I’ve been published in “digital first” for my entire writing career, though it didn’t start being called that until recently. E-publishing began in the mid 1990s, as technology and an ever-smaller, more reachable world enabled just about anyone to become a publisher. I sold my first book to Avid Press in 1999, and when it came out in June 2000, I sold…*drumroll*…EIGHT digital copies! LOL
As a reader, I didn’t like e-books for a long time. I tried a couple of “e-readers”—a Palm Pilot (tiny screen, hurt my eyes) and an eBookman (weird backlighting and uncrisp font, hurt my eyes). I considered getting a Rocket e-reader, and then it was purchased by Sony or something and ruined. Everyone proclaimed an e-book revolution, yet with every publisher I contracted to, print consistently outsold electronic copies.
Then came the Kindle (and all the others that followed). E-ink has truly revolutionized the industry, after a decade and a half. I got a Kindle 2 for Christmas a few years ago, and found I loved it a lot more than I expected, though for all the reasons I knew I wouldn’t hate it. I still read a great deal in print, though, because the formats do provide different experiences.
I didn’t submit to Carina Press because they’re a digital-first publisher. I don’t think format is important, except to get a book to as many readers as possible. I eagerly accepted my contracts from Carina because they are a very efficient, high-quality company with an excellent staff who puts out excellent books. That’s what I want as both a reader and a writer.
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Natalie J. Damschroder’s latest release is Acceptable Risks from Carina Press, available in both e-book and audiobook.
When security expert Jason Templeton’s team is ambushed while protecting a weapons manufacturer vital to U.S. interests, he risks his life to save the man’s daughter…and loses. Unbeknownst to Jason, his mentor had been funding experimental medical procedures after losing his young wife. Using the untested drugs, Jason is brought back to life, stronger and faster than before, but also vulnerable in new ways. He’s determined to find the traitor in their midst, who is after the miracle drug.
That means protecting the brilliant scientist Lark Madrassa. Their attraction and compatibility are undeniable, but Jason tries to deny his growing feelings for her, thinking he is too damaged. When Lark’s father is kidnapped they have to rely on each other in a dangerous plot to uncover the double agent. Before, Jason always accepted the risks—but what about when the life of the woman he loves is on the line?
Natalie J. Damschroder grew up in Massachusetts, and loves the New England Patriots more than anything. (Except her family. And writing and reading. And popcorn.) When she’s not writing romantic adventure for Carina Press and paranormal romance for Entangled Publishing, she does freelance editing and works part time as a chiropractic assistant. She and her husband have two daughters they’ve dubbed “the anti-teenagers,” one of whom is also a novelist. (The other one prefers math. Smart kid. Practical.) You can learn more about her and her books at www.nataliedamschroder.com.
One lucky commenter will win a copy of Acceptable Risks or an alternate option from her backlist if they already have that book. So tell me how YOU entered the digital-first revolution! (Or if you’re resisting it, kicking and screaming!)
I won a Kindle–so entered the ebook revolution.
I started reading e-books on my laptop, then moved up in the e-book world to a Kindle.
Thank you for sharing your story with the ebooks with us.
Just like you, I received a Kindle 2 for Christmas two years and a half ago. In October of this year, Amazon had begun to send adds and I ended up looking at their page and thought the Kindle sounded great! So, that’s how I entered the digital revolution and began reading almost all of my books on my Kindle. Thanks to (or because of ;-)) Amazon and its very persuasive adds!
I had reading apps on my laptop at least a year before I got my Kindle. I won an ebook on a blog and that sort of got me hooked. I am totally addicted to the instant gratification of ebooks.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
I was definitely a resistor, but I think it was all the freebies that finally got to me! Also, the available library books. So it was a frugality thing. The irony is, I buy so many more ebooks than I ever bought new print books.
I started with Kindle for PC…but the convenience factor fell waaaaay down when I found myself reading in front of the computer for hours…plus my eyes were starting to burn.
My husband finally bought me a KOBO (I am Canadian) and then a couple of months ago, I bought myself an ipad..and have both Kindle and KOBO on the ipad….woot!!
As a reviewer for the website THE READING CAFE…I need to have an ebook reader for the many copies I am sent or need ASAP.
sandy@thereadingcafe.com
I’m new to the whole ebook craze. I bought a Kindle last summer and traded up to an ipad2 in December. I love it! The convenience can’t be beat!
I resisted for a long time, I just loved having actual books. But then I started finding a lot of books that I wanted to read but they were e-published only or the print copies were really expensive. I think the first author I ever bought a e-book from was Lora Leigh. I have hundreds now. I’ve only been reading them on my computer, though I think I may ask for a Kindle for Christmas.
This book sounds so interesting!
I’m so sorry I didn’t get back here yesterday to respond to comments! Thanks, everyone, for joining in! 🙂
Thanks, Lori! My husband went 20 minutes over on his lunch break yesterday to finish it. That was VERY gratifying to me, since he didn’t like the earlier books of mine he read. 🙂
So many Kindle readers here! Amazon definitely has the advantage with their early entry.
*fist bumps Estella*
Sabrina, Stacie, and Sandy, you have my utmost respect for reading e-books on a laptop or PC. I never really got into that to a great extent for exactly the reason you say, Sandy–eye burn!
Aurore, they’re really good at that marketing, aren’t they! 🙂 I end up buying a lot of books because Amazon tells me I’ll like them. 🙂
Stacie, that instant gratification is hard to beat!
Willaful, I resisted for a lot of those reasons, too. I didn’t NEED the expense of an e-book reader PLUS the cost of the books. But once I got dragged into it, yeah, I buy a lot more now, too. 🙂
Sandy, reviewers definitely benefit from e-readers, since publishers and authors really like sending digital copies instead of print ARCs now. But there are so many great ones to choose from!
I feel guilty, Audrey, that we dragged you in with the e-book only situation. LOL I hope you get that Christmas present!
Thanks again, everyone, and good luck!
Nice post. It’s convenient to read ebooks.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks for participating, BN!
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