Kindle

[Jay Saunders]

You may have noticed that US Amazon has just launched the Kindle - a ebook reader with wireless functionality, employing electronic ink.

Could this be the iPod for books?

Could this change the way people read?

Could this be an new way for writers like us to get our work under the noses of a new readership?

For me, this is a very exciting time - and when they are available in the UK, I'll be buying one... I was reluctant to buy an iPod, but when I did, it changed the way I listen to music... I have a feeling that this device will do the same to reading.

[Shelagh Watkins]

Thanks Jay! You kindled my interest! I checked out this state-of-the-art piece of equipment and it looks fantastic. You know there's a BUT coming don't you? Well, it's the price. A cool $399 or £195. The price of twenty books @ $19.99 or £9.75.

No doubt the price will fall in as sales go up. I think this device might be a winner. Bedtime reading will never be the same again!

Check it out here:

http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Device/dp/B00...

[Morgan Mandel]

I hope a lot of people get Kindles, since my book also comes in that format!
Morgan Mandel

[Ken K. Chartrand]

Hi Morgan! I think Kindles are cool and are the portable libraries of the future. Ecologically, we will be running out of trees at current consumption for wood and paper, so Kindles would be letting the next growth of trees complete its life cycle.

[Whitefeather]

Hi Ken, I would really love to get my book on to a Kindle, your words are so true about so many trees being chopped and as an author it was really hard to know what to do about that, I hope that a kindle might be an answer! I try to feel better about my ecological footprint by not having a car and recycling as much as I can, using a water butt and only taking short showers! Eventually I hope we all have wind turbines and solar power..... its got to happen!
Much love and light friend
Whitefeather

[Jon F. Baxley]

Hello Jay (and group):

I just uploaded one of my books to the Kindle program at Amazon. The process was tedious and time consuming, but I think it will be well worth the effort once the devices are more widely available. We shall see, eh? And I don't think the price is all that exhorbitant. A good bookshelf costs at least as much and won't hold anywhere NEAR as many titles as your Kindle. Besides, you can't take all your books with you on vacation. A Kindle will certainly make that easier. Drop over to Amazon and check out my fantasy epic from Five Star in Kindle format:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZYF3MQ

Jon Baxley
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY
THE REGENTS OF RHUM
THE SCIONS OF SCOTIA

[Jon F. Baxley]

Hello Group:

I promised to follow up with info about my Amazon Kindle experiment. I've been reading everything I can find about the new device, participating in Kindle forums on Amazon and fielding questions from quite a few authors who want to know about the process. The first results are in: THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY was ranked #986 in the Kindle product line (out of some 90,000+ books and magazines in Kindle format). That's my first experience in the top 1,000 at Amazon. Here's hoping the Kindle version will also lead to more hardcover sales as a result of the extra exposure.

It took about a week for the first sales to happen and now we'll see where it goes from there. I would urge more of you to get into the program so we can cross promote via the Kindle forums. When Amazon gets more units available (it is sold out right now) there will likely be a surge in sales. I plan to be there when that happens. I also uploaded a Kindle short story called Santa's Little Trucker if you'd care to check that out.

Jon Baxley

Blackgloom @ the Amazon Kindle Store: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZYF3MQ

[Savannah Black]

I have been all over the southern US and seen the trees used for paper. They are grown for that purpose. After the cutting and clearing, new ones are replanted. It would not make sense to cut good trees for paper. Good ones are used for wood to build houses with.
Wil C