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!)