romantic suspense author children's books fantary adventure short stories contests writers'
resources poetry
resources poetry
Letter from the Editor
A hearty thanks to all our readers
who sent encouraging comments
about the first issue of The Fiction
Flyer last month. We have included
some of your kind words on page 9.
publishing industry in general, and
fiction news in particular. We invite
comments from readers, as this will
help us understand your needs and
guide the content of our articles.
Please feel free to email me at:
KGogolewski@sbcglobal.net.
We have packed this issue with lots
of good information for you,
inlcuding the feature article,
Ebooks: Do They Have a Future?
And again, we have included Ray's
monthly columns, Investment
of course, don't miss our
Subscriber News where we publish
your book news. If you have any to
share, please send it to us for
consideration to publish. See the
Subscriber News page under
Invitation to Submit to review
guidelines.
If you would like to subscribe, send
an email to Kathe at the addy
above with SUBSCRIBE in the
subject line. We thank you for your
support and hope that you will
enjoy this issue of The Fiction Flyer
as well as many, many more!
Happy Reading!
Sincerely,
Kathe Gogolewski
A hearty thanks to all our readers
who sent encouraging comments
about the first issue of The Fiction
Flyer last month. We have included
some of your kind words on page 9.
publishing industry in general, and
fiction news in particular. We invite
comments from readers, as this will
help us understand your needs and
guide the content of our articles.
Please feel free to email me at:
KGogolewski@sbcglobal.net.
We have packed this issue with lots
of good information for you,
inlcuding the feature article,
Ebooks: Do They Have a Future?
And again, we have included Ray's
monthly columns, Investment
of course, don't miss our
Subscriber News where we publish
your book news. If you have any to
share, please send it to us for
consideration to publish. See the
Subscriber News page under
Invitation to Submit to review
guidelines.
If you would like to subscribe, send
an email to Kathe at the addy
above with SUBSCRIBE in the
subject line. We thank you for your
support and hope that you will
enjoy this issue of The Fiction Flyer
as well as many, many more!
Happy Reading!
Sincerely,
Kathe Gogolewski
Jeanne Smith, writing as
Jeanne Howard, announces
the September 1 release of
her second novel, Jared's
Promise, the sequel to her
debut work, Seasons of
Forgetting, which was an April
release. Both came from
Wings Press, Inc.
Jeanne Howard, announces
the September 1 release of
her second novel, Jared's
Promise, the sequel to her
debut work, Seasons of
Forgetting, which was an April
release. Both came from
Wings Press, Inc.
| END |
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
| Letter from the Editor Amazon Shorts: A Writer's Perspective |
| 1 |
| 2-4 |
| 4-5 |
| 5 |
| THE FICTION FLYER An Ezine for Readers and Writers of Fiction TRI Studio Authors LLC www.TRI-Studio.com |
| VOLUME 1 ISSUE 2 SEPTEMBER, 2006 |
| Reader Micros and September Prompt |
| 6 |
| FEATURE ARTICLE: eBooks: Do They Have a Future? |
Continued from Page 1
AMAZON SHORTS
successful sales depend on their own efforts. Amazon
offers each author a profile page with bio, photo and
complete backlist, but other than that, you're on your own.
So, is it worth it, you may ask? It is to me. I suspect more
people visit Amazon online in a day than most websites in
a year…or even ten years! The association with the giant,
in my mind, cannot hurt. After submitting my first story, I
promptly searched my files and submitted a second, this
one a non-fiction story called “The Gold Coin.” That’s
one of the joys of doing this – you only have to complete
the paperwork once, and it extends to all your shorts. And
I didn’t have to wait three months for acceptance; they
accepted it the same day as my submission. I am currently
searching my files for another story. :)
1. Writing is Too Rich - Do not surround dense, rich
words with dense, rich words. Stories, like paintings, need
"negative space" to breathe. Create a center of interest in
the sentence, the paragraph, or the chapter with words
and imagery, but don't forget to wrap plain, common, and
easy words around the special ones. Remember: less can
be more. Don't serve your readers too much
cheesecake.
2. Pacing is Choppy or Uneven - Writers are dealing
with reader expectations, not their own. Be sure that you
haven't created a story that moves too quickly or slowly by
allowing the wrong amount of information. You, the writer,
may be prepared differently than your reader, so test your
story by allowing others to read it and offer their honest
impressions.
3. Transitions That Don't Work - Take special care with
transitions. Changes from one scene to the next can be
sensitive moments where the reader is absorbing the
impact of the last while being propelled into the next. To
start a new scene without understanding that readers are
carrying the feelings and ambience of the last with them is
a mistake. Writers may use this opportunity to address
prior scenes and relate them in some way to the next.
This can be very subtle and handled indirectly, but it
should be handled.
AMAZON SHORTS
successful sales depend on their own efforts. Amazon
offers each author a profile page with bio, photo and
complete backlist, but other than that, you're on your own.
So, is it worth it, you may ask? It is to me. I suspect more
people visit Amazon online in a day than most websites in
a year…or even ten years! The association with the giant,
in my mind, cannot hurt. After submitting my first story, I
promptly searched my files and submitted a second, this
one a non-fiction story called “The Gold Coin.” That’s
one of the joys of doing this – you only have to complete
the paperwork once, and it extends to all your shorts. And
I didn’t have to wait three months for acceptance; they
accepted it the same day as my submission. I am currently
searching my files for another story. :)
1. Writing is Too Rich - Do not surround dense, rich
words with dense, rich words. Stories, like paintings, need
"negative space" to breathe. Create a center of interest in
the sentence, the paragraph, or the chapter with words
and imagery, but don't forget to wrap plain, common, and
easy words around the special ones. Remember: less can
be more. Don't serve your readers too much
cheesecake.
2. Pacing is Choppy or Uneven - Writers are dealing
with reader expectations, not their own. Be sure that you
haven't created a story that moves too quickly or slowly by
allowing the wrong amount of information. You, the writer,
may be prepared differently than your reader, so test your
story by allowing others to read it and offer their honest
impressions.
3. Transitions That Don't Work - Take special care with
transitions. Changes from one scene to the next can be
sensitive moments where the reader is absorbing the
impact of the last while being propelled into the next. To
start a new scene without understanding that readers are
carrying the feelings and ambience of the last with them is
a mistake. Writers may use this opportunity to address
prior scenes and relate them in some way to the next.
This can be very subtle and handled indirectly, but it
should be handled.
To date, e-books have endured a short, but tortured saga.
They hit the market nearly a decade ago with promises to
revolutionize the way people relate to books, yet
mainstream users have not embraced them. Why? Can
new technology change this? If so, how and when?
Burning questions for members of the industry. Publishing
giants and small presses alike are keeping a focused eye
on advancing technology for e-book readers. A broad-
based acceptance of e-books and e-readers can change
the industry. As the iPod captured a broad swath of users
(42 million) with digital music, perhaps a similarly engaging
device for reading e-books will invite its own stampede.
There are persuasive reasons for book publishers,
retailers and readers to usher in the technology. E-books
offer a lower-cost option for publishing and distributing
books by eliminating the costs of printing, delivery and
reducing other expenses. For readers, e-books cost 20%
to 25% less than traditional print books, and an e-reader
can store a small library, allowing a user to hop easily from
book to book. A host of advantages and disadvantages
surrounds their use, so let’s take a closer look at both, as
well as the present technology, before making our
predictions.
First, the disadvantages, since they often define the
hurdles to successful implementation. So far, the
disadvantages of e-readers appear to have outweighed
the advantages, creating an anemic market for a device
launched in the late 1990s with hyperbolic claims. While
sales of e-books are growing steadily, up 44% last year to
$179.1 million in the United States according to
Management Practice Inc., they still account for less than
1% of total book sales, which amounted to $25.1 billion in
the United States in 2005. And, to cap it off, e-books for
leisure reading are a niche market within a niche market –
most revenue derives from reference and educational
books, which are read on computers, not e-readers.
What is the reason behind these dismal figures? The stats
are especially surprising for the wireless-generation, raised
and fed on computer technology since grade school.
Wouldn’t it seem natural for them to prefer an electronic
page to a traditional print one? According to Andy Patrizio
in a September, 2005 article entitled “Why eBooks Still
Suck,” teenagers were the first to herald in electronic
devices such as cell phones, iPods, PDAs, Sony PSPs,
Blackberries and other gadgets, so why not e-readers?
Patrizio explains that e-book hardware is always a “day late
and a pound too heavy.” Plus, e-readers have some stiff
competition, lagging behind the cell phone, iPod and the
PDA in popularity. After grabbing two gadgets before
dashing out the door, there is simply no more pocket room
left.
“The primary problem,” Patrizio insisits, “is there isn’t any
compelling hardware.” Indeed. So far we’ve seen the
demise of the first generation of e-readers, including the
Rocket/Gem Star series from NuvoMedia and the
eBookman from Franklin. Both companies left the business
discarding a disgruntled consumer base, save for the
technophiles.
Continued on Page 3 left column
| 1-2 |
| Writing Flash Fiction |
| THE FICTION FLYER An Ezine for Readers and Writers of Fiction TRI Studio Books LLC www.TRI-Studio.com |
| Page 3 |
| Page 2 |
| Page 4 |
| Page 5 |
| Page 5 |
| Page 6 |
| Page 8 |
| KATHE GOGOLEWSKI To Present at The Muse Online Writers' Conference First Free Online Conference for Writers of Its Kind! |
| The Muse Online Writers' Conference |
| INVESTMENT PERSPECTIVES FOR WRITERS |
AUDIO CLASSES FOR WRITERS
Head to Head; A Writers’ Audio Handbook
featuring award-winning
authors Carolyn
Howard-Johnson, Joyce
Faulkner, Allyn Evans
and Kathe Gogolewski
Published by Double
Dragon Publishing
Listen and learn in the
second half of a series
of 30 audio classes. The
first half includes audios that cover topics such as
Choosing Point of View, Frugal Book Promotion, Secrets
of Good Dialogue, The Benefits of Group Promotion,
Visualization in Writing, Website Optimization and more.
In the second half of the series, soon to be released,
look for innovative topics such as: Fury and Destruction;
How to Use Violence Effectively in Your Writing,
Ghostwriting, The Art of the Interview, How to Write a
Book Review, Short Story Writing, Humor Writing,Travel
Writing and more.
Expect the first audio class of the new series in October,
2006 from Double Dragon Publishing.
Head to Head; A Writers’ Audio Handbook
featuring award-winning
authors Carolyn
Howard-Johnson, Joyce
Faulkner, Allyn Evans
and Kathe Gogolewski
Published by Double
Dragon Publishing
Listen and learn in the
second half of a series
of 30 audio classes. The
first half includes audios that cover topics such as
Choosing Point of View, Frugal Book Promotion, Secrets
of Good Dialogue, The Benefits of Group Promotion,
Visualization in Writing, Website Optimization and more.
In the second half of the series, soon to be released,
look for innovative topics such as: Fury and Destruction;
How to Use Violence Effectively in Your Writing,
Ghostwriting, The Art of the Interview, How to Write a
Book Review, Short Story Writing, Humor Writing,Travel
Writing and more.
Expect the first audio class of the new series in October,
2006 from Double Dragon Publishing.
_________________
Subscribers with book news, book reviews, articles or other
relevant information, are invited to submit for consideration
to publish in The Fiction Flyer. No erotica, please. Email
Kathe with your submission included in the body of the
email. Please do not send attachments, as we do not open
them. There is no charge for this service.
| To unsubscribe, send an email to Unsubscribe Fiction Flyer with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject heading |
| SUBSCRIBER NEWS TRI-Studio.com |
_________________
_________________
| INVITATION TO SUBMIT YOUR BOOK NEWS |
__________________________
| Audio Classes for Writers |
| 6 |
| Investment Perspectives for Writers |
| 7 |
Each article or story in The Fiction Flyer has
been copyrighted by TRI Studio LLC, or by
our guest authors. Publication of articles,
stories, and/or poems elsewhere is prohibited
without the permission of TRI Studio.
Copyright 2006 TRI Studio LLC
been copyrighted by TRI Studio LLC, or by
our guest authors. Publication of articles,
stories, and/or poems elsewhere is prohibited
without the permission of TRI Studio.
Copyright 2006 TRI Studio LLC
_________________
_________________
| AMAZON SHORTS: A WRITER'S PERSPECTIVE by Kathe Gogolewski |
A
authors and much speculation about
how it would fare. Now, in August,
2006, the program is going strong with
hundreds of authors representing 533
stories selling for 49 cents each. The
website boasts “previously unpublished
short story literature for sale
exclusively at Amazon.com,” and has
expanded to include some of today’s
“freshest literary voices.”
The contract buys exclusive rights for
only six months, and offers authors a
whopping 40% of the 49 cents in
royalties. This likely won't fly you
around the world, but it might get you
down the block! More importantly, the
exposure as a featured author at
Amazon offers an exceptional branding
opportunity.
I decided to try it, but I balked when a
writer friend of mine said, “You have to
fill out a ton of paperwork before you
can submit.” I thought, “What if they
don’t want any of my shorts? Then, I’ve
done all that paperwork for nothing.”
So, I decided to try it without the
paperwork and submitted “Weighing
In,” a 2,000 word humorous story
about weight discrimination reversed.
Since 2,000 is their minimum count, I
got in under-the-wire. The maximum is
10,000 words.
Several months later, I finally heard
from an Amazon representative, who
said they would use “Weighing In.” He
wanted to know if I had a book on
Amazon, which is requisite for
participation. Unfortunately, my ebook
with Double Dragon Publishing, A
Promise to Keep, was no longer
featured. However, I had contributed to
an anthology called The Muse on
Writing, and even though I was just
one of eighteen writers, this qualified
me for the program.
Suddenly, all that paperwork felt
okay…and yes, it was a ton. They
wanted a complete bio and asked a
number of promotional questions, such
as “Who do you envision as your
target audience?” and “What makes
this short relevant today?” and “Why
would a customer buy this short?” By
the time I was done with the
questionnaire, I had created a
complete marketing plan. Not a bad
thing at all, because as most authors
without an uncle named “John
Grisham” eventually discover,
Continued on Page 2 left column
authors and much speculation about
how it would fare. Now, in August,
2006, the program is going strong with
hundreds of authors representing 533
stories selling for 49 cents each. The
website boasts “previously unpublished
short story literature for sale
exclusively at Amazon.com,” and has
expanded to include some of today’s
“freshest literary voices.”
The contract buys exclusive rights for
only six months, and offers authors a
whopping 40% of the 49 cents in
royalties. This likely won't fly you
around the world, but it might get you
down the block! More importantly, the
exposure as a featured author at
Amazon offers an exceptional branding
opportunity.
I decided to try it, but I balked when a
writer friend of mine said, “You have to
fill out a ton of paperwork before you
can submit.” I thought, “What if they
don’t want any of my shorts? Then, I’ve
done all that paperwork for nothing.”
So, I decided to try it without the
paperwork and submitted “Weighing
In,” a 2,000 word humorous story
about weight discrimination reversed.
Since 2,000 is their minimum count, I
got in under-the-wire. The maximum is
10,000 words.
Several months later, I finally heard
from an Amazon representative, who
said they would use “Weighing In.” He
wanted to know if I had a book on
Amazon, which is requisite for
participation. Unfortunately, my ebook
with Double Dragon Publishing, A
Promise to Keep, was no longer
featured. However, I had contributed to
an anthology called The Muse on
Writing, and even though I was just
one of eighteen writers, this qualified
me for the program.
Suddenly, all that paperwork felt
okay…and yes, it was a ton. They
wanted a complete bio and asked a
number of promotional questions, such
as “Who do you envision as your
target audience?” and “What makes
this short relevant today?” and “Why
would a customer buy this short?” By
the time I was done with the
questionnaire, I had created a
complete marketing plan. Not a bad
thing at all, because as most authors
without an uncle named “John
Grisham” eventually discover,
Continued on Page 2 left column
A little over one year
ago, Amazon.com
launched their Shorts
program with the
stories of only a few
dozen well-known
ago, Amazon.com
launched their Shorts
program with the
stories of only a few
dozen well-known
Through
diligent
research, we
(that is, my
husband Ray
and I) hope to
bring you
cutting edge
information
about the
Perspectives
for Writers and
Writing Flash
Fiction. We are
also featuring
some of our
readers' micro
flash stories in
response to a
monthly
prompt. And,
for Writers and
Writing Flash
Fiction. We are
also featuring
some of our
readers' micro
flash stories in
response to a
monthly
prompt. And,
SHORT STORIES
| EBOOKS: DO THEY HAVE A FUTURE? By Kathe Gogolewski |
You can purchase
“Weighing In" for a
whopping 49 cents.
It's a dry humor story about
weight discrimination
reversed...Svelte people
beware!
CLICK ON COVER TO BUY
“Weighing In" for a
whopping 49 cents.
It's a dry humor story about
weight discrimination
reversed...Svelte people
beware!
CLICK ON COVER TO BUY
THREE FATAL FLAWS FOR WRITERS
Continued from Page 1
EBOOKS: DO THEY HAVE A FUTURE?
The early e-readers simply could not compete with print
books. The look, feel and even the smell of paper was lost in
a back-lit environment where type can be read at only the
right angle. Forget about curling up for a good read. More
likely, the user had to contort around the ebook in an
attempt to adjust the light. Take an old e-reader outside,
and sunlight obscures the font almost completely.
And for some, it’s partly about aesthetics: An ebook cannot
be displayed on a shelf or coffee table with a beautiful hard
jacket. And then, there’s the old tradition of swapping
books… an impossibility with proprietary, DRM (Digital
Rights Management) driven software. More on that later.
Other problems: slow page turning speeds, low battery life,
poor resolution, Adobe PDF files that do not allow the user
to adjust font size, weighty devices, plus e-readers were and
are far too expensive. Today, readers can buy reams of
print material for the price of an e-reader, which ranges from
US$175 to $400.
In summary, if e-readers are to overcome the obstacles of a
failed generation, the new devices need to:
To usher in the new technology, however, more is needed
aside from the successful replication of the printed page,
otherwise, it’s merely a solution without a problem. Why
simulate something that’s already working? So, we also
need to ask: What advantages can an e-reader offer that a
traditional print book cannot?
Has any technology surfaced to handle these questions and
concerns? Yes, at least in part. Let’s look at the number one
greatest objection first: the reflective page. Enter E Ink
Corporation’s Electronic Paper Display (EPD), featuring a
new technology that allows a page to be read at any angle.
The screen absorbs ambient light and uses it to illuminate
the page. Taking the screen outdoors only increases the
power and creates a brighter font. And indoors or out, the
non-reflective surface closely resembles a printed page. It’s
still a hand-held device, but reviewers laud the visual aspect
as a winning feature.
The next problem, resolution, is also resolved through E Ink
Corp. They have increased the pixels to 170 per inch for the
EPD pad. The GemStar used around 100 per inch, which is
on a par with a newspaper (Laptops average 80 to 90
pixels).
The makers of e-readers picked up the scent and used the
technology to create the next generation of e-readers. Sony
launched the Librie in Japan in 2004, and while praised for
exceptional design, the model failed to take off. This is due
in part, at least, to the draconian price, around US $400,
and an unrealistic anti-piracy technology—users could only
rent a book for 60 days before it would self-destruct,
whether the reader had finished it or not!
EBOOKS: DO THEY HAVE A FUTURE?
The early e-readers simply could not compete with print
books. The look, feel and even the smell of paper was lost in
a back-lit environment where type can be read at only the
right angle. Forget about curling up for a good read. More
likely, the user had to contort around the ebook in an
attempt to adjust the light. Take an old e-reader outside,
and sunlight obscures the font almost completely.
And for some, it’s partly about aesthetics: An ebook cannot
be displayed on a shelf or coffee table with a beautiful hard
jacket. And then, there’s the old tradition of swapping
books… an impossibility with proprietary, DRM (Digital
Rights Management) driven software. More on that later.
Other problems: slow page turning speeds, low battery life,
poor resolution, Adobe PDF files that do not allow the user
to adjust font size, weighty devices, plus e-readers were and
are far too expensive. Today, readers can buy reams of
print material for the price of an e-reader, which ranges from
US$175 to $400.
In summary, if e-readers are to overcome the obstacles of a
failed generation, the new devices need to:
To usher in the new technology, however, more is needed
aside from the successful replication of the printed page,
otherwise, it’s merely a solution without a problem. Why
simulate something that’s already working? So, we also
need to ask: What advantages can an e-reader offer that a
traditional print book cannot?
Has any technology surfaced to handle these questions and
concerns? Yes, at least in part. Let’s look at the number one
greatest objection first: the reflective page. Enter E Ink
Corporation’s Electronic Paper Display (EPD), featuring a
new technology that allows a page to be read at any angle.
The screen absorbs ambient light and uses it to illuminate
the page. Taking the screen outdoors only increases the
power and creates a brighter font. And indoors or out, the
non-reflective surface closely resembles a printed page. It’s
still a hand-held device, but reviewers laud the visual aspect
as a winning feature.
The next problem, resolution, is also resolved through E Ink
Corp. They have increased the pixels to 170 per inch for the
EPD pad. The GemStar used around 100 per inch, which is
on a par with a newspaper (Laptops average 80 to 90
pixels).
The makers of e-readers picked up the scent and used the
technology to create the next generation of e-readers. Sony
launched the Librie in Japan in 2004, and while praised for
exceptional design, the model failed to take off. This is due
in part, at least, to the draconian price, around US $400,
and an unrealistic anti-piracy technology—users could only
rent a book for 60 days before it would self-destruct,
whether the reader had finished it or not!
This has not discouraged Sony, who unveiled the Sony
Reader in January, 2006, to wide-spread acclaim at the
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Rivaling the
look of paper, it weighs less than nine ounces, utilizes e-ink
with a 6-inch gray scale screen and houses up to 80
“average-sized” books, according to their webpage. Its
rechargeable battery powers up to 7,500 page turns, and it
can be recharged in as little as 4 hours with an AC
adapter. For the hard-of-seeing, the text may be enlarged
up to 200%. The font can be resized at the touch of a
button. Sony has adopted the iTunes downloadable model
through a CONNECT Store, which puts thousands of
ebook titles online.—all for a price, of course. With a multi-
formatted capability, it equally displays Adobe PDFs,
personal documents, newsfeeds and JPEGS, but does not
convert encrypted PDF or html files (big minus for readers
with tons of pre-owned ebooks that work for other readers,
such as Mobiepocket). It even plays audio files. iRex
Technologies Inc., a spin off of Philips Electronics, and the
Chinese supplier Tianjin Jinke Electronics Company, will
also hit the US market with similar e-readers. Competition,
of course, is a very good thing.
So that handles a few items on our list, though the Sony
Reader is still pretty pricey, retailing between US$299 and
US$399. That weighs in about twice the price of other
current offerings. However, as the more budget-minded
technophiles know, if you wait, the price invariably comes
down. As for having too-many-gadgets-to-tote-around,
technology is not that far away from creating it all on one
device. Imagine one that plays music, operates as a cell
phone and a PDA, connects online and allows users to
read ebooks with all the advantages mentioned. Already,
cell phones are equipped with digital cameras that take
both still and moving shots. They key will be to create a
small, lightweight device, which isn’t hard to imagine if the
EPD or LCD pad is multi-tasked.
All good news…but there’s still that little proprietary issue—
the one about the DRM driven content on the Sony Reader
that will likely keep users invested in the Sony CONNECT
store, buying their titles for at least the life of the reader.
Users cannot convert to other popular formats, nor can
they share their e-books with others. A lockdown on the
software leaves users unable to tweak it. Blog users
sharing technical information about the Sony Readers
decry these omissions loudly, chastising Sony for setting
back the cause of e-books yet again. David Rothman,
writer, editor, author and self-appointed Sony watchdog
says, “Beware (of Sony). Maybe the interface will be slick,
but short of ample evidence to the contrary, don’t dare
trust the company behind it…I wonder if people will be able
to own Sony books for real…The best approach remains a
standards-based one of the OpenReader variety. I hope
that competitors such as iRex—which in April will release
an E Ink reader able to handle HTML and other common
formats from the start—can crush Sony.” As I said before,
competition is a good thing.
And, for technophiles who have faithfully used e-readers of
one kind or another since their inception, it can only get
better. Deron Douglas, owner of Double Dragon
Publishing, owns three original Rocket eBooks before they
sold out to GemStar. He bought his first seven years ago,
and paid between US$100 to US$175 for each. He says, “I
can carry thirty to forty novels in a package that is
Continued on Page 4 left column
STICKER SHOCK
SONY READER
A TECHNOPHILE
Continued from Page 3
EBOOKS: DO THEY HAVE A FUTURE?
approximately 6 X 9 inches and 2 inches wide. It weighs 1-2
pounds. No heavier than a text book. I like to read 3-4
novels at the same time. So I can switch from one to the
other when necessary. The screen is bright and doesn’t
hurt my eyes. The font can be set to Paperback size or
bigger, and it has a back light for night reading.”
Which addresses the question regarding the advantages of
e-books over print books—it may take the next generation
of teens to appreciate them, but for lovers of both
technology and the written word, these advantages are
distinct. A book with a fancy hard jacket cannot allow
readers to do any of the features that Douglas outlines, nor
can it perform searches or look up words, bookmark pages,
or allow for neat note-taking without defacement.
Perhaps Baby Boomers, with a decades-old love affair of
brick and mortar bookstores, will hold back the e-book
market for as long as they still own their private hard-bound
collections.
where ninety-five percent hold post-graduate degrees, will
create new solutions that lure both Boomers and teens
alike into the new market.
As naysayers define the problems, researchers will strive
for the solutions. While e-books have plenty of ground to
cover before surpassing the appeal of print books, their
progress is, nevertheless, steady. It is easy to imagine that
the time will arrive when all the conditions are ripe for the
transition. Progress toward this end may resemble the
experiment detailed in Kenneth Keyes' book, The
Hundredth Monkey: When a good idea plays out long
enough (and we are operating from the premise that e-
books are a good idea), it becomes a question of when
acceptance will hit the mainstream. Already, e-books have
tested the market for nearly ten years, a long time in terms
of technology. Will we wait another ten years to see
significant changes? Less? More? Maybe they will never
catch on, though it seems unlikely given the nature of the
market always to seek a better solution. This will be an
interesting watch as new devices are unveiled.
One thing, is certain: if more people worldwide adopt e-
books over print books, it has the potential to propel
literacy rates to all-time highs. But that’s a story for another
Fiction Flyer.
_______________________________________________
EBOOKS: DO THEY HAVE A FUTURE?
approximately 6 X 9 inches and 2 inches wide. It weighs 1-2
pounds. No heavier than a text book. I like to read 3-4
novels at the same time. So I can switch from one to the
other when necessary. The screen is bright and doesn’t
hurt my eyes. The font can be set to Paperback size or
bigger, and it has a back light for night reading.”
Which addresses the question regarding the advantages of
e-books over print books—it may take the next generation
of teens to appreciate them, but for lovers of both
technology and the written word, these advantages are
distinct. A book with a fancy hard jacket cannot allow
readers to do any of the features that Douglas outlines, nor
can it perform searches or look up words, bookmark pages,
or allow for neat note-taking without defacement.
Perhaps Baby Boomers, with a decades-old love affair of
brick and mortar bookstores, will hold back the e-book
market for as long as they still own their private hard-bound
collections.
where ninety-five percent hold post-graduate degrees, will
create new solutions that lure both Boomers and teens
alike into the new market.
As naysayers define the problems, researchers will strive
for the solutions. While e-books have plenty of ground to
cover before surpassing the appeal of print books, their
progress is, nevertheless, steady. It is easy to imagine that
the time will arrive when all the conditions are ripe for the
transition. Progress toward this end may resemble the
experiment detailed in Kenneth Keyes' book, The
Hundredth Monkey: When a good idea plays out long
enough (and we are operating from the premise that e-
books are a good idea), it becomes a question of when
acceptance will hit the mainstream. Already, e-books have
tested the market for nearly ten years, a long time in terms
of technology. Will we wait another ten years to see
significant changes? Less? More? Maybe they will never
catch on, though it seems unlikely given the nature of the
market always to seek a better solution. This will be an
interesting watch as new devices are unveiled.
One thing, is certain: if more people worldwide adopt e-
books over print books, it has the potential to propel
literacy rates to all-time highs. But that’s a story for another
Fiction Flyer.
_______________________________________________
This month we focus on micro-flash fiction...stories that
are 250 words or fewer. A drabble is a flash fiction story of
exactly one hundred words. I have read in numerous
places that drabbles were created by the Sci-Fi Society of
Birmingham University during the 1980s. Furthermore, the
word, drabble, first appeared in Monty Python’s Big Red
Book where it was the name of a word game. The winner
of the game was the first to write a novel!
Since the requirement of writing a drabble is exacting, it’s
a challenge to create a comprehensive and interesting
story in exactly one hundred words. Here’s an example of
a drabble; Ben Henry submitted this one in response to
the prompt in our August issue.
Up a Tree in Snowball, Arkansas
By
Ben S. Henry
I stopped behind a large tractor block-
ing the road. A man in overalls and
woman in a nightgown were
looking up a tree. Not being able
to get around the tractor, I couldn’t
help but overhear their conversation.
It was some of the most unarguable wisdom I’ve ever
heard.
The woman said frantically to the man in overalls, “Well
John, can you help or not? My cat's high up in that tree,
and it won’t come down.”
John scratched his head and climbed back on the tractor,
sourly quipping, “I ain’t never seen no cat bones in a tree
yet.”
Here’s another example of a drabble that I wrote.
Old Habits Never Die
By
Raymond Grant
As it arose, maggot-filled and ant-covered chunks of flesh
fell to the earth. "Much lighter and easier without these," it
mused.
Stars in the late October night sky stirred what was left of
its brain…bio-pyscho-psychic input came streaming
through its gateways…translating input to thought and
movement. After slithering down from the catafalque, it
omni-scanned near and far looking for danger.
Nothing…only complex shadows and gusts of a northern
wind.
Ambulating along a familiar path, it approached a very
large object with glowing casements. Its bony hand
grasped the knocker and clanked thrice.
The portal opened.
“Trick or Treat?” It chirruped.
Another popular micro-form among flash fiction authors is
the 55-word story, or the “55” Here’s a 55 contributed by
Michael Kechula.
DOLPHINS ARE GENUINE
By
Michael A. Kechula
Helen was poised on a bridge.
“Jump!” yelled the madding crowd.
Suddenly, ten dolphins gathered below.
“Join us!” the dolphins shouted, “Swim and play all day.”
Helen recalled how cute, frisky, loveable dolphins were at
the aquarium.
“People stink!” she yelled. “Dolphins are genuine!”
Exhilarated, she leapt toward them.
Ten sharks shed their dolphin costumes.
Michael is the owner of Flash Tales eZine, a monthly
internet magazine dedicated to speculative flash fiction.
The inaugural issue of Flash Tales appeared on 1
September 2006. Visit Flash Tales eZine (http://www.flash-
tales.com). to read outstanding speculative flash fiction.
Continued on Page 5 left column
DON'T SERVE THE WHOLE PIE
| WRITING FLASH FICTION By Raymond Gogolewski, Ph.D. Micros, Drabbles, 55’s, and Bytes |
Perhaps a tree
endangerment
campaign will turn
readers, albeit
reluctantly, from their
precious paper. Or
perhaps researchers,
such as those with
Tianjin Jinke Electronics,
endangerment
campaign will turn
readers, albeit
reluctantly, from their
precious paper. Or
perhaps researchers,
such as those with
Tianjin Jinke Electronics,
Continued from Page 4
The final form of micro-flash fiction I will mention this month is
the Byte. These are flash stories for which the word count is
exactly a power of two…a flash fiction Byte can be 2, 4, 8, 16,
32, 64, 128, 256, etc. words. Story Bytes, (http://www.
storybytes.com) a monthly eZine, features flash fiction stories
with word counts of powers of two. The idea for Story Bytes
originated with M. Stanley Bubien, who is the editor, an
author, and a software engineer. Visit his eZine to enjoy
creative micro-flash Bytes and for another opportunity to
submit flash fiction stories of your own.
Here’s an example of a 64 word Byte:
Disturbance
By
Raymond Grant
As Emily walked through the park, she felt
something evil. A message from her brain
told her spine to shudder. She saw only the
path lined with scruffy shrubs.
She sensed something watching. Emily
quickened her pace. The disturbance hit
again.
She ran.
At her apartment, she picked up the early morning paper.
The front page read Young Woman Murdered in Park before
Midnight.
Notice that in each of the four stories, you can see, vividly,
each character and observe what is happening. Your
imagination fills in all the details as you read each sentence
of the flash fiction stories above. Close your eyes. Can you
describe John as he climbs back on his tractor? What does
the creature standing at the front door look like? Can you see
the sharks unzipping their disguises as Helen falls from the
bridge? And what about Emily? Can you imagine her face
when she reads the newspaper headline? Of course, you
can!
As an experiment, ask a friend to read one of the stories and
answer any of the questions above. And no arguments,
please!
“til next month. Flashy writing!
The final form of micro-flash fiction I will mention this month is
the Byte. These are flash stories for which the word count is
exactly a power of two…a flash fiction Byte can be 2, 4, 8, 16,
32, 64, 128, 256, etc. words. Story Bytes, (http://www.
storybytes.com) a monthly eZine, features flash fiction stories
with word counts of powers of two. The idea for Story Bytes
originated with M. Stanley Bubien, who is the editor, an
author, and a software engineer. Visit his eZine to enjoy
creative micro-flash Bytes and for another opportunity to
submit flash fiction stories of your own.
Here’s an example of a 64 word Byte:
Disturbance
By
Raymond Grant
As Emily walked through the park, she felt
something evil. A message from her brain
told her spine to shudder. She saw only the
path lined with scruffy shrubs.
She sensed something watching. Emily
quickened her pace. The disturbance hit
again.
She ran.
At her apartment, she picked up the early morning paper.
The front page read Young Woman Murdered in Park before
Midnight.
Notice that in each of the four stories, you can see, vividly,
each character and observe what is happening. Your
imagination fills in all the details as you read each sentence
of the flash fiction stories above. Close your eyes. Can you
describe John as he climbs back on his tractor? What does
the creature standing at the front door look like? Can you see
the sharks unzipping their disguises as Helen falls from the
bridge? And what about Emily? Can you imagine her face
when she reads the newspaper headline? Of course, you
can!
As an experiment, ask a friend to read one of the stories and
answer any of the questions above. And no arguments,
please!
“til next month. Flashy writing!
Kathe Gogolewski will present an interactive class,
Marketing Children's Books - The Good News, in the
chat lounge On Thursday, October 12 at 1 pm PST.
The class comes with a free eBook entitled
Marketing Your Children’s Book to Teachers
OR
Getting That Class Act Together
Class Description:
Writers of children’s books
do not need to brand them-
selves in slow motion, selling
one book at a time. There is
a built-in market for promot-
ing children’s books; one
where authors of picture
books and middle grade
readers can market class-
room sets. Public and private
elementary schools have
teachers who are eager to buy what you have, if you
understand their needs and know how to approach
them. Retired elementary teacher Kathe Gogolewsk,
author of Tato, an award winning fantasy adventure for
middle grade readers, will talk about her experiences
selling her book to classrooms across California. She
will share her secrets for creating a package to present
to teachers and their administrators, and for grants
that pay for class sets of her book and an honorarium.
She will also address different ideas for authors to
present in a classroom setting.
To register for the class and get the free eBook, click
here:
Muse Online Writers' Conference Registration
Note: you may need to click twice, as the site is
sometimes pirated - the second time always works
Marketing Children's Books - The Good News, in the
chat lounge On Thursday, October 12 at 1 pm PST.
The class comes with a free eBook entitled
Marketing Your Children’s Book to Teachers
OR
Getting That Class Act Together
Class Description:
Writers of children’s books
do not need to brand them-
selves in slow motion, selling
one book at a time. There is
a built-in market for promot-
ing children’s books; one
where authors of picture
books and middle grade
readers can market class-
room sets. Public and private
elementary schools have
teachers who are eager to buy what you have, if you
understand their needs and know how to approach
them. Retired elementary teacher Kathe Gogolewsk,
author of Tato, an award winning fantasy adventure for
middle grade readers, will talk about her experiences
selling her book to classrooms across California. She
will share her secrets for creating a package to present
to teachers and their administrators, and for grants
that pay for class sets of her book and an honorarium.
She will also address different ideas for authors to
present in a classroom setting.
To register for the class and get the free eBook, click
here:
Muse Online Writers' Conference Registration
Note: you may need to click twice, as the site is
sometimes pirated - the second time always works
_________________________________________
| above: SUBMISSION GUIDELINES |
PROMOTION TIP: Set up a Myspace.com
entry and link it to your website
entry and link it to your website
READER MICROS AND SEPTEMBER PROMPT
By
Ray Grant
This is a new addition to The Fiction Flyer featuring
selected reader-contributed micro-flash stories in response
to our monthly prompt. I hope you enjoy them.
In our previous issue, I asked our readers to write a micro-
flash of one hundred or fewer words. The micro was to
begin with the following line:
“Help, my cat’s up in that tree and…”
Our readers contributed a number of innovative micros in
response to the prompt. The selection process was difficult,
but in the end, I selected two stories for this issue written by
Rani Iyer and Debby Sorensen Carlson. Congratulations to
Rani and Debby! Nice writing!
Another Day
By
Rani Iyer
“Mom! Help! My cat’s up in that tree!” called Nick.
“Is my breakfast ready?” asked Dad sniffing the bacon.
“Maggie, where's my newspaper?” said Grandpa.
“Mom! My tennis shoes?” called Jeff.
“My hair? Mom,” wailed Katie.
Mom flipped the bacon, handed Dad his coffee, spied Jeff’s
shoes under the couch, brushed Katie’s bangs, and
headed into the yard.
“Kitty! Now!” she said opening her arms. He purred and
jumped into them. She fished the newspaper from the
bushes and headed indoors. It was the start of another day.
Boom!
By
Debby Sorensen Carlson
"Help, my cat's up that tree," Jan cooed, making sure the
neighbor heard her.
Bob broke his neck getting there. After looking her up and
down, he said, "Yep, sure is."
Bob's wife followed behind with what looked like a
firecracker. She smiled and said, "Hey you two, this should
help."
Bob took the stick and tossed it at the cat. Suddenly the
sky was raining a cat, a dead husband, and a once sexy
neighbor.
Bob's wife walked away chuckling. He should have known
dynamite comes in small packages.
September’s Prompt:
This month, I’m asking our readers to write a drabble
ending with the phrase: “Who knew?”
As I describe in my article, Writing Flash Fiction, a drabble
is a micro-flash fiction story of exactly one hundred words.
“Who knew?” are words 99 and 100 and end the story. A
hyphenated word counts as one word.
So dear readers have fun with this one, and if you’re
pleased with what you’ve written, send me a copy of your
drabble in the body of your message to
raygogo@sbcglobal.net. I might ask you if we can publish it
in a future issue.
Happy writing!
Ray
By
Ray Grant
This is a new addition to The Fiction Flyer featuring
selected reader-contributed micro-flash stories in response
to our monthly prompt. I hope you enjoy them.
In our previous issue, I asked our readers to write a micro-
flash of one hundred or fewer words. The micro was to
begin with the following line:
“Help, my cat’s up in that tree and…”
Our readers contributed a number of innovative micros in
response to the prompt. The selection process was difficult,
but in the end, I selected two stories for this issue written by
Rani Iyer and Debby Sorensen Carlson. Congratulations to
Rani and Debby! Nice writing!
Another Day
By
Rani Iyer
“Mom! Help! My cat’s up in that tree!” called Nick.
“Is my breakfast ready?” asked Dad sniffing the bacon.
“Maggie, where's my newspaper?” said Grandpa.
“Mom! My tennis shoes?” called Jeff.
“My hair? Mom,” wailed Katie.
Mom flipped the bacon, handed Dad his coffee, spied Jeff’s
shoes under the couch, brushed Katie’s bangs, and
headed into the yard.
“Kitty! Now!” she said opening her arms. He purred and
jumped into them. She fished the newspaper from the
bushes and headed indoors. It was the start of another day.
Boom!
By
Debby Sorensen Carlson
"Help, my cat's up that tree," Jan cooed, making sure the
neighbor heard her.
Bob broke his neck getting there. After looking her up and
down, he said, "Yep, sure is."
Bob's wife followed behind with what looked like a
firecracker. She smiled and said, "Hey you two, this should
help."
Bob took the stick and tossed it at the cat. Suddenly the
sky was raining a cat, a dead husband, and a once sexy
neighbor.
Bob's wife walked away chuckling. He should have known
dynamite comes in small packages.
September’s Prompt:
This month, I’m asking our readers to write a drabble
ending with the phrase: “Who knew?”
As I describe in my article, Writing Flash Fiction, a drabble
is a micro-flash fiction story of exactly one hundred words.
“Who knew?” are words 99 and 100 and end the story. A
hyphenated word counts as one word.
So dear readers have fun with this one, and if you’re
pleased with what you’ve written, send me a copy of your
drabble in the body of your message to
raygogo@sbcglobal.net. I might ask you if we can publish it
in a future issue.
Happy writing!
Ray
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
CLICK ON COVER TO BUY
From the Back Flap:
Flashes in the Pan, Fifty Short
Stories for the Impatient, by
Raymond Grant is a pithy little book
that should be onboard when you’re
standing in a long, slow line, waiting
on a download or upload, or killing
time while TV commercials drone on.
During any one of these exasperating
instances, catch a flash…read a
short story…let your spirit soar.
"Flashes...serves up to fifty tasty
Flashes in the Pan, Fifty Short
Stories for the Impatient, by
Raymond Grant is a pithy little book
that should be onboard when you’re
standing in a long, slow line, waiting
on a download or upload, or killing
time while TV commercials drone on.
During any one of these exasperating
instances, catch a flash…read a
short story…let your spirit soar.
"Flashes...serves up to fifty tasty
stories for busy readers on the go. Raymond Grant has
organized his brief stories into categories to whet your
appetite… Grant obviously takes pleasure in writing There
is something here for every reader.” Review by Esther
Schrader, editor of Twisted Cat Tales, author of
Desparate Straits and The Shadow People.
“Flashes in the Pan has to be the quickest and funniest
read I’ve come across in awhile. Grant has demonstrated
with his book that there is no need for an extensive amount
of wordage in order to delight, to touch, and to transmit an
enjoyable experience to a reader. …If you are searching
for an antidote for boredom, then Flashes in the Pan is
your prescription.” Review by Lea Schizas, founder of the
award winning MuseItUp Club and Muse Marquee, author
of Rock of the Realm, a Young Adult fantasy adventure.
RESOURCE BOOK FOR WRITERS
Just released in large print paperback and eBook formats
from Double Dragon Publishing:
The Muse on Writing edited by Lea Schizas
What elements are essential when
building a fictional world? Do your
characters need more dimension?
Is your plot going nowhere? Do you
want to write like a pro even though
you are just beginning? Are you a
published writer looking for dynamic
insights into the art and craft of
writing? You will find these answers
and much more in The Muse On
Writing, a book geared for all
genres and writers at every stage
in their career.
Just released in large print paperback and eBook formats
from Double Dragon Publishing:
The Muse on Writing edited by Lea Schizas
What elements are essential when
building a fictional world? Do your
characters need more dimension?
Is your plot going nowhere? Do you
want to write like a pro even though
you are just beginning? Are you a
published writer looking for dynamic
insights into the art and craft of
writing? You will find these answers
and much more in The Muse On
Writing, a book geared for all
genres and writers at every stage
in their career.
_________________
_________________
CLICK ON COVER TO BUY
CLICK ON COVER TO BUY
TATO
A Children's Fantasy Adventure
by Kathe Gogolewski
TATO, for upper elementary
readers, is lauded by Piers Anthony
as both "compelling" and
"well-written." The story captures
children's imaginations by
recognizing their desire to earn the
A Children's Fantasy Adventure
by Kathe Gogolewski
TATO, for upper elementary
readers, is lauded by Piers Anthony
as both "compelling" and
"well-written." The story captures
children's imaginations by
recognizing their desire to earn the
admiration of adults closest to them. It casts Michael
Tate, an inventive and willful boy, and his bossy
oldersister into a strange world filled with mirrors and
strange creatures where they must rescue their parents
from the evil power that rules the realm.
Tate, an inventive and willful boy, and his bossy
oldersister into a strange world filled with mirrors and
strange creatures where they must rescue their parents
from the evil power that rules the realm.
_________________________________________
Website Optimization Tip: One way to get quick and
free traffic to your site is through link services (two are
listed below). You can use these services to bring
visitors to you - sometimes within minutes. Also called
"Social Boomarks Managers," they allow you to start a
link collection that can be sorted by theme. When you
add other sites with similar topics to your collection
and they to yours, the fun begins.
As you're adding links to your collection, be sure to
add a description, or "tag", to target your desired
visitor. Interested in checking it out? Here's the URLS:
http://Furl.net
http://del.icio.us
free traffic to your site is through link services (two are
listed below). You can use these services to bring
visitors to you - sometimes within minutes. Also called
"Social Boomarks Managers," they allow you to start a
link collection that can be sorted by theme. When you
add other sites with similar topics to your collection
and they to yours, the fun begins.
As you're adding links to your collection, be sure to
add a description, or "tag", to target your desired
visitor. Interested in checking it out? Here's the URLS:
http://Furl.net
http://del.icio.us
So, you and your
lender own a house,
townhome, or condo.
I say "you and your
lender" because if you
miss a payment, you
may be quite surprised
to learn that you have
just put your lender in
the driver’s seat. Your
lender can and will drive away with your home under certain
circumstances. Make sure you make every payment on time.
It should be easy these days with automatic payment plans.
Now, let’s focus on fixed rate mortgages. There are many
flavors of mortgages on the market these days, but the
simplest and most easily understood is the fixed rate
mortgage. You pay a fixed rate of interest on an annual
basis over the lifetime of the loan for the privilege of
borrowing money to buy that dream house you’ve been
drooling over. Usually, this translates into equal monthly
payments over the lifetime of the mortgage.
When mortgage shopping, consider a thirty-year mortgage
because it requires the smallest monthly payment. However,
before you sign, check that there isn’t a pre-payment
penalty; i.e., you won’t be charged a fee for paying the
principal down in a shorter time. When you first decide to
make extra payments against the principal of the loan, not
payments in advance, check with your lender to determine
how to signify that the extra dollars are to reduce the
principal owed and are not payments ahead of schedule. If
there is a pre-payment penalty, consider another lender or
the tradeoffs associated with shorter duration loans.
The next question is what to
do with extra dollars? For
example, one can go to a
brokerage firm and ask the
following questions: I have
so many dollars, and I can
put them toward my
mortgage, or I can invest
them. For the latter, what rate of return
can I expect and at what risk?
Suppose you signed up for a mortgage when interest rates
were low…say you are holding a five percent, fixed rate,
thirty year mortgage. A few years go by and interest rates
have gone up. Now, you could buy a new municipal bond
from your state with a six percent coupon rate, i.e. the bond
will pay you six percent per year free of federal and state
income tax. If the bond is highly rated, most likely, it will be
insured against default; therefore, the risk in owning the
bond to maturity is very low. You have a choice, use those
extra dollars to reduce the size of your loan or receive six
percent, tax-free interest. Depending on which state you live
in and your tax bracket, the combination of federal and state
income tax can be over forty percent. Which means that six
percent tax free is equivalent to a pre-tax return of ten
percent (6 %/0.6). In this case, the question is: Do I invest
and receive a low risk ten percent (pre-tax) return or make
additional payments to reduce the principal of my mortgage?
Risk is the likelihood of losing some or all of an investment.
For example, a growth equity can easily go up or down in
price by a factor of two over a relatively short period of time.
If the price of an equity is half what you paid for it when you
need the money, you’ve lost fifty percent! If, alternatively,
you hold a Treasury Bill for six months, say paying five
percent per annum, your reward will be 2.5% of the
principal, and your risk is almost zero. The federal
government would have to fail for you to lose your
principal… not likely…the reason for almost zero risk.
| Mortgage: Pay Down or Invest By Raymond Gogolewski, Ph.D. |
By paying off a mortgage faster than required one can
reduce one’s loan obligation sooner and reduce the overall
cost of the loan. As an example, suppose a house buyer
borrows $100,000. at a continuous, fixed rate of 6% per
annum for 30 years. If one makes the $599 payment every
month for thirty years (360 payments), the total cost of the
mortgage would be over $215,000…more than twice the
original value of the loan.
Here’s what happens if the mortgagee pays the loan off
faster:
Duration # of Payments Payment per mo Total Payment
25 years 300 $644 $193,000
20 years 240 $716 $172,000
15 years 180 $843 $153,000
So, increasing that monthly payment by $45 ($599 to $644)
reduces the duration of the mortgage by five years and
saves about $22,000. Not bad for $45 per month! An extra
$117 per month reduces the duration by ten years and
saves about $42,000.
If your mortgage is above $100,000, you can do your
arithmetic by dividing your outstanding balance by
$100,000 and using that as a multiplier for the above table.
For example, if your mortgage is $250,000, the multiplier
for the table is 2.5 ($250,000/$100,000). Check with your
lender for the exact numbers for your situation.
So, pay the loan off faster and be rid of the obligation or
invest the extra monies at a higher rate of return? The
decision comes down to an individual’s “comfort” level.
Some people can’t stand owing money and want to be rid
of a loan as quickly as possible. Others are always looking
for a “better return” on the dollar and, to them, debt is not a
‘four letter’ word.
Lastly, while you hold a mortgage, and it’s still early in the
life of the mortgage, check periodically to see what current
mortgage rates are. If the going rate is a percent or more
lower than your mortgage rate, consider refinancing. Get
an estimate of what your new monthly payment will be after
refinancing. Assuming the terms of the new mortgage are
the same as the old one, take the difference between the
old monthly payment and the new one. Divide that into the
cost of refinancing. That will tell you how many months you
have to wait before breaking even. If you plan to occupy
your house for, at least, that amount of time, then
refinance. Otherwise, just keep making those monthly
payments on time and consider investment alternatives
when you have extra cash. And don’t forget about risk
when considering investment alternatives.
Above is a graph of the average rate of 30-year fixed rate
mortgages over the past five years. Note the lowest rate in
early 2003, and the slow but increasing uptrend in rates
ever since.
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
| Page 7 |
WRITING-WORLD.COM'S GUIDE TO PAYING FICTION
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AND POETRY MARKETS - more than 675 market listings,
in every genre and from around theworld. Bigger and
more up-to-date than any other fiction guide. Visit
http://www.writing-world.com/bookstore/index.shtml
Sign up for our affiliate program to earn a 25%
commission! writing-world@cox.net Moira Allen
__________________________
Writers!!! Announce your books! Publish articles,
poetry & flash fiction! Publish artwork and photography!
Submit to Joyce Faulkner at katieseyes@aol.com with
"Y&W Submission" in the subject line of your email.
Readers!!! Get a fun monthly newsletter that includes
work from novice to famous writers who range from eight
to ninety-four <so far>!! Formatted in color with cover
art, photos and illustrations. FREE! Delivered in pdf
format to your email box or available at
http://www.redenginepress.com/y%26w_newsletter.htm.
To subscribe, send email to nate@redenginepress.com
with "Add Y&W" in subject line.
poetry & flash fiction! Publish artwork and photography!
Submit to Joyce Faulkner at katieseyes@aol.com with
"Y&W Submission" in the subject line of your email.
Readers!!! Get a fun monthly newsletter that includes
work from novice to famous writers who range from eight
to ninety-four <so far>!! Formatted in color with cover
art, photos and illustrations. FREE! Delivered in pdf
format to your email box or available at
http://www.redenginepress.com/y%26w_newsletter.htm.
To subscribe, send email to nate@redenginepress.com
with "Add Y&W" in subject line.
__________________________
__________________________
Sharing with Writers offers up articles and tips on
promotion, the craft of writing and even writer-related tech!
SWW is an official newsletter of Authors' Coalition
(http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). Subscribe
by sending an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to
HoJoNews@aol.com.
promotion, the craft of writing and even writer-related tech!
SWW is an official newsletter of Authors' Coalition
(http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com). Subscribe
by sending an e-mail with "subscribe" in the subject line to
HoJoNews@aol.com.
__________________________
New Release - Terror at the Terminals
(www,terror-at-the-terminals.com) by George
Afara
This spine-chilling tale of arctic suspense will
have you wondering what's fact and what's
fiction. In early 2006, an international NATO
team arrives to rebuild the Arctic fuel terminal
known as the Fields of Farau, in spite of the paranormal
manifestations there over the past 40 years, following the
grotesque murder of the owner's wife and five children. The
ghosts of the murdered family, however, have ideas of their
own.
This one will lend a chill down your spine. Have lots of lights
on when you read it!
(www,terror-at-the-terminals.com) by George
Afara
This spine-chilling tale of arctic suspense will
have you wondering what's fact and what's
fiction. In early 2006, an international NATO
team arrives to rebuild the Arctic fuel terminal
known as the Fields of Farau, in spite of the paranormal
manifestations there over the past 40 years, following the
grotesque murder of the owner's wife and five children. The
ghosts of the murdered family, however, have ideas of their
own.
This one will lend a chill down your spine. Have lots of lights
on when you read it!
__________________________
As fireflies jitterbug to cricket music, the girls
prick their fingers, sharing blood. “This makes
us soul spirits, Jessie,” Annie says, “our secrets
safewith each other forever.” Jessie tastes the
words; they settle deeply into her being.
“Forever,” she repeats.
The Annie Chase Story by Aileen Ridings
Bennettis a moving exploration of friendship,
loyalty, and the secrets people share, sometimes painful to
keep.
Behler Publications
ISBN 1-933016-31-0
www.behlerpublications.com/titles-bennett.asp
Website: www.asouthernjournal.com/aileenbennett
prick their fingers, sharing blood. “This makes
us soul spirits, Jessie,” Annie says, “our secrets
safewith each other forever.” Jessie tastes the
words; they settle deeply into her being.
“Forever,” she repeats.
The Annie Chase Story by Aileen Ridings
Bennettis a moving exploration of friendship,
loyalty, and the secrets people share, sometimes painful to
keep.
Behler Publications
ISBN 1-933016-31-0
www.behlerpublications.com/titles-bennett.asp
Website: www.asouthernjournal.com/aileenbennett
Safe Haven by Andrea Glenn
Alyson Reed was scared…very scared.
She had been getting obscene phone calls
for days, and now she felt as though
someone had actually been inside her
home while she had been out for the day.
There was an odd feel in the air as she
looked over her things. Her only choice
was to hire a professional security team to come out and
give her a little advice and calm her ever-growing fears.
Rick Celio, a true knight in shining armor was sent by
Safe Haven Security to evaluate Alyson’s home and
decide the best way to protect the beautiful young
woman. The tall, dark and handsome Latino was more
than willing to calm Alyson’s frayed nerves and
protect her himself…in his strong…warm…embrace!
Alyson Reed was scared…very scared.
She had been getting obscene phone calls
for days, and now she felt as though
someone had actually been inside her
home while she had been out for the day.
There was an odd feel in the air as she
looked over her things. Her only choice
was to hire a professional security team to come out and
give her a little advice and calm her ever-growing fears.
Rick Celio, a true knight in shining armor was sent by
Safe Haven Security to evaluate Alyson’s home and
decide the best way to protect the beautiful young
woman. The tall, dark and handsome Latino was more
than willing to calm Alyson’s frayed nerves and
protect her himself…in his strong…warm…embrace!
__________________________
Miami Desire by Andrea Glenn
Megan loved nothing more than spending summers at
her aunt and uncles condo in the very hot and spicyâ
€¦Miami, Florida!
After turning twenty-one, Megan decided to get a
summer job in Miami and befriended Lisa, a sweet
young woman that shared her interests.
It was Lisa that told Megan stories about a hot Latino
that lived across the street from her. Nick was an older
man that Lisa had been in love with for years. But, it
was Megan that he had eyes for…when they met one
very sultry evening, and it was their passionate desire
for one another that ignited that very night, which
made it impossible for them to ignore. Their spark
turned into an everlasting flame!
Megan loved nothing more than spending summers at
her aunt and uncles condo in the very hot and spicyâ
€¦Miami, Florida!
After turning twenty-one, Megan decided to get a
summer job in Miami and befriended Lisa, a sweet
young woman that shared her interests.
It was Lisa that told Megan stories about a hot Latino
that lived across the street from her. Nick was an older
man that Lisa had been in love with for years. But, it
was Megan that he had eyes for…when they met one
very sultry evening, and it was their passionate desire
for one another that ignited that very night, which
made it impossible for them to ignore. Their spark
turned into an everlasting flame!
__________________________
__________________________
Francine Silverman is compiling a book on talk radio for
authors. She would like to hear from talk radio show hosts
who interview authors and from authors who have
comments to share about their radio interview experiences
(to include the name of the show, host, and website, if
possible). Please email her at franalive@optonline.net
ISSN 1545-5599
BOOK PROMOTION NEWSLETTER
Issue 92: August 30, 2006
EDITOR: FRANCINE SILVERMAN
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
http://www.nystatetravel.com
authors. She would like to hear from talk radio show hosts
who interview authors and from authors who have
comments to share about their radio interview experiences
(to include the name of the show, host, and website, if
possible). Please email her at franalive@optonline.net
ISSN 1545-5599
BOOK PROMOTION NEWSLETTER
Issue 92: August 30, 2006
EDITOR: FRANCINE SILVERMAN
http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com
http://www.nystatetravel.com
Promotion Tip from Norm
Goldman:Amazon permits authors
to have their own "plogs" where
they can just about post anything.
There is also a product section that
can include links to sites pertaining
to an author's book. I am using this
part of the site to link the many
interviews I have conducted with
authors.
http://cantarachristopher.
bravepages.com/piny/bookreviewer.
html for Norm’s review article – link
back to http://www.bookpleasures.
com/Lore2/
Goldman:Amazon permits authors
to have their own "plogs" where
they can just about post anything.
There is also a product section that
can include links to sites pertaining
to an author's book. I am using this
part of the site to link the many
interviews I have conducted with
authors.
http://cantarachristopher.
bravepages.com/piny/bookreviewer.
html for Norm’s review article – link
back to http://www.bookpleasures.
com/Lore2/
Above: Hard Cover
| Page 9 |
SUBSCRIBER TESTIMONIALS for THE FICTION FLYER
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six plays from 1-minute to 90-minutes produced in NYC Several won awards and two were nominated best of previous
season.
"Kathe, what a great newsletter!" Aileen Ridings Bennett, Author, The Annie Chase Story
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Jared's Promise and Seasons of Forgetting.
| We enjoyed receiving the many unsolicited comments and testimonials from our readers! With their permission, we are printing some of them here. |
"This is great ! I've read about half of it already and will finish the rest soon. I
just wanted to tell you; it looks and reads wonderful, is interesting.. and I am
looking forward to more. Congrats to both you and Ray... I found the article
on China very interesting as well as the flash/short fiction challenge your
hubby issued..lol. I read it from beginning to end. Congrats on a great
beginning. I know it will continue." Debby Sorenson Carlson, Poet
"Keep up the good work! I enjoyed the flyer! I urge fellow writers to subscribe
to the Fiction Flyer. The articles are well written and contains information we
can all use. With a rapidly changing industry we need all of the good
information we can get." Philip Harris, co-author, WAKING GOD
"I have to admit your first issue looks great!" Ned Burke, Publisher of two
writing magazines
just wanted to tell you; it looks and reads wonderful, is interesting.. and I am
looking forward to more. Congrats to both you and Ray... I found the article
on China very interesting as well as the flash/short fiction challenge your
hubby issued..lol. I read it from beginning to end. Congrats on a great
beginning. I know it will continue." Debby Sorenson Carlson, Poet
"Keep up the good work! I enjoyed the flyer! I urge fellow writers to subscribe
to the Fiction Flyer. The articles are well written and contains information we
can all use. With a rapidly changing industry we need all of the good
information we can get." Philip Harris, co-author, WAKING GOD
"I have to admit your first issue looks great!" Ned Burke, Publisher of two
writing magazines
WRITER'S BLOCK
_________________________________________
| Each article or story in The Fiction Flyer has been copyrighted by TRI Studio LLC, or by our guest authors. Publication of articles, stories, and/or poems elsewhere is prohibited without the permission of TRI Studio. Copyright 2006 TRI Studio LLC |
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
CONTACT INFO:
Ray Gogolewski:: RayGogo@sbcglobal.net
Kathe Gogolewski: KGogolewski@sbcglobal.net
Ray Gogolewski:: RayGogo@sbcglobal.net
Kathe Gogolewski: KGogolewski@sbcglobal.net
_________________________________________
1) replicate the printed page as closely as possible
2) increase resolution
3) eliminate proprietary content allowing for open
standards and format compatibility between e-readers
4) create longer battery life
5) create a less-weighty device
6) offer greater consumer control of text, such as
reflowability (i.e. creating a new font size), note-taking,
and faster page-turning capability
7) reduce the price
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