Everything I Learned About eBooks I Learned in Star Trek


One of my favourite images from Star Trek: The Next Generation is Captain Picard taking some time out on the couch of his office. He has his tea (Earl Grey, hot) and a book (Collected Works of Shakespeare or maybe Under a Texas Star).

EBooks are cheap, convenient, and fun, but there is nothing like holding a Real Book in your hands. I'm looking forward to that moment when my author copies of  Under A Texas Star arrive.

Once I started thinking about Captain Picard and his anachronistic love of Real Books, it occurred to me how much Star Trek predicted about the near future. While Picard may love reading a hard copy for recreation, all his reports come to him on electronic tablets that strongly resemble an iPad or Playbook. These Pads don't have the flexibility of a Tricorder, but they are perfect for reading and make notes on your First Officers crew evaluations. Just like an e-readers.

Tricorders are just smarter Smart Phones. We have hand scanners and sensors. All we need to do is combine them with the ubiquitous iPhone or Blackberry then add aps.

"Mister Crusher, can you scan identify the organic matter adhering to my boot?"
"Shit, sir. I have an ap for that."

Under A Texas Star is now available in paperback for $14.99 on Amazon.com. It will be available on Amazon.ca and other online booksellers soon.

Available for your e-reader or Pad... Under A Texas Star eBook is $3.99 on Amazon.com.


On the Virtual Trail for Under A Texas Star

As promised, my blog trail is posted to the right and will stay up for the duration (with TBA dates filled in as I have them). I hope you will drop by to each spot and leave a comment. (People who comment will be entered into a draw for prizes!)

Comments

  1. Hello Alison, and congratulations on at last holding your newborn in your hands. I will stay tuned for your blog tour.

    An app for shit on boots! Wouldn't surprise me in the least.

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  2. Re real books v ebooks: my thoughts exactly! Nothing can ever replace actually holding a book in your hands. Not to mention that it gives me a chance to rest my eyes from all this high tech radiation.
    My friend keeps trying to get me into ebooks, telling me that paperbacks will soon be a thing of the past. But nooo, I want my paperbacks!

    Still, I am glad my book will be released in 2 formats, as it will then be able to reach out to a wider range of readers... like my ebook-luvin' friend.

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  3. I appreciate eBooks for the flexibility they allow. I've said it before and I'll probably say it again, I wish they had been around for my father. He loved to read but LP books weren't large enough for him and the CNIB tools didn't have the scope of an eBook reader.

    I don't think Real Books will ever disappear because they provide a sensual pleasure that eBooks can't match.

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