Cheryl Kaye Tardif's Blog, page 30

Check out Kindle Nation Daily for everything Kindle

If you were one of the lucky ones who found a Kindle ereader under the Christmas tree this year, I invite you to visit Kindle Nation Daily for everything Kindle. Kindle Nation is run by Stephen Windwalker, a Kindle enthusiast and author of Kindle Free for All and other books about Kindle ereaders.

What you'll find at Kindle Nation Daily:

Kindle NewsKindle Bestsellers listseBook of the DayeBook SalesFree eBooksArticles on Kindle ereadersKindle AccessoriesQuick links to Kindle on AmazonKindle Apps for other devicesPublishing infoKindle Contests & More
You can have all this information at your fingertips by visiting Kindle Nation Daily now.

Click here to have Kindle Nation Daily pushed directly to your Kindle 24/7 with a subscription to the Kindle editionCheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Literary agent Richard Curtis and author JA Konrath discuss whether authors make good agents

When I read respected agent Richard Curtis's post Do Authors Make Good Publishers? I wasn't surprised to find that Curtis believes the answer is 'No'. I get where he's coming from since I've been traditionally published AND self-published. Publishing takes a lot of hard work, knowledge and dedication. But is it fair for Curtis to lump all authors under that umbrella of 'No'? I don't think so.

For years, various elements of the publishing industry have tried to tamp down the involvement of authors in their own success. Publishers didn't want too much input from authors; they wanted to maintain their iron-gloved fist of control. Editors wanted to be seen as the experts on all things grammatical (and in many instances they were), even to the point of changing story elements to suit their tastes. And the writer has been at the bottom of the heap, the creator of a story that stemmed from their ideas.

Traditional publishing is made of many moving parts--publisher, editor, cover artist, publicist etc. Self-publishing required that an author either take on all these roles or sub-contract these areas. A smart self-published author quickly learns that though they may be good at all areas, it's far better to hire out and cut down the work load. This was they can focus on writing more books. That's what I do. That's what makes a good publisher, the ability to recognize areas of strengths and delegate others.

Respected author and self-publishing advocate JA Konrath posts a reply to Curtis on his blog, and he makes some valid points. First, anyone who has been following Konrath over the past year knows where he stands on self-publishing. He's all for it and is one of the top income earners in the ebook industry.

"Authors should self-publish," Konrath writes. "In an ebook-dominated world, are publishers even needed?"

I've watched the massive rise in popularity of ebooks and ereaders. No one predicted it would happen this quickly or early, but it's here. Ebooks are outselling print books. I know that just from my own sales data. My ebook sales in December blew my print sales out the door.

The biggest indicator for me that ebooks are King is this:

My mother who is an avid reader of about 3 paperbacks a week always claimed how much she loved print books and that she'd never read via an ereader. So I gave her one for her birthday in August. When I spoke with her at Christmas I expected her to tell me she hadn't bothered to turn her new Kobo on yet.

Boy, was I shocked by her answer. She "LOVES" her ereader. She likes that she can enlarge the font for easier reading and that she can buy books so easily. She's already downloaded all of Lee Child's "Reacher" ebooks. She reads during the day. She reads in bed. No more waiting for time to shop for books at the store. If you knew my Mom you'd know that this is a clear revelation as to where ebooks are going. The surprising news: We're there!

So back to Richard Curtis's question: Do Authors Make Good Publishers?

Here's my answer:

Some do; some don't. A self-published author taking on the role of publisher will have to dedicate time and energy to the process. If they're doing print, they may be looking at ways to get books into stores, something that is getting harder by the week. But if they're publishing ebooks, the doors are wide open.

Publishing is a skill or trade that can be learned. So yes, SOME authors can and will make great publishers. And SOME won't. It's unfair to lump all authors under the "No" umbrella.

I'm an author who has been traditionally published and self-published. Yes, taking on the publisher 'hat' requires more work, but it's worth it. A smart self-published author turned publisher builds a strong support team. I can honestly say I'm a better "publisher" than my last traditional publisher. I'm still in business.
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
P.S. I just answered the door. My new Kobo ereader with Wi-fi is here! Whooo-ooo!Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Skeletons in the Closet review: "Brilliantly conceived..."

Today I stumbled across a review of my horror collection: Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories, a book that has been in the making for a number of years and contains some stories that are over 20 years old. Google Alerts notified me that someone had reviewed Skeletons, so I had to pop over to Lunch.com to take a peek.

I immediately contacted the reviewer and asked for permission to quote some of his review here and on my website, and he graciously said yes. So here is a condensed version of Paul Weiss's review...

"SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET is a thoroughly entertaining and unabashedly Canadian collection of horror shorts - a straightforward, in-your-face, goosebump raising, skin crawling creep fest with brilliantly conceived endings that, while crystal clear in their intent and meaning, typically arrive out of a shockingly distant and unforeseen left field...

Having vowed that I would read more from this obviously talented Canadian author, I was thrilled when I discovered this collection of short stories...SEPARATION ANXIETY tells a tragic story of the grief of losing a child to an untimely accident and reminds us that revenge is a dish that is sometimes best never served at all! DEADLY REUNION is a chilling little tale of long lost teenage acquaintances that starts with stories of teenage angst and the cruelty of bullying ending with paranormal visions and questions about fate and destiny. If a reader was as twisted as Cheryl Kaye Tardif, one might say that her endearing story, OUIJA, is about a gift that keeps on giving! There are several other stories and I was also thrilled to discover that, unlike so many other collections of this type, there is not a single piece of dead wood in the entire anthology.

I can't wait to try some of Tardif's full length novels. Highly recommended." --Paul Weiss

I never thought I would get so much enjoyment out of being called "twisted". LOL

Finding an unsolicited review is like getting an unexpected gift from a stranger. And it connects me to a primary reason WHY I write: to entertain others (or scare the crap out of them.)

You can read Paul's full review at Lunch.com and on Amazon.com.

Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories is available in ebook edition via Amazon, KoboBooks, Smashwords, B&N, and other ebook retailers. It's currently on sale until January 10th, 2011, for $0.99.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Looking for ebooks for your new Kindle? Check out this .99 cent sale!

Did you get a Kindle for Christmas? If so, you'll want to check out this Kindle ebook sale.

For a limited time*, you can purchase the following Kindle ebooks for only $0.99 each:

WHALE SONG (YA/mystery novel - 2010 edition)
LANCELOT'S LADY (Romantic suspense novel)
SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET (Horror/Suspense anthology)
REMOTE CONTROL (Suspense/Sci-fi novelette)
THE RIVER (Suspense thriller novel)
DIVINE INTERVENTION (Paranormal suspense novel)

If you don't have a Kindle ereader, you can still take advantage of this special offer by downloading the free Kindle for Desktop app.

This same sale is on all my Smashwords ebooks too.

And I have a time limited offer on autographed trade paperbacks.

Happy Holidays!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
www.cherylktardif.com

*This offer expires January 10th, 2011.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Lancelot's Lady book trailer video needs your vote--by December 26th

The book trailer video for my bestselling romantic suspense, Lancelot's Lady, has been entered in the You Gotta Read Videos contest for December. It is entry #6 and I hope you'll check it out and vote for it.

My trailer was created by the talented Kelly Komm, who is also an author. Thanks, Kelly!

To view all the contest videos, please visit: http://t.co/d6GnHvT

Thank you to everyone who votes for Lancelot's Lady. I so appreciate your support! Have an awesome Christmas.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Stairway to Heaven: Remembering Those We've Lost at Christmas

Today my article on remembering loved ones and grieving during the holidays is featured at the National Crime Writing Month blog.

Holidays are particularly difficult for anyone who has lost a loved one. I hope my words are of some small comfort.

Please read my article: Stairway to Heaven: Remembering Those We've Lost at ChristmasCheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Writer, director and producer David Wisehart interviews author Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Anyone who knows me knows that I love talking about writing, my books and ebooks, and publishing, and I never refuse an interview. I am a "shameless promoter", the #1 requirement in this business.

Today I spoke with writer, director and producer David Wisehart and answered a few questions about Whale Song, my most popular novel, and being a Kindle author.

Please drop by the interview on David's site.

P.S. Whale Song is currently on sale - ebook $0.99 (Amazon & Smashwords); trade paperback $9.99 (Amazon & Createspace)Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Kindle Nation Daily features $0.99 ebook sale

Looking for great Kindle bargains?

Check out this post at Kindle Nation Daily.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Hodder Education, London, features my poem: A Whale Song

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a representative of Hodder Education in London asking for permission to reprint my poem, A Whale Song, which was inspired by my love of whale (in particular, killer whales) and my sadness over their senseless slaughter by fishermen. A Whale Song will be featured in an upcoming educational book for schools. I'm very honored and pleased to have my work presented to students and teachers.

Here's a sneak peek:

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com

Kindle ebook sale - thrillers, YA, romantic suspense, horror only $0.99 each - limited time offer

For a limited time*, you can purchase the following Kindle ebooks for only $0.99 each:

WHALE SONG (YA/mystery novel - 2010 edition)
LANCELOT'S LADY (Romantic suspense novel)
SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET (Horror/Suspense anthology)
REMOTE CONTROL (Suspense/Sci-fi novelette)
THE RIVER (Suspense thriller novel)
DIVINE INTERVENTION (Paranormal suspense novel)

If you don't have a Kindle ereader, you can still take advantage of this special offer by downloading the free Kindle for Desktop app.

This same sale is on all my Smashwords ebooks too.

And I have a time limited offer on autographed trade paperbacks.

Happy Holidays!

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
www.cherylktardif.com

*This offer expires January 10th, 2011.Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a Canadian suspense author.
http://www.cherylktardif.com