eBooks the benefits to small authors

A fascinating article on Tech-Dirt looks at eBooks from the perspective of small authors - As the eBook experience improves, especially with the increased adoption of the Kindle and iPad, authors now have the same opportunity that exists now for musicians to exploit new opportunities. Like the music world, most writers also don't expect to make a great living from writing, so for them, exposure to readers is more valuable than revenue:

If you give a writer a choice between $10,000 and 10,000 readers, the writer will always choose the latter.

After all, having 10,000 readers is a fantastic connection with which to work -- at that point, all an author would have to do to make money would be to give the readers a reason to buy. FULL ARTICLE

Bronsnan never quite got Bond!

Former "James Bond" star Pierce Brosnan fears he let down 007 fans, because he never lived up to his iconic predecessors Sir Sean Connery and Sir Roger Moore.

Brosnan played the super spy four times before Daniel Craig replaced him in 2004, for Bond's "Casino Royale" and sequel "Quantum of Solace."

But the Irish actor is convinced his portrayal isn't a memorable part of the franchise.

He tells VeniceMag.com, "I never felt that I really nailed it. There was always a hint of Sean Connery and Roger Moore that was so indelible in my own mind. It's a prestigious group to be in the company of."

Can't say the Archive agrees with Pierce there - I'll always rate Brosnan's Bond as one of the best.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/dailydish/detail?entry_id=61303#ixzz0l9vHkkgG

A COFFIN FOR SANTA ROSA BY STEVE HAYES

A Coffin for Santa Rosa
Steve Hayes
Black Horse Westerns
First published 2009

Author Steve Hayes was previously interviewed by The Archive in Jan 2010 - A Coffin for Santa Rosa was his third Black Horse title, and like his previous two westerns it is a cracking read, expertly written but then given the author's background as a TV writer in the US, often contributing stories to some of our best remembered shows How the West Was Won and High Chaparral to name but two, this shouldn't come as a surprise. Steve's even collaborated with the great Sam Peckinpah.

Perhaps it is due to the skills learnt in episodic television (the need to tell an entire story on a limited canvas) that gives this book such effortless pacing. And it is paced well - right from the first page I was hooked and kept turning pages until the early hours. In fact I read this book in one sitting, unable to put it down until I'd turned the last page. I'm in awe of Steve Hayes and if my own westerns are even half as good as this guy then I'll be one happy chappie.

It's an off-beat plot - Gabriel Moonlight promises Ingrid Bjorkman that he will see to it that she is buried next to her husband in Santa Rosa. It is the dying woman's wish but knowing that Gabriel is wanted in New Mexico she makes him promise that he will hire a Pinkerton to deliver her mortal remains. However Gabriel decides to take the body himself and together with the woman's daughter, Raven he sets off on what will be a hazardous journey.

Steve came to novel writing after a lifetime spent writing for film and TV - he can name drop like no-one else, but then who could blame him when he counted Louis L'amour, Errol Flynn and Alan Ladd among his personal friends? I've not doubt though that had Steve started writing novels a few decades earlier he would have been up there with the likes of L'amour and Elmer Kelton - A Coffin for Santa Rosa is that good, as good as anything published in the western field.

Nuff said - I loved it.

OLD PAPERBACK RIVALS MERGE

From Publishers Weekly:


At one time Bantam, Dell, and Ballantine were the major players in
mass market paperback, and now those imprints are being united into
one division under the Random House Publishing Group. The Ballantine
Bantam Dell unit will be overseen by Libby McGuire, who has been
named senior v-p and publisher. She will handle the hardcover and
mass market publishing programs for the imprints in her expanded
division, incorporating Ballantine, Bantam, Del Rey/Spectra,
Delacorte, Dell, ESPN Books, One World, Presidio, and Villard. Trade
paperback editions of these imprints will continue to be published
under Jane von Mehren, senior v-p, trade paperbacks. As a result of
the reorganization, Nita Taublib, executive v-p, publisher and editor-
in-chief of Bantam Dell is leaving the company. A company
spokesperson said no other positions are being eliminated.

The new BBD executive team is comprised of Jennifer Hershey who has
been named senior v-p, editor in chief; Scott Shannon will add the
additional title of publisher, Ballantine Bantam Dell Mass Market to
his current role as v-p, publisher, Del Rey/Spectra; and Kim Hovey
will become v-p associate publisher for Ballantine Bantam Dell. All
three will report to McGuire.

According to a memo from McGuire, Hershey "will lead our integrated
editorial department, working closely with me to shape our editorial
strategy and develop our publishing lists." The Ballantine, Del Rey
and Bantam editors will report to her while Ballantine editorial
director Linda Marrow and Bantam editorial director Kate Miciak will
report to McGuire.

In his new role, Shannon will oversee the Ballantine Bantam Dell mass
market program, as well as continue to lead Del Rey/Spectra. He will
also continue to lead RHPG's new IP creation and development group,
which is exploring digital initiatives and gaming development for the
Del Rey/Spectra list. Gina Wachtel, Bantam associate publisher, takes
on the new role of associate publisher, Bantam Ballantine Dell Mass
Market, reporting to Shannon. Hovey will now serve as associate
publisher for the Ballantine Bantam Dell list.

The Random spokesperson said the combination of the two groups will
enable RHPG to "better define our priorities." Any decision about
cutting lists will be up to McGuire.

HOT 007 NEWS

Peter Morgan, writer on Bond 23, has resigned over disagreements with director Sam Mendez.

Judy Dench has confirmed that the next Bond movie would be her last - however given that the movie is taking time to get off the starting block it is not certain that Dench will appear at all. Daniel Craig may also push himself out of the running as he is about to start filming, Cowboys and Aliens.

The Book of Bond written by Alastair Dougall and will be released as a 160-page hardback on 3 May (UK) and 16 August (US). Retail price is £9.99 / $15.00.

British newspaper claims that the working title of Bond 23 is Property of a Lady, which was actually the title of a Ian Fleming short story.

WILD WEST WEEKLEY sept 19th 1936

This magazine was a gift from a special friend of mine - it was sent securely packed across the pond to arrive safely here in Wild South Wales - so take a bow Ms. Powers.

It's a lovely pulp magazine, with the lead story being The Oklahoma Kid's Gun Loot by Lee Bond. Now I've never ever seen this magazine before but I know from various articles I've read that The Oklahoma Kid was one of the popular recurring characters in the magazine.


I always find the advert interesting in these old magazines - after all they provide us with a window on the world they came from. The International Correspondence School must have been doing great business, since they seem to have advertised everywhere. Check out their range of courses - mind you a few of those skills may be nest to useless in the modern world.



And then check out the contents - all those stories, think of the value for money - no sooner had you finished the magazine than the next issue was on the news- stand. Nope they don't make magazines like this any longer - mores the pity.

Hitting paydirt

Cowboylands is an excellent website that I've only just discovered - just when you think you've trawled every inch of the net you come up against something new. The archives go right back to 2008 and there's so much there to see.

I think this site will keep me busy for months and if you're a western fan then you really want to see this site.