#DFRAT Guest Author (+ a Giveaway): MK Chester

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My first experience with publishing in any form came in early 2006, when I contracted my first novel with a brand new small press.  This publisher appealed to me because they had a venue for my stories, which were set in the early 1900’s, a veritable black hole for most other houses at the time.  They published both print and e-books and, like many aspiring authors, I wanted to hold a book in my hands more than anything else in the whole wide world.  Over the next three years, I published two novels and a novella with them, all of which became available in print and electronic versions.  I was a happy camper.
 
And then, I took a hiatus.  I underwent a life make-over, the details of which are unimportant, but the events put me about five-and-a-half years out of the biz.  YEARS, kids.  We can call them “publishing years” and equate them to “dog years” if that helps.  Things move at lightning speed and though I was never completely out of the loop, when I eased myself and my latest manuscript back into position to sell…well, let’s just say that the landscape had changed dramatically, and I was faced with a decision.  
 
I could either change with it, or get the outta the way. 
 
I had some interesting data about digital books outside the publishing world to digest.  I work at a college, and the digital book trend has hit the university.  Hard.  More than half of the courses we offer REQUIRE the use of an e-book.  Most students don’t argue because the cost is lower than buying that one-edition-wonder Biology text for $5 million and not being able to sell it back.  They don’t (yet) need an e-reader to use the textbooks—as long as they can download a PDF, they’re good to go.  From a professional educator’s standpoint, it was easy to see the direction my school was headed.
 
But that was one thing.  What about fiction?  Well, I knew the books I wanted to read were, on average, less expensive in e-formats than paperback or hardback, plus they required no shipping and handling cost.  As the economy spiraled downward, the initial investment in an e-reader to save money on reading material was a no-brainer.  I also got wind that the contracts with digital publishers had improved because, of course, there’s less cost in production and a lot of competition.  I soon decided that “digital only” made good sense, and that while holding a paper book in my hands was nice, I could still hold it (and about a million others) in my hands on a Kindle or Nook.  Digital publishing was not a vanishing fad, but was here to stay, and if I wanted to get back in the game, this was the avenue to choose.
 
The next daunting question?  Which digital publishers were worthy of my interest?  The list is very long, but I focused on those who had been around for a while, and those who did well with historicals.  I compiled a “Top Ten” list which included heavy hitters like Samhain, Ellora’s Cave, and my previous publisher, The Wild Rose Press.  I also included one relative newbie, Carina Press, for two reasons.  First, though less than three years old at the time, they ARE the digital-only arm of Harlequin, which meant they had some force behind them to see to their success.  Second, their executive editor, Angela James, had done a presentation at my local RWA chapter meeting, and what can I say?  That woman has her s*it together and who wouldn’t want to work with someone like that?  While I had six other publishers on the list, I had my hopes set on one of the four I’ve mentioned.
 
I queried and waited.  I was beginning to think I wouldn’t hear from ANYONE when I got not The Call, but The Email (that is another story—they do like to call).  Carina Press wanted the story that came to be titled Surrender to the Roman.  I couldn’t believe it, but production started very quickly.  Introductions to the Carina/Harlequin family, title suggestions, art fact sheets, edits, release date set, more edits, back cover copy, and promotional materials…everything as smooth as I’d hoped it would be.  Finally, it became real as I received the official cover art and blurb, followed closely by my author copies of the book.  
 
And yes, I’ve had to explain here and there that this is a digital only publication, but I have yet to experience any deep disappointment or irritation about that.  There’s a lot of curiosity surrounding e-books, at least among my friends, and it’s been eye-opening to hear what they like or hate about digital books.  Age has something to do with it.  The older the reader, the less inclined they are to want an e-reader (although my 12-year-old son says he would always rather have a book with pages to turn).  I’ve also come to understand that voracious readers value the digital side of things because they do read so much and only have so many dollars to spend—no matter their age.  For myself as a reader, I have read more since getting an e-reader than I have in years.  I like to say it takes the ‘wait’ out of ‘waiting room’.
 
And what about me, as an author?  While I don’t think traditional books will ever disappear, the trend toward digital is progressing to a much larger audience.  I want access to that audience.  I enjoy the ease of promoting online—I’m no longer limited to my general vicinity to get the word out or talk to interested readers.  I can go global from behind my desk.  The world became a much smaller place with the advent of the internet, and that much smaller still with the propagation of websites like Goodreads, a site linking readers and authors together to talk about their favorite books.  And let’s face it—I (for one) probably won’t be remembered in the same breath as Twain and Tolstoy, and that’s fine with me.  Romance is an entertaining genre filled with great variety, and digital books allow readers to experience things they might have never tried before either because of cost, or because the book cover isn’t visible to everyone in the employee break-room.  Production is quicker, contact with readers is faster, and promotion can span the world with a few well-timed Tweets.  What’s not to love?
 
I think I’ve gone digital for the long haul, and to prove it, let’s have a give-away.  One lucky commenter will receive Surrender to the Roman, available now, from Carina Press. Just tell me what YOU love about digital books, and you could win!  Here’s the blurb:

 

106 A.D. – As the Romans storm the last stronghold of Dacia, Princess Ademeni awaits her fate. Taken as a slave, she is deposited into General Marcus Cordovis’s home as a gift.
Driven to avenge her family, Ademeni plots to kill her captor and escape. Though not the cruel victor she expects, Marcus keeps her too close to make escape easy—so close that Ademeni is soon tormented by an unbidden, traitorous attraction. In a moment of weakness, a passionate kiss almost undoes them both.
But the handsome, widowed general has another surprise for Ademeni: a young daughter. Marcus dares ask Ademeni to help him bridge the gap between him and his little girl. And now, Ademeni is growing too fond of those she is supposed to despise. As Marcus prepares for the triumphal march and the opening of the gladiatorial games—where captives of her homeland will be sacrificed—Ademeni readies for her own battle between revenge and love.

Find Surrender to the Roman:
Carina Press: http://ow.ly/aPIfp
Amazon: http://ow.ly/aPIpW
Barnes & Noble: http://ow.ly/aPIvz
Find me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author.MK.Chester
Twitter: https://twitter.com/M_K_Chester
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/mkchester
Website: www.mkchester.com

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