A little over a year and a half ago I accused my brother-in-law of going over to the “dark side” by acquiring an eReader. Now I’m the happy owner of an iPad. Its Kindle, Stanza, and iBook shelves are crowded with tiny digital books, just like my real shelves.
I first tried eBooks on my iPhone. Although the experience isn’t ideal, I quickly discovered something that made me fall in love with it anyway. I had more time to read! Standing in line at the pharmacy? Whip out my phone and read five pages. Sitting in the car while my husband fills the gas tank? Catch up with an intriguing character. A co-worker’s late for our coffee appointment? Slide my finger over several pages. I was amazed with all the tiny moments in the day that I could find more time to read fiction.
Then I opened my iPad on my birthday and found something even better. I try to read fiction while I work out, but the light in my garage isn’t the best, and sometimes the fonts are on the smaller side. Reading a novel while trying to keep my heart rate up on the elliptical was sometimes enjoyable, sometimes not. With an e book, it’s easier to prop the book “open”, easier to follow the text, and easier on my eyes.
The first release of my novel, THE DEMISE OF THE SOCCER MOMS, was an eBook – the print version is coming this Spring. I’m an eBook convert. I’ve learned to love the eReading experience and my eBook and pBooks are happily co-existing, so I thought it would be fun to share the love.
Six of my writer/blogging friends are joining me in a contest this week. Ten people will win a copy of my novel, and one additional person will win a Wi-Fi Kindle (with a copy of my novel, of course). Here are the participants. The rules are listed below.
Saturday, February 5 – Linda Cassidy Lewis who blogs at Out of My Mind and writes literary fiction will interview me. Check out her blog for her journey to publication.
Sunday, February 6 – Natasha, who blogs at Nancy Drew Too and is in the final drafts of a mystery novel, will blog about loving to read and write.
Monday, February 7 – Shelli Howells who blogs at A*Musings will post my guest blog about why I became an Indie Author. Shelli publishes her flash fiction on her blog and is working on several fiction projects.
Tuesday, February 8 – Dorte Hummelshøj Jakobsen who writes book reviews at DJ’s Krimiblog will blog about her love for reading and writing. One of Dorte’s flash fiction stories has been published in the anthology, DISCOUNT NOIR, and she just released her collection of flash fiction, CANDIED CRIME – DJ’s Daim Stories, on Smashwords.
Wednesday, February 9 – Christi Craig who blogs at Writing Under Pressure will interview me about my novel and writing. Christi writes literary flash fiction using Wednesday Words as prompts and is working on revisions for her novel.
Thursday, February 10 – Amy Rose Davis who blogs at A Modicum of Talent will blog about her love of reading, how it influenced her writing, and how it all led to her epic fantasy, RAVENMARKED.
On Friday, February 11, 2011, the contest closes at midnight Pacific Standard Time. On Valentine’s Day (Monday, February 14) the winners will be announced on my blog.
Suburban Noir Fiction and Kindle Giveaway Rules
Enter the Suburban Noir contest for the chance to win a copy of “The Demise Of The Soccer Moms”. The grand prize is a Wi-Fi Kindle, and discover some new writers and bloggers in the process.
Rules for the Kindle Giveaway.
1. Between February 4 and midnight PST, on February 11, comment on any one of the 7 participating blogs (listed below+mine) to get one entry per comment. Limit of one comment per blog for a possible total of 7 entries.
2. Between February 4 and midnight PST on February 11, tweet any one of the participating blogs to get one entry per tweet. Limit of one tweet per blog for a possible total of 7 entries. Tweets must have @CathrynGrant so I can track them.
3. Participants can have a total of 14 entries between commenting on blogs and tweeting.
4. Ten people will win their choice of an eBook or paperback copy of Cathryn Grant’s Suburban Noir Thriller, The Demise Of The Soccer Moms. One additional person will win a Wi-Fi Graphite Kindle (valued at $139) pre-loaded with a copy of The Demise Of The Soccer Moms. Please note the paperback copy will not be available until March. Winners will be chosen by a random number generator.
Tell me what or why you love to read in the comments. Discover some new writers this week.
The Demise of the Soccer Moms tells the story of a seemingly quiet suburban neighborhood which is upended when a provocative single mother saunters onto the school playground for the first time. Her Doc Marten boots, tight T-shirts, and in-your-face attitude stir up buried fears and sexual anxiety.
In the dark corners of her home, a woman battles crippling memories that threaten to destroy the family she wants so desperately to protect. A suspicious death forces her best friend to make a hard choice between marriage and friendship.
Paranoia, jealousy, and maternal instinct collide, leading to the demise of the soccer moms.
I have been wondering whether or not eReaders were a good idea and after reading this, I’m sold! Think I can “eRead” while running on my treadmill?
Works for me, as long as you keep wiping the sweat off your fingers
@Nicola, a lot of e-books have the Text-To-Speech enabled, too, so you can always let the e-reader read to you while you jog. And my iPod earbuds work on my Kindle…
@Cathryn, I’m saving all of my profound statements for next week… Have to dole them out carefully, you know, or I’ll run out…
But I did just want to say that I’m looking forward to next week!
Amy
I’m anticipating your profound statements!
Ooooh! I came to read about you and your work, and you have also written about MY work! Thanks!
A practical question because it´s important for my Danish readers: which Smashword version is best for iPads?
You’re quite welcome.
I have the free app, Stanza, on my iPad. Candied Crime downloaded and I didn’t look at what version, I don’t think it gave me a choice, and just automatically downloaded the ePub (for Stanza). But now I have to check (I’m at work so I’ll check later.)
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Look forward to all these posts
Thanks for stopping by, Jennifer.
Even after buying my daughter a Kindle for Christmas, I wasn’t sold on it for myself. It’s that whole textural thing. But you’ve added a whole new twist here (reading while at checkout? Brilliant!). If only eReaders could be manufactured to smell like books…
Oops – forgot the “why I like to read?” part. Answer: Because I like coloring things in.
My first response didn’t attach to your comment … sigh.
Thanks for stopping by to comment and I’ve entered you in the contest. (3x, Out Of My Mind and Nancy Drew Too as well!)
I love your answer … coloring things in!
Say, there’s a thought–they sell spray for New Car Smell. Why not a Eau De Bookstore that you could put on your e-reader cover?
Excellent idea … there’s a business waiting for some enterprising person.
The textural thing bothered me at first, but now I love both. At the end of the day, it’s the stories I love.
I love reading historical novels because I like to learn about people and places that I’ve never seen. Throw in a little suspense or mystery and I’m hooked.
Hi Isabel, Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Be sure to visit the other blogs and comment for more chances to win. I’ve entered your name.
I read a lot of historical novels in the past, but somehow got away from that. I should try some again!
I can’t remember not loving to read. When I was young, it was a way to experience different selves and different lives, a way to escape. Now, it’s still sometimes a way to escape! It’s also a way to learn about all different kinds of things. Somehow, it also defies description.
I never thought I’d like to read on an e-reader, but once I discovered, like you, how wonderful it was to read on my iPod Touch, even on its small screen, I was hooked. I’d love a larger screen, of course, but, now, I wouldn’t trade an e-reader for the world. Neither would I trade my books.
Hi again Beth! I love that idea of experiencing different selves when we were young — that’s exactly what it was. I wouldn’t trade my paper books either. They’re like friends and I think of those experiences when I look at my shelves. And I still buy paper books.