to soon (thanks to this blog; I never would've had the courage to do it without it). I hear a lot around here about the benefits of doing DRM-free, but never about the negatives. Are there any? What's the opposing argument? If it's just about piracy, I feel like that's a problem I'd be lucky to have at this point. (Piracy would mean there's tons of people out there just clamoring to read me. I'll worry about that bridge when I reach it.)
Congratulations on the new book. I love to see my fellow Thomas & Mercer authors doing so well. I'm only about two months out from my own T&M releases for my polygamist thriller series. It should be a fun ride.
@Robert - great question....in your Stirred ebook go to the table of contents and click the link for "6 decades of mayhem." that tells the order to read every story, novella, and novel in our shared universes.
I've been watching for over a week as you slowly slid from #40 or so down to about #150 in overall sales - now I come back two days later and you shot to #1?
In my experience I would guess that you finally hit the 'also bought' lists?
"I've been watching for over a week as you slowly slid from #40 or so down to about #150 in overall sales - now I come back two days later and you shot to #1?"
I think they dropped the price from $2.99 to $0.99.
What the hell happened Joe/Blake? I've been watching for over a week as you slowly slid from #40 or so down to about #150 in overall sales - now I come back two days later and you shot to #1?
Stirred was the Kindle Daily Deal on Sunday. An email was sent out to every Amazon customer who is signed up to receive the Daily Deal alert http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000677541. It's like winning the lottery. I'm guestimating that Joe and Blake together are hauling in around 3 thousand bucks per day at the moment, depending on what royalty Thomas and Mercer gave them.
Got a nice review up.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving.
Just added my review to Amazon! Thanks again (and to Blake) for taking the time for the little Q&A on my blog.
ReplyDeleteKnock 'em dead, bros.
ReplyDeleteJoe,
ReplyDeleteIs it going to be available for the Nook?
Thanks for the reviews!
ReplyDeleteNo Nook release is scheduled, but Shaken is DRM-free, which means you can buy a Kindle copy and put it on your Nook following these directions:
http://www.blakecrouch.com/draculas/nokindle.shtml
Pre-ordered it a couple of days ago and plan to start reading it soon. Congrats Joe and Blake!
ReplyDeleteI just bought it and can't wait to read it. I also sent you a friend request on Goodreads. I am a rabid follower but not the dangerous kind, I swear... lol ;-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck and let's hope this and the rest of the books out there eventually push you into Amazon's Million e-Book club. ;-)
Just bought it. Thanks for all that you do, Joe. You inspired me to try this self pub thingy with my children's books, and it's gradually changing my life.
ReplyDeleteSlow reader, but will post a review soonest.
San
SuperBurger
alinibooks.blogspot.com
Thanks for letting me know how to convert it from Kindle to Nook. I have purchased it and will post a review soon.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely on my list of things to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. A heartfelt thanks to you Joe for the wisdom imparted so generously.
Just bought the Kindle version, Joe. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Review is up...throughly enjoyable, thrilling and disturbing read.
ReplyDeleteHow's launch day treating you?
Thanks as always.
Bought my copy and I look forward to reading it. Currently reading The Detachment by Barry Eisler and loving it. You and Blake are next.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Joe, I see you're racing up the charts in the US, and doing pretty well in the UK too.
ReplyDeleteNow, back to my editing cave or I'll never get this book out for Christmas.
Just gave my kindle a drink of "Stirred". Goodluck!
ReplyDeleteGot it! Thanks for everything! :)
ReplyDeleteYou’ve entertained, informed and give writer’s real choice.
ReplyDelete$2.99 is not much for your latest block buster. Count me in.
Rob
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJust back from vacation -- couldn't think of a better way to end a great month.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and bought it for hubby who is new to ebks. Archangel says It's much easier to write a book than finish a book. Congratulations for making it through again and again. There's the proof of the hard work.
ReplyDeletedr.cpe
Finished it the early hours of this morning. Very enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteKongrats, and happy thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI'd buy it, but I'd I'd have to sell a copy of HEADWIND to afford it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, happy thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteSo who's the Zelo fan, Crouch or Konrath? Was surprised to see a shout out to my neighborhood pizza place in Stirred!!
ReplyDeleteI'm all about Zelo.
ReplyDeleteOk, I am having a bit of trouble trying to get this on a Nook. I have Kindle for PC so I opened it in that initially. I seem to no longer have an option to "transfer to computer" as noted in the instruction from Blake:
ReplyDelete"Visit the Manage Your Kindle page. Locate the item you wish to download in the "Your Orders" section at the bottom of the page. If you have a lot of content, you may need to use the Previous and Next options at the bottom to navigate through all of your content. Click on "Deliver to" next to the title and choose "Transfer via Computer" from the list. Save the file to your computer when prompted by your web browser."
I just get options to open it in various Kindle formats -- Kindle for PC, Kindle Cloud Reader, etc.
How do I locate the file? They don't seem to have any naming convention I can understand. I have dozens of Kindle downloads.
This kind of thing where a book is only readable on a Kindle platform is anti-consumer.
I figured it out. I don't know if I'm going to jump through these kinds of hoops again. There are plenty of very good books I haven't read that I can buy direct from B&N and have them sync to my Nook.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit sad to see these Amazon exclusive deals. I don't think they do consumers any good and in the long run writers will be better served if B&N and others hang around to proved competition to Amazon.
Congratulations on getting to Number 2 in the UK Kindle bestseller list in just four days!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a great Thanksgiving, Joe!
ReplyDeleteI'll get to it eventually.
ReplyDeleteJosh Randall
I'm about halfway thru and will post my review soon.
ReplyDeleteOh you bastards. Kept me awake all night loooong after I'd finished the book. The tenth circle of hell--nightmares.
ReplyDeleteJoe, I look forward to reading this in a couple of weeks when I have time to take a brief break. I notice it's only available right now thru Amazon. Is this a contractual agreement or will it be available thru other ebook distributors at some point?
ReplyDeleteMerrill Heath
Violent Saturday
this is Amazon exclusive
ReplyDeleteJust re-started it. This is my first Jack Daniels book, but far from my first Konrath or Crouch book. The hyperlinking inside the book to the first appearances in the other books is brilliant, but deadly :) I clicked on the first hyperlink, and then just HAD to go by "Shaken" so I wouldn't feel all out of touch (GREAT read BTW). So I read that in one day, and then back to this one.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you need to read the previous books first, but it definitely helped to have the time-spanning and jumping "Stirred" to help familiarize me with Jack and Harry and the villains.
Hoping to finish it up late tonight or tomorrow and get a review up shortly thereafter.
Great read so far - hard to put down, and suspense and comedy mixed nicely.
I saw it hit #33 in paid downloads at one point over the weekend. What a great value !
Well done Joe !
You know, that this book is Kindle-format only upsets me. I can't read it on a Nook unless I jump through hoops.
ReplyDeleteBut I had a thought: Maybe the best e-reader is platform agnostic. I might be better off with my next e-reader being something that lets me load the Kindle app, the B&N app, and so on.
It's ironic but books like this are making me think an Apple e-reader is better, or an Android e-reader. Why should I get a Kindle and be locked into Amazon's ecosystem?
At least the Nook Color roots easily. The Kindle Fire, once rooted, seems to cause some headaches.
@Mark...content exclusive to BN.com, Kobo, and Kindle is the future. Don't blame the writers. The platforms want exclusive content, and why shouldn't they?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe platforms want exclusive content, and why shouldn't they?
ReplyDeleteDo they offer something for that exclusivity, as in targeted marketing, an advance, or increased royalties? What's the incentive for the author?
Merrill Heath
Ill Wind
"@Mark...content exclusive to BN.com, Kobo, and Kindle is the future. Don't blame the writers. The platforms want exclusive content, and why shouldn't they?"
ReplyDeleteThat's why a platform-independent reader makes sense, one that can run a Kindle app, a Kobo app, a B&N app, etc. Why should readers need a Kindle to read a Kindle exclusive, a Nook to read a Nook exclusive, and so on? That way lies madness.
I'm talking myself into an Android-based e-reader. Why should I limit myself to being able to read only the Kindle format?
Would you agree from a consumer's viewpoint that an open platform e-reader that can read epub, mobi, azw, pdf, and other formats makes more sense than a closed platform like a Kindle or Nook?
@Mark: I agree with your comment "That's why a platform-independent reader makes sense, one that can run a Kindle app, a Kobo app, a B&N app, etc. Why should readers need a Kindle to read a Kindle exclusive, a Nook to read a Nook exclusive, and so on? That way lies madness." Is such a thing readily available, short of rooting a Nook Color or buying an Apple iPad (in other words affordable)?
ReplyDelete@Blake: I take issue with the idea of platform-exclusive content. That may be acceptable in the field of software but seems contrary to the spirit of books and the idea of exchange of ideas and freedom of information. If that is indeed the future, then I guess I'll have to miss out on some future books. I'm sure I'll be able to find plenty to read without them.
Not all platforms are created equal, Walt. Writers need to make a living, and they are going to give preference to the platforms that best help to promote and sell their work. DRM-free has been and is the answer to all of this. It's not a difficult thing to ask of a dedicated reader. If someone who has a Nook wants to read Stirred badly enough, they'll take the minute or two required to port the mobi file to an epub file for their device. Content is only going to get more exclusive going forward. That's the tradeoff for merchandising and promo.
ReplyDelete@Blake: If someone who has a Nook wants to read Stirred badly enough, they'll take the minute or two required to port the mobi file to an epub file for their device.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with this is a lot of Amazon exclusive content isn't DRM-free. I even had an email exchange a few days ago with an AmazonEncore author who wanted his book to be DRM-free and Amazon refused. There's no easy way to get an Amazon DRM-encoded file onto a Nook.
Content is only going to get more exclusive going forward. That's the tradeoff for merchandising and promo.
This may be, but it's certainly consumer hostile. I don't see how you can say otherwise. I don't want to have to own a Kindle, Nook, Kobo, and who knows what else to read and enjoy books. I want to own one e-reader and be able to buy any and all ebooks and be able to read them.
Just imagine if you had to use a PC to read this blog, an iPad to read another blog, an Android device to read a third blog, and so on. Sort of a nightmarish scenario for readers of blogs, don't you think?
Exclusives may be good for authors and for sellers, but they are not good for readers.
@Walt: @Mark: I agree with your comment "That's why a platform-independent reader makes sense, one that can run a Kindle app, a Kobo app, a B&N app, etc. Why should readers need a Kindle to read a Kindle exclusive, a Nook to read a Nook exclusive, and so on? That way lies madness." Is such a thing readily available, short of rooting a Nook Color or buying an Apple iPad (in other words affordable)?
ReplyDeleteI think the Nook Color is the most affordable, best device for rooting. However, it's not e-ink.
Also, in terms of getting books onto a device, rooting means side-loading. So when we talk about rooting and side-loading we are probably cutting out a large percentage of customers.
What we really want is an option to buy from Amazon, B&N, Kobo, etc., and have the file delivered to our device of choice.
This idea of devices specific to a seller is not a good one. Imagine if you needed one TV to see shows on CBS, another TV for NBC, another for ABC, and so on. Just crazy.
They are ebooks, folks. There's no reason from a reader's standpoint why they should be limited to one device.
My feeling is support books that are available on multiple platforms and shy away from books that are exclusive. Do we readers really want to encourage exclusive releases? There are more good books available than we can ever read in a lifetime. Find the ones that are available everywhere instead of the ones that are exclusive.
Joe, you've been a champion for writers. How about being a champion for readers?
I even had an email exchange a few days ago with an AmazonEncore author who wanted his book to be DRM-free and Amazon refused.
ReplyDeleteThat author is lying, or misguided.
Amazon has always allowed me to choose whether or not to use DRM. Shaken and Stirred have no DRM. Neither does The Detachment by Eisler. At our request. I have a hard time believing an author who insisted on no DRM would be denied this.
I own a Nook and have no problem or issue with converting mobi (Kindle) to ePub to side port onto the Nook. If I want to read a book bad enough going through those extra steps is no big deal and worth it for my favorite authors.
ReplyDeleteHeck, I've purchased ebooks from Amazon instead of B&N because they were a buck or two cheaper on Amazon for whatever reason. Converting to Nook format after that is worth it to me.
I would never shy away from an ebook I really wanted to read simply because it's only available in one place. If that's a good deal for the author then more power to them. I'll always read what I want to read one way or another.
"I own a Nook and have no problem or issue with converting mobi (Kindle) to ePub to side port onto the Nook. If I want to read a book bad enough going through those extra steps is no big deal and worth it for my favorite authors."
ReplyDeleteHow do you do this if the Kindle book has DRM? I tried it with Calibre on a book with DRM and the plugin asked me for a device number from the Kindle I don't have. I couldn't strip the DRM without that number.
Anyway, it's a pain to have to do this. It would be far simpler to get a device that can run the Kindle app, the Nook app, etc.
Exclusives really make a strong argument for NOT getting a Kindle or a Nook if you don't mind side-loading.
@Mark Exclusives really make a strong argument for NOT getting a Kindle or a Nook if you don't mind side-loading.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I prefer Nook for its physical design, but the Nook store simply doesn't carry many of the books I shop for and I've noticed a number of instances lately where prices were higher than on Kindle (including books by authors I won't mention by name...cough...Joe, Blake...cough). So, I'm going to go buy a Kindle. Not because I want to spend $79 bucks on a new device rather than on books, but because that's life. Also, as a writer, I sell a TON more copies of my ebooks on Kindle than Nook. Not sure why exactly, but so be it. All I know is it will be interesting to see how sales numbers change after Christmas on both devices. At this point, as both a writer and reader, the Kindle seems to be the path of least resistance.
Everything's available on Amazon, isn't it? I think everyone should just buy a Kindle and call it a day. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd they're only $79!
I think most of the touch devices are now $99. The Nook Touch is $99 and it doesn't display ads, which people may or may not like.
ReplyDeleteJust give me an e-reader that can read Amazon exclusives, B&N exclusives, etc. Seems like the ideal solution.
Sorry to go off topic here, but I just thought someone might find this interesting. Over at techdirt.com, Barry Eisler is talking about copyright and piracy. Highly recommended reading!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111121/03340416853/best-selling-author-barry-eisler-copyright-piracy-why-sopapipa-are-extremely-disturbing.shtml
@Jude: I'm sure that's exactly what Amazon would like us all to do, but I won't be doing it. I already have a Nook that still works just fine. I can buy ebooks from Kobo, Sony, Barnes & Noble, and several other sources and read them on my Nook. I am not locked into a single source.
ReplyDeleteI remember when Amazon was just starting out. They were the outsider, the little guy. Now they are a big behemoth intent on throwing their weight around in any way they can. Having also read about some of the working conditions they subject their employees to, I think I am about ready to stop using them altogether.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHaving also read about some of the working conditions they subject their employees to, I think I am about ready to stop using them altogether.
ReplyDeleteWhat have you been reading? It would help to provide links if you're going to make defamatory remarks.
I know they treat their authors well. That's why I recently signed with them
@Jude: Ask and ye shall receive. here are two links to get you started.
ReplyDeletehttp://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016289835_amazonwarehouse25.html
or:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-29/amazon-workers-rediscover-the-hard-lessons-of-grapes-of-wrath-ezra-klein.html
Here's the first of the articles that started all of the discussion about Amazon's treatment of some of its employees: Inside Amazon's Warehouse in case you're interested.
ReplyDeleteWalled gardens are the price you pay for cheap devices.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the price of e-readers?
There is no profit for Amazon (or Kobo or Barnes & Noble) in the devices. The money is in the content. That's why the have to try and tie you to their store - it's the only place there is any profit.
I expect devices to continue getting cheaper and cheaper, and those walls to get higher.
Joe, just curious...are you selling many books through your own ebook storefront?
ReplyDeleteMerrill Heath
Available on Amazon
"There is no profit for Amazon (or Kobo or Barnes & Noble) in the devices. The money is in the content. That's why the have to try and tie you to their store - it's the only place there is any profit."
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot more flexibility going with an e-reader that reads epub files, however. That's B&N, Kobo, Sony, etc.
If you want to go with the Nook Color you can root it quite easily, including using an SD card for rebooting it into a rooted state if you don't want to permanently root it, and then you can run the Kindle app and the other apps.
Until I ran into Amazon's DRM I hadn't really thought about this issue. Now that I have it's clear to me that there are significant advantages in not being tied to Amazon. With a $99 Nook, for example, I can read epub files and if I really want an Amazon book I can convert that to epub if it's DRM-free.
Anyway, it's something to think about the next time you're shopping for an e-reader.
OK have bought! It was only £.99 pence for me. Teehee. I wonder if anyone else in the UK reads your books. I also wonder if anyone else in the UK is taking your advice like I am. Hope not. Less competition.
ReplyDeleteNovel Drug Delivery System (NDDS): Development of nanotechnology-based, sustained release and targeted delivery formulations with NDDS to reduce adverse drug reactions and side-effects in the therapeutic areas of oncology, NSAID, neuro science, arthritic disorders, stress and lifestyle related diseases, immuno chemistry, infectious diseases and wound healing.
ReplyDeleteLower respiratory infections
I haven't published an ebook before, but I'm going to soon (thanks to this blog; I never would've had the courage to do it without it). I hear a lot around here about the benefits of doing DRM-free, but never about the negatives. Are there any? What's the opposing argument? If it's just about piracy, I feel like that's a problem I'd be lucky to have at this point. (Piracy would mean there's tons of people out there just clamoring to read me. I'll worry about that bridge when I reach it.)
ReplyDeleteJDM
Read JDM
So, is Konrath ever going to post again? Seems like forever, and we're being held hostage until we buy his book. :(
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book. I love to see my fellow Thomas & Mercer authors doing so well. I'm only about two months out from my own T&M releases for my polygamist thriller series. It should be a fun ride.
ReplyDeleteWell, I just bought it, but it was only $0.99.
ReplyDeleteJoe, is there anywhere you have a suggested reading order for the Daniels books and related stuff you've done with co-authors?
@Robert - great question....in your Stirred ebook go to the table of contents and click the link for "6 decades of mayhem." that tells the order to read every story, novella, and novel in our shared universes.
ReplyDeleteRobert, a reading order can also be found on Joe's web site under news & F.A.Q.'s. But what Blake described might be more complete.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.jakonrath.com/news.htm
#2!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Joe and Blake!
It's now # 1 on the top 100 paid Kindle list. Woo-hoo.
ReplyDeleteGreat job Joe and Blake. Congratulations.
What the hell happened Joe/Blake?
ReplyDeleteI've been watching for over a week as you slowly slid from #40 or so down to about #150 in overall sales - now I come back two days later and you shot to #1?
In my experience I would guess that you finally hit the 'also bought' lists?
Or is there something else at work here...
Done. And thank you for this blog.
ReplyDelete"I've been watching for over a week as you slowly slid from #40 or so down to about #150 in overall sales - now I come back two days later and you shot to #1?"
ReplyDeleteI think they dropped the price from $2.99 to $0.99.
Congrats on #1! :)
ReplyDeleteDavid
I have Amazon Prime and STIRRED is listed as 'free'.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell happened Joe/Blake? I've been watching for over a week as you slowly slid from #40 or so down to about #150 in overall sales - now I come back two days later and you shot to #1?
ReplyDeleteStirred was the Kindle Daily Deal on Sunday. An email was sent out to every Amazon customer who is signed up to receive the Daily Deal alert http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000677541. It's like winning the lottery. I'm guestimating that Joe and Blake together are hauling in around 3 thousand bucks per day at the moment, depending on what royalty Thomas and Mercer gave them.
A huge congratulations to Blake and Joe for hitting number 1!
ReplyDelete