What's Around the Town Books Been Up to?

Around the Town Books is a blog I always meant to get back to but never had time for with all my other writing and publishing initiatives.

My primary blog is Robert Stanek's Books & Things. This blog is where I do most of my actual blogging and it's a popular destination for readers and writers alike with many, many posts and about 100,000 visits.

The other blog I maintain is Read Indies Blog. This blog is also a popular destination for readers and writers alike, including deep insights into publishing and promotion. With over 200,000 visits, it's even more popular than my primary blog. Some few of the posts here are contributed, most are written by me.

Some of the top posts at Read Indies:

Book Promotion Sites Ranked & Rated Part 1: AwesomeGang, FussyLibrarian, Ereader News Today, EbookSoda, ReadCheaply, BookBub

With millions of published books out there from authors, there’s no shortage of book promotion sites looking to cash in. Some of these are...

A Tribute to William Robert Stanek, an American Author Who Should Be on Everyone’s Must Read List

My name is Jennifer Blake. This guest post is in honor of William Robert Stanek, an author recently named "an American author who should be on everyone's must read list . . . "

Authors Who Trash Competitors

My first book was published by Macmillan in 1995. That bestselling book—Electronic Publishing Unleashed—and it’s bestselling follow up . . .

Finding Success as a Writer and Becoming a Bestselling Author

I'm Robert Stanek and today I'm writing about finding success as a writer and becoming a bestseller.  In 1995, I attended a writer’s conference . . .

Book Promotion Sites Ranked & Rated: More Thoughts & Tips for Getting into BookBub from BookBub, Plus 20 Questions & Answers with BookBub

So many have pinged me about Book Promotion Sites Ranked & Rated and asked questions that I added more to the article originally and . . .

More on Social Media Promotion Services: BuckBooks (NO!) and BKnights (Maybe!)

BuckBooks, operated by ArchAngelInk (AKA ArchAngelEST, Matt Stone, Rob Archangel, Buck Flogging, et al), is a promotion service that . . .

A Lifetime of Books – 30 Years of Robert Stanek Books

My name is Emily Asimov. When I heard of Robert Stanek’s lifetime achievement nomination, I jumped at the chance to write a tribute. Robert Stanek . . .

Authors “Writing” Their Own Reviews

I’ve been silent on the topic of authors “writing” their own reviews for far too long. Partly because I’ve been tracking the activities of . . .

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Happy Reading!

Kindle, Amazon + the FCC: An Update

In my previous post, I talked about what's happening with Kindle, Amazon and the FCC. It seems Amazon would rather be known as a company that is unfriendly to persons with disabilities than to make the simple changes needed.

Although the initiatives from the American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries are general to e-readers, they relate more strongly to Kindles because of specific features of Kindles that constitute advanced communications under federal law.

Amazon made changes to the Kindles that make it so certain people with disabilities can't use Kindles. Specifically, Amazon removed a 3.5mm audio jack from its Kindle e-readers, among other changes, which makes the basic Kindles unusable to persons with print disabilities. Federal law requires equipment used for advanced communication services (ACS) be accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.

The FCC granted a one-year waiver to allow Kindle and others to continue to be available on sale. Now that the waiver is expiring Amazon may be forced by the FCC to upgrade the capabilities of all Kindles to accommodate the needs of the disabled. Amazon is fighting for more waivers and extensions.

The 3.5mm audio jack itself is a ~.05 component that is connected to a signal converter (and not any kind of speaker) that is itself a ~.05 to ~.10 component. The $1.25 cost of the changes is an estimate of Amazon's total cost per unit for design changes (for example an opening must be added to the case where the audio jack will go) and the required components, though the actual cost is more likely closer to .50 per unit.

If these changes aren't made, Amazon may have to remove the contentious features from basic kindles to remain in compliance with federal law.

The American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries are urging Amazon to make these changes. I support the changes and hope you will too in your social media.

E-readers allow those with visual impairments to enjoy printed words they otherwise might not have access to--and just as importantly, in ways they otherwise would not be able to. In the US alone, there are around 7 million people with a visual disability, according to a 2012 report from the National Federation of the Blind.

Without such ready access to printed words in books, newspapers, magazines, and beyond, those with visual impairments must often go without or rely on less tenable means of access.

Thanks for reading,

Robert Stanek

Kindle, Amazon + the FCC: A good day for the disabled ahead?

Don't know how many of you follow what's happening with the Kindle, Amazon, and the FCC. Essentially, in my understanding what happened is Amazon made changes to the Kindles that makes it so certain people with disabilities can't use Kindles. Specifically, Amazon removed a 3.5mm audio jack from its Kindle e-readers, among other changes, which makes the basic Kindles unusable to persons with print disabilities.

Federal law requires equipment used for advanced communication services (ACS) be accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities.

In January, the FCC granted a one-year waiver to allow Kindle and others to continue to be available on sale. The waiver is expiring and it looks like Amazon may be forced by the FCC to upgrade the capabilities of all Kindles to accommodate the needs of the disabled. However, Amazon is fighting for more waivers.

The American Library Association and the Association of Research Libraries are among the leading voices urging the changes: ow.ly/EezWn. According to the Opposition to Coalition of E-Reader  Manufacturers' Petition for Waiver (http://www.arl.org/storage/documents/publications/ereader-waiver-opposition-27oct2014.pdf).

What do you think? My .02: Amazon never should have removed such capabilities knowing that the changes would make basic Kindles useless to persons with print disabilities. The audio jack and the related components likely aren't more than $1.25 - $1.75 of cost to produce a Kindle.

The ALA and ARL are urging changes. I support those changes and hope you will too in your social media.

E-readers allow those with visual impairments to enjoy printed words they otherwise might not have access to--and just as importantly, in ways they otherwise would not be able to. In the US alone, there are around 7 million people with a visual disability, according to a 2012 report from the National Federation of the Blind.

Without such ready access to printed words in books, newspapers, magazines, and beyond, those with visual impairments must often go without or rely on less tenable means of access.

Thanks,

Robert Stanek

Veteran's Charity Drive Followup!

A follow up to the previous post. It's release day for "This Mortal Coil. After the Machines" and it's a new series that's been available as a pre-order since August 15. I've been working to spread the word about it for the past week. Normally, I'd be heads down writing, which is what I'm going to go back to after this.

Looks like I had a few additional sales in each of the markets I can get sales data from quickly. Getting sales data from the other markets will take time, for some up to 90 days.

In honor of this event, I'll be donating $200 to each of the veterans-related charities I normally work with. This is on top of what I normally donate annually.

My donations are normally anonymous, but for this event I will donate in my name, as I've done here:

I personally spent most of Monday and Tuesday promoting the event, the authors and books involved, not for my sales but for the opportunity to give back and to help others.

Over all, the Veteran's Day charity drive went well. More than 40 authors participated and raised money for veterans-related charities. Although we didn't reach our goal of $10,000, it looks like we raised about $5000 in total. A pretty great day!

You can read about the participating authors at the Read Indies blog.

Back in the day, I remember spending all day on Veteran's Day marching on parade or slinging burgers in this or that fundraiser. Sometimes there'd be 6, 8 or 10 of us out there all day slinging burgers. By the end of the day, we were sweaty and tired, but we felt good. We'd done something. We'd given back, even if only in a small way.

Thanks for reading,

Robert Stanek

Veterans Day Charity Drive. Help raise $10,000 for veterans-related charities!

I wanted to let readers know about a great cause and a great event: Veterans Day "Gone, but Not Forgotten!" veteran's charity drive. I will be donating all the royalties I earn today for THIS MORTAL COIL. AFTER THE MACHINES to the Wounded Warrior Project and other veterans-related charities. This is for any edition or episode of the printed book, ebook or any other format with any of the retailers where the book is available (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, iTunes/iBookstore, Google Play, Kobo + 240 others).

Some quick links for you...

Play: https://t.co/2o5oLXqDa9

Amazon:  http://t.co/wa5Cnhpbwl

Once I have the preliminary totals I will report the full amount earned and also post a receipt for my donation.  Please help me out in making it as much as possible!

Any help spreading the word through twitter, facebook and social media would be appreciated. On Twitter, Facebook and G+ use #vetsgiveback as your hashtag.

This is in conjunction with more than 40 other veteran authors who are donating to their favorite veterans-related charities. To learn more, about other books and authors involved read Supporting Veteran Authors Who Support Veterans, Veterans' Issues and Veterans-related Charities.

Thank you,

Robert Stanek

It's time for the 3rd Annual Summer of Indie Book event!

In addition to Around the Town Books, I've been very active in the indie community since 2007. My primary blog is Read Indies (http://readindies.blogspot.com/) where you'll find posts about the writing life as well as posts celebrating indie authors and books.

On twitter, @ReadIndies is where I tweet about indies and support indies. My primary twitter account is @RobertStanek.

I also host the registered twitter memes:

#yalit
#kidslit
#goindie
#freetoday
#amblogging

These twitter memes are excellent resources for writers wanting to spread the word about their books.

Ongoing right now is a spring blog tour leading up to the 3rd Annual Summer of Indie Book event.

What is Summer of Indie?

Summer of Indie is an annual event celebrating indie authors and books. Each year about 100 authors join the event. If you're a writer and you haven't joined us before, I hope you will consider it.

If you join Go Indie on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/goindie/), you can then join the ongoing event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/675766335819751/.

I hope you and your fellow authors will use these resources. It's what they're there for!

Thanks for reading,

Robert Stanek

Attention All Authors You Must Now Have Melissa Foster’s Explicit Permission Before You Publish Or Promote Your Works!

Snark ahead...

Henceforth and retroactively to the beginning of time, all authors must have Melissa Foster’s express written permission before publishing any book, article, short story, or any other creative work. Before discussing or promoting your work by any means or in any form, you also must have Melissa Foster’s express written permission.

If you are or claim to be a bestselling author, henceforth and forever (and retroactively to the beginning of time and after getting express written permission from Melissa Foster), you must explicitly state all details regarding such matters. Specifically, you must state that you are “A _(Insert Name)_ Bestselling author For _(Insert Date/Time)_ for a _(Type of Work)_ work called ________, which appeared on the _________ bestselling list in the # ______ position.” You must then link to screenshots of the bestseller listing that have been independently certified by the White House and signed by the President of the United States, forgoing that you must have Melissa Foster’s signature. As clickable links are not permitted on book covers or in most promotional materials, you must add the screenshots to your book covers or other promotional materials.

No longer is it possible for any author anywhere to state they are a bestselling author, a USA Today bestselling author, a New York Times bestselling author, etc or to print such things on any book cover or use in any promotional materials. You must now state explicitly all details regarding such matters. For example, you must state that you are “A New York Times Bestselling author For the Week of October 25, 2013 for a fiction work called Tiger Little, which appeared on the New York Times Children’s Bestseller list in the #23 position.”

You must then link to screenshots of the bestseller listing that have been independently certified by the White House and signed by the President of the United States, forgoing that you must have Melissa Foster’s signature. As clickable links are not permitted on book covers or in most promotional materials, you must add certified screenshots to your book covers or other promotional materials, such certification to be performed solely by Melissa Foster or her designated appointee.

An example of the mandatory covers now universally required

(shown without the required certified screenshots).

*Your actual cover or promotional materials

 must also include certified screenshots.

Further, if you or your book are mentioned in the press, you must always state the exact specifics any time you mention such. Specifically, you must state that you are “The _(Insert Name)_ recommended _(Name/Work)_ on _(Insert Date/Time)_ in a/an _(Insert Type of Media Item)_ called _(Insert Title of Media Item)_. The _(Insert Type of Media Item)_ was written by (Insert Name, Title of Media Item Author)_ as can be verified by _( Media Item Author’s Manager)_ and _(Insert Name/Title of Executive Manager). The exact quote is “_______________” You must then link to screenshots of the article that have been independently certified by the White House and signed by the President of the United States, forgoing that you must have Melissa Foster’s signature. As clickable links are not permitted on book covers or in most promotional materials, you must add certified screenshots to your book covers or other promotional materials.

Thus, no longer is it possible for any author anywhere to state they were featured, recommended or talked about in The New York Times, Publishers Weekly, etc or to print such things on any book cover or use in any promotional materials. You must now state explicitly all details regarding such matters. For example, you must now state “The New York Times recommended Anastasia Washington’s book Jump Up & Down on October 25, 2013 in an article called Talking About Authors in New York. The article was written by M. J. Dungbury, Around the Town Features Reporter for The New York Times as can be verified by Kathy Klinkbot, Managing Editor for The New York Times and J. J. Harrington Chairman of the Board of The New York Times. The exact quote is “When it comes to bicycle jumping, the book Jump Up & Down is a good resource. Jump Up & Down tells the story of a bicycle paratrooper from World War II who loved pinto beans and ate nothing but for 83 years.”

You must then link to screenshots of the media item that have been independently certified by the White House and signed by the President of the United States, forgoing that you must have Melissa Foster’s signature. As clickable links are not permitted on book covers or in most promotional materials, you must add the screenshots to your book covers or other promotional materials.

At times, and at Melissa Foster’s whim and fancy, none of the above may be acceptable either. In such cases, you must fly to Melissa Foster’s hometown, and beg mercy while bathing her feet in warm, rose-scented waters. However, being a Vulcan, Melissa Foster does not actually understand simple human compassion, empathy, decency, fairness or any other silly human sentiments or emotions, though she does a superb job of feigning that she does. Thus, if the feet bathing ceremony does not work out in your favor, you are expected to do the universe a favor and commit hari-kari. If you are lacking a blade with which you can commit hari-kari, one will be provided to you for your one-time use, provided you return the blade postage-paid and professionally cleaned.

*These rules do not apply to Melisa Foster, Friends of Foster, or those who have been granted mercy after bathing the All God's feet in warm rose-scented waters.

**Professional cleaning of the hari-kari blade ensures the next victim does not have second thoughts about committing hari-kari. Be sure to make arrangements prior to committing hari-kari.

***Failure to follow these mandatory requirements, except as permitted in the forgoing, will result in severe consequences, up to and including a lifetime of stalking, harassment, and intimidation all done with a smile.

**** Questions, comments, and/or suggestions should be directed to Her Benevolence, Dictator of the World, All God, One True God of the Whole Entirety of the Known (And Unknown And Yet to Be Known) Universe, Her Majestic Supremeness And All Knowing Omnipotence Melissa Foster.