The Paperback Competition at Supermarkets

The supermarkets in my affluent county thirty miles north of Atlanta sell tradecraft sized novels of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and other top of the line authors were on sale for $12. No way my tradecraft sized novel at $13.50 could compete with Stephen King and Dean Koontz.

Adjacent to the tradecraft size novels were intermediate size paperbacks (5" x 8") on sale for $7.50. ( Listed for $10 on Amazon). The vast majority of the intermediate sized novels were vampire or paranormal novels by established authors, and usually part of a series. Most of these novels are targeted for "teenage" readers. But there were at least six authors of adult targeted vampire or paranormal novels. At $7.50, these novels are selling for less than the cost of my print on demand paperback. This is a stake in the heart, so to speak, for paperback sales of unknown and relatively unknown authors, and of course the small presses that publish them.

The digital world remains the last refuge for "us little ones." On Amazon Kindle, Stephen King novels are selling for $8.99 or $9.99, depending on when they were published. The well-known, but not famous, authors' novels are selling for $5.99 and $6.99. Less than famous folks can sell novels for $.99 to $2.99 and be competitive. Hopefully, most readers don't only read Stephen King, Dean Koontz and other famous authors

Unholy Embrace a vampire novel by Neil Benson - in the eyes of a vampire

A mortal, Frank, enters a wannabe vampire bar in Manhattan and finds himself scrutinized by a beautiful real vampire.

“You're not an overgrown boy or a self-styled stud eager to add me to his sexual trophy case.”


“You can tell that just by looking at me?”


“That and much more.”


“Okay, tell me what you know.” Her gaze caught mine as I issued the challenge.


“You're an architect in his mid-thirties who would rather be a painter,” she said without hesitation. She leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers, her bright green eyes studying my every move.


“How do you know that?” Was she a mind reader or something?“There are traces of light green ocher paint under the nails of your index and middle fingers on your right hand.” I couldn't see anything, even when I held my nails under a light.


“I have excellent vision, especially at night.”


“There's nothing there to see,” I said.


“You failed to wash off all the ocher and pale yellow egg tempera paint you used.” She licked her lips.


Nessa had just described the colors I had been working with earlier in the evening. “I don't know how you guessed what I was using, but there's no way anyone could see the paint in this dim light.”


“A vampire could.” She leaned forward, opening her mouth, and showing the tips of sharp pointed fangs.


“Are those real?” I asked in a voice barely a croak. My heart beat faster and the hairs on the nape of my neck stood up. 

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-ebook/dp/B003O2SE0O/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

http://neilbenson-horrorandfantasyauthor.blogspot.com/p/unholy-embrace-by-neil-benson-first.html

The Changeling - Poem about a werewolf submitting to the Alpha male by Neil Benson

The Changeling - Poem about a werewolf submitting to the Alpha male by Neil Benson

The Changeling

The full moon rises.
I hear your call.
The change begins.
My hair stand up,
and my breath quickens.


Tendons stretch,
and muscles grow.
Bones expand,
and fleshy yields.

My jaw protrudes,
and fangs appear.
great claws form,
and grip the ground.

A tall, horrid creature arises,
and greets the night with a howl.
Finally, I am whole.

To you I run, swift and sure.
Through grassy fields,
into a dark forest,
up a great mountain,
ever higher I go.
Past the tree line,
and into thin air.

Faster and faster,
my legs carry me forth.
Until you stand above me,
mighty and supreme.
I bare my throat,
and submit to your will.

You sniff my body,
and my passion burns.
Our bodies join and I and complete.

Posted by Neil Benson at 11:58 PM

Interview with Nessa Harcanu, a 400 Year-Old Vampire

PART 1

Bob Anderson: Ms. Harcanu, it was very nice of you to invite us to do the interview in your lovely apartment.

Nessa Harcanu: You may call me Nessa.

Bob Anderson: I don't mean to offend you, but you're a beautiful woman. Aside from a slight paleness, I would never know that you were a vampire.

Nessa Harcanu: Why should I be offended when you tell me that you think I am beautiful.

Bob Anderson: hmmm um.

Nessa Harcanu: (she laughs) I am sorry, this is being filmed for a national audience. I should not please you. During my long existence, I have seen many trends come and go. I do not mean to belittle the movement towards equality in America and Western nations. The movement towards equality for women has taken up and down road over the centuries. When I was alive, and working a farm with my husband, he treated me as an equal. Of course, he was the man of the house, but on a day-to-day basis, he never took me for granted or spoke down to me.

Bob Anderson: It would be interesting just to to do an interview regarding feminist issues. Obviously, you have a unique perspective that would interest many women..

Nessa Harcanu: In what ways do you see my perspective as unique?

Bob Anderson: You were born over four hundred years ago. You must have had many different relationships with men and women as society has evolved over during that time.You had to deal with a variety of social conventions in different countries and different societies.

Nessa Harcanu: A beautiful woman can always make our own conventions, especially if she's wealthy. Men who talked down to me were less offensive than those who were obsequious in their pitiful efforts to seduce me. (She laughs)  I must apologize. I do not mean to make light of your questions. You make one assumption that I must challenge.

Bob Anderson: Which one is that?

Nessa Harcanu: your assumption that society has evolved over the centuries is not necessarily true. While there are no more slaves, and serfs, and peasants, and people have guaranteed rights and freedoms in Western societies, people continue to interact with the same basic needs and desires. Greed and fear have not changed nor have love and compassion. Excuse me. I am going off on a tangent. Go ahead with your questions please.

Bob Anderson: In Frank's novel -

Nessa Harcanu: I am sorry to interrupt, but I must clarify misconceptions about Frank's so-called novel. It was intended to be a biography, but Frank yielded to pressure from the publisher and made it into a novel. Frank artistically touched up portions of my life. However, almost everything in the so-called novel actually happened.

Bob Anderson: Were you angry with me when he did as the publisher requested?

Nessa Harcanu: of course I was. My biological functions changed when I was made into a vampire. My emotions remained the same. (She pauses) I did not stay angry for long. Frank is very precious to me and I would never punish you emotionally as many women due to their husbands or partners.

Bob Anderson: you mentioned being wealthy. Did you really find a sack of gold coins resting next to a man who had died of the new bionic plague?

Nessa Harcanu: I just told you that the book was true in its portrayal of my life. (Pause) yes, the sack of gold was lying next to the corpulent, piggish face man who had died of the plague. Even in death, he had his hands wrapped around it. Peasants and farmers lived on next to nothing, while the rich ate until they develop gout or clog their arteries with so much cholesterol they died at an early age. The gold coins became precious because they enabled me to rejoin society and not let alone. Even though I have been wealthy for a long time, I never forgotten my life as a peasant farmer. We live in the wealthiest country on the planet and yet so many people go without proper nourishment. (Pause) I did not mean to get off on a personal tangent.

Bob Anderson: It's fascinating to hear perspectives on society and life in general. Can we go back and talk about how you became wealthy.

Nessa Harcanu: The book described how that came about. Is there something you're trying to learn?

Bob Anderson: Well, the book describes you're getting the money to Jewish merchants and bankers and trusting that they would keep your money safe, and even increase your wealth. What made you trust them?

Nessa Harcanu: initially, I asked discreet questions. When it became obvious that the people I dealt with were completely trustworthy, I didn't bother with the details. Jewish people, and Jewish merchants and bankers in particular, had to be scrupulously honest. They perpetually live under the threat of arrest or even death so they did not dare to cheat anyone. They were honest in all their dealings with outsiders and their family members.

Bob Anderson: I'd like to talk about your art collection if we could.

Nessa Harcanu: That  would be fine.

Bob Anderson: I've been told that you have original paintings by Renoir, Manet, Monet, Pissarro, and several paintings by van Gogh.

Nessa Harcanu: I knew almost all of the Impressionists. As indicated in the book, I gave them money when they were starving you bought their paintings when no one else would. I have kept only a few and give them the rest to museums in Europe in this country.,

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-Neil-Benson/dp/0982679505/ref=tag_stp_s2f_edpp_neil_b11on

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56944

The vampire Nessa Harcanu sends greeting to all of her fans.

I am Nessa Harcanu, a four hundred year-old vampire. Men and women have been telling me that I am beautiful for more years than any of you have been alive. I was thrilled to have over 400 visitors at my open house two days ago. My biographer, Neil Benson, read chapters from my biography. The reception began at 9 PM, and lasted until sunrise.

 The first three chapters of my biography were given to everyone who attended my open house reception. This gave my visitors  a small taste about my fascinating existence. To learn the whole story, you must of course purchase the book. Fine wine and giant prawns were served for mortals and vintage blood was available for the undead.

If you weren't able to attend, you can read the first three chapters by following the link below.

I was quite annoyed when my biographer told me he would publish my biography as a novel. However, he convinced me that no one would believe some of the events that are contained in the book.

http://neilbenson-horrorandfantasyauthor.blogspot.com/p/unholy-embrace-by-neil-benson-first.html

You can purchase a copy of my biography at the following establishments. My biographer, Neil Benson, reminded me to tell you that Amazon sells only one kind of digital version, while Smashwords offers the buyer different digital alternatives. My biographer wants to sell as many copies as possible. I am indifferent to how you buy the book. I am a millionaire many times over. To learn how I gained my riches you need to read my biography.

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-Neil-Benson/dp/0982679505/ref=tag_stp_s2f_edpp_neil_b11on

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56944

Vampire Novel Unholy Embrace on sale.

My vampire novel, Unholy Embrace, can be purchased for $2.99 in digital editions on Amazon and Smashwords (anyone not wanting a Kindle version) .  Anyone purchasing a digital (or paperback) copy during the next five days will receive a fantasy short story if they message me the year in which the female vampire, Nessa, was born.  The fantasy short story contains wizards and an FBI SWAT team fighting terrorists to prevent them from blowing up chlorine filled railroad cars across the river from Manhattan. It will introduce you to a kick ass female protagonist.

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-Neil-Benson/dp/0982679505/ref=tag_stp_s2f_edpp_neil_b11on

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56944

The vampiress Nessa Harcanu invites you to her open house.

I am Nessa Harcanu, a four hundred year-old vampire. Men and women have been telling me that I am beautiful for more years than any of you have been alive. I invite you to visit me at my home, where my biographer, Neil Benson, will read some chapters from my biography. The reception begins at 9 PM, after the sun sets. If you need to arrive early, my mortal lover Frank will attend to your needs.

The first three chapters of my biography will be given to everyone attends my open house reception. This will give you a small taste about my fascinating existence. To learn the whole story, you must of course purchase the book. Fine wine and giant prawns will be served for mortals and vintage blood will be available the undead.

If you aren't able to attend, you can read the first three chapters by following the link below.

I was quite annoyed when my biographer told me he would publish my biography as a novel. However, he convinced me that no one would believe some of the events that are contained in the book.

http://neilbenson-horrorandfantasyauthor.blogspot.com/p/unholy-embrace-by-neil-benson-first.html

You can purchase a copy of my biography at the following establishments. My biographer, Neil Benson, reminded me to tell you that Amazon sells only one kind of digital version, while Smashwords offers the buyer different digital alternatives. My biographer wants to sell as many copies as possible. I am indifferent to how you buy the book. I am a millionaire many times over. To learn how I gained my riches you will need to read my biography.

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-Neil-Benson/dp/0982679505/ref=tag_stp_s2f_edpp_neil_b11on

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56944

The publishing revolution is over and we have won.

In my last post, I talked about the digital revolution in the publishing world. Since then, I joined the Indie Book Collective. I think I needed a waiver to join because I have a publisher, and my novel, Unholy Embrace, was published as a softcover. In joining the collective, I became a full-fledged member of the revolution. What does this mean? In the short-term, I will be selling packages of my short stories on Amazon, Smashwords, and other Internet sites. Hopefully I will make some money from this endeavor.

The long-term consequences of joining this revolution are very important. When I finish my second novel, I don't have to worry about finding a publisher. I will publish it digitally at a time of my own choosing, with a price that makes the most sense for me, not a publisher. Isn't self-publishing a meaningless effort to bolster one's ego? Not anymore. Authors are making money, and more importantly, reaching significant numbers of readers without a single tree being chopped down. The picture to the left is like the "Don't tread on me," flag that flourished early in the Revolutionary war for Independence. I think that's a good analogy. Imagine yourself as an author. Which would you choose: to have an attractive hardcover edition of your book that few people buy and read, or published digitally and have a significant number of people buy and read your book.? Rhetorical question.

But what about getting a novel reviewed? Isn't it true that most reviewers will not touch a self-published novel? That depends on which reviewers we are talking about. The reviewers tied to the hardback and paperback trade will most likely continue not to review self-published authors. Fortunately, there are a significant number of reviewers who only review indie books. While none of these reviewers works for midsize and major newspapers, or has a national reputation (at the present time), they have readerships that are interested in reading good books not traditional reviewers.

Authors can get their books properly digitalized by submitting them to a site such as Smashwords. This will likely become a more competitive market. So, I write the novel, I published the novel, the novel is reviewed, and hopefully people will buy the novel so they can read it. Isn't that what it's all about?

Rapidly Changing World of Publishing and E-Books

Recently, The Werewolves Versus Vampires Anthology, to be published by Static Movement, accepted my short story, A Problem with Werewolves, for inclusion in the anthology. This is the second publication for this short story. After the rights revoke back to me, I will sell this short story on Amazon and Mashwords. When I wrote the short story a number of years ago, I never thought that I might be able to sell directly to readers on the Internet. 

A decade ago, the words "Self Published" had a negative connotation and generally meant that the author was unable to get his or her novel published in the established manner. The world of publishing has changed since then, particularly in the last few years. Self-publication in the digital world has become a viable and acceptable alternative to publication by the small, medium, and large publishing houses. Two years ago, when my novel Unholy Embrace, was being readied for publication as a soft cover novel, putting it on Amazon Kindle was a secondary consideration. Now, many authors go directly to the digital world of publishing and do not concern themselves with agents of publishing houses.  

Authors are able to earn money solely based on Internet sales. On occasion, a publishing house will buy the story and put it into print in the paper world. The ability of authors to sell their short stories and novels in the digital world has significant implications for everybody who writes. The amount of money to purchase short stories and novels is not infinite. All of the selling on the Internet is competing for money that would have been spent on a hardcover or soft cover edition.\

In the new digital world of publishing, cross to create a novel are minimal and a company like Smshwords is able to take a Microsoft Word Document and produce digital versions for Kindle, EPUB, PDF, or MOBI files. This is important because the different internet marketplaces have their own requirements. Consumers also have preferences about what format they want to read. Amazon may well be on its way to becoming the 600 pound gorilla, but the in the end the author will continue to gain traction at the expense of the old model. In fact, Amazon will participate in the success of self-published authors.thors are able to earn money solely based on Internet sales. On occasion, a publishing house will buy the story and put it into print in the paper world. The ability of authors to sell their short stories and novels in the digital world has significant implications for everybody who writes. The amount of money to purchase short stories and novels is not infinite. All of the selling on the Internet is competing for money that would have been spent on a hardcover or soft cover edition.

In the new digital world of publishing, cross to create a novel are minimal and a company like Smshwords is able to take a Microsoft Word Document and produce digital versions for Kindle, EPUB, PDF, or MOBI files. This is important because the different internet marketplaces have their own requirements. Consumers also have preferences about what format they want to read. Amazon may well be on its way to becoming the 600 pound gorilla, but the in the end the author will continue to gain traction at the expense of the old model. In fact, Amazon will participate in the success of individual self-published authors.

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-Neil-Benson/dp/0982679505/ref=tag_stp_s2f_edpp_neil_b11on

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56944

Unholy Embrace - Mortal Man Loving a Female Vampire

Frank, a mortal,  thinks heavily on an emotional commitment to his girlfriend Nessa, a vampire.

"After leaving her apartment, I was outside walking toward Central Park within five minutes. If I took too long to decide, our relationship would end. Nessa had been lonely for over four hundred years. She made a choice about me, perhaps impulsively, but now I knew how much I meant to her. She would be devastated if I rejected her, and I had no wish to be the cause of such pain. But I also needed to consider the risks involved.

I walked along the outside of the park until I found myself in front of the Museum of Natural History. For all the information it contained, it didn't have displays about creatures the visitors were better off not knowing. Nessa, werewolves, and demons didn't exist in any of the museum's catalogs. However, she was also a woman, one that aroused the strongest feelings I had ever experienced. Should I make a commitment based mostly on feelings? I was always so rational. To go with her was to step into the unknown and far beyond my comfort zone.

When I looked at my watch, I saw five hours remained until dawn. For once in my life I decided to go where my heart led. I walked south until I hailed a cab, and in a few minutes I was back at her apartment. The strong need I felt to be with her contrasted with how I felt two hours ago. Time is not measured in minutes or hours but by the manner in which we experience our lives. When I stood in front of her door, I knew my decision."

http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Embrace-Neil-Benson/dp/0982679505/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1274835629&sr=1-2

 https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56944

New Age of Publishing Books is Now

If, the world is flat as Thomas Friedman says it is, then the world of publishing is becoming paper thin. There was much ado when Amazon said it was going into the publishing business. Authors can make their pitch to Amazon and get the best deal possible. So what's the difference, you ask? Amazon has a fraction of the overhead  of traditional publishers. Amazon can afford to let the public make decisions about what he wants to read. Traditional publishers can't print books and have them collect dust.

Amazon is only the beginning of the revolution, sort of the tip of an iceberg that's coming dead on a ship too slow to move out of its way. For those authors that don't like dealing with Amazon, there are other alternatives. Take a minute to visit Smashwords. On their website, you can buy novels, novellas, and all sorts of short stories. Probably the low end stuff many people would say. Most people don't know that John Grisham sold novels out of the trunk of his car. Stephanie Meyer's overly large manuscript was read by an assistant to the literary agent who probably would've immediately tossed the 125,000 word sumission into the circular file. The old publishing model was failure avoidant. Accumulate as many best-selling authors as you can and publish their novels until the readership disappears or the ink dries


If Amazon is the publisher, it will want to sell the novel on its site, not competing websites .Smashwords will sell your novel, short story, etc. on its website, but it will also place novels at Apple, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo, Diesel, and any other site that sells novels and pays their bills. Barnes Noble has entered the publishing business. I'm not a shill for Smashwords. I haven't put my first short story up for sale there, yet. But it will happen soon. Most importantly, I know it will sell. It's about vampires and werewolves, two lovers, and a battle that makes the gunfight at the OK corral seem like a tea party at Buckingham Palace.
This post is based on what I've learned in the last two weeks. Most assuredly, there are many things I don't know about in the new age of digital publishing. But I hope to have fun learning them. This is the first of at least two posts on this subject. The next post will focus on the changing nature of the relationship between the writer and the reader