Tag Archives: ebooks

I DO NOT COMPREHEND

One of my regrets is my inability to speak any language other than my native tongue, English. I don’t know why I should have a mental block so far as learning languages is concerned. I received good marks in both English language and literature a-levels and went on to read history and politics at university which entailed having a good grasp of English. Despite my ability to make foreigners roll about holding their sides with laughter when attempting to converse with them in their native tongue I was pleased to see that my collection of short stories, “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” is available in German, French and a number of languages which I am unable to speak! Thank goodness for Amazon’s translators whether human or software based! To learn more about Sting In The Tail please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sting-tail-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00DFK6R54

The Joy of Housekeeping

I hate housekeeping and I’m not talking about housework although as it happens I dislike that also. I’m refering to the need to update the static content on my blog. While I enjoy blogging I find it a chore to update my About, My Books and My Reviews pages. It is a necessity but it’s importance makes it not one jot the more interesting! Oh well I’ll stop belly aching and get on with adding my collection of short stories, Sting In The Tail And Other Stories (http://www.amazon.com/Sting-tail-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00DFK6R54) to my static pages. Oh hold on a minute I fancy a nice soak in the bath not that I’m putting off the dreaded task you understand …

Just When You Thought That It Was Safe To Turn On Your Computer

On 15 June I published my collection of short stories, Sting In The Tail And Other Stories, on Amazon (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sting-tail-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00DFK6R54). I thought it would be interesting for me (possibly painful for my listeners) where I to make a recording of a chapter from Sting In The Tail and place it on this blog. With the help of a sighted friend I may even record a video. I’m planning to make the recording in the next week or so, you have been warned …!

Sting In The Tail And Other Stories By K Morris Availible In The Kindle Store

Following on from my post of earlier today (17 June) in which I announced that my collection of short stories, “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” is available on amazon.com, I am pleased to confirm that the book is now available on amazon.co.uk. To learn more about “Sting In The Tail” please visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sting-tail-other-stories-ebook/dp/B00DFK6R54/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1371459274&sr=1-1&keywords=sting+in+the+tail+and+other+stories. To learn about my other books please visit my Amazon author page which can be found here http://www.amazon.co.uk/K.-Morris/e/B00CEECWHY/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Sting In The Tail And Other Stories By K Morris Availible On Amazon

My collection of short stories, “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” is available as an ebook on amazon.com and can be found here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DFK6R54. At time of writing “Sting In The Tail” does not appear on amazon.co.uk, however it should be available for purchase in the UK Kindle store very soon.

Many of the stories in this collection have an unexpected ending. In the title story, “Sting In The Tail” a clever fraudster prowls England’s green and pleasant land in search of his next victim but will he meet his match? IN “The Dinosaur” Lord Dudlum is faced with an ethical dilemma, should he give into the demands of his daughter or do what he knows to be right? Other stories look at what happens when the worlds of money and sex collide.

To view or purchase “Sting In The Tail And Other Stories” please visit the above link.

Libraries Killed the Author?

The author Philip Pullman is concerned that authors receive no royalties in respect of ebooks borrowed from public libraries. Authors receive six pence for every copy of their print books borrowed from libraries but nothing for ebooks. Pullman is concerned that as the market for ebooks expands being an author may become uneconomical. He is therefore calling on the UK government to change the law so that writers receive payment in respect of ebooks borrowed from public libraries, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2340789/Philip-Pullman-Pay-library-e-books-writing-commercially-viable.html

Lucky Girl – How I Survived The Sex Industry By Violet Ivy

I have received a request from Violet Ivy, the author of “Lucky Girl – How I survived The Sex Industry” to review her book. No inducements have been provided. I have, however received a free electronic copy of the book. It is my intention to read and review “Lucky Girl” in the next 10-14 days. My review will, of course represent my considered, fair and honest perspective on the book. In the meantime I have included the book description, as provided to me by the author below:

    Lucky Girl – How I Survived the Sex Industry

“Lucky Girl – How I Survived the Sex Industry

 

The intimate autobiography of an international call girl. Scary, funny and bizarre stories recorded for your amusement, edification or simply for interesting dinner conversation.

The sex industry is clouded in mystery. It has to be to some extent or it wouldn’t survive. But in this age of internet porn, buying pubic hair trimmings online and wife swapping parties it’s about time the veils of mystery were taken down.

For moralists, let’s visit the chicken and the egg scenario. Which came first the prostitute or the client? If there were no clients then obviously there would be no sex workers. But what if there weren’t any prostitutes? Would guys wank themselves silly to porn? Harass their post-menopausal wives? Frequent bars trying their luck? Or hassle the secretary and risk being charged with sexual harassment? Would statistics for rape be on the increase? Is prostitution a necessary evil in our society? Don’t mindlessly believe and quote information spoon fed to you by friends, family or the media. Make an educated decision.

Although it was never my intention to get into this industry, I’ve travelled the world, had incredible experiences and bought several properties. I won’t have to rely on the government pension when I retire.

My closest friends are co-workers, madams and clients. Brilliant people who I would never otherwise have had the good fortune to meet. I will never regret my decision to enter this field. It has not always been a bed of roses, but when I compare it to what my life might have been; cleaning job, shitty boss, marriage, perhaps divorce, mortgage, kids, living in the burbs, scraping by to give my kids a better life than I was destined for, I feel that I have been rescued…..thank God.

Money doesn’t make you happy? Tell that to someone thrown out of his house because he can’t make the payments or the mother who can’t afford Christmas presents for her kids again this year. I’ve been poor. Money equals choices. Options of how to travel on this journey we call life. Did I make some mistakes? Sure! But there’s not too much I’d change. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Money gives security. Poverty causes ulcers. Financial hardship can also make you compromise yourself in ways that being a sex worker never will.

This industry eats its young and damages those not strong enough to cope. Every worker has a different personality, head space, upbringing, personal history and therefore experience. This book is a glimpse of mine. I am not advocating anyone join the profession. That is a personal choice.

When I started out I could never have imagined what my life journey would look like or where I would be now. I don’t even know where in the world I will be in twelve months. What I will be doing? Who I might be bonking, caning or smearing with hot wax? Exciting isn’t it? Carpe diem – seize the day. I’m a lucky girl.”

 

In Praise of the Traditional Book

Does it matter what form a book appears in? Both my books – The First Time and Samantha – are available in ebook format only (it was the easiest way of publishing and the cheapest).

As a reader I value the accessibility of ebooks. Being blind I can read electronic books using the text to speech facility on my Kindle or Voiceover on my Ipad. I am, however unable to read hard copy print books as my poor eyesight renders doing so impossible.

Having said all that I would like, in the longer term to collect my stories together (in real rather than virtual covers) and have them appear on actual bookshelves. There is something magical about handling a paperback or hardback book. Literature somehow appears more real preserved between covers than is the case when it flashes up on screen or is read aloud using voiceover or text to speech.

Print books can (and do) last for centuries and I guess that many owners of e-readers would feel long lasting pangs if their print books disappeared in a puff of smoke while the loss of e-readers would cause less profound turmoil.

Perhaps I am showing signs of my age (I’m 44 years young)! But, in my view print (and braille) books possess a value which their younger relative (the e-book) lacks. One can not sit in a room surrounded by e-books nor can one obtain pleasure from the texture of electronic publications. Long live the book in all it’s forms but god preserve us from a world in which only e-books exist.

Forthcoming Book Promotion

I hope to be in a position to give away my story, Samantha free for 5 days. I published Samantha using Kindle Select which allows titles registered with the programme to be provided, free of charge for a period of 5 days every 90 days. I originally provided Samantha free in early March so, by my reckoning I should be able to do likewise in June. Please watch this space.

Samantha tells the story of a young girl forced into prostitution in the English city of Liverpool. Can Sam escape her life of sex slavery or will she end her days in the murky waters of Liverpool’s Albert Docks.

Kindles are forever but you don’t need to own one to read ebooks

When I told my friends and acquaintences that I had published my book, Samantha they expressed interest in reading it (well feigned it convincingly anyway)! However a number of people remarked that as Samantha is an ebook and they don’t own an ebook reader it would not be possible for them to read Samantha.

It is a commonly held misconception that possession of a Kindle or similar device is essential for the reading of ebooks. In fact Amazon offer a range of free apps which allow for the reading of Kindle content on computers, Ipads and Ipods (see http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_164007747_3?ie=UTF8&docId=1000425503&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-9&pf_rd_r=1MNRJQD1S63J3G4XJ48E&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=396445167&pf_rd_i=1000423913). I love the portability of my Kindle but it is good to know that there are other options available for reading ebooks  sold by Amazon.