"Necessary" Reading

There are so many teens out there right now stuck doing 'necessary' reading for class. Books that don't hold their attention, since, well, they don't see much beyond their own little bubble - hey, we were all there once and probably felt the same way, only the challenges are different now then they were then. (Any who, back to the task at hand) So many kids are rebelling against these titles that schools feel are so necessary: Moby Dick, Catcher in the Rye, The Odyssey, Catch 22. Things that we as adults probably appreciate so much more than the average 15-18 year old male who is grabbed by the throat by things like Battlefield or Modern Warfare. What can we do to make things more interesting for the demographic that is falling behind?

Bring on board some new books - freshen up the material and make it modern. Help them feel like reading isn't a chore, because there's nothing better we can do for our kids and budding adults then give them something that they can truly get lost in... not feel they've lost time from. If we want kids with better than middle school vocabulary coming out of our primary schools, we have to provide them books they want to read in those developing years.

I'm sure you realize that I'm not a formally trained educator - I don't have a teaching degree - but I do understand that if we don't make literacy fun things won't get better.

Those of you who have YAs in school, are there any books that you feel could be replaced/updated? If so, what book do you think should take it's place that they loved reading and think that other kids could benefit from? While I didn't mean to pick out any books in particular (just the first few that came to mind) and personally enjoyed Catcher, Odyssey, and Catch 22, I think I would have payed more attention to books from Jonathan Maberry, Jeremy Robinson, and a handful of others.

I'm just sayin'...

Kindle Stakes It's Claim

By now you've probably heard of the new Kindle Fire - a color tablet similar to the iPad/iPad2 and Nook Color. What do you think about this color upgrade in the Amazon market? For those of you who have color tablets, is this something you are considering to purchase or will you stick by your already-owned property? What about you e-ink peeps - is this something you're considering? I mean, it is a Kindle after all, just with pretty colors and Flashy fun.

In keeping with the subject, just taking a slight detour, what do you think about the touch version of the Kindle? Do you think this is worth it for $100, especially with the drop in price of the basic Kindle to $80 when all you have to do is press a button to go forward and back? I know to me that is a great feature since it will make your mind feel like it is actually turning pages (yes I know, no smell, no paper texture... but it's getting closer).

Now, back to the color tablet, from a publishers perspective, this is opening up so many doors to new features across the entire market. When before we were only really able to see some shades of gray on an e-ink Kindle - not really being able to use new enhanced e-books - we can now (or soon anyway) use color to bring things to life in a whole new realm. Sure, it's new things to learn, but we can target our audience that much more to those looking for a whole new experience on their e-readers. And while this may be old hat to some of you who have been creating Vook's and enhanced ebooks, this is really making things more readily available to the mass market in what is the most-widely used platform for reading electronic titles.

Now more than ever, transmedia options are catching up, and they can be a great experience when done right. I look forward to getting involved with all the buzz and hope you come along for the ride as it happens.

How To Compete?

I'm pretty sure by now readers have noticed a decline in book sales, bookstores, and other related printed materials like newspapers. Now, more than ever, the publishing industry is competing... not with themselves, but with other industries like television and movies. How do we compete - for your time, your money? Well, let's discuss:

• Ease - with an increase of inexpensive or free reading materials via electronic devices (Kindle/Nook/iPad), that has certainly given us a boost - in this economy, people are having a difficult time buying $25 books when they can get a dozen (plus or minus) for the same cost. When most everyone out there already has cable, Netflix, OnDemand, or other services, it is easier than ever to be distracted from reading. But with the advent of wireless transfers from online book distributors, we are right back in the thick of things.

• Story - most mainstream and indie titles are as good - if not better than - the majority of what is on TV today. With smut including the majority of the "reality" shows out there, most of that being scripted, and the majority of it causing your brain to leak from your ear... reading expands your vocabulary, your imagination, and so much more that Housewives and people on the Shore can't offer you - a story that engages your mind.

• Ratio - reading has a great entertainment-to-cost ratio. As stated above, with the decrease in cost of ebooks, you can really stretch your buck! And with so many people already having smartphones, they don't even need to go out and get a stand-alone ereader since they have a mini one in their hands on an everyday occurrence.

With everything I just said, am I telling you to cancel your subscription to your cable or satellite provider, or not go to/rent a movie? Absolutely not. More like, make reading an expanding portion of your life rather than the contracting part. Why, when there is nothing on that interests us, do we pull out a movie we've seen 50 times or flip the channels like something magical will happen instead of pulling out a book that's been sitting on our to-be-read shelves for a year or more? With the ever-growing population of syndicated shows or brainless tv, do yourself a favor and pick up a book. It only takes one story to stifle the competition.

As an author, what do you feel is your greatest asset in overcoming the competition?
As a reader, who is your favorite author to get lost in the most?

The Mongol Objective Is Alive!

I know a great deal of you who have read this blog know about The Pharos Objective - a paranormal, historical thriller that follows a band of psychics who see what we cannot in-search of Alexander the Great's fabled treasure - and The Smithsonian Objective - a short story that ties Egypt to the Grand Canyon in ways only those who could 'see' it could.

Well, the follow-up to these is a novel of grand proportion in-search of something tied to one of the world's most ruthless leaders, Genghis Khan, an artifact that could change the world as we know it.

After a mystical Egyptian artifact is stolen by a renegade member of the Morpheus Initiative, Caleb Crowe and his team of psychics must use all their abilities to prevent the release of its catastrophic power. But first, they must survive the defenses of a subterranean mausoleum belonging to the world's greatest conqueror. Genghis Khan.

Praise for The Morpheus Initiative Series:

"David Sakymyster combines expertly researched historical mysteries with compelling modern characters, intriguing plot twists, and breathless pacing.
His archeologist heroes seek not just legendary secrets, but the secrets within themselves."
-- William Dietrich, author of BLOOD OF THE REICH

"… Indiana Jones meets the X-Files -- an archaeologist adventurer with psychic powers of remote viewing who can see the past, ancient treasures, historical mysteries, action and adventure that crosses the world, and a damned good story."
-- Kevin J. Anderson, #1 international bestselling author of THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

"This is a book I wish I'd written - great premise - great imagination!"
-- M.J. Rose, international bestselling author of THE REINCARNATIONIST and THE MEMORIST

"A classic good vs. evil story, a novel that kept me turning pages far into the night."
-- Nina M. Osier, author of 2005 EPPIE science fiction winner REGS and the HIGH PLACES trilogy

While it is only out in e-book format right now, the paperback version will be coming soon.

Buy From Amazon (Kindle)

Buy From Smashwords (Nook, iPad, Sony, Palm, Kobo)

As always, if you have read this, or any of our books, please take the time to leave a review where you bought it. Happy reading!