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Smashwords authors give back

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The idea of binge watching several TV shows during the coronavirus quarantine is quite appealing, at least in theory. At a certain point, however, you might find yourself asking, what else could I be doing? Maybe reading books.

I like the TV show JAG, despite the unquestioning attitude towards the War on Terror which the show’s writers had to walk back on at least one episode. But even I can’t watch all nine episodes the Heroes & Icons digital TV (480P) channel airs on Wednesdays.

Don’t I have books to read? I did manage to check out Hidden Figures (the book by Margot Lee Shetterley that the movie’s based on) before the Detroit Public Library closed ahead of the governor’s stay-at-home order. The Wayne State University libraries are also closed for the time being. And even without the coronavirus pandemic, I’m wary of books in Little Free Libraries.

Another option, if you don’t have books you haven’t already read, is to buy eBooks from a website like Smashwords. I suppose it’ll count towards your screen time, unlike a physical book, but it still counts as reading, right?

On March 21, Smashwords sent an e-mail to authors such as myself to enroll in a new sitewide sale. Actually, it was an idea that came from some of my fellow Smashwords authors.

Smashwords authors asked that we run a special sale to help their readers cope with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. We listened. Now though April 20, the Authors Give Back sale offers thousands of ebooks discounted30-100%.

Authors Give Back sale now underway - Thousands of Deep-Discounted eBooks!

In recent days as the global Covid-19 pandemic unfolded, several Smashwords authors reached out to our founder Mark Coker, asking him to consider running a special sale for their readers.

These authors wanted to do their part to use the power of their books to help mitigate the emotional and [economic] hardship faced by citizens of every country, many of whom are now forced to stay home and self-isolate.

Our authors asked and we listened. Now through April 20 at the Smashwords Store, thousands of Smashwords authors and publishers are offering deep discounts of 30%, 60% and even 100% on select ebooks.

It is the hope of our authors that you, your friends, and your family might find redemptive strength, comfort, and enjoyment from their books.

If you discover a new favorite author during the sale, consider showing your appreciation by purchasing and reading their other books. The 140,000 authors that publish at Smashwords come from every country and community around the globe. They're your friends and neighbors.

Please help spread the word! Hashtags #authorsgiveback and #Smashwords.

Take care and stay safe.

It was a day or two after I got the first e-mail that I enrolled all but one of my Smashwords books in the sale, at varying discount levels.

My only fiction book, Detroit Math Detectives, First Casebook, has been a complete flop, so there probably won’t be a Second Casebook. I might as well make it available for free. I think I’m a better writer of fiction than Mitch Albom, but that’s a low bar to clear. I’d rather be compared to John Grisham or J. K. Rowling, even if unfavorably.

My other books are nonfiction, though two of them are about fiction: Milestones in Television History: JAG, the Military Law Drama that Redefined American Patriotism and Movies by the Book: The Hound of the Baskervilles.

I’m proud that my book about JAG got a one-star review on Barnes & Noble saying the book is “nothing but political opinions, couldn’t delete fast enough.” Though if you buy it, buy it directly from Smashwords to get it at the discounted price of $1.60.

And my other books are about classical music: The 20 Crucial Compositions of Anton Bruckner (on sale for $1.60), 104 Great Symphonies You Haven't Heard Yet (on sale for $2, though I wish I could price it at $1.04) and Repertoire Tips for Classical Music Radio Stations (which is always free, so I suppose it’s technically also in the sale).

My book about Bruckner has had pretty good sales. It might be because I don’t have much competition in that category, whereas in the police procedural category I’ve got some stiff competition, like Rebecca Forster’s Witness series (her books are also available on Amazon, but if you only want her books as eBooks, I recommend getting them from Smashwords).

Though I get the impression that the most abundant category on Smashwords is romance (including erotica). I wouldn’t even try to compete in that category.

The sale ends April 20, but, like the Michigan stay-at-home order, it might be extended. Though I suppose in that case, Smashwords would ask if I want to re-enroll in the promotion. I would.


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