I think it’s fantastic that the ladies at The Book Binge are doing a digital first Read-A-Thon! I’d also like to say thank you to them for letting me talk about my experiences with digital first publishing.
I discovered romance through traditionally published mass market paperbacks (many years ago). Then, about seven years ago someone I worked with mentioned these ‘super hot books’ by a company called Ellora’s Cave. I remember the way she whispered it, as if erotic romance was a dirty awesome secret. She knew me well because it was definitely something I wanted to know more about! When I discovered erotic romance, I simultaneously discovered ebooks. I had no idea they existed. Today it’s hard to imagine not reading on my kindle, and this was only seven years ago that the concept was introduced to me.
Thus began my journey of devouring ebooks. Suddenly I could buy books instantly! No waiting, no going to the book store and no more cluttering up my already overflowing bookshelves. I discovered some of my favorite authors through Ellora’s Cave (Lisa Marie Rice and Lora Leigh) and luckily I also discovered other fantastic digital first publishers. This brand new reading world had opened up to me and I couldn’t get enough of it. Eventually I got tired of reading everything on my laptop though and invested in a Sony eReader. I still cringe at how much I spent on that thing when my current kindle was about $100 (and well worth it). Thankfully the market has changed enough to meet reader’s needs in a financially viable way. My own mom is now talking about buying one of the $79 kindles which is exciting.
Around the same time I discovered ebooks I had also just dipped my toes into writing. After finishing a story titled Running From the Past I wasn’t sure what to do with it. It was a little too hot for anything traditional so that was a no go. Not to mention it was novella length which seriously limited my options. I loved this story so much but it was just sitting on my computer while I tried to figure out what to do with it. In order to see if it was any good I entered it into an RWA contest and to my surprise it placed first and I was offered a contract by Ellora’s Cave. After that there was no turning back. I was fully immersed in digital first publishing! Today I’m also traditionally published and I’ve even Indie-published a few things too (which has been a fun adventure!). I love being diversified as a writer and having options because it opens up more not only for myself, but for my readers. With the way the publishing industry is moving I don’t think authors have to make an either/or choice anymore. We can have the best of all worlds. Currently my digital first publishers are Carina Press and Ellora’s Cave. I enjoy writing for both of them and hope to continue doing so for a long time!
As a thanks to Holly and the ladies here at The Book Binge for promoting digital first publishing and for being kind enough to have me, I’d like to offer up a bundle of my ebooks to one commenter. Just tell me what authors you’ve discovered through digital first publishing and be entered to win a copy of Running From the Past, Dangerous Secrets, His Secret Past, Destined Mate and No One to Trust.A little about me: I’ve been reading romance since a young age—ever since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Ellora’s Cave, Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL/Signet Eclipse. To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.
Thanks for stopping by today!
#DFRAT Guest Author (+ a Giveaway): Katie Reus
Tagged: DFRAT, Digital First ReadAThon, Giveaways, Guest Authors, Katie Reus
I discovered many authors through digital first publishing:
Lora Leigh,Lorelei James, Maya Banks, Shannon Stacey, Anne Rainey,Jayne Rylon, Mari Carr, Liz Matis, Jess Dee ,Ruthie Knox and this is the short list LOL
I discovered ebooks via EC as well. The very first author I discovered was Jaid Black. To this day, I am still in love with her Trek M’Quan series. That same year (2003) I discovered Cheyenne McCray, Shelby Morgen, Stephanie Burke, Sherry L. King, Marilyn Lora Leigh, Shiloh Walker, Shelby Reed, Denise Agnew, Treva Harte, Kate Douglas, Sahara Kelly, Kit Tunstall, Julian Masters (known as Sir Julian back then, he was my intro to BDSM erotic romance) and the list continued growing from there. I also met Judy Mays, whom now I consider a close friend. To me, once I discovered ebooks and romance (erotic romance at the time) there was no turning back. I don’t read as much erotic romance any longer, but I have been getting my mojo back on that department. 😀
M.
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I have discovered so many new authors through digital publishing to love! Lisa Renee Jones, Katie Reus and so many more!! I’m so glad I finally gave in and bought an ereader!
i love my e reader and kindle. i discovered t.a. grey angela castle. gabrielle bisset and jessica lee they are all such exciting sensual reads. im also going to look for katie reus. after her nice interview her books look good
I have discovered Maya Banks, Mari Carr, Jayne Rylon, Lexxie Couper, Rhian Cahill, Shiloh Walker, and Cheyenne McCray just to name a few. I love my Kindle. Can’t live without it.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Lots of wonderful authors from Carina — Josh Lanyon, Ava Match, Harper Fox, Joanna Chambers. Cara Mckenna, Meg Maguire, JL Merrow. And recently, Ruthie Knox (Loveswept digital) It’s really the place to find the interesting ideas that the traditional publishers are too scared to touch.
Tina Folsom
I discovered so many authors through ebooks like Jessica Scott, Ruthie Knox, Lorelei James, Beth Kery, Cherise Sinclair, Anne Calhoun, Alison Kent and so many more. I wouldn’t want to live without my Kindle anymore.
claudigc at msn dot com
I’ve found lots of great authors through digital first including Lorelai James, Shannon Stacey, Cherise Sinclair, JL Merrow, Josh Lanyon, Meg Benjamin, Lauren Dane, Dee Tenorio, Ruthie Knox, Tina Folsom, Annabel Joseph, Dana Marie Bell, I could go on but that’s probably enough for now.
Jen(at)delux(dot)com
I have read several of Katie’s novels…keep up the good work.
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A few authors I’ll name and there are many more:Lauren Dane, Shiloh Walker and Hannah Jayne.
dsadler53 at yahoo dot ca
Melissa Schroeder, Ruthie Knox and many of the others listed above. I’ve started following a lot of blogs and being introduced to a lot of new authors. The self published books are more reasonably priced also. Thanks!
Laura Kaye, Deena Remiel, Moira Rogers, Tina Folsom, Vivian Arend, Lisa Renee Jones, Felicity Heaton, Shayla Black, Stacey Kennedy, Gabrielle Bisset and many more.
lfacchini(at)tampabay(dot)rr(dot)com
There are many authors that I have found through digital. Just a few include: Cherise Sinclair, Kallypso Masters, Eve Langlais, Vivian Arend, and so many more.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
OMG this is one of the wonderful things about my eReader. All the new and wonderful authors that I’ve found thru eBooks. Jess Micheals, Dana Marie Bell, Rebecca Zanetti, Lauren Dane,Harper Fox, LB Gregg, Selena Blake, Selena Kitt,Sarah McCarty, Katie Reus, Cheyenne McCray. I could go on and on. Its just brought so much joy to my life.
lorimeehan1@aol.com
I’ve discovered new authors like Katie Reus and Maya Banks.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thanks so much for stopping by, everyone! I’m seeing a lot of familiar names chosen (and more of my personal faves)! I love how ebooks opened up a new reading world to so many people 🙂
So many great authors, and you are one of them, Katie. Also, Lora Leigh, Shelly Laurenston, Kate Hill, Desiree Holt, Lauren Dane and Sarah McCarty, just to name a few.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
I’ve been reading ebooks for a little while now, but I discovered only recently that there were digital first publishers. I was so surprised! How could I miss it? 😉 So, if I want to answer your questions, I guess there’s only one author I discovered a few weeks ago through digital first publishing and it’s Shannon Stacey. I’m reading “Slow Summer Kisses” right now and I really like it!
Thank you for sharing your story with us!
Hi Katie – so glad you found a home for your book at Ellora’s – checked out the blurb and it sounds like an awesome read.
I’ve found many authors first in ebook format – Felicity Heaton, Maya Banks, Shiloh Walker, R.G. Alexander, Paige Tyler, Crystal Jordan, Karen Ericson, and many more!
pams00 @ aol.com
Cherise Sinclair and Mari Carr are just two of the many authors that I discovered through digital books. I am addicted to my Kindle.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
Hey Katie! I love my e-reader and the world it has opened up to me!! I have so many authors I love: Katie Reus!!! Lorie o Clare, Maya Banks, Lora Leigh, Laurann Dohner, and Allyson James….I could go on :-)…
I was given a couple of Katie’s books to read and review and liked them so well that I went on Amazon and looked for more. I think the world of e-publishing has been a great asset to many authors and it hasn’t been bad for the traditional publishers who have ventured out into the electronic publishing either. Most of my favorite authors are “first published” e-published writers and I so glad to have encountered their work and experienced their creativity.