Tuesday, November 22, 2011

STIRRED is now available

If you read this blog, please show your support by buying STIRRED, the final Jack Daniels novel, currently $2.99 on Amazon.com.

77 comments:

Darlene Underdahl said...

Got a nice review up.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Claudia Lefeve said...

Just added my review to Amazon! Thanks again (and to Blake) for taking the time for the little Q&A on my blog.

Stephen Knight said...

Knock 'em dead, bros.

Gisele said...

Joe,

Is it going to be available for the Nook?

JA Konrath said...

Thanks for the reviews!

No 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

Jude Hardin said...

Pre-ordered it a couple of days ago and plan to start reading it soon. Congrats Joe and Blake!

Unknown said...

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. ;-)

S Alini said...

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.

San
SuperBurger
alinibooks.blogspot.com

Gisele said...

Thanks for letting me know how to convert it from Kindle to Nook. I have purchased it and will post a review soon.

You 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.

Robert Burton Robinson said...

Just bought the Kindle version, Joe. Can't wait to read it.

Thanks!

David L. Shutter said...

Review is up...throughly enjoyable, thrilling and disturbing read.

How's launch day treating you?

Thanks as always.

Gary Jonas said...

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.

David Gaughran said...

Congrats Joe, I see you're racing up the charts in the US, and doing pretty well in the UK too.

Now, back to my editing cave or I'll never get this book out for Christmas.

Douglas Dorow said...

Just gave my kindle a drink of "Stirred". Goodluck!

Andrea Lipomi said...

Got it! Thanks for everything! :)

ronin13 said...

You’ve entertained, informed and give writer’s real choice.

$2.99 is not much for your latest block buster. Count me in.
Rob

ronin13 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Just back from vacation -- couldn't think of a better way to end a great month.

Archangel said...

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.

dr.cpe

Craig said...

Finished it the early hours of this morning. Very enjoyable.

Sam said...

Kongrats, and happy thanksgiving!

Christopher Hudson said...

I'd buy it, but I'd I'd have to sell a copy of HEADWIND to afford it.

Toyin O. said...

Thanks for sharing, happy thanksgiving.

Dave S. said...

So who's the Zelo fan, Crouch or Konrath? Was surprised to see a shout out to my neighborhood pizza place in Stirred!!

JA Konrath said...

I'm all about Zelo.

Mark Asher said...

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.

Mark Asher said...

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.

Stephen Leather said...

Congratulations on getting to Number 2 in the UK Kindle bestseller list in just four days!!!!!

Melissa Douthit said...

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, Joe!

Josh said...

I'll get to it eventually.

Josh Randall

Chip said...

I'm about halfway thru and will post my review soon.

Donna White Glaser said...

Oh you bastards. Kept me awake all night loooong after I'd finished the book. The tenth circle of hell--nightmares.

Merrill Heath said...

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?

Merrill Heath
Violent Saturday

Blake Crouch said...

this is Amazon exclusive

ADBBingo said...

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 !

Well done Joe !

Mark Asher said...

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.

Blake Crouch said...

@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?

Merrill Heath said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Merrill Heath said...

The platforms want exclusive content, and why shouldn't they?

Do 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 Asher said...

"@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?

Walt Huntsman said...

@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.

Blake Crouch said...

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.

Mark Asher said...

@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.

Mark Asher said...

@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?

JA Konrath said...

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.

William J. Thomas said...

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.

Mark Asher said...

"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.

Casey Moreton said...

@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.

Jude Hardin said...

Everything's available on Amazon, isn't it? I think everyone should just buy a Kindle and call it a day. :)

And they're only $79!

Mark Asher said...

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.

Just give me an e-reader that can read Amazon exclusives, B&N exclusives, etc. Seems like the ideal solution.

Stitch said...

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!

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111121/03340416853/best-selling-author-barry-eisler-copyright-piracy-why-sopapipa-are-extremely-disturbing.shtml

Walt Huntsman said...

@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.

Jude Hardin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jude Hardin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jude Hardin said...

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.

What 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

Walt Huntsman said...

@Jude: Ask and ye shall receive. here are two links to get you started.

http://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

Walt Huntsman said...

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.

David Gaughran said...

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.

Merrill Heath said...

Joe, just curious...are you selling many books through your own ebook storefront?

Merrill Heath
Available on Amazon

Mark Asher said...

"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.

Anonymous said...

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.

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JDM said...

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.)

JDM
Read JDM

Anonymous said...

So, is Konrath ever going to post again? Seems like forever, and we're being held hostage until we buy his book. :(

Michael said...

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 Bruce Thompson said...

Well, I just bought it, but it was only $0.99.

Joe, is there anywhere you have a suggested reading order for the Daniels books and related stuff you've done with co-authors?

Blake Crouch said...

@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.

William J. Thomas said...

Robert, 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.

http://www.jakonrath.com/news.htm

Anonymous said...

#2!!!

Congratulations Joe and Blake!

Gisele said...

It's now # 1 on the top 100 paid Kindle list. Woo-hoo.

Great job Joe and Blake. Congratulations.

Anonymous said...

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?

In my experience I would guess that you finally hit the 'also bought' lists?

Or is there something else at work here...

suzanneelizabeths.com said...

Done. And thank you for this blog.

Mark Asher said...

"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.

David Wisehart said...

Congrats on #1! :)

David

Anonymous said...

I have Amazon Prime and STIRRED is listed as 'free'.

Anonymous said...

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.

Robert Bidinotto said...

A huge congratulations to Blake and Joe for hitting number 1!