All-You-Can-Read Kindle E-book Subscriptions

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Just hours after I wrote about an upcoming rental service it is now officially announced by Amazon…
Amazon is offering an e-book rental service: “Kindle Unlimited”. The “all-you-can-read” book service will cost $9.99 per month. Amazon’s big advantage here: they are offering nearly 8,000 titles in Audio-book format and over 600,000 book titles. The current Kindle Owner’s Lending Library has a one-book-per-month cap, so this could be an option for Prime users who want more access.

Lots of Competition Already 
Amazon certainly enters a crowded field and will have to compete with Scribd and Oyster. Scribd, which launched a book subscription service last October, charges $8.99 for access to best-sellers, classic books and new releases from bigger trade publishers. They have 80 million users and offer works from 900 publishers. They allow users to contribute works.
Oyster boasts access for $9.95 to more than 500,000 books, but the majority of those titles come from self-publishing service companies, such as Smashwords.

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How Much will Authors Receive?
Amazon’s official announcement for writers/publishers:  “KDP authors and publishers who enroll their books with U.S. rights in KDP Select are automatically enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. Inclusion in Kindle Unlimited can help drive discovery of your book, and when your book is accessed and read past 10% you will earn a share of the KDP Select global fund. For the month of July we have added $800,000 to the KDP Select global fund bringing the total to $2 million.

KDP Select is an optional program that makes your book exclusive to Kindle and eligible for the following benefits:

• Reach more readers – With each 90-day enrollment period, your book will appear in Kindle Unlimited in the U.S. and the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library (KOLL) in the U.S, U.K., Germany, France, and Japan which can help readers discover your book.
• Earn more money – When your book is selected and read past 10% from Kindle Unlimited or borrowed from KOLL, you’ll earn your share of the monthly KDP Select Global Fund. You can also earn a 70% royalty for sales to customers in Japan, Brazil, India, and Mexico.
• Maximize your sales potential – Choose from two promotional tools including: Kindle Countdown Deals, time-bound promotional discounts for your book, available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, while earning royalties; or Free Book Promotion, where readers can get your book free for a limited time.

Gigaom.com explains:  “If you’re a self-published author participating in KDP Select, however, it looks as if your book can be included without your explicit permission simply under the terms and conditions you already agreed to: According to one poster on the Kindle Boards, “Books in Select will automatically be enrolled. Like the KOLL you won’t be able to opt-out if you’re in Select.  You will be payed [sic] if you someone reads 10% or more of your book. The payment will come out of the same KOLL fund, just as if it was a borrow.” That “same KOLL fund” is a set pool of money from which self-published authors are paid each time their book is borrowed.”

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Author-publishers have an advantage: Amazon doesn’t have any books from the so-called “Big Five” publishers: Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Hatchette. Some of these big houses have agreements with Oyster, as well as Scribd, and are likely not cooperating with Amazon’s new service.  Read also Joe Wikerts‘ commenting blog post on this.
Amazon seems to become the 21st century’s digital library.  “Kindle Unlimited” could completely change the market.  Why purchase individual e-Books or bulky physical copies when you can read hundreds of thousands of books for just $9.99?

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Also Available: “Kindle FreeTime Unlimited” for Children
Amazon already offers a and-curated subscription of kid-safe apps, books and videos. They explain on their website:
“Kindle ‘FreeTime Unlimited’ is the first-ever all-in-one subscription that brings together all the types of content that kids and parents love – books, games, educational apps, movies and TV shows. With unlimited access to thousands of hand-picked titles for kids ages 3-8, parents don’t have to spend time (and money) guessing what their kids will enjoy, and kids can explore a world of age-appropriate content on their own – NO ads, NO in-app purchases.”
“Kindle FreeTime Unlimited gives kids the freedom to choose from thousands of the most popular books, games, apps, and shows for hours of fun and learning. Unlimited access starts at just $4.99 per month, with special pricing for Amazon Prime members from $2.99 per month.”

Screen Limits
“Many parents choose to limit their child’s screen time, but doing so without the proper tools is difficult. With Kindle FreeTime, parents can set daily limits, or restrict certain categories – like games and video – while leaving unlimited time for reading. In Kindle “FreeTime” mode, web browsing and purchasing content are also disabled.”

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After 5 Months of KindleUnlimited
Many authors are a bit sceptical if it is worth staying with KU.  An excerpt from an article by Nate Hoffelder at The Digital Reader: Author Discontent Grows As Kindle Unlimited Enters Its Fifth Month
“I took the plunge and went all-in to KDPS again. Lends almost made up the difference and KU honestly revived my older lower selling series. However, I am still down overall from pre-KU levels. As soon as my KDPS terms are up, I’m back out, baby. I may keep my older series and my 99c shorter works in KDPS for the exposure and because even $1.33 is better than $0.3465, but I’m taking my longer better-selling and higher priced books out.”
So it seems that KindleUnlimited is worthwhile for lower priced books, while higher priced are better of without.
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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,140 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
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Selling Audio-Books and E-books to Libraries

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How Do Libraries Get Their e-Books?
OverDrive, the main distributor to libraries has more than 1,000,000 e-book titles available and growing.  They were the early pioneers in the digital lending space and developed the e-book lending systems used by most libraries today. Overdrive uses the same Adobe DRM (Digital Rights Management) system as Kobo, Sony, B & N and Google Books to protect files from piracy and manage the lending period of library e-books. Overdrive also offers a program called “Advantage” where individual libraries and library systems buy extra titles or copies to fill local demand.  Other vendors who sell to libraries are Ingram and Baker & Taylor.
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Audio-Book and e-Book Lending Exploded.
In these statistics you can see the tremendous growth in circulation numbers from just one library during the last years. In the meantime the numbers are much higher!

Audio-Books
August 2005 – 231
August 2009 – 16,680

Ebooks
Nov. 2009 – 17,521
Jan. 2014 – 57,672

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Technology Challenges:
Libraries face many challenges from setting up their internet infrastructure to the actual ebook license acquisitions. In regards to e-Books the initial problems were: staff training and learning how to use and upload e-books to different devices. Integrating the titles into the library system’s online catalog took some time. Getting a download link from the catalog took even more time.
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Trade Publishers are the Problem for Libraries.
Acquiring the e-books, is a problem for most libraries because e-book licensing from trade publishers can cost as much as or more than a print book. Several publishers still refuse to sell to the library market. Other publishers are taking advantage on cost and “metering.” Random House will charge $83 for an eBook and Harper Collins has a 26-time checkout limit.  Libraries “buy” the books, but ownership is determined by the vendor/publisher agreements.  If a contract is not renewed will the library still own the titles?

The e-book library market is split between vendors and devices. Costs of content and administrative fees are increasing which can make e-books more expensive than print. Library users persevere because the rewards of checking out e-books from a library are tremendous with the ever-growing inventory of e-books. Yet there are usually a couple extra steps between checking the item out and loading it onto a device. Using an app does seem to solve a lot of this trouble.
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Selling eBooks to Libraries.
The Washington County Library System in Minnesota, United States, has been growing their e-book collection in the last few years.  Their entire system is using an innovative method to develop their ebook portfolio.  Local authors are encouraged to submit their own novels in electronic format to add to the existing library system using “Library Local Connect.”.  A similar initiative is currently in place in Douglas County, Colorado, USA. This helps libraries to increase their online e-book portfolio and gives exposure to local authors.  Ask your library if they have a similar program.
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Small Publishers:
Overdrive downloads into the library catalog.  However, as an author, if you’re interested in getting your ebooks into libraries, you have limited choices.  They are explaining on their website:
“OverDrive delivers BEST-SELLING digital audio-books, eBooks, music, and video for download directly from a custom-built ‘Virtual Branch’ website.  The world’s leading libraries, including New York Public Library, Toronto Public Library, and Singapore National Library, use OverDrive to deliver content to their patrons.” 
Which means dealing with the wholesaler/distributor OverDrive works only for authors who can proof great sales numbers.
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Certain Review Sites are Read by Librarians.
Getting a positive review in a publication that both vendors and libraries recognize is really critical to getting your book considered by libraries.  Books for reviews are selected for their potential interest to a broad spectrum of libraries.  If you’re interested in submitting your forthcoming book for review, keep in mind that many of these publications require submission several months! prior to the book’s launch:

http://self-e.libraryjournal.com/#sthash.MwY9kve1.dpuf

http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/about/submitting-titles-for-review/?ref=menu#Books

http://www.slj.com/about-us/review-submissions/#_

http://www.voyamagazine.com/publishers/#sthash.MwY9kve1.dpuf

http://www.hbook.com/about-us-2/submissions/#sthash.MwY9kve1.dpuf
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These are the essentials for your book to even be considered for purchase by a library:

• A professional cover image and book layout
• Accurate BISAC / subject codes 
• Complete and well-written book description
• Accurate readers age range for the book
  

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Hopefully sales from self-publishers to libraries will one day be commonplace.

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $179 for three months – or less than $2 per day! Learn more about this customized Online Seminar / Consulting for writers: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 1,050 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
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Treasure of Saint-Lazare, a Novel About Paris

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Sharon Fawley for Readers’ Favorite:

“Treasure of Saint-Lazare“, by John Pearce, is a mystery about events far distant in time and space that profoundly affect the peaceful life of a wealthy American businessman living in Paris.”

“… Pearce weaves richly textured descriptions of life in Paris through an intricate plot with believable, well-drawn characters.”

“Overall, this is a satisfying mystery, a surprising love story, and an up close look into the dark days of Europe as WWII drew to a close.”

Reviewer:
“One thing I loved about this book is that the author beautifully describes Paris in a very romantic way, and its description appears seamless within the story.”

About the Novel:
An older lover brings a cryptic letter to Paris, pulling Eddie Grant reluctantly into a treacherous web of intrigue and death — but giving him a slim chance to find the terrorists who murdered his family seven years before.
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It launches him on a dangerous quest through Paris and the Loire Valley for the most valuable piece of Nazi loot that remains missing, a famous Raphael self-portrait from the early 16th century, along with the crates of Nazi bullion that accompanied it — all intended to finance the Fourth Reich.

Jen Wetzmuller, daughter of his father”s World War II colleague in Army Intelligence, arrives in Paris, bearing a letter she found after her father was run down by a car on the streets of Sarasota. Its clues take Eddie from his Paris home to Florida, where he works to solve the mystery, barely escaping with his life. Then it”s back home to burrow into the darkest reaches of the German occupation in search of the treasure. Along the way he and Jen restart the brief, fiercely passionate affair that he abandoned, to his regret, 20 years before Sarasota.  Most of all, Treasure of Saint-Lazare is a novel about Paris.
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John Pearce:
“Treasure of Saint-Lazare is based on fact, the theft in 1939 of the priceless Raphael painting “Portrait of a Young Man,” which disappeared in 1945.  Even though it covers much ground — from my current home of Sarasota, FL, to my part-time home of Paris, to Poland during the war, it is at heart a novel of Paris.”
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About the Author
John Pearce is a part-time Parisian, but lives quite happily most of the the year in Sarasota, Florida.  He worked as a journalist in Washington and Europe, where he covered economics for the International Herald Tribune and edited a business magazine. After a business career in Sarasota, he spends his days working on his future books – a sequel he expects to publish later in 2014 and a prequel after that. For several months each year, he and his wife Jan live in Paris, walking its streets, and chase down interesting settings for future books and his blog, JohnPearceAuthor.com. They lived earlier in Frankfurt, Germany, which gave him valuable insights for several of the scenes in his sequel, whose working title is Last Stop: Paris.
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Treasure of Saint-Lazare:  Kindle Countdown Deal, starting January 24

Paperback, 296 pages, 115 customer reviews, $13.46
http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Saint-Lazare-John-Pearce/dp/0985962615

Kindle e-Book, Countdown Deal, from $0.99  Regular $3.99
http://www.amazon.com/Treasure-Saint-Lazare-John-Pearce-ebook/dp/B009MD6EM4

The audio version of Treasure of Saint-Lazare has been released on Audible.com and
Amazon.com, $17.95.  You can hear a sample and order it at  http://j.mp/12mxGb2

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/ to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 980 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
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How Can Bookstores Survive?

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Carmen Amato asked me the other day what I think, how bookstores could survive. And yes, we all want them to survive, both, independent local bookstore and even big chains. It’s not an easy task for brick&mortar booksellers. However, it’s the growing popularity of the “shopping local” movement, in which booksellers were at the forefront.” And further: “many consumers across the country find the grassroots accessibility of indies appealing”, wrote The Atlantic.
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My “wishlist” and ideas how bookstores could strive:

1. e-Book Order Feature
Since years I was wondering why bookstores did not offer their customers devices where they could order the e-book version if they liked what they found in print in the store. Or at least “bundle” print books with an e-book version. Amazon now tries to partner with bookstores (which might meet some resistance…) to offer exactly what I had envisioned.
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2. Carrying Author-Published Books
Trade-published books do not automatically mean quality. There are so many wonderful books from independent authors out there – and it would be a smart move to offer them as well. Readers don’t care who publishes a book, they just want a good read.
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3. Order Directly from Author-Publishers
This way, bookstores could circum-navigate the wholesalers and increase their profit quite a bit! As these connections are mostly with local authors, the bookstores could play the “local” aspect into their promotions to the communities around. Most people like to “know” the author who’s books they buy.
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4. Offer Book-Layout, Cover-Image and Editing
Why not band together with professionals and offer authors these services to make sure the books’ content and layout gets a great start and is prepared for the Espresso Book Machine. Many authors would be happy to get technical help in the book production and publishing process.
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5. Set up an Espresso Book Machine
Many authors (professional and hobbyists) struggle to create very small numbers of print books, e.g. for book signings, Goodreads Giveaways or as gifts. Bookstores would be the ideal place to offer this inventive book printing device. Motto: “Get your book printed while having your Java”, which brings me to the next suggestion:
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6. COFFEE!
Most chain stores, such as B&N or Chapters have a Starbucks in a designated area, but very few bookstores offer this pleasure. Independent bookstores need to give customers more reasons to come in!
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7. More Space and PR for Author Readings
Supporting events such as readings and book signings should be a priority of bookstores – and organizing these professionally, including PR, should be a no-brain-er. After all it is a promotion for the store as well.
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8. Providing Space for Author Meetings
Charging a small fee (as libraries do) and renting meeting space for authors or even organize a writers conference could be profitable and at the same time a good PR for bookstores if they have the space.
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What is YOUR view, how do you think, bookstores can survive and even strive?

Check out what writers and author-publishers suggested on Carmen Amato’s website.
Who else wrote about survival of bookstores?
Can traditional bookstores survive the digital marketplace?
Barnes & Noble’s troubles don’t show why bookstores are doomed.
The Man Who Took on Amazon and Saved a Bookstore
How ‘Indie’ Bookstores Survived (and Thrived)

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10 Tips: How to Sell Your Books to Libraries

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US Libraries purchase books for nearly $2 billion per year. But not only books, also audio books and other forms of publications, such as e-books.  How can authors reach out to this lucrative market? And what about the distribution channels?

Ask the Library:
Ask if the library needs a purchase order for every book it purchases. Many libraries are publicly funded, and a purchase order, or PO, helps them keep track of their budget.
Ask for a current list of books the library needs to acquire. Most libraries put an emphasis on acquiring very new books; however, they may also be in need of replacements for lost or stolen copies. Find out whether they prefer hardcover, paperback or library bound books. Most libraries prefer library-bound or hardcover books.
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Distributor to Libraries
Quality Books Inc.  provides libraries with small press books that are not widely available through other
distributors. Their inventory is devoted ONLY to libraries.They explain:
“For the small publisher, getting noticed, by the appropriate librarian can present an
overwhelming challenge.  Since the vast majority of books and non-print resources produced annually never reach a professional review page, Quality Books Inc. has a stringent review process for all of the
titles we distribute. Our Title Selection Committee is made up of two MLS-degreed librarians and three publishing professionals. The committee uses more than 20 criteria with which to evaluate every title submitted to QBI for possible distribution.”  They give very detailed info what they are looking for at Quality Books’ webpage. They also state clearly how to submit your book, audio-book, CD etc.

Another major distributor to libraries is UniqueBooksInc  and specialist in non-fiction books and DVD’s. “We are a full service library resource providing our customers with newly copyrighted titles. Unique Books Inc. solves the small press dilemma of reaching the elusive, high maintenance library market profitably.”
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How Else Can You Promote Your Book in the Library Market?

• Offer a free (1-2 hour) class in local libraries, where you can certainly mention your book and maybe even sell it.
• Most online retailers, bookstores, and libraries find books through purchasing relationships with large distributors.
• Find out the dates of library trade shows and exhibit through co-operative exhibit programs such as those offered through IBPA, the Independent Book Publishers Association.
• Authors with several books, or those who can join with another small publishers, might try to get a booth at the ALA (American Library Association) Annual Conference in June 14, in Las Vegas, or at their other conferences, to show your books.  See a video about the Publisher halls at the Conference.
• However, such conferences are not a place to sell hundreds of books, it is a place to introduce and take orders or hand out business card and ask librarians for theirs (maybe an iPad as drawing price, when people give their card into a fishbowl.)  It’s more of a PR stunt, than big sales.

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When is the Best Time?
Many libraries make the majority of their acquisitions at the beginning of their fiscal year, whatever this might be. This is a good time to buy books. If you want to approach Libraries directly: The best time to approach libraries might be in early December and early June (also mostly quiet months there) – as this is when they typically do their purchases.

More tips

https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/myths-and-truth-about-selling-to-libraries/https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/how-to-sell-your-book-to-libraries/

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/
to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
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http://www.111publishing.com
http://www.e-Book-PR.com/

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Audio-Book: Rabbit in the Jungle

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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OUR READERS – ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

Rabbit in the Jungle tells a classically American story of second chances, hard work and hope. Sometimes raw and gritty, the book traces Anthony Alegrete’s rise from the streets of Los Angeles, through the penal system, to the halls of academia and the competitive business world of Las Vegas.  Along the way he had a lot of fun, a little trouble and learned some lessons.  This book shares his story in a way meant to be cautionary and inspiring.

With more tricks than Bugs Bunny and more charm than Roger Rabbit he navigated the street culture of Los Angeles during the heyday of West Coast hip hop; navigated safely through prison politics; built a reputation for himself at University of Nevada – Las Vegas and partnered up with local fitness experts to bring a trendy gym to the downtown area of Vegas.

Price:  $14.95, or FREE with Audible.com 30-day free trial membership
Listen while you drive: “Rabbit in the Jungle”, now as an AUDIO-BOOK too!

http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B00EDRW1OE

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From a Book Review:
“Alegrete describes in his book the rough neighborhoods of Los Angeles, interactions with gang violence, police chases, prison riots, drug dealing and repercussions of street snitches. He met rap artists, criminals, celebrities, CEO’s, academics, people dedicated to good causes in non-profit organizations and everyone in between. His book describes a life, no thriller author could have come up with. Most important of all, he shows that there is always a way out, how he learned to make better decisions, into a life with a cause and how important family and friends are. His book is meant to be motivation and encouragement.

He tells them that struggles are never excuses to be complacent and not to do anything about circumstances, not to sit idle, hoping for change. And that’s exactly what he did, he survived and in this book he gives a kind of road map how someone can turn negatives into a positive way of life.”  Price:  $14.95, or FREE with Audible.com 30-day free trial membership

Get a Sample of “Rabbit in the Jungle” audio-book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EEAVS4E

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Short excerpt from the audio-book:

“The first time I went to prison was in 2004. They charged me with conspiracy to commit access device fraud. I wasn’t creating the documents or using them for criminal purposes myself. My job was distribution. In the eyes of the law this is viewed as conspiracy because of the set-up required to produce and distribute the IDs and other items, which are then further used. Another participant in the scam got caught, and to protect himself he wore a wire and set me up.

My personal sense of honor prevented me from accepting a similar offer. I did it, I was caught, no point in taking anybody else down with me. Besides, I ain’t a snitch. Never have been, and never will be. It’s not worth it. Where I come from, a snitch is the lowest kind of maggot.

Guests of the federal prison system frequently get shuffled around, and I made stops in California, Oklahoma, and Texas. The constant moving sharpened my powers of observation and forced me to adapt. Boredom and loneliness were also constant challenges. The established routines for each day only fill so much time. The rest of the day feels very empty.

One of the main things I did was reading.
I remember reading is The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Green. Like Machiavelli and Sun-tsu before him, Green adopts a very ruthless, martial view of leadership and power. Over the course of 452 pages, he not only made history real he gave me the outline of a plan for my future. Prisons are essentially military systems. Just as Green used moments in history to illustrate the ways power is gained and manipulated, I used his work to negotiate my way through the minefield I had landed in.  Green’s confrontational, militant, almost malicious style seemed tailor made for my surroundings. I couldn’t soak it in fast enough.

Up to that point my reading experience consisted of thumbing through magazines and completing school assignments. The idea that I could read something in a book and immediately apply it to improve my own position revolutionized my thinking. My encounter with that book was a defining moment.

It’s kind of a no-brainer that a majority of the gentlemen in the pen are not too fond of the government. As a result, conspiracy-theory books are fairly popular. The one I picked up was called Behold the Pale Horse by Bill Cooper. I decided that type of reading wasn’t really my thing. People connected with the anger and suspicion that goes into that kind of literature. I guess if you have trust issues it kind of plays into your mindset to read about things like the Roswell cover-up, secret societies and the new world order. If you travel too far down that road it’s hard to find your way back to a place in the real world. It’s not that I didn’t believe some of what was in those books, but that’s not a healthy, helpful way to think considering my circumstances at the time.

I looked at reading as a way to build myself up so I only read enough of that dark stuff to see what it was about and then moved on to things that helped me to move forward. I read nonfiction to fuel my ambition and shape my world view, but fiction had a place in my plan, too. Novels were a great way to escape and distract myself, but beyond that I could have vicarious experiences and get important insights into human nature. James Patterson, who wrote the Alex Cross series, and David Baldacci, who authored The Winner, tell compelling stories that held my interest. In prison you should read every single piece of writing that you can get your hands on. Beyond that though, you have to learn what to do with what you read.

Reading kept my mind occupied, it kept me out of trouble, and it provided peace in the midst of chaos. Everyone in prison reads, but not everyone is reading the right stuff and not everyone is taking the knowledge and using it.”

TV-Interview: Anthony Alegrete, author of “Rabbit in the Jungle” talks about his book – From Bars to Books – http://youtu.be/sypbPoE7lRs

Rabbit in the Jungle by Anthony Alegrete is certainly available as paperback and as an e-book

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If you would like to get more support in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites – or to learn how you can make yourself a name as an author through content writing: We offer all this and more for only $159 for three months! Learn more about this individual book marketing help:  http://www.111Publishing.com/Seminars
Or visit http://www.e-book-pr.com/book-promo/  to advertise your new book, specials, your KDP Select Free Days or the new Kindle Countdown Deals.

Please check out all previous posts of this blog (there are more than 970 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and StumpleUpon.
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Interview with Anthony Alegrete

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Anthony Alegrete

A great pleasure to meet Anthony Alegrete, the author of Rabbit in the Jungle, today for an interview.

Anthony how would you describe your book to someone who has not yet read it?
It’s the story of my life. My ups and downs, trials and tribulations, good and bad, and how I survived prison, the streets, and turned my life around.
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Is there a message in your book that you want your readers to grasp?
That people make mistakes. We all come from different backgrounds and grew up differently. And that if you make an attempt to seriously change then it should be accepted by people.

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What inspired you to start writing?
I was getting to a point where I was becoming a public figure for the work I do in the community. I felt it was necessary to let the world know who I was.

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How did you get the idea for the novel?  
I just started writing one day. It came to me.

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Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
Yes, that we are not all criminals. Yes, we might of did crime to survive and make money. But not all of us are still like that. And through this story I show the evolution of a changing man.

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Are your characters based on real people?

Oh yes, my characters are all real.

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Who is your favorite character and why?  
Myself. because that is who the story is about.

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Rabbit in the Jungle by Anthony AlegreteRabbit in the Jungle by Anthony Alegrete

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Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
“This book gave me a lot of game” from Brent Buffone on Amazon. What he meant by this was it gave him knowledge. “Game” is a slang word of knowledge.

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If Oprah invited you onto her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of the show be?
Overcoming adversity, interracial tensions, second chances, and changing your life around.

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What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
That the book inspired them and made them open their minds to new thoughts.
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Thinking way back to the beginning, what’s the most important thing you’ve learned as a writer from then to now?
To always edit and proof-read, then proof-read some more and then edit some more.
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Considering a book from the first word you write to the moment you see it on a bookstore shelf, what’s your favorite part of the process?  What’s your least favorite?
Favorite part is creating the ideas, and plots, and stories. I got to reminisce. Least favorite part is dealing with the publishing process and getting your files converted properly.

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What scene or bit of dialogue in the book are you most proud of, and why?
ALL OF IT! But anywhere I talk about my kids. I love them so much.

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If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything about your book?
Only that I would add more stories.

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If your book would be made into a movie, who should play the main character?
Edward Norton

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How did you get published? Please share your own personal journey.  
CreateSpace. But I got published because of 111Publishing. Doris helped me out tremendously and made it so I didn’t get ripped off by the vanity publishers.

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What general advice do you have for other writers?

Just be you! Dont try so hard. Just let the pen write!

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What do you find is the best part of being an author?
The respect you get.

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What is ONE thing that you have done that brought you more readers?
Goodreads page!

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What’s one thing that your readers would be surprised to know about you?
Well this book is a memoir and describes it to the fullest, so there isn’t much
I left out of the story….

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Meet Anthony Alegrete, author of “Rabbit in the Jungle” here too:
http://www.anthonyalegrete.com/rabbitinthejungle/
Amazon.com/Anthony-Alegrete/e/B00E7A6VGG
http://about.me/anthonyalegrete
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Anthony’s story “Rabbit in the Jungle” is available as e-book, paperback and audio-book:
http://www.rabbitinthejungle.com

Listen while you drive “Rabbit in the Jungle” AUDIO-BOOK 
http://www.audible.com/pd?asin=B00EDRW1OE

Audiobook “Rabbit in the Jungle” now available at Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EEAVS4E

Amazon e-book
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E368RD4

http://pinterest.com/pin/365354588490950308/

http://www.facebook.com/rabbitinthejungle

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If you would like to get help in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites: We offer all this and more for only $ 159 for 3 months. Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/ Once you are on this website, click on Seminar to register.

Please feel free to check out all previous posts of this blog (there are 880+ of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Chime.in, Facebook, Tumblr and to StumpleUpon.

Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://on.fb.me/TvqDaK
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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Leverage Your Manuscript Into an Audio Book

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Listen to Audio Books

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“8,390 audio books are on sale at Audible, Amazon, and iTunes”.  Compare this number with more than 1,5 million print / e-books that are offered alone on Amazon.  I stumbled over this sentence, when I read through the monthly Amazon KDP newsletter.  Olga Khazan wrote on Forbes.com “Now, 37 percent of people say they have listened to an audio book, and the medium continues to become an important substitute for old-fashioned reading.”  And Denise Trespling lists 9 Benefits of Audio-Books in her blog.

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In a former blog post: “Turn Your Book Into a Cash Cow” I wrote already about the many benefits of audio books which let you multitask, and are a great way to listen to books while driving long distance, walking the dog, or laying on the beach. And certainly a wonderful way for blind people to easily enjoy books. Audio-books can be listened to on an iPod or iPhone / SmartPhone or MP3 player, even on most e-readers such as Kindle and Nook.

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University of Memphis professor Arthur Graesser, who studies learning and cognition points out: “We are more likely to stick with a book that we’re listening to, than one we’re reading, which would also improve our chances of retaining what’s in it.”
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Bestseller author goes audio book
Bob Mayer, a very successful author of more than 50 books, explains: “Initially, as I learned how to use ACX, (Amazons Audio Book Company) I moved slowly, with only one other title going live that month. Since then, though, as I saw sales accelerate, I began putting multiple titles into production. Just recently, my 27th title went live.” Read more about his audio book publishing on the ACX blog.
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Use your manuscript in several ways
Re-purpose your manuscript and make more out of it than just a book and an e-book. Why
not additionally create an audio-book from your novel or even from non-fiction? Audio-books
are becoming more and more popular!  Your readers can listen to your audio-books, which can easily double their book consumption because they are using time that previously was not available and turning it into valuable “reading” time.
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There are three ways of producing an audio-book:

• You do it all yourself. If you are on a very tight budget you can make audios with some relatively inexpensive equipment.

• You use a narrator who is specialized on audio books and who gets a percentage of royalty after production of your audio-book (for which they charge too).

• You organize a professional production and keep all your royalties for yourself…
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At ACX is the whole process for authors in detail explained, including case studies, how much you will earn, contract samples and how to promote your audio-book. Check it out before you start your project!

More libraries were lending e-books and audio books last fall than the year before (76% vs. 67%).  As there is not much competition in audio books, you have a good chance to get into libraries.  Most audio books are priced from $8.00 and up, which also means more royalties for you as an author.

Further Reading about Audio Book Production, especially in Canada:

Joanna Penn describes her studio experiences, creating her audio book
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/07/15/how-to-create-an-audio-book/

Audio Books become an important substitute for old-fashioned reading
https://savvybookwriters.wordpress.com/2013/07/27/do-you-want-8390-or-15-million-competitors/

Professional Audio Studio Listing for Canada
http://revolutionaudio.ca/store/recordingstudioscanada.php
Sorted by Canadian Provinces:

Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Eastern Ontario
Western Ontario
Quebec
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Alberta
British Columbia (BC)
Nova Scotia

Overview of the Canadian Audio Book Market
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/005002/f2/005002-2100-e.pdf

Funding & Tax Credit Opportunities in Canada
http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1268230642921/s/q.s?l7c1l3=eng&S_S20RCH.l1ng91g3=eng&S_F8LLT2XT=audio+book&cn-search-submit=Search

Alternative Book Formats
http://snow.idrc.ocad.ca/node/188

Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology
http://www.oiart.org/

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If you would like to get help in all things publishing, have your book intensively promoted and learn how to navigate social media sites: We offer all this and more for only $ 159 for 3 months. Learn more about this individual book marketing help: http://www.111Publishing.com/ Once you are on this website, click on Seminar to register.

Please feel free to check out all previous posts of this blog (there are 820 of them : ) if you haven’t already. Why not sign up to receive them regularly by email? Just click on “Follow” in the upper line on each page – and then on “LIKE” next to it. There is also the “SHARE” button underneath each article where you can submit the article to Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Chime.in, Facebook, Tumblr and to StumpleUpon.

Thanks a lot for following:

@111publishing
http://on.fb.me/TvqDaK
http://bit.ly/VmtVAS 111Publishing @ Google+

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