A Bunch of Awesome Links

Isn't that the worst headline ever?

But if you're an independent writer and a techno-idiot (like me), you'll probably appreciate this guide on how to convert PDFs to ePub or Kindle files. I haven't actually done it, but I have some PDFs and should probably give it a test run, at some point.

Plus ... don't hold back, Joe. Tell us what you really think. :) #circlingthedrain

Nonetheless, if you were going to have a publisher, wouldn't it be cool if it were Tor/Forge and you got to do this?

However, as independent writers, we're entrepreneurs. So that comes with its own set of perks and responsibilities. Here are some tips on office space and other matters, like setting boundaries and time management, e.g., don't work in your pajamas, okay?

Finally, I'm including a link to the Kindle All-Stars Project, which sounds totally awesome!

Here's a quote from the site: 

In 1967, mercurial author Harlan Ellison created a book that brought speculative fiction into the forefront of modern culture.  Dangerous Visions and its sequel, Again, Dangerous Visions were a collection of short-stories written by as many breath-takingly talented authors that the not-too-shabby-himself Ellison could enlist.  The series went on to win multiple awards, launch the careers of numerous talented authors and solidify SF as a legitimate form of literature.

It was a good idea then, and it's a good idea now.

I am now assembling a collection of short-stories from the best writers I can find who are either currently using Kindle to display their work, or are considering giving it a shot.  In my opinion, we are the punk rock of literature.  The resistance front.  The same type of hungry writers that Ellison found in '67.

Do words like these get your blood flowing? Punk rock of literature. I'm SO there! :)

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that all proceeds from the project will be donated to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

I can rustle up a story or two and send them in by the deadline, I'm sure. Which is 9/15, BTW. Click the link for details. Go for it!

Harlan, my man! :)

Quotation for the Week of August 21

"Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business."
-- Tom Robbins

Books from the Cloud, Apps, eReaders and Amazon

What with music being stored in the cloud, it was just a matter of time that books would make their way up there, too. This article is about Amazon's Web-based Kindle Cloud Reader. It may be of interest to all you techies out there. Frankly, my head's in the clouds half the time as it is, but I never see any books or hear any music. Which is probably for the best, really.

Now, the next thing I want to tell you about is an app in development. This post from the ABA (as in the American Booksellers Association) says the following (and I quote):

At Wednesday’s IndieCommerce Institute in Chicago, the American Booksellers Association announced that it is working with Bluefire Productions to create a version of the company’s popular BlueFire Reader app for IndieCommerce stores selling Google eBooks™.  The app will be called IndieBound Reader and will link back to indie bookstores for purchase on the Android platform. An iOS version of the app will also be available, but without a purchase option due to Apple’s restrictions regarding in-app purchases.

Bluefire Reader is an independently developed app for iOS (and in beta for Android) with a competitive feature set noted for its clean user interface and highly customizable display preferences, including controls for font size, brightness, page margins, night mode, and more.

Oh, wow! More techie stuff. Enough to make this poor little techno-idiot's head spin. :)

Feel free to read the articles, if you want to learn more about all that, okay?

So, then I saw this and I thought, "Where have you guys been?"

And I read this, and thought, "There's no such thing as a free lunch." :)

Gone Fishing

This blog is temporarily out of commission, while the blogger takes an extended e-vacation.

However ...

I'll be back. So, be seeing you. :)