Stephen Leary's Blog, page 6

Apple iBooks Scam: Why Are Classic Novels Cheap On iTunes But Not On Amazon?

Update 06/27/15: The answer is that these cheap editions of classic novels are often pulled from the Apple iBooks store. Either by Apple or the publisher over copyright, I'm not sure. But when they are pulled off the store, you are no longer able to read those books that you purchased from Apple.
The only way you could maintain access to the books is if you download them to your computer. How would a person do that, I asked Apple support. You would need a Mac, was the answer. I don't have a Ma...

Why Are Classic Novels Cheap On iTunes But Not On Amazon?

I've noticed some famous, classic novels (in e-book format) available on iTunes at prices you normally expect from old books in the public domain, yet I'm not sure that's the case with any of these. And I see no attempt at price matching from Amazon Books. And the prices of these books on Barnes & Noble's Nook bookstore are in line with Amazon. Are all these English versions from different publishers on iTunes legal, I ask myself. Hmm.

For example:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1953)
iTune...

Famous People: Stay Away From Me

I was in a bookstore in Washington, DC's Georgetown neighborhood some time ago. Checking out the new books and bargain shelves and whatnot. I felt someone looking at me so I turned away from the book covers and standing at the end of the book range was a man in a suit with sunglasses, an earpiece, and packing heat. He wasn't in there for the books. Then I looked to the other side of me and I suddenly noticed not five feet away was one of the most famous and powerful men in the entire country....

I Don't Need A Personal Library Book Embosser

I was going through some used books the other day and noticed some of them included a personal library book embossed stamp on the first page. And the books had been owned by a few different people.

It occurred to me at that moment that it had never occurred to me in my life that I might want my own book embosser so I could include one of those round stamps in all my books that said, "From the Library of Stephen Leary."

What's the value of such a stamp, I'm now wondering. Vanity? A way to claim...

The Price of a Painting Versus the Price of an Ebook

Over the weekend I stopped by a Farmer's Market in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. In addition to the food vendors were several artists selling their paintings.

The prices, I knew before looking, were steep. $100 for a small painting. Bins with small prints inside plastic wrappers: $50. I wish I could support local artists and buy their paintings but my wallet screamed at me to stay away. I'm not doubting for a moment they are talented artists.


When I saw the price tags on the paintings, I immed...

My New Story "The Planetary Emergency" Now on Amazon

My latest story "The Planetary Emergency" is now on Amazon. 



Floyd Anvil is upset. A planetary emergency threatens the Earth yet people go about their normal lives as if nothing is wrong. Why aren't they taking action? Don't they recognize the impending danger? The mainstream news media understands the problem but isn't doing enough. An army of deniers is turning public opinion away from the reality of the crisis. How will we save the Earth if no one cares, Floyd wonders. This is Volume 2...

My Latest Story "Where Is The President?" Now on Amazon

My latest story, "Where Is The President?" is now available on Amazon.



Riots. Cities are on fire across the United States. Police are shot and killed by thugs. But the President of the United States is nowhere to be found. Where is he? Why is he silent? And when will he appear again to calm the nation and provide leadership during this time of extreme crisis?

This is the first volume of my National Security Short Story Series. More to come.

My next novel is "Drone Fever" which I expect will take...

Traditional Versus Self-Publishing Your Books

If there is one giant motivator for self-publishing books rather than trying the traditional route, it's the success stories from writers who hit the jackpot on their own.

Mark Dawson is one of the latest. After his first-self-published book failed, he embarked on a new plan:

“I wanted to put together something that was a bit easier and quicker write and something a bit more contemporary. So I started writing a series about a character called John Milton who’s an assassin.” 

Since Dawson st...

Lawsuit Over 'A Gronking To Remember' Cover Photo

An Ohio couple claims an erotic novel self-published by "Lacey Noonan" included a cover photo of them without their permission. They have filed a lawsuit against the author.

"A Gronking to Remember" is a book about the real-life New England football player Rob Gronkowski--who has publicly read selections from the book several times.

The cover in question is this one at the story from the New York Daily News. This cover photo has been replaced by another on the Amazon website.

The book's copyrigh...

Baltimore And Our Destructive Elected Leaders

I keep saying the wrong people are freely and gleefully voted into positions of power and authority by the citizenry, and right on cue, the moron Mayor of Baltimore arrives on the scene.

From The Daily Beast: The Baltimore Mayor Gave Permission to Riot:

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake stood before the news cameras over the weekend and really did say, “We also gave those who wish to destroy space to do that as well.”

She took the side of thugs and criminals over the police, residents (who voted he...