If you've been following my tweets and blog recently, you'll notice I've really jumped on board the ebook wagon. Instead of only having ebooks availabe on Amazon (Kindle), as I had for a couple of years, I now have them available via Kobo Books and Smashwords. Here are my thoughts on each...
Kobo Books - First, let me say that I'm only just a bit too proud of this company. They originally launched as Shortcovers, a Canadian spin-off from Chapters (Indigo Books & Music) that really seems to like hiring guys named Michael. :-). That they're Canadian makes me very proud. That I was one of the first Canadian authors to get involved makes me even prouder. My novel The River was offered for a while as a free novel on Kobo.
Kobo now has their own eReader, and I can't wait to see it. I've heard awesome things about it. And for those of you who have smart phones (iPhones, Blackberries and others), as opposed to dumb phones like my old LG, you can download the Kobo app (I have it on my iPhone) and read books on your cell phone. You can also read them on your PC or laptop. Versatile, clean looking, easy to use, the app is awesome. I am sure the eReader is even better!
http://www.kobobooks.com/ and follow them on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/kobo
Kindle - Amazon's eReader is sleek and easy to use, or so I've been told. I've only seen one in captivity in Canada so far; Amazon was a bit late on getting them across the border, which didn't score any brownie points with me--as an author or potential eReader customer. But I did get to hold one (I asked a stranger I met at Starbucks if I could see his Kindle...no, I wasn't being naughty!) And I was impressed. Lightweight, easy to read...and easy to buy books.
I have the Kindle app on my iPhone (okay, I'm a bit of an app addict, I'll admit it) and I find it works great. My only beef with it is this: as a Canadian customer I have to pay a $2 surcharge on every e-book I order. WhisperNet, they call it. Um...let me whisper this...I don't think it costs any more to send me the file than anyone in the US. And $2? I could see $0.50 maybe. Again, not scoring brownie points with me--and I have a LOT of Canadian fans. So guess where I'm sending them? KOBO!
Smashwords - Now here's a site that offers readers a wide assortment of ebook titles, some of them at reduced prices and a large number for free. Readers can download the ebooks they buy in multiple formats, making them readable on an assortment of devices. You can read online or offline. One of the best advantages to authors promoting their books via Smashwords is that we can control special sales by issuing coupon codes; this way we can give our readers discounts whenever we want to. Right now and until April 30th, 2010, my thriller Divine Intervention is available at 50% off the ebook price of $4.99. Just go to and be sure to use the coupon code: KQ82F.
No matter whether you choose an ebook or print edition, Kindle, Kobo or Smashwords, I wish you happy reading! :-)
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
http://www.cherylktardif.com/
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