Have You Ever Read an E-book?
I have a confession to make. I’ve never read an e-book. I am a traditional, book-loving person, and there’s nothing like the feel of pages. I love my books to death, and I had the horrible habit of earmarking pages as a kid. I would often have 2 or 3 books going at the same time.
But in the next few weeks, I am about to have my very first e-book only release. All of my books are available in electronic form already, as well as print, but “The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave” will only be electronic. The idea behind these short stories is that you can download them to your PDA, cell phone, or electronic reader, and take them on the road with you. You can read “Love-Slave” in your doctor’s waiting room, on the subway, or anywhere, really.
While this sounds very cool to me, I’ve never actually done this. I don’t own an electronic reader, and on my laptop, I’ll probably have to use Adobe Reader to access the story. I’m thinking of doing a series of blog adventures for those folks who have never downloaded a story. Sort of a How-To series. But that means I’ll have to actually learn How To Download it, myself. 
For those of you who ARE e-book savvy, Penni forwarded a link to me, that Her Warrior Slave is one of this week’s electronic picks! It’s on sale at eHarlequin here for 25% off (scroll down). If you’re looking for electronic copies of my other books, those are also available.
So, quick survey. Am I in the minority? Does everyone else read e-books regularly, or are you like me and have never tried one? If you have read e-books, want to share what you know? 
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:54 am | Viewed 1416 times
Mary Says:
Since I am e-published first, I read a few, mostly novellas. I don’t have a reader, either, so I print them out! Terrible, huh?
Kacey Says:
Nope, not an ebook reader. But I can now read them on my iphone! I do read newspapers in ebook format on mobile devices before, but never a full book.
Lynellen Says:
I havent read an e-book either!
Fedora Says:
I’ve read some–I don’t have a reader, so when I do read e-books, it means I have to sit at the computer and read them using Adobe Reader. Because of that, I have to say that I still prefer having a real book in my hand, and pages to turn. I have some friends with e-book readers, and they seem to love them (I love the idea of saving all that space and trees) but I’m not there yet
Congrats on The Viking’s Forbidden Love-Slave, which I can’t wait to read (although the title does make me giggle 
)
Tori Lennox Says:
I’ve read some books in PDF format, but I don’t really enjoy reading books on my computer. It’s awkward and clunky. I’d much rather have a real, physical book in my hot little hands.
Michelle Willingham Says:
Mary–I can understand that. You catch a different rhythm on paper, I hear. But supposedly some of the new e-readers make it very easy on the eyes.
Kacey–yep, I’m not so sure I could read a full book on screen. My story is only 60-odd pages, so it wouldn’t be too hard on the eyes, I don’t think.
Fedora–I laughed out loud when I got the e-mail telling my the title of Love-Slave. Couldn’t help myself. But then again, how many romance novelists can boast having Love Slave in their title? I feel like, baby, I’ve made it.
Tori–One advantage I can see is increasing font size. But maybe the story will see print at some point…
Missie Says:
Never read an e-book, just some mini-e-babystories.
Amy Says:
I’ve downloaded a couple of e-books, but because I didn’t know what I was doing and picked the wrong format to read them on my PDA, they’re on my computer, unread.
mary beth Says:
I just started reading e-books, and after a rocky start, I LOVE them. It wasn’t easy to choose a reader. I kept deciding on one and then finding out I couldn’t use it with one format or another, OR it only used one format from one book store. I finally found Stanza, a free iPod app, downloaded it, and I’m reading my e-books on my iPod. Love it, love it, love it.
To be honest, one of the things I love is that I’ll be able to read books like your hot and steamy anywhere I want.
Good luck finding what works best for you!
Donna Alward Says:
I read occasionally - I like downloading the shorts from e-harlequin and reading 3 or 4 for the reading challenge. It’s also a great way to get backlist. BUt I can’t sit and read a whole book in a sitting. It’s great though if you want to read a chapter or two during lunch break or whatever.
I don’t own an e-bookreader, but I do like the adobe reader on the computer. Much better than trying to read a word document.
I prefer print books, but I’m reading more e-books now than I ever have before.
Stacy Dawn Says:
I’m also published in ebooks and I admit, the first time was scary. But I like them now too. I will always love curling up on a couch with a book next to the fire or in bed, but the versitility of ebooks are GREAT–especially when considering how many you can carry in one little flash drive vs the weight of a ton of books in a carrybag.
I don’t have an ereader yet(though I’m asking Santa for one this year LOL) I use Adobe on my laptop and have had no problem. Downloading is as easy as a click of a few buttons–and you can stay in your jammies to get a good book instead of getting dressed to go to the bookstore–sometimes that is a GOOD benefit LOLOL
trish Says:
I still prefer print books, but I do buy some books and novellas as e-books. (And you can buy Harlequin books a month before they’re released in e-format, if you’re the impatient sort, like I am!)
I read them on my Palm Treo, using Mobipocket. It’s a very simple program to use. I have looked at the Kindle, but really, I already have my Treo, and Mobi is free. So why buy something else?
Don’t worry, when you’re ready to plunge into the e-book world, someone will walk you through it.
trish Says:
And I forgot to mention the ability to check out Adobe e-books from my library. They have a huge selection to choose from!! The Adobe e-reader program for my Treo is also a free download. (Can you tell I’m just a little frugal?)
Kelly Boyce Says:
I’ve never purchased an e-book or read one, although I have one sent to me by a friend that I won in a contest and I’d like to read that. However, I am definitely a print book girl. I like browsing the aisles of the bookstores and feeling the book in my hands. I can’t read on the computer and the idea of paying out of my own pocket to print a book off and have this big cumbersome 8.5 x 11 print out to lug around…it just doesn’t do it for me. Which is a shame, because I’m sure there are amazing e-books out there!