However you feel about e-books, I think they can be great marketing tools for writers. I discovered that writing and self-publishing original stories, novellas and novels on my old web site was an effective way to give something back to my loyal readers. It also allowed the curious but unconvinced to sample my work without having to plunk down $6.99 or $22.95 upfront.
I haven't put together a freebie e-book in a couple of years, and tinkering and reformatting all the old ones has me itching to write another. Since Night Lost won't be hitting the shelves until May '07, I've decided to write a Darkyn novella and give it away as a free e-book here at the weblog on Halloween this year.
I'm also challenging all you writers out there to do the same: write and publish a new short story, novellette, novella, or novel of your own in e-book form* and post it for download on your weblog, web site, or any host site on October 31, 2006. I'm using Adobe .pdf format because that's what I've always used. You're free to use alternate formats, but I'd go with something that allows everyone to read it. Your e-book can also be any length and any genre; the only requirement is that you provide free access to it (it doesn't have to be a permanent addition to your weblog; if you have file storage issues I suggest leaving it up for a week or two.)
What you get in return: When Halloween arrives I will post a list of links here on PBW to the e-books of everyone who completes the challenge. I will also pick twenty e-books at random from all those who participate in the challenge and give the authors a private critique of their work via e-mail (so if you ever wanted me to read something of yours, this would be a definite shot.)
Some things to help you make your e-book:
My post on .pdf maker services free online or for free download (with great suggestions in the comments section, too.)
No way to read .pdf files? Download the latest version of Adobe Reader.
Make Your Own Art ten list.
The Romance Novel Cover Art Generator.
The best collection of story, art, blog, and other fun generators on the internet, The Generator Blog.
*Added: If it's easier to put your challenge story as a post on your weblog or web site versus making an e-book for download, that's fine (it's still a form of e-publishing, which is the whole point of the challenge.)
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Oh, boy... My inner atheleete is revving up. Again. I took you up on the other suggestion of story weblog attached to my main blog - which I update every three weeks or so.
ReplyDeleteNow, you want an e-book? You, slave driver, you. Something new... Halloweenish? Yes, of course; but not too scary, something fun, without offending the pagans... a touch of romance perhaps? Hmmm...
I am SO in!
ReplyDelete*looks at writing schedule and laughs hysterically*
I'm still in. :)
I can't write anything for the challenge, but I do have four published stories on my website. (link)
ReplyDeleteOne of them scored the Aurealis Award for horror back in 2000, although I still insist it's SF/Humour. The other three were published in Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine in 2001/2002.
It's some of my older stuff, but at least they're PDFs ;-)
(The Aurealis is Australia's premier spec fic award.)
I'd be happy to slaughter someone for Halloween! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm in! And I have just the story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge! I definitely want to give this a shot. :)
ReplyDelete(Bookmarking this entry because I have no idea how to make an ebook and will need the links.)
Love a challenge. Generous of you to offer a critique. Can't wait for Halloween which is already a favorite festival of mine.
ReplyDeleteAck, I have no website! But I think I'll take you up on the writing part of the challenge. I won't have the rest of the fun, but on Halloween I'll start subbing the story I'll get from the exercise. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the challenge PBW! =)
This could be fun. I'll have to start rooting through my story ideas for something to use...
ReplyDeleteGranted, all I have is a LiveJournal, but I can figure that bit out later...
I have server space to burn, and I'm willing to host PDF files for anyone who can't. (I can convert doc to pdf too - openoffice has 'save as PDF' built right in.)
ReplyDeleteIf I put the files in a folder with no web code you'd only be able to email a link to your own file, which is what's needed in this case. You wouldn't see everyone else's. (And they wouldn't be listed on a page full of ads.)
I wouldn't be reading them all, though - that's PBW's job ;-)
If PBW is okay with my offer I'll share my email address here. Then, you send me the file and I'll send you back a link.
I accept that challenge. :-)
ReplyDeleteCool idea. I am in! :)
ReplyDeleteooOooo. Definitely a fun challenge.
ReplyDeletemust think of ideas... must think of ideas...
This sounds like pure fun. What to do for Halloween.....what to do? I'll have to turn this loose on the subconscious.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun.
ReplyDeleteFantabulous! I'm in.
ReplyDeleteI'm in, too PBW. This will be fun.
ReplyDeleteI have to ask: does the story need to be Halloween-related (i.e., ghosts, paranormal, horror, maybe Samhain-inspired, etc.), or can it be anything? I'd love to do the challenge (for deadline-writing experience, if nothing else), but my Halloween-type ideas are few and far between. If I could work on a few of my novellas that aren't so specific, I'd definitely love to. *-*
ReplyDeleteYou know what you're doing to me? I'm a slow writer who edits as I go, I work on three novels, have another in revision and do the research (lots of research because it's historical fiction) for a fifth. I'm already bravely, and probably in vain, fighting the urge to participate in Nano again though I never make it and only get new projects that way. Plus, I'm going to visit some historical sites this weekend that damn sure will come with plotbunnies. And now you tell me to write a story until Oct. 31. Just when I'm going to get a fresh batch of plotbunnies. Evil. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea : )
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Count me in.
ReplyDeleteI was one of those people who read your e-books on your old site. I had bought and read all your books as fast as they were published and was desperate to read more!
ReplyDeleteI also think e-books are a great way to try out a new character/situation in a series to see how they would fly with your fans or to add “richness” to your “world”.
One thing it made me think of as I read was “would S.L. Viehl ever think of having other authors write stories for her world like some of the short story books about Darkover?”
… Would you?
-- Cheryl at work
Okay, here's a link to my story which has the pdf link on it:
ReplyDeleteA Fary-Tale Love
I'm in...I think.
ReplyDeleteMy book of writer's prompts just arrived. Thank you. There are several that have my devious little mind cooking.
Well, this was a pretty good idea, huh? Lol.
ReplyDeleteJaye wrote: Now, you want an e-book? You, slave driver, you.
I ask nothing of you that I would not do myself. :)
Milady wrote: Does it have to be for download, PBW? Can't we just post it in one whole chunk?
Since posting on weblogs is a form of electronic publishing, works for me. I'll amend the post to include weblog posts.
Simon wrote: have server space to burn, and I'm willing to host PDF files for anyone who can't. (I can convert doc to pdf too - openoffice has 'save as PDF' built right in.)
If I put the files in a folder with no web code you'd only be able to email a link to your own file, which is what's needed in this case. You wouldn't see everyone else's. (And they wouldn't be listed on a page full of ads.)
I wouldn't be reading them all, though - that's PBW's job ;-)
If PBW is okay with my offer I'll share my email address here. Then, you send me the file and I'll send you back a link.
That's incredibly generous of you, Simon, thank you. Please do post the e-mail addy for interested folks.
Andi wrote: I have to ask: does the story need to be Halloween-related (i.e., ghosts, paranormal, horror, maybe Samhain-inspired, etc.), or can it be anything? I'd love to do the challenge (for deadline-writing experience, if nothing else), but my Halloween-type ideas are few and far between.
The story does NOT have to be Halloween-related; it can be any genre, any style, on any subject. I just chose Halloween as a target date because everyone knows when it is and it gives everyone a bit more time to write if they want to put together something new. You also do NOT have to write a book-length story; a short story is perfectly acceptable.
Cheryl wrote: I was one of those people who read your e-books on your old site. I had bought and read all your books as fast as they were published and was desperate to read more!
There's a testimonial as to the power of free e-book marketing. :) Thanks, Cheryl.
One thing it made me think of as I read was “would S.L. Viehl ever think of having other authors write stories for her world like some of the short story books about Darkover?” … Would you?
I would love to have a series that is so successful that it becomes an opportunity for other writers to get published. Not quite there yet, though. If one of my series ever does reach that level of popularity, and the publisher is amenable and willing to hire other writers, I would definitely make an open submission call.
I'm in!
ReplyDeleteI have a free short story up on my site right now, but it's just a page on the site, not downloadable. However, I can do that. :) Plus, I thinkI have a great idea!!!
Thanks for the kick in the butt!
This reader thanks each and everyone of you for your generousity. Looking forward to the great reads.
ReplyDeletecount me in!!! I already to an ebook and just started on the other day, which i'm going to try to have done by Oct to enter in the contest.
ReplyDeleteWa-hoooo!
And thanks for all your tips!
This is SO cool! I'm going to do it. I've never tried something like this before and it will be a great way to motivate me to complete a writing project.
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! I'm in.
ReplyDeleteI am so in.
ReplyDeletePick me! Pick me! Pick me! :o)
I think that I will also have to post it as a chunk, but I'm in more of a teenagers hate me period, so I'll have limited time to work on the post itself.
Ann @ Fractured Fiction
Looking forward to this challenge...thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm in. Oct 31 is, like, 60 days away. That gives me 59 days to procrastinate and 1 day to write. ;-)
ReplyDeleteCould've sworn I threw my hat in the ring earlier, but don't see the comment now. I'm in.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fun! I don't have a website up yet but I'm in.
ReplyDeleteIt would be worth it to get your critique alone. (wg)
ReplyDeleteThe internet amazes me sometimes. I forgot that when I post a link to a site, that I can show up as a trackback on the other site. I saw my trackback and figured I should come over and say hi.
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to decide if I have time to write the story I want to write.
Good luck everyone.
In case your interested, I'm the "A free poem" in the "Links to this Post" below.
Amie sent me your way. I'm totally IN!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am SO taking you up on this challenge.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... write something new, or polish up something older?
PBW said: That's incredibly generous of you, Simon, thank you. Please do post the e-mail addy for interested folks.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. People can email their stories as either DOC or PDF attachments to pbwcomp at spacejock dot com (Please don't send the file in the body of the email as text. It'll destroy all formatting.)
I won't be reformatting, spell checking, proofing or even reading the contents. If they're doc files I'll save them to PDF before putting them online. I'm going to put them on a hidden site and email each person a link to their own file. That's the link you send PBW.
There might be other technical details for me to work out (e.g. password protecting the download area to stop others getting in.) We'll see how it goes.
Oh yes, and bear in mind I'm in Australia so my time zone is out of whack with most people here. You might not get an immediate response if you email me at 2am my time ;-)
I forgot to add, it's best if the filenames don't have spaces in. E.g.
ReplyDeleteMyStory.doc
is much better than
My Story.doc
I'm late to the game, but I'm in. I have a favorite story that "sold" (in quotes, because the editor has sat on it for over two years and never sent me money). (Um, how's that for desperation on my part?)
ReplyDeleteTime to cut it loose and post it on the blog.
I fondly remember your free reads and I have really wanted to read the one you wrote from Duncan's point of view again. It was one of my favs.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun idea! count me in too - and a BIG thanks for the links to the pdf site.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of short stories up already. Can that count?
ReplyDeleteLazy Kate
I do not have anything public right now, but I will gladly participate in the challenge.
ReplyDeleteFeatured at my blog -
ReplyDeleteSoft Song
I agree, you have to give readers a taste now and then. It does keep them interested. As a recent experiment to test reader interest I released the Filipino short story, Pinay on my website. It generated some good interest, so now I am writing a novel loosely based on the short story.
ReplyDeleteSo, there is my entry... unless you want another...
-n.l. (The other Paperback Writer blog)
For days I've been telling myself, no...no...no....
ReplyDeleteI'm in. I can't pass this up.
Ah cripes... I'll give it a whirl. Perhaps Chuck, my were-gator trapped in an iguana's body (poor carnivore trapped in a vegetarian ... heh), will find peace at last.
ReplyDeleteAt least I have a bit of time to work this puppy out.
~The Amanda who is not the above Amanda :) (amandajustice.blogspot.com , FTR, although yes, I do tend to rant and ramble as well ::grin:: )
Now here's a competition I can totally relate to.
ReplyDeleteI'm IN, er, hopefully.
I'll be posting my entry here where I have several Free works already posted: http://alex.wrywriter.com
I have to try this, an excuse to force myself to write a short story and get my livejournal (cuccocc) up and running again, since I don't have a website elsewhere. Great challenge!
ReplyDeleteCya,
CC
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the generous Mr. Haynes, I have linkage! Thank you to both Mr. Haynes and the Paperback Writer!
ReplyDeleteThe Office Mercenary
I'll also post the link on my blog.
After much consideration, I have decided to join the challenge :) I have no idea what to write, but it will work out. Maybe the lady in the idea or... we will see.
ReplyDeleteI'm tentatively in ... I don't have something written yet but that never stopped me before.
ReplyDeleteI have a free ebook up at the Midnight Moon Cafe, but where is an address to submit to for your link list?
ReplyDeleteI'm answering the challenge. You can get my free short story here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.michellemiles.net/downloads/Eorwulf.pdf