Amazon, Kindle, and E-Books - Oh My!

There is an interesting NY Times article today about Amazon and their Kindle system in the wake of the George Orwell 1984 episode. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/technology/companies/27amazon.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
While Kindle is the only system we use for our books and our company for now because it is the safest system, it is obvious, as the article points out, that the control of the book still lies with Amazon, not the consumer who has paid for the book. One has to wonder how far this could go. I'm sure there are no answers right now as this type of technology is still evolving. But it is definitely food for thought. And a concern that we should all pay attention to.

Find your voice

A dear friend passed away this week and my husband and I have been involved with the family as he was mourned and eventually laid to rest yesterday. He was a dear man who touched many lives and truly made a difference. And he did it in his own particular way in his own inimitable style.
That inspires me. I want to be remembered in that way. My friend's tool was in his speech, his example, his counseling of friends. My tools are my written words. As I grow older, I am emboldened to speak out. I may never be an activist who stirs a crowd with an impassioned speech but I have a keyboard that has the power to reach many people. I intend to use it.
I encourage all of you who fancy yourselves writers to do the same thing. You never know who you may inspire to greatness. And what a legacy to leave behind. To leave this world better for having been in it is the greatest gift.

Motivation

An elusive thing at 6:15 AM when it's already 81 degrees! But I'm determined to get to work. My next book will not get written if I don't. Our current novels under contract won't get edited if I don't. I am thankful, nonetheless. I love what I do. I am lucky.

To edit

Definition: prepare for publication or presentation by correcting, revising, or adapting. Pretty hefty four-letter word.
And so it begins.
We have now signed on 2 authors [with more in the wings] and the process continues.
We are in the editing stage, getting these books ready for publication.
It's a huge responsibility and we are taking this work very seriously. To have the life of someone's book in your hands is a sobering thought.