Month: November 2014

Thoughts from a Newly Converted Draft2Digital User

draft2digital logoWhen I first started self-publishing, the conventional wisdom said to publish direct to Amazon and use Smashwords to distribute to other online stores, such as Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. But, shortly after I did that, I started hearing about another player in the field, Draft2Digital. Everyone who used D2D described it as wonderful, but I was still hesitant to try something new, so I didn’t.

However, after it took 23 days for Smashwords to implement a price change at one retailer, I was ready to try something new. With my most recent novel, I decided to give D2D a try. And now, I AM IN LOVE.

Not “lust.” Not “infatuation.” Not “really hot for.” But truly, deeply in love. Continue reading “Thoughts from a Newly Converted Draft2Digital User”

Featured Book: Postcards from Mr. Pish (Vol 4)

Postcards from Mr. Pish South & West EditionPostcards from Mr. Pish (South & West Edition)
by K.S. Brooks
KidLit, Children’s books, educational
Available from Amazon.com and Amazon UK.

The lovable Jack Russell Terrier leads readers on an adventure through the charming South and rugged West of the United States in this fourth book of the Postcards series. With each new discovery, the traveling terrier sends a postcard with full-color photographs and engaging text geared to promote outdoor learning and literacy.

Vanity Presses, Scammers, and Thieves, Part 1

scammer“I need to terminate contracts with my publisher,” an acquaintance recently said. “I never get a statement and I haven’t been paid.”

“You should check into my publisher,” another acquaintance said. “Their upfront fees are much lower than most.”

Wait…what?

In my self-publishing guide I said, “Hopefully by now it goes without saying that money should flow to the author, not from the author.” But I was wrong. Every week I read another post or article about someone either paying ridiculous amounts of money to sign on with a “publishing” company, or someone who signed with a company they’ve since discovered is a scam.

Because it bears repeating, because publishing scams still swindle naïve authors, and because I’m a graduate of the I Wuz Scammed School of Hard Knocks, a recap: Continue reading “Vanity Presses, Scammers, and Thieves, Part 1”

Video Trailer: Seed Savers – Treasure

Seed Savers - TreasureTwo kids, two bikes, and an idea they can change their world.

It’s 2077. There’s no apocalypse, but some things are different. Things like the weather, the internet, and food. In twelve-year-old Clare’s world, blueberry is just a flavor and apples are found only in fairy tales. Then one day Clare meets an old woman who teaches her about seeds and real food, despite the fact that it’s illegal.

Can the children learn enough before being stopped by GRIM, the government agency controlling the nation’s food?

And can they, only children, help change the world?

Seed Savers: Treasure, the middle grade science fiction book by S. Smith, is available on Amazon.com, Smashwords, and Amazon UK.

Don’t forget, you can cast your vote for trailer of the month on November 29, 2014 at 1 p.m. Pacific time.