This book opened my eyes. Everywhere I look I find stories about how publishing is changing. Usually the stories are depressing: Print sales down. Booksellers and publishing houses closing. Blah, blah, blah. But if Human Cargo is the result of a writer getting past the big six publishing houses/gatekeepers and getting her book to the public, I say bring it on. There are some really good independently published books out there! And they are really affordable! And the best part is you can usually download a good chunk of the book without paying, so it's a win-win for everyone. If you don't like the download you haven't lost a penny and you can just move on. If you like the download, you can pay for the rest of the book. You win and the author wins. How great is that?
Keep those recommendations coming. I'm going to compile a list of recommendations and post it for all of us to share.
Posts
13 comments:
I'm apologizing straight off to Pasadena Adjacent, who will think I am be all haughty and braggy about iPad. Sorry. But while we're on the subject, the link to Human Cargo is to Amazon, but I bought mine from iBooks.
I have Human Cargo also. But in PDF form. If you saw my work station, you would understand why I haven't read it. Novels are meant to be read in bed with a cup of coffee on the nightstand.
I will though.....(Dez) and I'm happy you've added her novel to your list of blog posts. Makes me even more iPad envious
Sounds like a great read, and kudos to the author for publishing independently and not waiting for the work to be "curated" by the "gatekeepers."
My feeling is that we'll be seeing more and more of this in the upcoming months/years.
I was thinking about getting my own laptop--separate from the one I share with my husband, but now I am starting to think what I really need is an iPad. Your thoughts?
I loved "Human Cargo." I read it on my laptop, which was fine, but I think some kind of ereader would be better. Either way, this is a book for fun. I can read the newspapers if I want misery. When I read for recreation I want it to be fun.
Has anyone noticed the comment page looks different? Captcha is the same, though. Blech.
PA: I totally get it. I have a big old desktop and it does not sound fun at all to read a novel at my messy desk with the uncomfortable chair.
Olga: This is a tough one. I think it depends on what you use your computer for. We have a big desk top and I still use that for a lot of things. If you get an iPad I think it is worth getting the wireless keyboard as well. For me, the keyboard on the iPad is smaller and a bit more cumbersome. But the with the wireless keyboard it is easy peasy. When I write on my iPad I use Pages, which is very easy and then I can email my documents to the big computer and save it directly to word if I need to do that.
Petrea: Yes. I've noticed the comments page is different too. I still can't turn my Capcha off. When I do what you tell me (setting, comments, etc) it does give me any option to use Captcha at all).
I think Des needs to put your first graf on the back cover.
Wait, wait, this about Human Cargo?!
Then of course it's a brilliant post.
Thank you again, goddess Margaret, for your seering insight and humor.
AH--whatever you say, I'm in.
P: merci pour le praise!
PA: Um, it'll be worth it, really--back glow and everything
;)
Just finished "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave. Ready to leave Africa for a little bit but I highly recommend it. Haunting, thought-provoking, well-written ... I'm not letting myself start another novel until I get these student essays graded!!
I think I've seen this picture on this blog before. Or maybe I'm just misremembering.
I'm in PA's position. I have Human Cargo in PDF but I'm holding out for an e-reader to delve into it. My dilemma now is do I get a Kindle or an iPad?
That's a silly question, isn't it? Clearly I should get an iPad.
Post a Comment