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The Future of the Written Word: "Always Write" Blog Posts from 2010
The Future of the Written Word: "Always Write" Blog Posts from 2010
The Future of the Written Word: "Always Write" Blog Posts from 2010
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The Future of the Written Word: "Always Write" Blog Posts from 2010

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This collection of blog posts from author David Derrico's "Always Write" Blog covers news & info about e-books, e-readers, and the publishing industry. It includes all his blog posts from the year 2010, a total of 103 posts spanning over 65,000 words, plus pictures. Topics include:

• E-Books: how and where to find free e-books, along with e-book reviews, e-book industry sales figures, and e-book features (such as games & apps, lending, text-to-speech, and DRM).
• E-Readers: tips & tricks for how to get the most out of your e-reader, comparisons and reviews of popular e-reading devices, and news on the latest devices (including Amazon's Kindle, B&N's Nook, Sony's E-Readers, Kobo's E-Readers, and Apple's iPad).
• Publishing: commentary on the state of book and e-book publishing, and its future, including discussion of e-book pricing, the agency model, and the future of bookstores and printed books.

Please note that these blog posts are available for free at Derrico's blog, located at www.davidderrico.com/blog. However, this e-book is formatted and proofread specifically for your e-reader, and includes a table of contents, chapter waypoints in the locations bar, all images, and the links to other included blog posts have been changed to internal links for your convenience.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherDavid Derrico
Release dateMay 14, 2011
ISBN9781458159465
The Future of the Written Word: "Always Write" Blog Posts from 2010
Author

David Derrico

David Derrico was born just north of Miami, Florida, and developed his appreciation for complex moral issues while receiving a degree in philosophy from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He wrote his first novel, Right Ascension, before attending law school at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). Right Ascension was first published by Bookbooters Press in 2000, and garnered its inaugural eBook of the Year Award.Derrico wrote his second novel, Declination, during law school, while he was probably supposed to be studying. Nonetheless, he graduated, passed the California Bar Exam, and worked as an attorney at a large, international law firm in Los Angeles for several years. While practicing law (all that practice actually made him pretty good at it), he managed to write some short stories and start work on his third novel, The Twiller.Recently, Derrico retired from his “day job” as a big-firm attorney and moved back to South Florida, where he finished that third novel. The Twiller follows the (mis)adventures of an unlikely hero and his unique companion on a comic romp around the galaxy. Derrico maintains a website with reviews, excerpts, current news, a blog, and purchasing information for all of his novels and other works at www.davidderrico.com.

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    The Future of the Written Word - David Derrico

    FOREWORD

    Thanks for checking out The Future of the Written Word, the collected blog posts of the Always Write Blog from 2010. These posts cover developments pertaining to e-books, e-readers, the publishing industry, and my own writing endeavors. I strive to make my blog posts well-researched, well-written, and informative, and I hope you find them useful.

    Please note what this e-book collection is and what it is not. It is a collection of 103 blog posts (over 65,000 words, plus pictures) that were posted in the year 2010 on the Always Write blog, which I maintain at www.davidderrico.com/blog. That means that all of the content herein is available for free on my website, linked above; however, I have spent time proofreading, collecting, and formatting these posts into the proper e-book format (and added a table of contents, made sure all the images are included, re-formatted the links, and other such things), which I believe is worth the modest price of this e-book. But I wouldn't want anyone to misunderstand or feel ripped off.

    The posts cover a variety of topics, but the main ones include:

    E-Books: e-book sales figures, availability, reviews, and features (such as lending, text-to-speech, and DRM).

    E-Readers: news, tips, and info on e-book reading devices, focusing on Amazon's Kindle (mainly the Kindle 2 and Kindle 3), with coverage of Barnes & Noble's Nook, Sony's E-Readers, the Kobo E-Readers, and Apple's iPad.

    Publishing: commentary on the state of book and e-book publishing, and its future, including discussion of e-book pricing, the agency model, and the future of bookstores and printed books.

    Writing: details about the self-publishing indie movement in general and my own writing endeavors in particular, including tips for fellow authors on formatting, retailing, and marketing.

    The posts herein are displayed in chronological order, and can be navigated through the table of contents, or, on the Kindle, by flicking left or right on the 5-way controller to bring up the previous or next post. Each post includes the date originally published on my blog, and all the images are included. I might actually recommend starting with the last post, the "2010 Year In Review," as it is a nice overview of the topics discussed over the course of the year, with helpful links to other posts. (Note that I re-formatted links to my own blog posts to link to the proper post within this document; but other links are still external and will open in a web browser.)

    I hope you enjoy the posts collected herein. For current posts covering ongoing news, to comment on any of the posts you read here, or to ask me any questions, please visit my online blog, at www.davidderrico.com/blog. Thank you, and enjoy!

    - David Derrico

     * * * * *

    The Future of the Written Word:

    Always Write Blog Posts from 2010

    By David Derrico

     * * * * *

    The Future of the Written Word: Always Write Blog Posts from 2010

    Smashwords Edition

    Find paperback and e-book editions of David Derrico’s novels at:

    http://www.davidderrico.com/

    Publishing History

    First digital edition published, Jan 2011

    Copyright © 2011 by David Derrico

    Cover art copyright © 2011 by David Derrico

    No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

    v. 1.0S

    * * * * *

    Also by David Derrico

    RIGHT ASCENSION

    DECLINATION,

    The Sequel to Right Ascension

    THE TWILLER

    * * * * *

    Right Ascension in the Top 500!

    Jan 13, 2010

    I'd like to take a moment to sincerely thank my readers, who have helped propel Right Ascension and Declination to new heights. Right Ascension is now in the Top 5 in the Adventure, War, and Technothrillers sub-categories. It also rose into the Top 15 in the Science Fiction category, and up to #479 in the entire Kindle store!

    Lowering the price to just 99 cents each has certainly allowed more people to find and hopefully enjoy my novels. Although I was hesitant to price the novels so low at first, I'm certainly glad that I did it.

    To those of you buying and reading my novels, I would be eternally grateful if you could spare a few minutes to post a review on Amazon.com. Thoughtful reviews from readers can really help people decide if a book is right for them.

    If you don't have the time to write a review, perhaps you wouldn't mind just helping to tag my novels with tags like science fiction and some of the other tags that show up about midway down the Amazon page for each book. It really helps!

    Thanks again for your continuing support... and please feel free to let me know your thoughts on the novels or if there's anything else on your mind!

    - David

    * * * * *

    Kindle 2 Cover: M-Edge Platform Case Review

    Jan 15, 2010

    As a new Kindle 2 owner, the first thing I did was research and pick out a case to protect it. About a week ago, I decided to try out the M-Edge Platform case and have used it since then. This case flips open from the top, and can be opened to serve as a platform to prop up your Kindle on a table for hands-free reading. I decided on it because (a) I wanted something that was rigid (as opposed to padded) to protect the screen, (b) I wanted something small and light, (c) I wanted enough room for a pen and small notepad, and (d) I like the hands-free reading idea. Oh, and I didn't want to pay too much. I have to say the M-Edge Platform ($29.99) delivered what I was looking for.

    First, a pic from Amazon:

    The case is essentially two rigid flaps hinged together at the top. When closed, a tab is slid into a hole to secure it. The tab takes a few seconds to insert or extract, but it closes the case securely and doesn't seem like it would wear out like an elastic closure might. When you open the case, the top flap can be hinged backward and the tab can be inserted in reverse to create an A-shaped stand. This will hold your Kindle upright for hands-free reading (well, you still need to hit the next page button!). When opened and pressed flat, it doesn't add too much thickness to the Kindle, so you can still hold it and read easily in the case, and you can reach the next page buttons on either side. I also appreciate that it doesn't weigh too much, and I leave my Kindle in the case for reading.

    The Kindle attaches with two leather (I elected the cheaper imitation leather model, but I am pleased with the feel of it) corner attachments at the bottom corners and two elastic attachments at the top. From pictures, I feared it wouldn't hold the K2 securely, but it does, I have no worry of it slipping out. I don't know if the elastic enclosures become less secure over time, however.

    I also liked that there is a small pen loop at the top, and a business card pouch plus a thin pocket on the inside of the front cover. I like the idea of keeping a pen and small note pad to jot down writing ideas, but they add almost no bulk or thickness to the case. The inside covers are lined with a soft felt material.

    There is also room along the left side of the K2 (and a pouch to slide the base into) designed to hold an M-Edge reading light (which I do not have). Some may not like that this causes the Kindle to be off-centered in the case, and it may be difficult for people with smaller hands to reach the left-side buttons, although I had no problems with it.

    All in all, I have to say that the case exceeded my expectations, and I am actually a picky reviewer. The quality of the materials feels good (of course, it's fake leather, but I'm fine with that... they do make a more expensive real leather version). It is about as thin and light as possible while still affording good protection, and it feels supple on the outside but there is a rigid core in the front and back covers that appears to protect the K2 well. The A-frame reading platform may come in handy, I've used it while eating lunch a couple of times, although I normally read with the case folded all the way back.

    Essentially, the case did everything I hoped for it to do. Those of you who like to carry more than a pen, business card, note pad, and light with your Kindle (like if you want to bring the USB cord/power adapter or keys) may not like this device. And it does not fully enclose the Kindle, so it would not protect as well from dust or spills as the zippered cases. But, if your needs are like mine, I can heartily recommend this case and give it an A.

    * * * * *

    Interview by the Indie Spotlight

    Feb 16, 2010

    Please enjoy this interview conducted by our friends over at The Indie Spotlight.

    Title: Right Ascension

    Author: David Derrico

    ISBN: 978-1-4486-8760-2

    Page count: 216

    Genre: Science Fiction

    Price: $0.99 (Kindle), $9.77 (paperback)

    Author Bio:

    David Derrico was born just north of Miami, Florida, and developed his appreciation for complex moral issues while receiving a degree in philosophy from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He wrote his first novel, Right Ascension, before attending law school at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). Derrico has written two novels: Right Ascension and its sequel, Declination, and currently lives in South Florida where he is working on his next novel.

    Tell us about your book:

    Right Ascension and its sequel, Declination, are science fiction novels that blend action and adventure with philosophical and moral undertones. They invite readers to ponder difficult ethical dilemmas and question their own notions of fairness, honor, and the nature of justice. They ask the question: What if humanity had to choose between honor … and our very survival?

    Set in the year 3040, Right Ascension examines mankind’s place in the Universe, how we ascended to that lofty position, and the horrifying price of that ascension.

    Humanity’s position of political and technological dominance within the galaxy is suddenly shattered when a sleek alien vessel arrives unexpectedly at Earth. Admiral Daniel Atgard and the crew of the Apocalypse embark on a mission to find these enigmatic aliens, but the focus of the mission quickly turns from finding answers to exacting revenge. Meanwhile, a belligerent species of reptilian warriors, seeking to avenge a previous defeat at the hands of the human-controlled United Confederation of Planets, takes this opportunity to plan an all-out assault on Earth. Faced with overwhelming odds and the terrible knowledge of mankind’s most horrifying secret, Daniel must choose between honor … and humanity’s very survival.

    How long did it take to write the book?

    The first draft of the book took about 10 months to write, plus another solid month of editing. I’d say almost a year. However, several years later, I went back through and did a cover-to-cover proofreading and edit, including adding a couple of scenes.

    What inspired you to write the book?

    I have enjoyed reading and writing for as long as I can remember. I broke my arm when I was 2 1/2 years old, and my parents tell me it happened when I was climbing on a stool to reach a book on a high shelf. As a kid, I read lots of Piers Anthony and C.S. Lewis. I have always enjoyed creative writing, I enjoy storytelling and using the amazing diversity and depth of the English language. After getting a degree in philosophy from the University of Florida, I became interested in exploring ethical issues in a much more interesting and accessible way than what gets presented in philosophy textbooks. So, the idea of an action/adventure science-fiction novel that explored deep moral issues was born.

    Talk about the writing process. Did you have a writing routine? Did you do any research, and if so, what did that involve?

    I’m generally a night person, and I found myself often staying up all night writing until 8 AM or later. It helped that I wrote the book while working at a job that was not very demanding, as I’d find myself thinking about the novel all day, percolating ideas even when I wasn’t writing. It was very helpful to be able to start writing pretty much whenever the inspiration struck me.

    Before I started writing, I actually developed detailed character sketches of each of the main characters: physical description, history, family, background, morals, motivation, personality, etc. I found that having realistic characters caused many parts of the book to almost write itself, as I found myself saying, Well, this character would react to that by doing this… After the first couple of chapters, I also realized that I needed an outline in order to maintain the pacing of the book, keep the sense of continuity, and foreshadow important elements that came to fruition later. Outlining was the hardest part for me; once I outlined a chapter or two, the actual writing came relatively easily.

    As for research, I did a fair amount of research, mostly involving astronomy, physics, and astronomical distances. My book does not focus on the hard sci-fi method of describing technical details of things like hyperspace drives or force shields, so the research was not overwhelming, but enough to make sure everything was realistic.

    What do you hope your readers come away with after reading your book?

    I hope, first and foremost, that readers enjoy the book. That they are sad for the last chapter to end. I hope they identify with the characters and come to care about what happens to them. And I hope that maybe, just maybe, they think a little bit about their own ethics and morality and I hope it inspires them to do the right thing, even when it is hard to do.

    Where can we go to buy your book?

    My novels (Right Ascension and the sequel, Declination) are available through my own website, www.davidderrico.com, in both paperback and eBook formats. They are also available through Amazon.com, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble.com.

    Any other links or info you’d like to share?

    I have a Facebook Fan page at www.facebook.com/NovelAuthor where I post news, discussions, and free giveaways.

    * * * * *

    #1 Amazon Best-Seller!

    Mar 27, 2010

    #1. Wow.

    I am very excited to announce that Right Ascension has recently topped the charts as the #1 best-seller in Amazon's Kindle Store Technothriller category.

    The sequel, Declination, is also selling better and better, so I am gratified to see that people are enjoying my first novel enough to purchase and read the second one.

    I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has read, bought, enjoyed, reviewed, or told a friend about my novels. None of this would be possible without you. Thank you!

    - David

    * * * * *

    E-Books and the Agency Model

    Apr 1, 2010

    If you've been following e-publishing lately, you may have heard that today, 5 out of the Big 6 publishers forced Amazon to agree to an agency model when selling e-books instead of the previous retail model. Under the retail model, publishers set a list price for e-books (usually the same $25 or so they set for the hardcover), and retailers like Amazon pay them a fixed percentage of that price, such as 50%. Amazon would then pay the publisher $12.50 for each e-book sale, and price the book however they wanted: $12.51, $19.99, $25, or even $9.99 (as a loss leader).

    As of today, 5 large publishers told Amazon they must sell their e-books under the agency model (physical books remain on the retail model). Under the agency model, the publisher sets the final sale price, and Amazon gets a flat 30% cut of each sale. That means Amazon is not allowed to have sales on e-books, and that a particular e-book should be the same price everywhere. This shift was caused in large part by the entry of the iPad (which I am still not convinced will be a popular place for people who actually buy and read e-books) and Apple's embracing of the agency model (just like in their iTunes Store and App Store).

    Apparently, the large publishers weren't happy about Amazon taking a loss and selling NYT bestsellers for $9.99 (even though they sent the publishers $12.50 per sale), because they are concerned Amazon is devaluing e-books. If you ask me, the large publishers are terrified of e-books, since they require a massive shift in their business model (involving costly layoffs, restructuring, reduction of rent and other overhead, changing contracts and relationships, etc.). They know that some publishers might adapt well and stay on top ... but not all of them will. So they seem intent on stalling e-book adoption as long as possible (as evidenced by them trying to raise prices in the face of clear consumer outcry, attaching invasive DRM to their titles, disabling TTS access, delaying e-book releases, and generally releasing poorly-formatted scans of physical books).

    So, today, most large publisher e-books will go up in price from $9.99 to $12.99 or $14.99.

    It's times like this that I'm glad to be an independent author ... while the idea of a huge book deal with a traditional publishing house had always been my dream, I'm thinking more and more of the benefits of being nimble in a quickly-changing e-book industry. I wonder if the big publishing houses read forums and blogs and comments like I do; I wonder if they have any idea what their customers are feeling or how they think. Sometimes I wonder if they get e-books at all. It sure seems like they see them as a threat to be fought, instead of an amazing opportunity to be embraced. Let's delay releases! Jack up prices to double that of paperbacks! Infest books with DRM! Format them like crap!

    One thing I know for sure is that the vast majority of Kindlers are passionate readers (in a world where readers are an endangered species). In other words, the publishers' very best customers. Or, as I see it, the reason I write.

    I hate to say it, but the big publishers jacking up prices can only make the prices charged by most indie authors look that much better in comparison ($0.99 vs. $14.99 -- wow). But, if they succeed in killing the fledgling e-book industry before it can really take off, then we all lose.

    * * * * *

    E-Books: Gutenberg, You Had a Good Run

    Apr 1, 2010

    Go, baby, go.

    Recently, I was shocked to receive a Kindle from a good friend for my birthday. This amazing device has impacted my life in multiple ways. First, I very quickly became an e-book reading convert: the reading experience on a Kindle is, IMO, superior to that of a printed book. Some of the advantages:

    e-books are generally less expensive than printed books (they should be, since they cost nothing to print, ship, or store)

    portability and convenience: I can download books instantly, wirelessly, and carry thousands around anywhere

    the built-in dictionary is invaluable; I would miss the ability to look up or double-check words with a flick of my finger

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