Recently I released a new CD and revised my book. There are several unique retailers and different devices in which you can purchase digital downloads of my book and CD. This blog will explain the vastly different services that different stores offer. In the book section of the blog I will discuss different retailers along with several different devices that are available. Believe me, this is all confusing, but I will explain things so that you can make an informed decision on where to purchase my book and/or CD, or your other favorite books and music.
Lets first start with my CD. The traditional CD is available at Amazon.com, or you can purchase a signed copy at any of my events. The downloadable MP3 is available from many different retailers which offer many different types of service. One misconception is that Definitions the CD is an audio book. It is not, it is recordings of 25 of the poems from the book. These poems are recorded as I perform them on stage with added effects. Some examples would be on “Seize the Day” the effects are if I am performing in a cathedral. On “Begin Again” you get the sensation that you are on the beach. There is much more and at all stores you may sample each poem.
Itunes is the Apple store which was created for the widely popular iPod device. You may purchase music from iTunes to use on other devices as well. The iTunes store has Definitions for $9.99 or $.99 for each track, though if you download a track or two and then decide to download the entire CD iTunes will deduct the money you have already spent, for example: if you buy 2 tracks at $1.88 then decide to download the CD then it will cost you $8.11. iTunes also offers download of videos and podcast which are different media such as radio shows etc. The Poets Haven, a poetry show I often perform at, has a podcast on itunes. Itunes is not a subscription service, you purchase singles or albums. Itunes operates different sites in the USA, Canada, UK/European Union, Japan, Australia/ New Zealand, and Mexico
to purchase Definitions at iTunes click here
Amazon has Definitions available for $8.99 and $.99 a track. Amazon also caries the book in ebook and print copy. You may also purchase a print version of the book. Amazon only offers download of CDs or single tracks. They are not a subscription service. Amazon has a wish list which allows you to pick an item and purchase it later. Amazon operates in the USA, UK, Germany, France, China, and Japan.
To purchase from Amazon click here
Shock Hound is a newer music download site owned by the popular clothing store Hot Topic. Shockhound offers Definitions for $ 9.99 and each track for $.99. Shockhound has a wish list like other stores to purchase later. Shockhound has an online community forum along with some other nice features which include an art gallery of band art, interviews with artists, and you can purchase bands merchandise online as well.
To purchase from ShockHound click here
Nokia Store offers Music for their own player which is downloadable on their site, and on Nokia phones and portable devices. Nokia phones and mp3 players have a link to the store to purchase music. The Nokia store operates in several different countries throughout the world. Nokia has Definitions for $9.99 and $.99 for each track.
To purchase from the Nokia Store click here (PC site)
Limewire Store is a newer store offered by the software company that created the the file transfer software Limewire. You must use Limewire software to download from any of their stores, they offer fast downloads and different file transfers. Limewire offers Definitions for $9.99 and each track for $.99.
To purchase from Limewire (after installing their software) click here
Lala is another newer store that offers three different choices. First, you may download the album, or single tracks, and the third option allows you to keep and online library at a reduced cost. Lala offers Definitions for cheaper than anyone else. The album is $7.49 downloaded for any portable music player and offline PC, each track is $.89. The third option is to add the album to your online library, which you can only listen to by logging into Lala, and the cost of that is $2.25. There is no subscription fee with Lala.
To purchase at Lala click here
IMVU is the most unique of any of the stores. IMVU is a 3D interactive social site where you can chat and be part of a virtual world. You can create your own character, buy clothes for that character and travel the world. You can purchase Definitions by going to the mall in the game and downloading it. It costs $9.99 for the album and $.99 for a single track. The software is free though buying clothes in the game and other things cost money. You must download the software to purchase the MP3s.
To visit IMVU click here
eMusic is a subscription service that allows you to download music as albums or single tracks. Emusic has different prices for subscriptions starting at $11.99 a month. That subscription gives you 24 downloads then around $.42 from there which is half the price of most stores. Definitions is available for $.42 per track. Emusic leans very heavily towards indie groups.
To purchase on eMusic click here
Napster is a subscription service that allows unlimited streaming audio and downloads. You can download both albums single tracks. The subscription fee is $5.00 per month and Definitions is available for download for $9.99 or $.99 per track. Napster is the digital download site for Best Buy.
To purchase on Napster click here
Rhapsody is a subscription service that plays only streaming music. You can listen to whatever song you want whenever you want (as long as you are online) and the subscription fee starts at $12.99 a month. Rhapsody has other plans which allow you to store songs on an Mp3 player. You can also purchase the album or any single track without subscribing to Rhapsody. Definitions sells for $9.99 for the album and $.99 per track.
To purchase, listen to, and/or subscribe to Rhapsody click here
Hopefully this explains all these stores, I chose to sell at all these stores so that my customers would have many different choices and one that fits their tastes. Many of the bookstores and venues I will appear will be offering a link on their websites to sell my album as well, though those sites will direct you to either iTunes or Amazon. It won’t cost you any more to go through the venue and you will be helping their revenue. Myspace has links to iTunes and you can listen to tracks on Myspace click here
Now, if you’re confused about all these new reading devices available, you’re not the only one. Lots of people are, and rightfully so. There are so many different ways of reading a book. These devices have their advantages and disadvantages. One of the reasons ebooks have failed miserable in the past is people would get a “CRT headache” which is caused by the light from the older tube screens. Another reason was that people didn’t like carrying their computers around everywhere just to read a book, though attitudes have changed about that, and today there are an enormous amount of portable devices such as Palm Pilots, iPods, PDAs, and Blackberrys. That doesn’t include the new reading devices which are designed to be less bright and much more pleasing on the eyes. People who read books for enjoyment want to be more relaxed when reading, the brighter screens don’t always accomplish that. So came the Kindle from Amazon which debuted a couple of years ago. The screen looked more like the paper of a book and the device was thin, lightweight, and shaped like a book which made it much more portable and better to sit in a chair or lie in bed and read. The device quickly became a best seller. Since then Sony has introduced the Sony and reader and Barnes and Noble has introduced the Nook. First I will discuss the devices and some of the stores that will carry Definitions. Another advantage is that you have several books at your fingertips without carrying a lot of different books around. The text can be made larger for people who have trouble reading smaller print. The biggest advantage is the price. There is no printing involved, no shipping, and is much more cost effective for the seller. Due to that it is much cheaper. Definitions is $4.00 less in all ebook forms than print. Another example is the new book “Game Change” which is 50% less on Kindle and Nook than in print copy. With all its advantages, there are disadvantages. Ebook devices use power which requires more electricity and if you are in a place where you don’t have access to electricity and your battery runs out, you can’t read. The most glaring problem is that ebooks don’t have page numbers and pages don’t work like a traditional book does which makes it hard to find things in a book especially text books. Older versions of ereaders wouldn’t let you highlight or make notes in the book but the newer versions do. One other problem is comparability. For example you can buy a Kindle but can’t download books from Barnes and Noble, or a Nook but can’t buy books from Amazon. Although the wholesale sites and indie retailers offer the ability to download for whichever device you have. Below I will list some of the devices and stores which you can purchase Definitions. You can still purchase a print copy of Definitions at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and several indie bookstores. At each of my signings I will have information on how to purchase an ebook version or you will be able to purchase a print copy. Along with the new ebook versions of Definitions I have revised the print version as well and offering a few new poems in the book. To purchase the paperback version click here
Amazon Kindle has two models, the Kindle and Kindle DX. The Kindle costs $259.00 and has a 6” screen. This Kindle is a little lighter than the DX which has a 9.7” screen The Kindle DX costs $489.00. The DX screen will rotate to the side to read sideways while the regular Kindle will not. The DX also has twice the memory as the original Kindle. The Kindle works on wireless system so you do not need to connect it to a PC. You can download books from wherever there is coverage via Whispernet service which is a wireless system. The system is widely available throughout North America and Europe. See Amazon.com for a coverage map. There is no fee for the service. In addition to books you can download your favorite newspapers, magazines and blogs. Kindle books can be downloaded to your PC or iPod as well. It will be available for mac, Blackberry, and PDA soon. The PC and iPod versions are free. To get Kindle on iPod or iPhone go to the ap store search Amazon Kindle and download the ap. Once the ap is downloaded you can go to the Kindle store right from your iPod and purchase the book. The ap is free. You can’t view Newspapers and magazines on the iPod and PC versions though. To get the PC version click here. To purchase a Kindle click here. You may purchase Definitions on Kindle here.
Barnes and Noble Nook is the new device from Barnes and Noble. It is similar to the Kindle, but Barnes and Noble offers some different services and the Nook offers quite a few more features. The Nook is priced at $259.00. The Nook is a touch screen device and the keyboard is on the screen. The nook follows the At&T network and also works on Wifi. The Nook also offers an expanded memory slot for an SD card. The other big feature Nook offers is that you can go to any Barnes and Noble and read any book for free. The Nook will also let you lend books to a friend although they will only have a week to read the book. Barnes and Noble eReader is free. You can download for PC, Mac, iPod, or Blackberry. To download on iPod/iPhone go to the ap store search for Barnes and Noble and download the ap. After it is installed you will be able to shop on Barnes and Noble. To get eReader on Blackberry simply go to Barnes and Noble on the Blackberry’s browser and it will give you the option to download the ap. After it is installed you will be able to browse the store. To Purchase Nook click here or you can go to any Barnes and Noble location and purchase one. To download the PC eReader click here. At the time of this writing Definitions is not yet available in ebook for from Barnes and Noble, but will be in the future. You can download the book for Nook at some indie bookstores and at Smashword, which I will post below.
Sony Reader is independent of any store and you can download books from several different stores as well as purchase the Sony Reader at many different retail stores including Walmart, Target, Sears, Negg, Amazon, Overstock.com and the Sony store. Prices range from $269 to $300 and you can purchase used Sony Readers. The Sony Reader is a touch screen with and expansion slot for both an SD card and memory stick. The The screen size is 6”. It comes with a stylest so you can highlight words and even comes with a built in Oxford dictionary. The Sony Reader is by far the most versatile out of the three major devices given that you can download from so many different retailers and it supports several different formats of ebook. It also comes in several different colors. The Sony Reader has been the choice of the indie bookstores, because Sony is not tied to one outlet like Kindle and Nook. Though distributors usually have them in every format. Sony does have a store and you can download public domain books from Google books. The Reader, like its competitors, has the ability to download newspapers and magazines. Sony has a free PC and mac version of its reader where you can download books and read them on you PC also. Definitions will be available on the Sony store soon.
Ipod has many different ways of reading eBooks. Amazon and Barnes and Noble both have reader versions for iPod. Stanza reader was developed for iPhone, but also has versions for mac and PC. Stanza is a free reader which you can get from iTunes ap store. To download Stanza PC version or mac click here. With Stanza you can go to several different retailers to purchase ebooks. Books on Board, Fictionwise, O’Reilly Books, All Romance, and Smashwords. Definitions is available on Smashwords for $8.99.
PDAs, Palm Pilots, and other portable devices are capable of downloading books too. They are capable but not widely available due to the popularity of iPod and other reader devices. Smashwords has a Palm document format which you can download a copy of Definitions. Blackberrys are capable of downloading the book at certain stores.
Smashwords is an ebook store that sells Definitions in every format above. If you have a Nook, Kindle, Sony Reader, iPod with Stanza etc. Many indie bookstores use Smashwords to distribute ebooks and any who do so have Definitions available. To get Definitions from Smashwords click here. Nook and Stanza users download the epub files, Kindle users download the .mobi file. Sony Reader users download the LRF file. If you go to this site an any one of these readers it will automatically download the correct file, you won’t need to choose a file.
Hopefully this has enlightened you to what’s available and a print version of the book and a CD version of the album are still available. One of the nice ideas that has come along is an eLibrary which you can sign out books for a week or so and they are removed off your device after a you order another book. There is a subscription fee for this service. No word on prices for this service but it is in the works.