Norm Applegate's Blog: Norm Applegate's Blog, page 3

Amazon Lending Books - good or bad for the author?

Change is difficult. I'm sure we're going to see a lot of chatter about this one...I'm not so quick to say lending books is bad. Bad for who? Not for Amazon. Maybe not for the publishing company. They are being compensated. Amazon has been working a deal with them. Not all companies are participating, yet. I predict all the big ones will! Question: what does it mean for the author?
Think about Apple's iTunes. The music industry was against it. Now look. Buying a single song for $0.99 works. Artists, record labels, everyone is benefiting.Think Netflix. Streaming movies...brilliant!Are we surprised books are next? Shouldn't be. It just how does everyone in the supply chain get compensated. 
...so here's the article from Fox News.
As the e-reader and tablet wars heat up, Amazon.com Inc. is launching a digital-book lending library that will be available only to owners of its Kindle and Kindle Fire devices who are also subscribers to its Amazon Prime program.The program will be limited, at least at the beginning, in what is available to borrow. Amazon will initially offer slightly more than 5,000 titles in the library, including more than 100 current and former national bestsellers, such as Stephen R. Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People."
None of the six largest publishers in the US are participating. Several senior publishing executives said recently they were concerned that a digital-lending program of the sort contemplated by Amazon would harm future sales of their older titles or damage ties to other book retailers.
Moreover, Amazon will restrict borrowers to one title at a time, one per month. Borrowers can keep a book for as long as they like, but when they borrow a new title, the previously borrowed book automatically disappears from their device.The new program, called Kindle Owners' Lending Library, cannot be accessed via apps on other devices, which means it won't work on Apple Inc.'s iPad or iPhone, even though people can read Kindle books on both devices. This restriction is intended to drive Kindle device sales, says Amazon.
The program, which is effective Thursday, comes a few weeks before Amazon ships the Kindle Fire tablet on Nov. 15, which is a direct competitor with the iPad.The lending library reflects a broader effort by Amazon to lure consumers to Prime, a service that costs $79 a year.
Amazon Prime began as a membership plan to offer package-shipping perks. Then, earlier this year Prime added a video-streaming feature to the subscription. Nearly 13,000 movies and TV shows are now available under the streaming feature.Amazon, the market leader in e-readers, made Kindle titles available to libraries beginning in September and libraries said the impact already has been significant.
At the Seattle public-library system, e-book borrowing rose 32 percent in the month after Kindle books became available, said Seattle's electronic-resources librarian Kirk Blankenship. E-book borrowing had typically been rising 10 percent or 15 percent a month, he said.
Norm Applegate author of:Into the BasementShockwave

Do you go with a small publisher or self-publish?

An author friend of mine asked for some help. Her question was: do I go with a small publisher or self-publish? For me it's self-pub but read my thoughts…
Don't pay a publisher any money! Everything they can do; you can do.
1). Editing! Pay an editor! Quality is important. Here's the name of the person I used on my last book, SHOCKWAVE. She's not free...For me she was worth it. I'm going to work with her again on my next book.Deborah Levinson, she a friend of mine on my Facebook site. She is good.Norm's Facebook 
2). Cover work! check out the cover for Shockwave, my thriller and short story Jumpers. Nice work...Contact James Rone at jameron713@gmail.com tell him I sent you. He's an art student in Phoenix.



3). Use Amazon...they are the largest book distributor in the world.Amazon Kindle for ebook. Look up Kindle Direct Publishing.Amazon's Createspace for paperbacks. Here's the facts...1% of my sales are from paperback. Yes, it true...it all about ebooks now. I self publish on Createspace so I have paperbacks to give away.
4). Product Description: I looked at a pile of book descriptions on Amazon. I believe what I've done works. I combined what I liked from a number of successful authors. Look up my books on Amazon and you'll see the description I use. Lots of stuff for people to read...
5). Price…the ebook price for a new book is $2.99 your older stuff $0.99. However you might consider starting at the $0.99 price point. I know it's cheap but that seems to be the market, check out authors on Amazon not the big names, the indie authors. HEADS-UP - This may be shifting. Some authors are raising their ebook price to find the sweet spot, the right number of sales at the maximum price to generate the most profit. Remember, at $2.99 on Amazon you get 70%. At $0.99 it's only 35%.
6). Go to Smashwords and format your ebook yourself from their guidelines. They have the best outline for formatting an ebook and publish on Smashwords. That gets your book into Apple's iPad, B&N. Sony. Diesel and Kobo...
7). Start a blog, use Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and any other sites you have time to post stuff on.
...that was a lot of stuff...hope it helps.
all the bestNorm
Shockwave
Into the Basement

International Intrigue: Sadist Has Arrived

It's been a couple of months. Physical copies of "Sadist," finally arrived. About three months ago a couple of copies were sent to me from the Turkish publisher, never got them. Then on Sept 21, five books were sent. I got an email with the record tracking number. Goggled it each week. The return message was, "original post being processed." Friday, a different message. The books had arrived in Jacksonville. Today, Saturday the doorbell rang...got em!
The original bag had been ripped open, four books inside. I don't know how many were sent, maybe one was stolen? International intrigue. Hahahahaha...



Here's a photo of all my novels. Shockwave is the latest, a thriller.

Link to Shockwave, Amazon Kindle, $2.99:
Shockwave

Amazon Kindle in France and 100 countries

Here's an interesting news release from Amazon. They announced in early October that authors and publishers worldwide are now able to make their books available in the Amazon.fr Kindle Store (www.amazon.fr/kindle) using Kindle Direct Publishing (http://kdp.amazon.fr).
The Cloud Reader is another cool tool from Amazon that allows you to read ebooks on your computer. I use a Macbook Pro and it works smooth.
They also state, authors and publishers can utilize the new KDP website to make their books available in France, Germany, the UK, US and more than 100 countries worldwide, while continuing to own the rights to their books.
I didn't know about 100 countries. So just for fun I selected the links at the bottom of an Amazon page for China, Japan and Italy and wow…my books are there.
So now the question is how do authors market in these foreign countries. It's back to Twitter and Facebook. Curious if anyone has other ideas…I'm interested in hearing about them.
Norm Applegate author of:Shockwave

Getting published in foreign countries

I posted this a while ago. Thought I would add an update. In April I received an email and thought it was a scam. In fact I'm still waiting for the hit. An editor for a Turkish publisher   ARVO Basim Yayin, saw my novel Into the Basement on AmazonUSA and UK and wanted it. Come on, horror in Turkey? What did I know?
Basement is currently #1 on Amazon USA and has been in the top 5 on Amazon Uk since March.
Into the Basement Amazon USA

Into the Basement Amazon UK
We exchanged emails, worked the deal, I signed the contract and this week saw the cover. I'm thriller. The name for the Turkish release is: "Sadist," very creepy.


This morning I received an email. Attached is an advertisement going into a Turkish magazine called Sabitfikir. Look who I'm with: L.J. Sellers, Joanne Ellis and one of my favorite horror authors John Everson. How cool is that. I met John at the World Horror Convention in 08, Salt Lake City. Great author...


Norm's latest novel is a thriller on Amazon Kindle:SHOCKWAVE

WRITING TIGHT SENTENCES

Among the scores of verbose constructions that can be whittled down (usually) to one word with no loss of, and often with a net gain in, clarity are those phrases in the following sentences beginning with in.


The replacement words are not necessarily the only (or the best) choices, and the sentences could be further refined, but employ this list to help you be on the lookout for — that is, be aware of — phrases like the ones presented below. They need not be automatically excised, but examine your writing for an abundance of such prolixity, and revise at your discretion.


1. 
Please submit your report in advance of the meeting.
Please submit your report before the meeting.
2. 
We received a check in the amount of $1,000.
We received a check for $1,000.
3.
We're implementing this policy in an effort to streamline our process.
We're implementing this policy to streamline our process.
4.
Which section is this question in connection with?
Which section is this question about?
5.
Do not use in excess of the recommended dosage.
Do not use more than the recommended dosage.
6.
Are you in favor of the new system, or do you oppose it?
Are you for the new system, or do you oppose it?
7.
Use Form BFF in lieu of Form OMG.
Use Form BFF instead of Form OMG.
8-9. 
Improvement will be noted in most cases (or instances).
Improvement will usually be noted.
10.
They have changed the procedure in order to reduce the necessary steps.
They have changed the procedure to reduce the necessary steps.
11.
She is attending the meeting in place of her vacationing supervisor.
She is attending the meeting for her vacationing supervisor.
12.
I am in possession of damning evidence.
I have damning evidence.
13.
They are in proximity to the epicenter.
They are close to the epicenter.
14.
We are in receipt of your letter.
We received your letter.
15-17.
I wasn't sure what the question was in reference to (or regard to or in relation to).
I wasn't sure what the question was about.
18. 
You will notice these side effects in some instances.
You will sometimes notice these side effects.
19.
In spite of the fact that the box was clearly labeled, he could not find it.
Although the box was clearly labeled, he could not find it.
20.
In terms of reducing costs, the strategy has been a failure.
The strategy has been a failure in reducing costs.
21.
In the absence of Smith as manager, Jones was left in charge.
Without Smith as manager, Jones was left in charge.
22.
In the case of duplication, rename the older file and place it in the Archive folder.
If duplication occurs, rename the older file and place it in the Archive folder.
23.
We were speaking in the context of yesterday's discussion.
We were speaking about yesterday's discussion.
24.
In the course of the session, little progress was made.
During the session, little progress was made.
25.
In the event that no decision is made, the current procedure will remain in effect.
If no decision is made, the current procedure will remain in effect.
26.
In the final analysis, it is up to us to decide.
Ultimately, it is up to us to decide.
27.
He will return in the near future.
He will return soon.
28.
It took in the neighborhood of two weeks to complete.
It took about two weeks to complete.
29.
They are in the vicinity of the headquarters now.
They are near the headquarters now.
30.
In view of the fact that you suggested it, I think you should propose it.
Because you suggested it, I think you should propose it.

Author of Shockwave & Into the Basement
Shockwave

Into the Basement


source:dailywritingtips

75 Words with Contradictory Meanings

Thought this was interesting had to post it.

The English language includes an interesting category of words and phrases called contronyms (also spelled contranyms, or referred to as autoantonyms) — terms that, depending on context, can have opposite or contradictory meanings. When you use these words, be sure the context clearly identifies which meaning is intended:

1. Apology: A statement of contrition for an action, or a defense of one
2. Aught: All, or nothing
3. Bill: A payment, or an invoice for payment
4. Bolt: To secure, or to flee
5. Bound: Heading to a destination, or restrained from movement
6. Buckle: To connect, or to break or collapse
7. Cleave: To adhere, or to separate
8. Clip: To fasten, or detach
9. Consult: To offer advice, or to obtain it
10. Continue: To keep doing an action, or to suspend an action
11. Custom: A common practice, or a special treatment
12. Dike: A wall to prevent flooding, or a ditch
13. Discursive: Moving in an orderly fashion among topics, or proceeding aimlessly in a discussion
14. Dollop: A large amount (British English), or a small amount
15. Dust: To add fine particles, or to remove them
16. Enjoin: To impose, or to prohibit
17. Fast: Quick, or stuck or made stable
18. Fine: Excellent, or acceptable or good enough
19. Finished: Completed, or ended or destroyed
20. First degree: Most severe in the case of a murder charge, or least severe in reference to a burn
21. Fix: To repair, or to castrate
22. Flog: To promote persistently, or to criticize or beat
23. Garnish: To furnish, as with food preparation, or to take away, as with wages
24. Give out: To provide, or to stop because of a lack of supply
25. Go: To proceed or succeed, or to weaken or fail
26. Grade: A degree of slope, or a horizontal line or position
27. Handicap: An advantage provided to ensure equality, or a disadvantage that prevents equal achievement
28. Help: To assist, or to prevent or (in negative constructions) restrain
29. Hold up: To support, or to impede
30. Lease: To offer property for rent, or to hold such property
31. Left: Remained, or departed
32. Let: Allowed, or hindered
33. Liege: A feudal lord, or a vassal
34. Literally: Actually, or virtually
35. Mean: Average or stingy, or excellent
36. Model: An exemplar, or a copy
37. Off: Deactivated, or activated, as an alarm
38. Out: Visible, as with stars showing in the sky, or invisible, in reference to lights
39. Out of: Outside, or inside, as in working out of a specific office
40. Overlook: To supervise, or to neglect
41. Oversight: Monitoring, or failing to oversee
42. Peer: A person of the nobility, or an equal
43. Presently: Now, or soon
44. Put out: Extinguish, or generate
45. Puzzle: A problem, or to solve one
46. Quantum: Significantly large, or a minuscule part
47. Quiddity: Essence, or a trifling point of contention
48. Quite: Rather (as a qualifying modifier), or completely
49. Ravel: To entangle, or to disentangle
50. Refrain: To desist from doing something, or to repeat
51. Rent: To purchase use of something, or to sell use
52. Rock: An immobile mass of stone or figuratively similar phenomenon, or a shaking or unsettling movement or action
53. Sanction: To approve, or to boycott
54. Sanguine: Confidently cheerful, or bloodthirsty
55. Scan: To peruse, or to glance
56. Screen: To present, or to conceal
57. Seed: To sow seeds, or to shed or remove them
58. Shop: To patronize a business in order to purchase something, or to sell something
59. Skin: To cover, or to remove
60. Skinned: Covered with skin, or with the skin removed
61. Splice: To join, or to separate
62. Stakeholder: One who has a stake in an enterprise, or a bystander who holds the stake for those placing a bet
63. Strike: To hit, or to miss in an attempt to hit
64. Table: To propose (in British English), or to set aside
65. Temper: To soften, or to strengthen
66. Throw out: To dispose of, or to present for consideration
67. Transparent: Invisible, or obvious
68. Trim: To decorate, or to remove excess from
69. Trip: A journey, or a stumble
70. Unbending: Rigid, or relaxing
71. Variety: A particular type, or many types
72. Wear: To endure, or to deteriorate
73. Weather: To withstand, or to wear away
74. Wind up: To end, or to start up
75. With: Alongside, or against

Norm Applegate author of the thriller:Shockwave

Lunch with New York Times Best Selling Author David Hagberg

Lunch with New York Times Best Selling author David Hagberg. Our usual stop is Sarasota's Polo Club in Lakewood Ranch. Talked publishing, tipped a few and snapped some photos of our novels...cause that's how we roll...




DAVID HAGBERG has published more than seventy novels of suspense, including the bestselling JOSHUA'S HAMMER, SOLDIER of GOD, and ALLAH'S SCORPIION. 






Former Air Force cryptographer David Hagberg is a bestselling author of international thrillers who has a knack for creating fiction that becomes fact. In THE WHITE HOUSE he predicted North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles. In JOSHUA'S HAMMER he foresaw the 9/11 attack on the United States by bin Laden and his al-Quaeda, in DESERT FIRE Saddam Hussein's nuclear ambitions, in HIGH FLIGHT the downing of airliners as a method of terrorism on a massive scale. 

Born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota, David Hagberg joined the Air Force right out of high School where he was trained as a cryptographer, stationed in Greenland above the Arctic Circle and in Germany where he helped construct the (then) world's largest crypto center on the planet. He attended the University of Maryland, Overseas Division and the University of Wisconsin studying physics, mathematics and philosophy. 

But he learned to write as a cub reporter on the Duluth Herald & News-Tribune and later as a news desk editor for the Associated Press. His first novel TWISTER was published in 1975 by Dell, and since that time he has published more than 70 novels of suspense in a career that includes a nomination for The American Book Award, three nominations for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award and three Mystery Scene best American Mystery awards. 

His papers are archived at the University of South Florida in Tampa. 

David and his wife Laurie, who is a professional fundraiser, make their home in Sarasota, Florida from where, whenever they have spare time, sail the West Coast of the State and the Keys.


Norm Applegate's Shockwave on Amazon
Shockwave

How do bombs kill...

Shockwave: Excerpt from Chapter 1
The first thing Dwyer saw before the sound hit him was a blinding flash of light hitting his retina. White light, bright, blocked everything out. Almost painful, like getting hit in the eye with a fist. This wasn't a small explosion like a pipe bomb or a large one like Oklahoma City in '95. It was a medium explosion.Explosions are a buildup of pressure and a sudden release of energy. At some point the pressure is greater than the container and then things happen. The container blows apart and a shockwave travels like a rocket from ground zero to some distance depending on the power of the explosion. It's not the detonation or the searing temperature that is so destructive. It's in the air. The shockwave, a thin layer of rapidly moving air is what you have to look out for. This one produced a shockwave traveling over three hundred meters per second.Jack Dwyer was on the sidewalk. Sprawled out on his back. He moved to his side. Propped himself up on one elbow. Stunned at first, took a few seconds to come to. He wasn't knocked out, maybe close to it, but he was shook up. His leg hurt, kind of twisted. Not broken, just a sprain. Ears ringing, eyes blinking. He knew what had happened. He'd seen it before. Dwyer knew about bombs. 
Taken from Chapter 1:Shockwave

Shockwave: New Thriller Released on Amazon

Shockwave just released on Amazon Kindle $2.99: Thriller writer Norm Applegate, author of Into the Basement, introduces us to a new character, Jack Dwyer.





Shockwave.
Loner Jack Dwyer.Pretty woman Kelly Paul.Homegrown terrorists use pipe bombs to kill.The cause? They want America back.Violence breeds violence.Never underestimate a loner!

Book Description:
Jack Dwyer is observant. Sitting at Starbucks he watches a van come to a stop. A nervous guy gets out, looks around, seems strange. Dwyer watches him. The guy crosses the street. Dwyer realizes the guy's staring at a pretty woman, Kelly Paul. Dwyer makes eye contact with her. Dwyer looks left, right, reacts, moves fast, pushes her down, saves her but the bomb explodes. People are killed. She goes missing and Dwyer is the suspect.
Dwyer can't forget her. Doesn't understand why she's missing.  He's a loner, ex-military, a psychologist and he has seen death. He's wildly attracted to the pretty woman and he goes after her.
Beau Redell, and a group of sadistic followers, is the problem.  Kelly Paul has been taken, abducted, terrorized.But Dwyer finds himself alone and a violent conclusion is inevitable…

Shockwave by Norm ApplegatePipe Bomb. Hostage. Terror.
Edited by Deborah Levinson.
Cover art James Rone.
Amazon Kindle $2.99Shockwave