Wednesday, January 9, 2013

LOVE LETTERS FROM THE PAST


HANK: You know Carolyn Hart. You love her, right? And you probably think you could predict, oh, I don't know. What she'd do, and what she'd think. And how she'd feel about things like ebooks, for instance. Or, um, sex.

But Carolyn Hart has...some surprises to reveal. See how many you can find...and there's a book giveaway at the end! 

CAROLYN HART: I'm not a fan of reunions. It isn't that I don't enjoy remembering those out of my past, it is more than I want to remember them as they were, young, vibrant, so many exciting adventures ahead of them. I like to live in the present, which may be the only Zen quality of someone who is challenged to sit still for more than a few minutes at a time.

True to this mantra, I've never given much thought over time to old books. In my case, that would be 14 books published prior to Death on Demand in 1987. (The 34 books since 1987 have remained in print since publication.)

HANK: So the books before 1987 (yikes) were just…gone?

CAROLYN: Yes! However! The advent of ebook technology changed my attitude and gave me an appreciation for remembering past loves... the books that I thought were consigned to dusty garage sales.

HANK: And, unlike human past loves,  you had the rights? Or what was the deal? What did you realize?

CAROLYN: Authors who hold the rights to their early works have many avenues open to them. They can self publish as ebooks, which provides better monetary reward, or they can explore posting the ebooks on Amazon exclusively for a year then deciding what platforms to add, or they can seek a small press that would take both print and ebook rights..

In 2011, Amazon posted all 14 early books plus two short story collections with exclusive rights for a year. Sales were respectable but the unexpected outcome for me meant a great deal more than accruing royalties. Two small presses - Seventh Street Books and Oconee Spirit Press - are now republishing between them seven of those titles.

I love this because I am still an old fashioned want to-hold-the-book-in-my-hand reader.

HANK: But it’s not just the money, I bet.

CAROLYN: Right! There have been other huge - not monetary - rewards for me.



Finally, after 29 years, ESCAPE FROM PARIS, a WWII suspense novel set in Occupied France in 1940, is available as it was first written. To make the initial sale to a small pub house in England, I cut 40,000 words from a 93,000 word ms. When some of my backlist was previously reissued, I refused to have Escape from Paris republished unless in its entirety. When the offer came from Amazon to post the backlist as ebooks, I included the book on the understanding I would provide the complete original ms.

HANK: Whoa. Did you have it? From 29 years ago?

CAROLYN: Sometimes our author's angel sits on our shoulders. The book was written before computers and all I had were the tattered bond paper pages. In 2001 - for no good reason, no one wanted the book or as far as I knew ever would - I hired a typist to put it in an efile. That file resided untouched in my computer for years but it was there when I needed it. I plunged into revising and improving the book.

HANK: That could be scary! I mean...when was the last time you'd read it?

CAROLYN: I had not reread the book since I finished it in 1980. I came into the house one evening and my husband asked me what was wrong. I suppose the strain was evident. I said I'd been reading Escape from Paris and discovered I used to write tougher, harder books. His response summed it up: Readers will find a Carolyn Hart they never knew.

HANK: That’s…very very intriguing, I must say. And probably requires a whole new wardrobe. How about the other early titles? Did you revise those?

CAROLYN: I didn't do many revisions to the other earlier titles. Rereading Rendezvous in Veracruz, a light romantic suspense novel set in Mexico City in the early '80s, was a different experience altogether. I told the editor that rereading it was better than a trip to the Fountain of Youth. The background was drawn from time I spent as a freshman at Mexico City College. When I read the galleys I felt once again that I was eighteen and living in Mexico City.

HANK: So did that get you thinking…I wonder if…

CAROLYN: Yes! The rebirth of early titles either as ebooks or as ebooks and paper prompted me to look in my closet. All old writers have closets and in mine were several never before published mss. Berkley put out one last fall as an ebook only. Another - which might possibly shock my readers - is a very sexy novel of danger and suspense in first century Rome and my agent has just submitted it. I'll let you know what happens.

HANK: Now that—is well, I’ve gotta say, hard to imagine. Cannot wait! So, what advice do you have now, as a result of this?

CAROLYN: My advice to writers is to be sure that you get reversion of rights of all OP books if at all possible. A negative aspect of ebooks is that publishers can retain rights by keeping books available as ebooks but with no paper copies available. I think some agents are now trying to include in contracts a provision that a certain number of ebook sales must be made or the rights are reverted.

Many writers are doing their own self pub of ebooks and doing very well with them.

HANK: SO interesting to think about you entering this new world...you’ve been writing for how many years? And it seems—it’s actually an unexpected link to the past!

CAROLYN: As almost everyone agrees, no one in publishing is sure of how much ebooks will transform our world. To my surprise, the ebook revolution has brought the past close to me and now my books are available if there are any readers who wish to seek them out. I don't foresee a big audience or big sales, but the nicest part for me is remembering books that I'd not thought about in years and rediscovering the writer I once was.

HANK: SO great to talk with you, Carolyn. And we hope to see you at MaIice! And a copy of one of Carolyn’s books to a lucky commenter!

Let’s chat about ebooks, and your books, and your reading habits, and what you’ve discovered in the eworld! How often do you use your ereader, if you have one? Are you buying more books? DO you actually READ them? And any questions for Carolyn?

51 comments:

  1. This is amazing . . . I can only imagine what it means to you, Carolyn, to see your earlier works once again available for readers to enjoy. I think there is a great sadness to books being out of print and if eBooks help to remedy that unfortunate situation, then I am cheering them on even though I am also, as you say, “an old fashioned want to-hold-the-book-in-my-hand reader.”

    What a horrible thing to have to cut almost half of your book and, in effect, toss it away in order for it to be published . . . cheers to you for insisting on publishing it with all the words that were originally part of its story.

    Yes, Hank, I do have . . . and love . . . an eReader. I don’t have to keep track of how many books are there [my Nook tells me it currently contains 1,727 volumes] and, yes, I have read almost all of them. But the ease of reading a book electronically, along with the wonderful ability to adjust the type size to make the reading easier, and the ease of taking a small library along with me when I travel . . . this simply cannot take the place of the books that fill my bookshelves and stack up on the tables and generally take over most of the empty spaces . . . .

    Being able to read, to have so many books from which to choose, to be able to enjoy the writings of so many wonderful authors . . . this is one of the greatest joys I know. Thank you for all the wonderful words you’ve all woven into such memorable writings. May there always be books . . . .

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  2. I love my iPad mini. I buy tons of ebooks and audio books, and lots of first edition hard covers as a gift giver and collector. And I do read my books, although I've been known to stop after a few pages if one doesn't agree with me. That's rare, though, and I always find a friend who wants it and will read it.

    I am thrilled that Carolyn has had so many of her early books republished and some old MSs published for the first time? Wow!

    I so look forward to reading Escape From Paris. Occupied Paris is one of my favorite book settings. This is all very exciting.

    What a treat finding this here after a very tiring day. I feel refreshed, Carolyn. And thank you, Hank! Oh, Hank, "... probably requires a whole new wardrobe." You are too much fun. xoxo

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  3. Yes... forgot... I use my iPad mini every day all day long, for reading, research, and writing. And yes, I do buy more books, because I can read them easily with the very lightweight mini. They work for me. Reading a hardcopy book, although I do love them is very difficult for me, so when I am able to download a book called the ereader is the way I go. I often buy both versions, plus audio if I know I love the author.

    How often do you use your ereader, if you have one? Are you buying more books?

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  4. Correction: ... so when I am able to download a book to the ereader, it's the way to go.

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  5. Very interesting post! I just got a Kindle for Christmas and have read a couple of short stories on it so far.

    This weekend I self-epublished two short stories that were published in Level Best anthologies over the last decade. I realized they were back stories to two main characters in Speaking of Murder and I had the rights. I got covers done, made sure the formatting was clean (which is easy for a technical writer like me), and walked myself through both Smashwords and Amazon. It was empowering and fun. And now "Reduction in Force" and "Yatsuhashi for Lance" are up on Amazon.

    But it was Hallie who gave me the idea - she said, "You should publish a short story from the sequel to Speaking of Murder before your first Local Foods mystery comes out in June." I'll try to do that, too, but she's the one who made me realize I already had some related stories to put out there. So, thanks, Hallie!

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  6. Yes I have an ereader,too..I got it...last year? And I think there wasd bit of a learning curve..-I couldn't get used to it "clicking" every time the page turned.

    But it was such fun to download books and every need for instant-gratification of course,is fulfilled.

    I do have a little ereader ADD though..I'm alwyas thinking--I wonder if there's somethig better I could get? So somehow, it's more difficult for me to focus on what I AM reading.

    Not YOUR books, of course, dear Carolyn!

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  7. So lovely to "see" you here, Carolyn -- I'm a huge fan. I wish I had an ereader and I'd go right out and download one of these no-longer-lost books.

    I've always been a 'late adopter' when it comes to gadgets - didn't get a microwave oven until they'd been around for a decade. Ditto on cell phone. I WILL get an ereader but every year it gets more complicated (features/price) deciding what to get so I get paralyzed.

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  8. Hi Carolyn, welcome back! It's so good to know that content is still king and older works can find new life (and new readers) even long after the seeming need for "New! New! New!" has passed.

    Re ereaders, downloads, etc. I realized the other day that I had ordered from Amazon 4 times in the last 6 weeks and didn't buy one book. Got snowshoes, boxing gloves, etc. Bought the books at good old Barnes & Noble. And they were paper. I have an ereader but it annoys the heck out of me. May download more when I get the new convertible computer. Looking at an HP Envy2

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  9. ANd yeah, Hallie, which kind?

    First, is SMALLER better?

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  10. Mother's Day 2011, I received a Kindle -- I have one book on it, and read one chapter. Meanwhile, I have read piles of real books. I am not very good with technology (have never figured out an ipod). My idea is that when I next go on a trip where I need to pack light I will use the Kindle. So, I have to plan such a trip!

    This was a fascinating post, and I love the idea of out-of-print materials being brought back to life.

    Thank you.

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  11. Hi Carolyn. I really enjoyed the copy of Escape from Paris that you sent me.

    I too have old titles I'd like to put on Amazon, but the one thing lacking is TIME. I just don't seem to have a moment to set rights reversion in progress and since I no longer have the same agent as way back when, I can't ask my current agent to do it.

    One day.... and looking forward to seeing you at Malice!

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  12. What a story. I think that's a great aspect of ebooks - this idea that things long out of print can be brought to a new audience. A second life, if you will.

    I don't have a dedicated ereader - but I do have an iPhone with both the iBooks and Kindle apps. And despite the small screen size, I read on it all the time. It's great for killing time at lunch and I don't have to lug a book back and forth.

    But my house is stuffed with books and I don't think I'll ever give them up. (Yet another advantage of ebooks - they don't take up space I don't have on my shelves.) But most of my buying is ebooks. Physical copies are getting saved for special things, like my signed copy of THE OTHER WOMAN, the signed ARC from Hallie that I got at Bouchercon, or my signed copy of LOWCOUNTRY BOIL (do you see a theme) here. If I fall in love with the ebook, I might buy the physical copy, but it's like buying a mass-market paperback AND a hardcover (or trade paperback). Some things, you just want a nice copy of to have.

    And while it's true there is no such thing as too many books, there is such a thing as not enough space - so I'm very grateful to ebooks in that regard.

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  13. Wow.

    I love coming here and seeing one of my idols! Welcome, Carolyn!

    I was one of those people who swore I'd never use an eReader. Never Ever Ever. (is anyone out there counting how many times I've eaten my words?). Well, I'm now a huge fan. We have a small house and there are bookshelves and bookcases in every room. We recently did away with out guest room and turned it into a mini-library (only holds authors A thru G). One of the things I love best about it is exactly what you pointed out - being able to read a favorite author's older out of print work. WHAT a joy!

    And because I tend to fret about anything and everything I now worry less about being able to take my favorite books with me when I go to the old folks' home - they're all on my iPad. Yay!!!

    And. I'm getting ready to self publish my first novel, which should be available on your Ereaders "pretty" soon, guys.

    heeeeeeee

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  14. I have a Sony eReader and I like it a lot. One of the best features is being able to borrow books from the library. I've been more adventurous in my reading because it's so easy to download a library book.

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  15. Darlene, how do you borrow books from the library via ereader? How does that even work?

    Kaye--we cannot wait to have the Kaye-book-parade on Jungle Red! (Tell us at least a LITTLE bit about it!)

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  16. This is a great posting, and so revealing. I'm going to keep this bookmarked for future reference (and will look to get my hands on Escape from Paris.)

    Hugely important, of course, to keep control over the early books. Especially the ones you KNOW you never want to see the light of day (or Kindle) again. Georgette Heyer suppressed a number of her early books, and rightly so, I think. Nevil Shute was not so successful, I believe.

    Interesting how the 1980s is "vintage".

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  17. Hi Carolyn! (Waving from rainy, soggy Dallas.) So great to see you on JR. And I'm thrilled about the re-release of the books. Since I'm not eligible to win Escape from Paris, I'll be buying it asap:-)

    On e-readers: I have had Kindle and Nook software on my phone and my laptop the last couple of years, but held off on the e-reader until something came out that was just right.

    And this year my hubby gave it to me for Christmas. It's a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. You can have Kindle and Nook software, and other non-proprietary readers. There a lot of digital books in the public domain that you can read on something like Mobi-reader. Here's a link to a great free library source: http://www.baen.com/library/ Lots of out-of-print sci-fi titles that I loved when I was growing up.

    I can't say enough about how much I love my Galaxy, but interestingly, the two books I've bought for it since Christmas are non-fiction, and I've bought two of my favorite mystery authors in hardcover. So no way am I giving up buying "real" books, but the e-reader does seem to open up a world of possibilities.

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  18. I'm fascinated by the side benefits of ebooks you mention. How wonderful to have a chance to go back and revisit an earlier you.

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  19. This is why I love this site--now I have a new author to explore! Escape from Paris sounds just like the type of book I enjoy. I'm vacationing in Puerto Rico next week, and Ms. Hart will be coming along.

    I was given a Kindle a bit over a year ago and love it. I do buy a few more books, but the majority of what I read is from the library or public domain, such as Trollope, Austin, etc. I have found it doesn't work well for non-fiction, especially for history and biography, as picture and genogram reproduction are poor.

    I absolutely love using it in bed and on vacation. It also works well to pass the time on an elliptaical machine, because I can increase the font to make it easier to read while in motion!

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  20. Yes, Judybusy, the font thing is pretty fabulous!

    I never mastered reading while exercising..so I just stopped exercising.

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  21. Just popping in to say Hi to Carolyn, and to heartily endorse her latest, What the Cat Saw. Who knew Oklahoma could be so mysterious?!!?

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  22. Thanks to ereaders I am reading more books and buying more books. I am so grateful for this technology which enables me to read painlessly,and I use it daily! I probably purchase three or four books per month this way, while still purchasing tradtional books -because I cannot seem to leave a bookstore emptyhanded! I have needed medical attention for two entirely different injuries suffered because of trying to keep a firm grasp on a traditional book. I cannot afford to be snobbish about this new technology! (I am using my reader right now to write this response, by the way. It is currently my only access to the Internet.)

    Even without the orthopedic issues I find the ereader to be a godsend because I simply do not have the room to store all the books I want to own. Every couple of years I have been weeding out my books, but I hate to do that: it's like telling my old friends that I no longer have room in my life for them if I want to make NEW friends.

    Carolyn...I bought one of your older books a couple of weeks ago for my reader...so happy to have discovered that you have more books for me to read!

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  23. Hank, my daughter borrows books from the library for her Nook all the time. I believe the specifics will be different by reader, but she goes to the library site on her computer, enters her library card number into a form when she locates a book, and "borrows" it. Then its downloaded to the computer (she had to install the free Adobe Digital Reader or something like that - and she might use it for the downloading too, now that I think of it) and she syncs it with her Nook.

    A nice part? No remember to return it. At the end of the borrowing period it just "disappears" from her device.

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  24. Hi, Carolyn, nice to read that some of your out-of-print books are back in business.

    Look forward to seeing you get your award at Malice Domestic this year!

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  25. Great interview Hank and Carolyn! I love Carolyn's books, and am glad that the older books are being made available. I buy (and read) 100+ books a year--some in print, some in e-format. For those authors whose works I collect, I buy the print versions when availble. I do find that reading on the Kindle has certain advantages, such as being able to adjust the font size for aging eyes, and the non-glare gray background (on the regular Kindle) which is very restful on the eyes. It is also lighter to hold than most hard-cover books, especially when my hands are achy. However, there is a special sense of "connection" when holding a physical book in your hands. So, I will continue to buy and enjoy both

    Carolyn, is there a new Bailey Ruth book coming out soon? I love that series as much as the Death on Demand series.

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  26. Hi, Carolyn! I'm a big fan, and must say that it does not surprise me that you once wrote a steamy novel. After all, Annie and Max Darling have the perpetual hots for one another!

    It thrills my very soul to know that backlist and out of print books, especially early ones in author series, are becoming available in e-book form. Why should publishers be in charge of which titles are still available, after all? There are so many readers who have not yet begun to discover the delights of early Margaret Maron, or out of print Carolyn Hart; they should also be able to read such wonderful books.

    I use my Nook Tablet every single day, even when I'm also reading a paper book. It's an actual, fully functioning computer, but it costs less than $150. It's faster than any other computer I've ever had, and I really love the touchscreen. (No clicks, Hank!) In fact, I've stopped taking my netbook with me when I travel, the Nook Tablet is so functional. The single drawback is that it doesn't have the ability to add peripherals, so only the virtual keyboard is available.

    The Kindle Fire is similar, but is not as powerful, fast, or have as much memory, and I think it costs slightly more, as well. Besides which, the Kindle products can only read books from Amazon; the Nook products can read a wide variety of e-formats.

    Also, Amazon has made me very angry because of their use of a way of shopping using cell phones, while in an actual store, but ordering direct from Amazon. They already have taken over a lot of the publishing world; this particular activity is not good for real, brick & mortar stores, and is causing huge problems for already struggling retailers. Target had an early relationship with Amazon, allowing their customers to buy through Amazon, and I think they are now regretting having done so, since Amazon is doing an end-run around them, and selling directly to customers who use the in-store comparison shopping (called showrooming). Boo, hiss. Comparing prices is good, but losing local businesses because of a few cents is not.

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  27. Hi Carolyn, welcome back! You are so amazingly prolific--we are in awe.

    Against my wishes, my hub bought me a kindle that I simply did not warm up to. Now we share an ipad, which I do like better. I still have to be forced to read an ebook--I did finish my first one because that's the only way it was available. (You'll meet the author later this month, and you'll want to read her book too!)

    I still like a good old-fashioned book. And yeah, Ro, boxing gloves??

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  28. I really enjoy Carolyn's books! And now I'm a Kindle Fire owner it's so much easier to read ebooks. Your new book What the Cat Saw is intriguing. Would love to read it.

    harvee44@yahoo.com

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  29. What fun to read the back and forth about ebooks and paper books. I think the happiest aspect for me from the ebook reprints is that it led to the reprint of so many of the titles in paper. (A note - Escape from Paris will be pub in paper and ebook in June.)And yes, I prefer paper though I have an iPad.
    Donna asked about Bailey Ruth. Yes, she will return next October in Ghost Gone Wild.
    I had qualms about whether readers would like the early books since most are thrillers, not traditional mysteries. So far, the response has been very kind.
    This is such a great site with such wonderful writers. I admire all of you very much. Thanks for asking me to visit. I love to come. Carolyn

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  30. Since you've asked..my boxing gloves wore out and I needed a new pair. I have a TKO Fatboy stationary punching bag and use 12 oz Everlast gloves (and wraps.)Do not mess with me! ;-)

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  31. Ro, you NEVER cease to amaze me. Any other Reds readers box??

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  32. Hi again, I have looked for Escape from Paris on Amazon, but they don't have the Kindle version listed. Did I misunderstand?

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  33. Dear Judy - This is a book that was republished, has gone briefly OP, and is now set to be repubbed again. It will be available in June from Seventh Street Books and also as an ebook in all the ebook formats. I should have been clearer. The June edition will also have a new cover.

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  34. I actually laughed out loud Carolyn when Hank said You will need a whole new Wardrobe....So glad you have Published Your "Vintage Books" Which also bring back special Memories for My Baby Boomer Generation...If I find them I will Pin Them on Pinterest on my Board EMysteries....More Success ....

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  35. Also, to Karen in Ohio - Once a reader sent me an email complaining that all Max ever thought about was sex. As I said to a friend, yeah, she got that right.

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  36. I don't box, but I will (hopefully) earn my black belt in taekwondo by the end of 2013.

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  37. Hank, I borrow library books for my ereader, too. You just go through your local library, and access the ebooks through them, according to which services they subscribe to. Once I have access through my local library, I connect to the service and select the ebooks I want to read. To reflect library practices they control the numbers of copies available for download at any one time. You can renew these books, just as you might with a walk-in library. Other than that, when your time is up, it's up.

    Hank, you can shut the click sounds off on your ereader. I don't know which type you have, but on my Mini iPad, you go to settings and select the option you want (click sounds - off).

    Anyone trying to decide on an ereader, the mini iPad allows use of Nook, Kindle, Google, most all, as well as iBooks of course. Then you have the added functionality of a computer. You can use the on-screen keyboard, the built-in speech-to-text (Hank's little microphone thingy, which is what I usually do) or a regular bluetooth keyboard for iMac.

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  38. Thanks for the clarification, Carolyn!

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  39. Carolyn, I didn't have time to mention earlier that I always eagerly look foward to the publication of whatever your next book is. Through Annie Darling, you have introduced me to so many of my now-favorite authors.

    I have not yet read What the Cat Saw but plan to. Will there be more Henrie O books? (Please say Yes!)

    Edith, I had a very fruitful lunch break today: after reading and responding to JRW I purchased your two short stories for my ereader. Since I am now sitting in a waiting room, I plan to get started on one of them in a minute or so!

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  40. Carolyn, I'm thrilled to hear Bailey Ruth will be back! I do love her books. I'm completely in awe of you and all you have accomplished and continue to accomplish. I'm so looking forward to meting you in person at Malice!

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  41. Wow, am I late to the party or what? I think it's wonderful how e-books can help bring back the past. what amazes me is that lost ms. Talk about some little writer-god looking over your shoulder! Amazing.

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  42. 1 ebook in the family- a gift in dec. 2011 to college daughter, voracious reader, from her fella.
    daughter doesn’t prefer to paper books but has it with her (studies far away from us) for commuting purposes & backpacking trips when she doesn’t want to haul lotsa books….

    when hubby & I plunk out the dough it will likely be a color Nook with the gizmos

    who besides me who wants to get her family to finance their operating a bookshop, after reading a scrumptious Death on Demand mystery by CAROLYN HART?

    due to this lively Jungle Red visit between two generous talents, I wanted to visit this site below. There, I earned a 50 percent on Carolyn’s quiz, which was a hoot to take.
    Thank you to two special sleuth-writers CH & HR

    the site to take the test:
    http://carolynhart.com/death-on-demand-series/

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  43. Like Susan, I'm thrilled that Bailey Ruth will be back. Absolutely love her! Looking forward to seeing you again at Malice, and looking forward to checking out these old but new stories!

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  44. And look at the gorgeous new cover Escape from Paris will have! Carolyn may not need new clothes, but her books are getting them!

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  45. Carolyn, I'm delighted that your earlier books will be re-released. I know I've been enjoying getting to reread some of Margaret Maron's books that had been OOP. Had to laugh at Hank's comment that you'll have to buy a whole new wardrobe for your tougher, harder books.

    Hank, I have the Kindle app on my laptop so I can read friends' books that are only available in e-format. I won't get an e-reader until the market settles on one format. Anyone remember Betamax videos? I actually suspect that dedicated e-readers won't last too much longer and will be overtaken by tablets with e-reader functions.

    I can also see an e-reader of some kind as helpful for huge books, such as Stephen King's last one. I have a hard time holding really big, heavy hardcovers because of the lupus and fibro. Also, books have so taken over my house that there's no room for people any longer. (My youngest son--who's just as bad, actually--threatened to call the hoarders TV show on Ben and me because of the books.

    And ARCs for EVERY BROKEN TRUST just showed up at my house today with the lovely blurb Red Debs gave it and the gorgeous cover. So I'm a happy, happy camper. :-)

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  46. Congrats on your success bringing these OOP titles back to new life, Carolyn. I've loved your books for years! I have a 2nd gen Kindle, but I am a purist, must have my pages to turn and fondle and smell :) I find the Kindle super-useful for sussing out whether I want to check out a book from the library or buy it. Saves a lot of not-finishing books knowing in advance that I'm already hooked by the sample.

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  47. Hank wrote:
    "You know Carolyn Hart. You love her, right?"

    Right! I do, I do! And her books, too! A lovely interview. So nice to "hear" from you, Carolyn! (And thanks for hosting her, JR!)

    As for e-books, we own a Nook. I found it much more user friendly than a Kindle. I also use the various apps on my iPhone. Kindle, Nook, etc. It's a nice addition, because if you forget your e-reader, the books are there in your library, and you can read them wherever you (and your iPhone) are. Great for doctor's offices, when you've forgotten a real book. (Still prefer the real deal.)

    An e-reader is also nice for academic reasons, be it on your phone, computer, or tablet. We ordered my daughter's first e-textbook via Nook, for virtually a 1/3 of the cost of the actual book. (So much easier than hunting for a used copy). Granted you can't sell your version afterwards, but by the time you factor in the hassle, depreciation, postage, etc., you are coming out ahead. (And next year when the twins enter college, this will be a real money saver.)

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  48. So glad, Carolyn, that you're putting out your earlier books. I'm a big fan. How interesting that you used to write "tougher" books. I guess we do mellow a bit over time.

    Unlike Hallie, I'm an early adopter of technology. I love my Kindle, and have had one for several years. There just isn't any more room in my house for more stacks of physical books (except signed books, of course), so I use the Kindle almost exclusively and every day. It's great to have my TBR pile waiting in the device as soon as I finish a book.

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  49. And the winners of Carolyn's books are Susanna Stone, Judybusy, and Terry Shames! Contact me at

    at h ryan at whdh dot com !

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  50. Carolyn, I think it's wonderful that e-books are giving your early backlist new life (and that of other authors, as well.)

    Hank, I do have an e-reader, a Sony PRS-505 which I love. I stock it with both new-to-me books and old favorites, since I love being able to have some of my favorite books with me when I travel. For instance, on a trip to Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia a few years ago, I re-read all the Anne of Green Gables books. And for last summer's vacation, I had to buy an e-copy of "A Discovery of Witches" so I could re-read it before the sequel came out. Somehow, I couldn't see hauling a big fat hardcover (along with 15 paperbacks; I read fast) all the way to Canada and back. The e-books were a godsend.

    I also take advantage of publisher deals on ebooks to explore new authors, particularly in romance and mystery. (For some reason, fantasy/SF doesn't seem to be discounted as often.) And I love it when authors bring out backlist books I may not have read, or read and loved but no longer have a copy of.


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