Book Formats. Choose Wisely.

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It’s a grand time for readers. We have various ways of consuming books. There are print books, e-books, and audio books. Through the ages, each format has had its heights and lows along with its advantages and its flaws.

So let’s examine each format.

Naturally, I will start with the oldest format—Print books. This format engages all the senses. The weight of the book whether its a trade paperback, a hardcover or a mass-market book is the first sensation to be experienced. The crack of the spine pronounces the beginning of the new adventure awaiting in the pages. The paper’s texture is a unique feel that fires up the fingertips as the paper suck in the fingers’ heat. The special scent of paper and ink is a fragrance that lights up the brain. That’s all before reaching the first line. The black print hooks the brain and doesn’t release its hold until the last word. The body and brain are engaged in the reading process in a way that e-books and audio books fail to rouse.

The flaw with print books is one—storage. Books eat up the bookcases, hover in corners of rooms, and any other bit of space those square objects of wonder can fit. In this age of the Marie Kondo method, storage and organization are important.
Nevertheless, nothing beats print. Johannes Gutenberg was a genius and my hero.

With the electronic readers, the publishing world and readers’ lives changed. There are a two great aspects of e-books. First is the instant gratification. All that is required is a reader or app, a credit or debit card then hit buy and the book is delivered to you in seconds. The second benefit of e-books are that the library is portable. All the books are just a couple taps away.

As for the flaws of e-books, there are a two as well. First, one is readers and smart phones need charging. So, the access to a book could be withheld. Another one is that electronic devices lack the warmth that print books possess.

Now audio books. This format has been around for a time and at this moment, they are centered stage. Audio books have an ease that many busy people find beneficial. The books can be read while in the car or preparing dinner or any other task. Audio books also rouse the memories of being read to by parents. And when the audiobook’s narrator can bring the story to life in a way that stimulates the mind like Stephen Fry does with the Harry Potter series.

But all isn’t rosy for this format. It can be easy to block out the audio and then whole parts of the book are missed. Another minus is the audiobook’s narrator could be bad. The voice may be unpleasant or grating even too dramatic that it pulls the listener from the tale. Another defect is that taking notes are not possible unless you want to feel like you are at a college lecture again.

How do you rank the book formats? Did I forget a benefit or flaw? 

Stubborn or Determined? Which is it?

Hello! I’m one of the newest member authors of Romance Books 4 Us and you’ll get to know me each month on ninth as I blog about things happening in my world, writing and otherwise. I’m so excited to be a part of this wonderful group and hope you will enjoy getting to know me.

Stubborn or determined…both are two sides of the same coin. People who are stubborn can also be determined and sometimes to be determined you have to be stubborn, especially in the writing business. Many famous authors received rejections before ever getting published. Even today, having your books recognized is a marathon.

My stories have been around the block a time or two. That’s the hard part with small publishing houses. I love the family atmosphere but sometimes they don’t last. Just recently I received the rights back for three books. One of the books was my first book that I got a contract on and sale  on. It was a sad moment for me. I received the rights back because the publisher is going in a different direction with their submissions and my books don’t fit with them anymore. If this had been my first experience with this, I’d have been heartbroken.

Another book was with two different publishing houses that went under. Both times the publishing house closed their doors and I received my rights back. Stubborn…determined…I kept submitting the story elsewhere and it’s found a wonderful home, where it's become a series.

But what to do this time? Three books are a lot. So I’ve decided to give self-publishing a try. I have contracted for new covers and am working with an editor to make the stories better. After all, I’d like to think I’ve learned a thing or two since receiving that first contract! And I’m determined (or is that stubborn?) to bring these wonderful stories back to my readers.

So which are you...stubborn? determined? or something else??

Is There More Sex in E-books than Print Book?

There are readers who believe they can find sexier books in e-book format.  What they don't seem to realize is that those same books can usually be found in either e-book or print format.  Some of them may even be in audio.

Remember the stigma readers faced with the so-called bodice rippers.  Well, now there is embarrassment for those who read erotic books, so it could be readers feel safer reading them on an e-reader.  Writers often use a fictitious name to write them because of the stigma.

Sex is a part of life, so it's hard for me to understand why there is still this stigmatism around the subject.  As to whether there is more sex in e-books than prints I don't know, but it is an interesting question.

What do you think?