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Thanks for joining the Old Flames eBook giveaway. Please download and enjoy the eBook.

Remember that in giving the eBook to you at no cost, we would really appreciate reviews on , , and/or .

There is a sequel to Old Flames, named . If your interested on more information, join the Ìýfor updates and maybe another eBook giveaway. Take a look at the on this website as well. The author's other books on .

Here is the coupon code, it is valid until November 15th:ÌýTA57C

Remember to please write a review. Thanks and we really hope you enjoy the book.

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Sincerely,

Edward R. Yatscoff

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We are gonna use the 4 p's of marketing. Place, product, Price, and Promotion.

Old Flames (Product): the first Canadian firefighter eBook featuring a firefighter and written by one.Ìý A unique situation.Ìý It's a mystery with violence and a bit of romance about a hero who is hiding an old crime.Ìý Just because you submit an eBook to a place where there's no gatekeeper(editor) doesn't mean you can put any piece of crap out there.Ìý PeopleÌýwillÌýgive you bad reviews that will stay on your book page forever.Ìý Editing is hard work but must be done.Ìý Self-editing is like going to court and representing yourself.ÌýÌý I've written a bit about it on myÌý.

Price: I decided on $5.99 because the book is 107,500 words and would print out as a good length paperback.Ìý For a read this size new paperbacks are anywhere from $10 to $12.Ìý I asked myself what I don't mind paying for an eBook and $5 to $7 is in my sweet-spot.Ìý My juvenile/middle grade novels are smaller and the price reflects that.Ìý For voracious readers, eBooks are the way to go because of the cheaper pricing which removes editors, distributors, illustrators, printers, bookstores, andÌý large publishing houses from the process.

Promotion:Ìý This website and two others:Ìý ÌýÌý and Ìý The former as a way to discuss writing and draw more attention to my comments on various subjects.Ìý The latter because in spite of the 3 on-line blogs I still enjoy reading.ÌýÌý All my emails sent out have my website signature because you never know how far and wide your email may go.Ìý I have business cards printed up. Reviews are vital for your books.Ìý At Smashwords the more reviews you get the more your book will stay in the first few pages where readers look form good books.Ìý My eBook one day giveaway on Oct. 31st viaÌýÌýshould garner some reviews and hopefully attract them to my other books.

Place:Ìý My eBooks were submitted through Smashwords.com first because they configure my .doc manuscript into several formats for almost every eBook download onto every device.Ìý EBook sites also draw eBooks from Smashwords and sell them.Ìý I opted out of the Amazon Kindle via Smashwords deciding to go directly through AK because their name is known world-wide and I wanted in on some of their future promotions without going through SW.Ìý A SW book sent to, and sold at iBooks or Diesel, for instance gets a % of the price, SW gets its%, and the author gets less.Ìý Directly though AK the author gets more.Ìý My juvenile/middle grade stories are sold for less because they are half the size of the adult ones.

If you think are popular now think about the new generation of kids whose parents have smartphones, laptops, eReaders, and every other device.Ìý More and more parents are handing off their iPhones with apps to entertain young children or shut them up.Ìý The youngest ones of the bunch get apps with music and animals and stuff to keep them occupied.Ìý The older ones who read get more printed words and simple games.Ìý Up the ladder we go until each child has their own eBook device.Ìý Already people are reading more because of eBooks.Ìý They are cheaper and far more available.

Despite the American Academy ofÌýPediatrics' longstanding recommendations to the contrary, children under 8 are spending more time than ever in front of screens, according to a study scheduled for release Tuesday. ÌýThose with the technology are the more affluent while the low income groups are still watching TV.Ìý For kids under 2, they found no educational benefit to watching television, and, in fact, believe TV could actually delay language development. ÌýReading remains the best path to developing language skills.

The study, done by a San Francisco non-profit group, examined children and apps, and screen time from birth. It found that almost half the families with incomes above $75,000 had downloaded apps specifically for their young children, compared with one in eight of the families earning less than $30,000.Ìý Half of children under 8 had access to a mobile device like a smartphone, a video iPod, or an iPad or other screen device.

Television is still the number one screen device but that will likely change as interactive programs will no doubt challenge children more, keeping their interest much more than static television programs. ÌýBut even with the state of the economy, almost a third of children under 2 have televisions in their bedrooms, a substantial increase from 2005, when the found only 19 percent of children ages 6 months to 23 months had them. ÌýI can't comprehend a TV in a child's room that young.Ìý My children had no TVs in their room and, I believe were much better readers for it.Ìý The TV set heads for a fork in the road when it comes to income.Ìý Families with annual incomes under $30,000, have 64 percent of children under 8 with a TV in their rooms.Ìý Only 20 percent of children had them in families with incomes above $75,000.

In regard to another screen, the computer, about 12 percent of children 2 to 4 use them every day, and 24 percent at least once a week, the study found; among those 5 to 8, 22 percent use a computer daily, 46 percent more than once a week. ÌýOn average, the children who use computers started doing so at age 3 ½. ÌýPutting your child in front of a computer or other screen has to be better than the TV, education-wise, anyhow.Ìý Parents do like their laptops and iPhone and games

So, if children are attracted to the screens so much it's a good time to wean them from TV and get them specific apps to encourage reading and interaction such as music. ÌýWhen this new generation of eKids grows up they should be better readers and subsequently do better in academics.Ìý They will have access to humungous online libraries and be able to access them from their rooms.Ìý I just don't think they'll be as excited going into a bookstore or library as I was. ÌýÌýÌýÌý

I just found that is accepting . If you are an author like my Father (Ed) you want to try to get publicity to send in some short stories to let readers see them and comment. Get their reactions and also more advertising. This is a really great idea for self-published authors as well.

Remember we are still giving away copies of the mystery ebook until the end of October 31st. Join the facebook group or contact us for more information. We only ask you give us a review in thanks for the copy of the ebook. Take care!

These are my own personal list.Ìý Remember writers, when folks express disbelief at your story: tell them 'fiction' means I made it up.Ìý Then tell them to go see PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN 4.Ìý They'll think you're a bloody genius then.

1) eBOOKS ARE A TECHNOLOGICAL FAD:Ìý Fact is, eBooks are beginning to outsell hard copies.Ìý The older generation doesn't like reading from a screen and loyally stick to hard copies.Ìý The next generation are tech savvy and read books on devices.Ìý They can get eBooks at train and bus stations or download them at home–anytime and nearly everywhere, cheaper and faster than ever.Ìý As long as the tiny Asian village you're stuck in has some sort of wireless signal you will be able to get a book and be happy.

2) YOU MUST HAVE AN EDUCATION: Do you need a degree in English or a background in Journalism to be a decent writer?Ìý It probably doesn't hurt.Ìý In fact, many fiction writers don't have any qualifications.Ìý If you are an avid reader you should know about sentence structure, grammar, dialogue, etc. and why that book you read was so enjoyable.Ìý How about that unforgettable character?Ìý Academic writers must learn to write differently for fiction because their audience isn't in the trade/science/ specialist field and they have to reach a broader audience.Ìý Journalists must learn to embellish, as their writing is usually sparse, confined due to of space restrictions.Ìý Academics often write boring prose that thrives on specific, long drawn out passages, unreal characters, and far too detailed imagery–and win prestigious awards for it.ÌýÌý Writing courses and subscribing to writer Mags will help, so use them.

3) EDITORS–MY FRIEND/RELATIVE DOES MY EDITING:Ìý That's almost funny, but so many people say this.Ìý Your friends and relatives are rarely qualified to edit your work.Ìý They love you too much to criticize and face your wrath.Ìý You'll mistake the advice for a secret dislike.Ìý "I always knew she didn't like meâ€�."Ìý The worst is self-editing.Ìý It's like representing yourself in court–you are too involved to look at your own work objectively.Ìý Can you really trust yourself to kill off an unnecessary character?Ìý Will your spouse know what happens when a vein is sliced, as opposed to an artery?Ìý Good editors go through your work and find A,B, and maybe C .Ìý Great editors find those and far more, from theme to plot to dialogue, to imagery to character development, and on and on.Ìý Few people can do that.Ìý Great editors are usually well-paid and work at publishing houses.Ìý Great editors are like music producers: add a little horn, tone down the background vocals, etc.Ìý That's why Justin Beiber is a star, he's got a great producer.Ìý Bad editors will kill your style.Ìý Some try to write your story how they see it.

4) WRITERS GROUPS ARE A WASTE OF TIME:Ìý All writers need feedback.Ìý Writing is a lonely task where you create a world in your head.Ìý Your job is let readers see your world, smell it, feel it, cry over it.Ìý The only way to know if you're succeeding is to let others into your world and critique it honestly.Ìý A writers group will edit for free.Ìý You will have several people offering their opinions and knowledge.Ìý By the time your work gets through the gauntlet it should be a much better read. ÌýJoin a writers group, or start one.Ìý There's a few if it's not possible.Ìý Members are strangers, and don't care if they hurt your feelings.Ìý It should be constructive criticism.Ìý If not, find another group.Ìý My writers group is wonderful and I mention them in the dedication part of my eBooks.

5) BIOGRAPHIES:Ìý Unless you are an illiterate celebrity, or have done something truly remarkable in your life, only your friend and family will care.Ìý Many people have survived cancer, moved to the coast, caught a big fish, murdered a spouse, retired early with a special plan, or tended to disabled kids.Ìý In spite of what your mom told you, you are not special.Ìý I think my life is far more exciting than yours, so why read yours?

6) KNOW WHAT YOU WRITE:Ìý It helps to write an if you're a cop or lawyer or investigator or work in a morgue. ÌýIt isn't necessary to know the special skill.Ìý Finding a sympathetic soul to offer advice in their field is easy.Ìý Meet cops at neighborhood fairs.Ìý Drop into a fire station with your kid for a (nudge nudge, wink wink)tour.Ìý If you tell people they'll get a credit in your book many will jump at the chance. ÌýIf my story deals with living on the moon I'll research material on the internet where there's a world of everything at your disposal.Ìý Setting a scene on a Polish street is easy when you use cruise the alleys with Google World.

7) EVERYONE WANTS TO WRITE A BOOKâ€�: but no one wants to park their ass for countless hours and go bleary-eyed from editing and still have a decent story to tell.Ìý If you want to write badly enough you will make time for it and you will find a comfortable place conducive to creativity.Ìý When I buy a watch I just want it to work, no problems, accurate time, nice looking, I don't want to know how it works or how it was built.Ìý Same with a book; I don't want to correct mistakes, figure out if the bad guy's name had just changed, etc.Ìý Writing is hard work–period, and why celebrities hire ghost-writers.

TECHNOLOGY CAN EDIT MY BOOK:Ìý Don't count on it.Ìý Spell Check and Grammar Check are wonderful tools, but I know a guy CJ who has tools, but the clown still put the fence post in crooked.Ìý Did your character make a mess on the coach, or the coach?Ìý John Denver was a plain down to earth guy?Ìý Or was he a plane down to earth guy?Ìý See what I'm saying?Ìý Printing out your work and reading it, is the best way.Ìý Reading it aloudÌý works, too.

9) SELLING eBOOKS IS EASY: It's not.Ìý You have to stand out and be noticed like all books everywhere.Ìý Pricing, cover art, genre, size, content, etc, all are variables.Ìý However 'story' is the most vital.Ìý There are a lot of readers groups online and they all share info.Ìý You want to get their attention and garner reviews. ÌýIt doesn't seem to matter what you write or how you write it, if someone likes your work, you will hear about it.Ìý There's still a lot of crap out there, and always will be, in eBooks and hard copies.

10) I CAN'T FIND THE TIME or PLACE TO WRITE: ÌýThen shut the hell up and quit telling everyone you want to write a book.Ìý Got a page written?Ìý Whoopee-ding, break out the bubbly.Ìý A first draft?Ìý Now we're talkin'.

Presently, I'm completing by I think a wrap up should do it, but one never knows where the creative process may lead. The original title was FIRE & ICE until a quick Google took me to hundreds of books, games, poems, etc, with the same name.Ìý Standing out as an eBook is my focus.Ìý My next choice MAY DAY and WHITEOUTÌý also encountered too many similar titles.Ìý Now, I'm fooling with TOO LATE FOR SPRING,Ìý DARK IN WHITE,Ìý KHIONE (norse god of snow) RULES.

The point of a title is to convey the gist of the story as well as attract readers.Ìý Literary fiction often takes a tiny mention of something in the book for a title.Ìý THE POLISHED HOE for example.Ìý Not exciting or tempting to pick up but the hoe has some significance to the protagonist.Ìý I have to convey murder, isolation, and extreme weather.Ìý Maybe the cover can illustrate the weather angle.

I believe a title and a super cover for an eBook are extremely important because they have to slow, and stop a book surfer for a look.

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Presently, I'm completing by I think a wrap up should do it, but one never knows where the creative process may lead. The original title was FIRE & ICE until a quick Google took me to hundreds of books, games, poems, etc, with the same name.Ìý Standing out as an eBook is my focus.Ìý My next choice MAY DAY and WHITEOUTÌý also encountered too many similar titles.Ìý Now, I'm fooling with TOO LATE FOR SPRING,Ìý DARK IN WHITE,Ìý KHIONE (norse god of snow) RULES.

The point of a title is to convey the gist of the story as well as attract readers.Ìý Literary fiction often takes a tiny mention of something in the book for a title.Ìý THE POLISHED HOE for example.Ìý Not exciting or tempting to pick up but the hoe has some significance to the protagonist.Ìý I have to convey murder, isolation, and extreme weather.Ìý Maybe the cover can illustrate the weather angle.

I believe a title and a super cover for an eBook are extremely important because they have to slow, and stop a book surfer for a look.

Ìý

Harry Potter may be gone but in his wake are scores of copy cats complete with dragons, witches, talking animals, mysterious planets/cities, nether worlds. The situations/topics are in YA and juvenile/MG writing. Has this run its course? There's always Zombies. One synopsis I read was something like : 'these Zombies are different; they're good Zombies'. No, it wasn't a comedy, but I laughed anyhow.

Irony and mixed messages: I remember perusing agent and publisher sites (pre-Potter) submission pages. They all said even though some of the most successful books in the genre had creatures that spoke. Which proves that the industry doesn't know what it wants until it hits them on the head. I attempted to write a talkie about a hyena that not only laughed but sang. Well, it didn't ring true and anyhow the furry bugger lied way too much.

So what's next? Mystery eBooks with lawyers and cops will always be the solid rock, not normally pushing the envelope unless it's a certain SNL skit with the great Phil Hartman when he portrayed the . That's pushing the envelope. You'll always have the investigators tracking down bad guys. Women will always tear through romance books. In the genre of YA and juvenile eBooks, have the young readers grown tired of all the fantasy? Whatever goes around, comes around. Will the trend of reality ever regain its former popularity? Can young readers handle real world problems without a magic wand or secret door? I'm hoping will start a new trend.

As eBooks shift away from constraints of traditional publishing how will trends be started? There will be so many authors and no genres cohesive enough to begin one. Walk into a bookstore and you'll easily see what everyone's reading. This is more difficult with eBooks. Perhaps a few savvy eBook authors might find a trend. Riding the coat tails of a successful eBook could prove more difficult for authors as they cannot feed off each other like traditional publishers can.

Hello,

To help get some reviews for the book , we are having an eBook giveaway where you read the ebook and write a review. All you need to do is join one of our groups. Either on or Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. Easy right. We need you to write the reviews on either Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, or Amazon. Your choice. Tell your friends!

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