HelenKay Dimon's Blog, page 52

Grisham & Ebooks

There's an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about John Grisham's newest release, THE CONFESSION. His hardcover sales were down from his last hardcover release. However, he also sold about 70,000 ebooks in the first week of sale, which accounted for about 1/3 of the copies sold of the book. Also, the Kindle ebook outsold the hardcover edition at Amazon during the first week of sale. With the help of ebook sales, his sales for this book are higher than his last book.

For those wondering how Grisham feels about ebook sales:

The e-book sales are astonishing," said Mr. Grisham in an interview. "Would anybody have thought that a year ago? The future has arrived, and we're looking at it.

There's also been a lot of talk recently about how authors aren't doing enough to make sure digital copies are available to readers. In general, I think that's incorrect and misses the point about how these decisions are made (ie, not by the author). I don't know many authors who want to sell fewer copies or tick off readers. Most want to get as many copies out there as possible and do so in a way that makes everyone – author, publisher, bookseller and reader – happy.

It would appear that big-time authors who have more pull with their publishing houses than the rest of us are getting the ebook message:

Mr. Grisham said he initially opposed selling his books digitally because he worried it would cripple his book sales at the independent bookstores that were among his earliest supporters. However, the author said he received numerous unhappy emails from readers who were upset that they couldn't buy his book digitally. "As an author, that hits pretty close to home," he said.

I give Grisham credit for listening to his readers and making an adjustment. After selling 250 million book worldwide, he's willing to try something new. Very cool.

Photo: Oahu

The Ko'olau mountain range is on the eastern side of Oahu. We drive through these to get from Honolulu to Kaneohe, where my in-laws live. I'm in awe every single time I see this part of Oahu.

The range separates the winward side of the island from the leeward side. Basically, the clouds hover over the mountains and the Kaneohe (winward) side of the island gets more rain than the Honolulu side. Stunning, aren't they?

Random Stuff

I am finishing a book. Like, today. It was actually due last Friday and I had to get an extension. This makes me more disgruntled than you know. But, it's almost done – yay!

In the meantime…

The October monthly contest winner is: Victoria from the "Photo:Waikiki" blog on October 20th. Congratulations!!

For those of you out there with a Kindle, there is an amazon bundle with HARD AS NAILS, HOT AS HELL and IMPULSIVE. You can grab all three for less than $16.00. That price is pretty amazing. So, if you were thinking about loading up on my backlist – and, really, you should be – check out the bundle.

Back to writing…

New Cover!

I have a miniseries coming out from Harlequin Intrigue starting in January 2011. The series is called Mystery Men. The first book is GUNS AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR…and isn't that a great title? Here's the cover:

I love him. I wonder about her hair, but she still works for me. Thank you, Harlequin!

Contests!

I'm blogging about IMPULSIVE at a few places today. At Access Romance I'm talking about dialogue and giving away a book… Yes, I am. At the Brava Blog I'm talking about writing about ex-boyfriends and giving away a different book.

Did I get your attention?

Today Is…

Election Day.

Photo: Impulsive

It seemed like a good time to show off some photos that relate to IMPULSIVE. Here we go…

This is actor Abe Hiroshi. He's what the hero, Eric, looks like in my head:

The real-life Byodo-In Temple. It's the setting for a scene where Eric is attending a memorial service and Katie comes barging in (it was also used in the tv show Lost as the place where Jin and Sun got married):

Lanikai Beach – this is the area where Eric lives. It's also where Josh and Deana live…right there on the beach with this as a view:

Contest News!

I have some fun news to share. My short story, A PROPER SEDUCTION, is a finalist in the 2011 Epic Contest, in the contemporary erotic romance category. Wahoo!!! This is a huge thrill because this was my first e-short and it has one of those heroes I just plain love. He's not perfect. Ho boy, no. But there's something about him that makes this story really special to me.

Don't get even. Get everything…

Even before her bad marriage ended, Lauren MacDonald lost everything—her job, her friends, her self-esteem, and her sexual appetite. Now that she's finally free, she's struggling to regain control of a life her ex did his best to destroy.

The plan: sex with Justin Scott, her ex's business partner. The man her husband invited into their marital bed, forcing her to realize it was time to get out. Justin was the star of the fantasies that helped her endure her marriage, so she can't deny she wanted him—but not like that. She wants him like this—alone. In her bed. For exactly three nights.

Justin screwed up with Lauren, and in the past she's made no secret of the fact she loathes him. So when she walks into his office flashing miles of long, lean legs, his brain cells misfire. Three nights of meaningless sex? He's all over it. Not only does he have the chance to unleash his desire for her, it's the opening he's been waiting for—to convince her to give him more.

Thank you to all who tried this book and to all who voted to make it a finalist!!

One Of Those

Yes, this is one of those blog posts. The type where I talk up my new release, IMPULSIVE. My apologies to people who hate that but, well, where else can I talk up my book?

Lori at I Just Finished Reading… and Wendy the Super Librarian posted lovely reviews of IMPULSIVE. Pearl's World of Romance has a terrific review, the type that makes me weepy. Laurie Laudanum also posted a fabulous review and – here's why you take the time to read these posts to find a gem like this – is holding a contest for a copy of the book.

I am a guest blogger at Novel Thoughts today and there's another awesome giveaway there.

Kim at the SOS Aloha Blog is also giving away a copy of IMPULSIVE. I met Kim in Hawaii earlier this year. She, along with her local RWA Chapter and readers' group, were so welcoming. Yet another reason to go to Hawaii.

I was a guest on Blog Talk Radio last night and you can read the transcript here.

Whew! I know I'm missing one, but this will give you some thoughts on the book. Read the reviews…then go buy the book.

[Note the author begging here]

Release Day!

IMPUSLIVE is officially out!!

You can buy it almost anywhere. But just in case you're not sure, here's some help:

Barnes and Noble

Books A Million

Amazon

Chapters (for my Canada friends)

Borders

Powell's

Now run out and buy it…