Hey, “The Story Of Rose” isn’t officially out until August 6, but it is already a national bestseller on Amazon – no. 1 in many categories – and elsewhere. It is really moving, this is very exciting. The book is priced by Random House to sell – $2.99. It is my first nonfiction E-book original and theirs too, so we are jumping off into the new world together. It is a gamble for me, in many ways, a leap into the future. Eyes open.
It is a complete new book, a full, 40,000 word plus book, original content, and photos and videos. I am so proud of it. My cover shot, and a tribute to one of the greatest dogs I will ever know. I was inspired to become a writer when I was a kid and read “Call Of The Wild,” his beautiful and poignant tribute to a dog who answered the call of the wild and saved, then avenged, her human’s life. Rose saved my life and she answered the call of the wild on this farm, battling coyotes, blizzards, ghosts, wild pigs, terrified lambs and sometimes me. Lots of new stories, a very affirming look at a very remarkable creature.
The book is not out in paper, and probably will not be, but it is available on your computer, your Iphone, most smartphones, Amazon, Bn.Com, IBooks, Google Reader, the Ipad, the Kindle, The Nook. That’s a lot of places. I had a laugh. A woman I know who lives in a big house in Vermont and another in Martha’s Vineyard, and who has five or six beautiful Golden Retrievers in Vermont e-mailed me that she was excited about the new book, and was considering putting it on her wish list for Christmas. God help me, the devil tweaked me and I mailed her $2.99 in an envelope. She needs it more than I do. I shouldn’t have but I’m glad I did.
The pricing is important. Random House is thinking that a complete book with photographs (and in the enhanced edition, video) that is sold that low gives people few reasons not to buy it. The volume will make up for the low price. I suspect they were right. I have been wanting to do an e-book for some years, and am grateful for the chance. I have more in mind.
Anyway the book is off to a great launch and I can feel it taking off. So glad for Rose, who keeps on working for me.