Andrew Wylie's day of "the Jackal" may be over sooner than he thinks

Everyone in the book world has been buzzing about the controversial move made by New York literary agent Andrew Wylie, who according to book industry expert Jerry D. Simmons "earned the nickname "the Jackal" for a reason; he doesn't mess around when it comes to his clients." Wylie recently teamed up with Amazon on an exclusive deal to have the mega book retailer sell his clients' ebooks, bypassing the regular route of finding publishers for his clients first.

Some of the controversy stems from the fact that Wylie is the agent. His job is to sell his clients' works to a publisher, and many believe he has crossed some boundaries here. Questions arise like "Isn't this a conflict of interest then?" Is it fair for him to take a publisher's cut on top of an agent percentage? Will he? How hard will he work to sell his clients' print rights if he's investing time into the ebook venue?

While I agree this is a bold move on Wylie's part, I think it's also a reflection of the monumental changes that have occurred--and WILL occur--in the book publishing industry. Authors are jumping onboard the ebook train, independently and with their publishers. And I can see why. Amazon recently reported that ebooks far outsold hardcovers. Jeff Bezos, Amazon CEO, reported, "Even while our hardcover sales continue to grow, the Kindle format has now overtaken the hardcover format. Amazon.com customers now purchase more Kindle books than hardcover books." Everyone wants in on the ebook craze. Can we blame them?

Authors Guild has raised some concerns over the issue. They believe publishers were largely to blame for the dispute that has risen between Random House and Andrew Wylie. Random House has stated they will not conduct business with the agent until the issue is resolved. Authors Guild is concerned also about the exclusivity agreement, stating, "That the Wylie/Odyssey agreement is reportedly exclusive raises many questions and concerns. Amazon has, time and again, wielded its clout in the industry ruthlessly, with little apparent regard for its relationships with authors or publishers or, for that matter, antitrust rules."

American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher also voiced his concern: "The issues sparked by evolving business models in the rapidly developing world of digital publishing are multifaceted and, at times, complex. However, from the perspective of independent booksellers one important reality is unchanged: Diminishing the availability of titles and narrowing the options for readers can only harm our society in the long run. That the Wylie agency has sought to distribute these works through a single retailer is bad for the book industry and bad for consumers."

Jerry D. Simmons, who has been in the publishing industry for nearly 33 years, has this to say about Wylie's decision: "Either way Amazon deserves a big place at the table for selling content in printed and digital format. However they are not the only game in town and teaming up with them exclusively is wrong. This means that any reader interested in an eBook from one of Andrew Wylie's authors must purchase a Kindle. The better choice for Mr. Wylie would have been a separate deal with Amazon, Apple and anyone else who distributed eBooks to offer those titles across the board."

I agree with Jerry, who runs a publishing company and WritersReaders. It is far better to have your books distributed through multiple retailers than to team up with just one--no matter how big that giant is. As a reader, when I want to buy books I want a choice of places to shop. I don't want to be limited to one store, one format, one experience. As an author, I want to offer my readers a variety of formats, as many as possible so that they have a choice. I would not want to be the author who has to say, "I'm sorry but you'll have to buy a Kindle to read my ebooks." I prefer to say, "You can read my ebooks on your PC, laptop, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPad, Nook, Kindle, Kobo, Sony...etc."

In response to book industry outcry, Andrew Wylie told the New York Times, "I’m going to think about it a little bit...we take it seriously, as do the authors we represent. This area of discussion and negotiation needs to be resolved."

I think that's a good idea. Take some time and think things over before jumping into the frying pan. While being a trailblazer in a new frontier is commendable, Wylie's exclusive deal could backfire on him. It could hurt his authors' chances of ever getting published by a major publisher. It could create tension for other author/publisher relationships. Wylie's day of "the Jackal" may be over sooner than he thinks. Or he could see such huge success that other agents follow his lead. Only time will tell.

For now it's safe to say that old models in the publishing world are just that--OLD. It's time for change, no matter how scary and unpredictable that change may be. Authors, literary agents and publishers must learn to adapt unless they want to be swept under by the tide of change.

Readers, what do you think? How would you feel if your favorite author told you you'd have to buy a Kindle to be able to read his or her books?

Authors, would you want this exclusive deal? Do you think there'd be a conflict of interest and that your agent would be less inclined to push print sales to publishers? Would it hurt your chances of having your books read by publishers?

5 STAR review for Remote Control

Here's a 5 STAR review for my July release, REMOTE CONTROL:

"DON'T TOUCH THAT REMOTE! If you like some of Stephen King's quirky short stories or Twilight Zone episodes, you will really enjoy this short story from Cheryl Kaye Tardif. It will definitely put a smile on your face. I look forward to Cheryl's new book of similar short stories, entitled "Skeletons in the Closet & Other Creepy Stories"." --John Zur, reviewer on Amazon.com

This review is printed here with permission from the reviewer.


REMOTE CONTROL is available in ebook edition only and is available through Amazon Kindle, Smashwords and more.

Guest post: Coming Out of the Dark

My special guest today is Beth Fehlbaum, author of the 'Patience' books: Courage in Patience and Hope in Patience. When I invited her to share a guest post, I had no idea what she would write about. I must admit, I'm surprised and honored. Mostly, I admire Beth's courage regarding her own past.

To mangle a line from Robert Fulghum, “Everything I learned in [the writing] life, I learned from Cheryl Kaye Tardif.”  A few years ago, I wanted to be a published author and by chance, Cheryl and I ended up in the trenches together under the roof of the same publishing house.  I learned an incredible amount about increasing my Internet presence from Cheryl, and I will always be grateful to her for her expertise and guidance. 

It wasn’t easy for me to come out of the shadows, even online.  For a lot of my childhood, I spent my nights in my closet trying to avoid the nighttime attacks of an adult male family member.  When Cheryl and I met, I had been in therapy for a few years and had begun to grasp the concept that the shame of being sexually abused throughout my childhood was not my fault—but I still clung to a shyness and uncertainty about identifying myself as a survivor.  I was so tepid about “coming out” of the figurative closet I still kind of hid in, our publisher made up a story for my back-of-the-book biography, saying that I had drawn on my experience of working with abused children to write Courage in Patience, the story of fifteen year old Ashley Nicole Asher’s first shaky steps into recovery from childhood sexual abuse. 

What a difference a few years makes!  I no longer hesitate to identify myself as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and my biography is no longer fiction.  I followed up Courage in Patience with Hope in Patience—and a new publisher.  Hope in Patience was written as a stand-alone novel, but those who read Courage in Patience will recognize Hope in Patience as a sequel. I’m so excited to announce that Hope in Patience will release from WestSide Books in late October, 2010!

Courage in Patience is officially out of print, but there are still copies available, and I’d love to sign one and send it to you!  There are two ways to get it: through Amazon Marketplace sellers -- you can message me through Amazon to tell me who you would like your book personalized for. My seller name is STEADYONBOOKS, and the price is $20.00.  You may also buy it for $20.00 by messaging me at beth@bethfehlbaum.com,  and I’ll send you a PayPal invoice.

Thanks so much, Cheryl, for letting me stop by! 

Check out Beth’s website for chapter previews! 

Whale Song review: "Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes like the flow of a river"

Another 5 STAR review for Whale Song! Looks like John is in the running in my new review contest.

"For Anyone Young or Young At Heart...I found this book spiritual, mystical and very sweet. Cheryl Kaye Tardif writes like the flow of a river. I was transported to this tiny island in Canada and felt like I had also grown up there. Some people will say that since it is focused on a young girl coming of age, men/boys may not relate to it... this is absolutely false... anyone who is young or young at heart will love this book. I plan on buying copies for many of my friends and family this December. It will forever hold a small place in my heart." --John Zur

(Amazon review printed here with permission.)

The River review: "Best book I've read in Years!"

Here is a new 5 STAR review for The River from Amazon, printed here with permission from the author.

"Best book I've read in Years! This is one of the best books I've read in years. If you like thrills, science, mystery, history and great character development (and who doesn't!) - this book is for you. I enjoy reading books that are based on actual facts (historic or scientific) with fully developed fictional characters, some science fiction and great suspense. I like to learn something while enjoying a thrill ride. If you like Michael Crichton, you will enjoy this book. I've now read all of Cheryl Kaye Tardif's books and have enjoyed them all. Read her books now so you can tell your friends that you "discovered" her before the world did (and they will)!" --John Zur

Thank you once again, John. I'm honored by your words, and I'm glad you enjoyed The River so much. 

Divine Intervention review: "Jasmine McLellan will soon be one of your favorite characters!"

This is a recent 5 STAR review from Amazon.com, reprinted here with permission from the reviewer.

"Jasmine McLellan will soon be one of your favorite characters! The character Jasmine McLellan is wonderfully complex and likable. I can easily see her "starring" in many sequels. Cheryl Kaye Tardif is an amazing story teller and this is another page turner. I look forward to her new books more than any other author." --John F. Zur

Thank you so much, John. I am truly glad you enjoyed Divine Intervention.

New banner poll for Cheryl Kaye Tardif's suspense site

POLL CLOSED: Check out the winner at http://www.cherylktardif.com

Okay, so my last banner poll was very close and I've narrowed down the choices to 2 possible banners for my revamped site at http://www.cherylktardif.com/. But I still need your help. The 2 banners below were slightly adjusted after feedback suggested different font sizes may be better. Please vote in the poll underneath and let me know which banner you like best. If you'd like to tell me why, please leave a comment. I appreciate your help with this. Thank you!

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My thoughts on the Kobo ereader

I was recently asked to give my opinions of the Kobo ereader on another blog, and I've decided to share them with you here. Since Kobo is a Canadian company and I'm from Canada, I am a bit biased. I really want this company to succeed; I was one of their first Canadian authors at the very beginning when they were known as Shortcovers. So I do have history with them.

But I'm also a Kindle fan and Sony ereader fan and others.

I recently bought a Kobo ereader. For a few reasons.

1. I want to give it to my mother for Christmas. She's an avid reader but not big on technology. I think she'll love the Kobo ereader because it's very simple to use and she won't have to pack 4 books when she travels. And it's a dedicated ereader; it doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles to detract from its purpose. My Mom doesn't need those bells and whistles. So for ease of use and practicality, the Kobo ereader scores a 5/5.

2. It was one of the least expensive ereaders--before the ereader price wars. However, now that other ereaders have dropped their prices, I think Kobo should follow suit. Their product is just too simple to compete, price wise.

3. I wanted to play with the ereader before giving it to my Mom. :-) As a reader, I wanted to feel the Kobo ereader experience myself. I wanted to see what makes it great, and what doesn't. For me, the Kobo is perhaps a bit too simple. I like the bells and whsitles. I like 3G functionality and easy purchasing and updating of new books. So for me, the Kobo rates 4/5 for functionality.

There's also a second reason why I wanted to try it. I'm an author. I want to see what potential Kobo readers will be using, how my books will appear, what the readers' experiences will be. Again, for those who just want an ereader, the Kobo ereader is perfect. I believe it will especially appeal to those who are young (great kid's Christmas gift idea), or much older (60+) and those who aren't very techie.

It's unfortunate your experience at Borders wasn't a positive one. Here in Canada, we've had big ad displays advertising the Kobo ereaders, even in the Chapters bookstores that don't have them in stock. The staff I've talked to have all been excited, especially when I showed them my Kobo ereader. Some staff hadn't seen one yet, but most have some knowledge of the device.

I've even volunteered to go into my local stores and show customers my Kobo ereader, let them play with it. :-)

I've enjoyed the Kobo ereader. The update went fairly smoothly for me and I haven't had any major glitches, though I always expect them with new technology. But I'll be honest; I was one of the people who swore years ago I'd never read on an ereader. Oops...

Check out the Kobo ereader and be sure to check out their huge library of books (including my own) at KoboBooks.com.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif,
bestselling author
www.cherylktardif.com

Which banner do you think is the best?

Today I have a bit of a dilemma and I really could use your help. I'm getting a new banner made for my website and I can't decide on the font for my name. I'd like it to be reflective of the fact that I write mainly suspense, but I also want people to be able to read it. And so I'm asking you, dear reader, to take two minutes and let me know which you like best.

Now here are the banners. The poll is right below them.

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These banners were created by the very talented Jennifer at Sapphire Designs, a website and graphic design company whose clients include actress Jane Seymour and many bestselling authors. You can bet I'll be sending my coaching clients to Jennifer.

Should writers pursue print publication or publish their own ebooks?

The above question came up in a forum recently, and while everyone has to determine what's right for them as it is a very personal decision, I gave them my thoughts on the topic.

I say go for both--print and ebooks. If you have a traditional publisher for your print, all the better. But don't let that stop you from publishing your own ebooks, especially the ones your agent and publisher aren't interested in. You definitely don't want to overlook the ebook market. That's where the money is right now for authors, if you publish the ebooks yourself.

As a self-published and traditionally published print author, I've seen the pros and cons to both sides.

If you have a backlist of titles that your publisher is finished with, get them up on Amazon Kindle, KoboBooks and Smashwords right away. Sales of ebooks are on the rise, and they won't be stopping or slowing any time too soon.

Other ideas for ebooks: publish a collection of short stories or an anthology with other authors, publish a novella or novelette, publish a how-to book or a book of poetry.

I have 4 ebooks coming out between April 1, 2010 and Sept 27, 2010. :-) There's only one thing better than promoting your books, and that's writing them!

My agent is holding 2 thrillers. I'm considering taking one back and publishing it as an ebook next spring.

The key is this: you want to build momentum, then try to keep that momentum going. And the only way to do this is to keep releasing books under some semblance of regularity.

With Amazon's recent royalty raise to 70% for qualifying ebooks, it's possible for authors to now make more money selling less expensive ebooks than selling traditionally published print books. But in the end, it depends on the personal goals of each writer.

Seven Easy Steps for Importing PDF or ePub Files to Your Kobo eReader

Many people are wondering if they can add PDF and ePub files to their Kobo ereader, and the answer is yes. You CAN import PDF and ePub files into your Kobo ereader using Adobe Digital Editions, a free program that you can install on your PC or laptop.

Once you've imported one PDF or ePub file, you'll see just how easy it is, and it will open the opportunities for you as an ebook consumer as you'll be able to buy books from other retailers, including Smashwords.com, where you'll find some awesome deals and multiple formats.

Here are the 7 easy steps for importing PDF and ePub files to your Kobo ereader:

1. Download and install the free Adobe Digital Editions program to your PC or laptop.
2. Authorize computer. If this doesn't show automatically, open Adobe Digital Editions (should be on your desktop after downloading) and select dropdown button Library at top left, then go to Authorize Computer and fill in info.
3. Add any PDFs or ePubs saved on your computer by using Adobe Digital Editions. To do this, simply select Library at top left―then Add Item to Library―and find the file on your computer and click Open.
4. You should then see your files added to the right side of the screen on Adobe Digital Editions.
5. Now plug your Kobo ereader into your computer. In a few seconds you will see your ereader has been added to the list under Bookshelves on left side of Adobe Digital Editions screen.
6. Now this is the easy part: DRAG a file from the right side by hovering over it, holding left mouse button and dragging to KOBOeReader file on left side. This file will turn medium gray when hovering over it. Then release left button to drop. You may see a small window appear showing status of file copy. When in doubt, just click on KOBOeReader and you will see all your files inside that folder.
7. Eject Kobo ereader from your computer. Wait for it to reload. Then view your files by clicking on Home, then Documents at very top. Your PDFs and ePubs will all be there. Happy reading!

If you found this article helpful, please consider visiting Smashwords.com and ordering one of Cheryl's novels, all under $3. They're available in multiple formats, including ePub and PDF. Or you can order them directly from KoboBooks.com.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif, aka Cherish D'Angelo, is a bestselling author and book marketing coach. You can learn more about her at:http://www.cherylktardif.com/ or http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com/

Betty Dravis's celebrity interview is up on DOD: Bestselling Canadian author CHERYL KAYE TARDIF tells all

I was recently interviewed by author Betty Dravis, who blogs regularly over at Dames of Dialogue. Betty is one of the authors of Dream Reachers, a book of celebrity interviews, with her co-writer Chase Von.

I was very honored when Betty asked to interview me for DOD, and even more honored when she mentioned that I would be featured in Dream Reachers 2, the second inspirational celebrity tell-all by Betty and Chase.

Want to know how Dr. Seuss influenced my writing? Check it out.

Betty Dravis's celebrity interview is up on Dames of Dialogue: Bestselling Canadian author CHERYL KAYE TARDIF tells all

Whale Song review: "mystical, honest, haunting and wonderful"

Here is a new review for my bestselling novel WHALE SONG:

"Anyone who has heard the haunting sound of a whale's song will never forget it. So it is with this story, mystical, honest, haunting and wonderful. So emotional in fact, that I am writing this review while my eyes are still damp with tears. Tears of joy, tears of sorrow, and a great feeling of enlightenment and belonging...Cheryl Kaye Tardif, you moved me...If I take nothing more away with me from reading this book, these three alone were worth the read: live life fully; "forgiveness will set you free"; know when to let go...Let me just say that this is one book I am thrilled to have had the opportunity not only to read, but to feel. It is as though I was dropped into the mind of Sarah and existing within these pages myself, feeling every emotion."

There is so much more to this review, but you really should read it from beginning to end. Without revealing spoilers, this review touches upon the relationships that make Whale Song worth reading.

Check out Betty's full review at R&B: Read and Blog.

NovelRank is giving away a signed copy of my paranormal suspense thriller Divine Intervention

If you haven't read my bestselling paranormal suspense thriller Divine Intervention, which is like a cross between CSI, Medium, and Ghost Whisperer, you now have an opportunity to win a signed trade paperback edition, courtesy of NovelRank.

NovelRank is a free rank tracking service for authors, publishers and agents. The service tracks sales ranks for books and ebooks sold on Amazon.com (& some international Amazons.) With NovelRank authors can view graphs, charts and real-time data.

This month, NovelRank is giving away two books, including Divine Intervention. To enter, visit NovelRank.

As an author and book marketing coach, I highly recommend authors to use this free service and track your book sales through Amazon.

Midwest Book Review calls Lancelot's Lady "a non-stop romantic adventure"

An early review for Cherish D'Angelo's upcoming debut romantic suspense release, Lancelot's Lady, has come out at Midwest Book Review under the Reviewer's Choice tab.

Here's an excerpt from the review:

"Lancelot's Lady is a non-stop romantic adventure combined with the agonizing struggle to not give in to the magnetism between two people with troubled pasts. Enticing. Fun." -- Christina Francine, reviewer for Midwest Book Review

To read the full review, please go to the Reviewer's Choice page at Midwest Book Review and scroll down. It's currently the second review.

Lancelot's Lady will release as an ebook on September 27th, 2010.

Celebrate Canada Day with my new ebook release: REMOTE CONTROL, a novelette by Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Celebrate Canada Day with some Canadian fiction:
the ebook release of my novelette
REMOTE CONTROL,
now available on Amazon (Kindle) and Smashwords (various formats).

ONLY $0.99 US

In this dark, suspenseful and somewhat comical look at one man's desires, Remote Control by bestselling author Cheryl Kaye Tardif delivers a strong message:
Be careful what you wish for! 

Meet Harold Fielding--plumber by part of the day, slacker/tv addict the rest of the day and night. Harry believes that fame and fortune will come to him if he wishes hard enough. God forbid if he should actually work for it.

Beatrice Fielding is Harry's hardworking wife. She holds down multiple jobs so her husband can laze about on his recliner, eating popcorn and drinking cola while watching his favorite shows. She has many wishes--some aren't so nice.

SET IN CANADA!
***2008 Textnovel contest finalist***

Remote Control is ONLY $0.99 US at Amazon, Smashwords and more to come, including KoboBooks.

WIN: Leave a comment here with your email address and you'll be entered to win a free ebook of Whale Song, my critically acclaimed, bestselling novel. One winner will be selected later tonight, so enter now.

Happy Canada Day!