Read Digital Literature This Week
Or...it's Read an eBook Week

March 7 through 13, 2010, is Read an eBook Week, and those of us who have novels released in eBook format (and print) are out reminding the world to give an eBook a try. This isn't just because we want you to buy our books (although, yes, that's important for the numbers our publishers see), but it's also because eBooks kill even less trees than the print on demand (POD) format. I think the makers of electronic devices probably have a hand in this week as well...but you'd have to dig to find their involvement. Oh! Wait! One of them is sponsoring it! Mwuahahaha.

Okay, all kidding aside (and you can tell THIS isn't the official marketing stuff the "Read an eBook Week" site sent out), ArcheBooks Publishing HAS released Choices Meant for Gods and Choices Meant for Kings on Kindle in addition to hardcover, so I'm pretty stoked to support the non-dead-tree format of books as well as the traditional, normal, I-love-to-hold-a-book-smelling-book-in-my-hand format of books. So I encourage all ya'll to read an eBook this week, whether you already have one of those mega-expensive devices or not.

How can this be done?!?!?

Most eBooks are available in a format that can be read on your computer screen as well as your smart phone as well as your handy dandy eReader device of the hour. Including mine! You can either purchase the fabulous downloadable pdfs of Sandy Lender's novels direct from the publisher or at Amazon. But here's the thing: This is not an ad for Fantasy Author Sandy Lender. This is an ad for all eBooks everywhere. There's a Kindle store on Amazon. Most publishers have their authors' books available for pdf download. B&N has a nook section. Check this stuff out!

Read an eBook this week!
Crazed sermon over.
"Some days, you just want the dragon to win."
Tags: eBook, Kindle, nook, pdf, fantasy, Sandy Lender, amazon, POD

Not All Pirates are Cool
Or…The Dragon wants to alert you to online book stealing

I’ve got this mad affection for Orlando Bloom. Johnny Depp is nice to look at, too, but Orlando Bloom rocks my pirate house. (Or ship, as the case may be.) With TNT showing Pirates of the Caribbean At World's End this weekend, I'm pleased with thoughts of pirates of the handsome variety. But not all pirates are cool and lusty and easy-on-the-eye and…well…that list could get embarrassing, now, couldn’t it? We have modern-day pirates who deserve much less glamorization.

People who steal are thieves. Period. If you knowingly steal something that you know is not yours to take, you are a thief. If you knowingly give away or sell something that is not yours to give away or sell, thus taking profit out of a merchant’s pocket, you’re participating in theft. I consider these things acts of piracy. Some might look upon the simple, easy, often-quick act of downloading an electronic file (such as an eBook, image, or piece of music) from the Internet as perfectly legal. Why would something so simple be illegal? Why would something so easy-to-do with the click of a button on a free Web site cost $3.99 over on some other Web site? Well, the answers aren’t terribly easy, but they make a lot of sense if you stop and think about what’s going on behind those button clicks.

When an author, artist, or musician makes his work available for purchase on the Internet, he has to make it easy to download. It has to be easy for customers to get to, purchase, “get,” and put on their own computer, e-reading device, listening device, PDA, etc. In the case of an eBook, when the customer purchases the work for $3.99, the author gets a portion of that sale. PayPal gets a cut, the publisher gets a cut, the distributor gets a cut, the editor gets a cut, the agent gets a cut…you get the idea.

When a pirate comes along and gets a copy of that file—whether by purchasing a copy for $3.99 or by some other means—and then offers that copy for free or for $1.99 on an aggregate site somewhere online, the pirate undercuts the author’s sales. He makes it difficult for the author to generate income. I mean, why pay $3.99 here when you can get it free over there? That’s where education comes in. It’s vital that customers, like the visitors reading this blog today, understand that there are sites out there on the web offering a variety of titles by a multitude of authors that they have no right to offer. Ask some questions when you run into such a site.

If you’re looking at something that seems too good to be true, ask why it’s too good to be true. Keep in mind, too, that strange rules govern the way in which you report such sites. One thing you can do is contact individual authors privately to alert them that you’ve seen their titles at a site, and give them the URL. Please don’t list a site’s name or URL in an open forum online.

If you’re an author, artist, or musician visiting the blog today, you can take action by signing a petition to our current President and Vice President. (I’ve read it and found it harmless enough to put my signature on.) Visit CopyrightAlliance to read and, if you’re comfortable with the content, to sign.

“Some days, you just want the dragon to win.”
Tags: copyright alliance, piracy, electronic files, theft, eBook, online book stealing

Kindle Declines as eBook Ease Rises Elsewhere
Or...The Dragon brings you Kindle's degeneration with good news attached

As the technorati among us have discovered, you can read electronic books on a plethora of devices. The Kindle from Amazon has its nifty features; the Kindle II gets the paper (newspaper, that is). But a recent article from Fox News shows you how the simple Blackberry or other pda can pick up those electronic versions of novels and bring you up to speed with your fave characters. (The link is http://tinyurl.com/KindleDeath in case that anchor text didn't work for ya.)

Keep in mind, all the eBooks from ArcheBooks Publishing, including my Choices Meant for Gods and next week's release of Choices Meant for Kings can be read on a Blackberry, a Sony eReader, a computer screen, etc. And no Big Brother at Amazon or one of their affiliated publishers will rescind the content after the $3.99 purchase...

Bonus Note: How much does a Kindle cost these days? Nothing if you win it from AuthorIsland. Fantasy Author Sandy Lender is participating in their Kindle giveaway this month. Good luck to you!

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Kindle, eReader, electronic books, eBook, Amazon, ArcheBooks Publishing, Fantasy Author, Sandy Lender, Choices Meant for Gods, Choices Meant for Kings, AuthorIsland, Kindle giveaway, technorati

Choices Meant for Kings Gets Another Great Early Review
Or...visit Cheryl's Book Nook

Just a quick note here while I continue unpacking boxes from the move this weekend: the industrious reviewer/interviewer Cheryl of Cheryl's Book Nook has posted her review of the upcoming fantasy novel from Fantasy Author Sandy Lender, Choices Meant for Kings! It went up on Sunday so I'll provide the direct link here. Hurray for my heroine, Amanda Chariss! She's getting all sorts of attention these days, eh?

Enjoy the review.
And thank you to Cheryl for the positive affirmation!

If you're in need of the first novel in the Choices trilogy, Choices Meant for Gods is still available for a special price at Amazon, and at a 20% discount on the publisher's site in hard cover. The eBook is also available at ArcheBooks Publishing for $3.99, which I think is a fabulous deal.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, Choices Meant for Kings, Choices Meant for Gods, dragon

Win an eBook of Choices Meant for Gods in the Pseudonym Discussions This Month
Or...all you have to do is read cool stuff and comment

During the month of June, authors from around the globe will share their anecdotes of how they derived their pen names here at Today the Dragon Wins. When you share your comments about their names (and yours!) in the comment field, you'll automatically be entered in the contest to win the eBook version of Choices Meant for Gods.

The drawing will be held July 1 and Sandy Lender will contact the winner by e-mail. This means you need to include your e-mail address in your comment! To avoid some spam-bot from capturing it, be creative. (For instance, firstname last name at yahoo dot com is a great way to spell it out for me.)

Enjoy the discussions this month and good luck in the contest!
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: contest, Choices Meant for Gods, eBook

The Dragon's in a Hurry

Or...The Dragon's in a Hurry

In good news, I'm preparing for the release of Choices Meant for Kings during the minutes when I'm not buried in the day job (read: the job that pays the bills). So the negligence of this happy blog is not for naught. :)

Enjoy the inspirational quotes, though! And don't forget to skim for the answer to the contest question "In the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, who is Chariss chosen to protect?" so you can win the fabulous basket that's up for grabs. You e-mail your answer, with your name and snail mail address to authorisland at yahoo dot com before the end of this month.

If you can't find the answer on this blog (I'll be stunned), you can find it at http://www.authorisland.com/, in the book blurb at http://www.amazon.com/, or at my publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. If you need to read the story (and who doesn't!?), you can own the eBook version for only $3.99 by ordering it at my publisher's site at that same link. It takes about three minutes to process and download. (I've done it myself to check it out.)

Have fun and I'll try to become "un"overwhelmed soon.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, eBook, author island, dragon

An Excerpt From Choices Meant for Gods for Romance Enthusiasts

Or...The Dragon's posting last night's shared excerpt from the PIVR show

This is a romantic scene as Nigel Taiman and Amanda Chariss ride from the estate at Arcana to Arcana City. Her wizard guardian has already clued her in to the fact that Nigel wants to court her, and she's upset over it. The scene mentions the bear-like ryfel creature that nearly killed Nigel in the training arena...

Nigel frowned at her. Spurring his horse slightly, he reached out to take hold of Shadow’s bridle. Bringing them both to a stop, he turned in the saddle to face her.

“Hey!” she objected.

“Indeed. Have I done something to anger you?”

Her cheeks reddened with embarrassment.

“’Manda?”

“You’re staring at me.”

“By the gods, Woman. All right, I’ll look at your horse. ’Manda,” he said to Shadow, “what have I done that’s made you angry?”

“I’m not angry.”

“You’re not a liar,” he spoke to Chariss again.

“All right, so I’m a little angry. It will pass.”

“And you don’t want to tell me what it is?”

She couldn’t blame her reticence today on worry over Drake. She also couldn’t blame her health because she’d completely recovered from her telabyrinth poisoning. With Hrazon and The Master attending the summer festival, she couldn’t blame some sort of timidity at being ‘alone’ in the city. No, she had to take a deep breath and be honest with him. Considering the number of suitors she’d sent packing in the past few years, this should have been an easy thing to do again. It wasn’t. She sighed, closing her eyes as if she could make the scene disappear.

“Do you agree that you’re my friend?” she finally asked.

He watched her open her eyes then, realizing where the conversation must be going.

“Yes.” It was said with exasperation.

“And that I’m your friend?”

“Yes.”

“And does that please you?”

He sighed, but didn’t get a chance to answer.

“You see, Nigel, it pleases me. I appreciate your kindness, and I would be disappointed if we hadn’t built such a…such a…”

“Friendship?” he retorted.

“Such a rapport.”

He rolled his eyes. “A fancier word with even less affection.”

“My stay at Arcana is much more pleasant because I have this relationship with you. But someone has tried to convince me that your…your…”

“Feelings?”

“Well…your…”

“Intentions?”

“Well…your opinion of our relationship might be somewhat different from mine.”

“’Manda, just say what you’re thinking. You won’t hurt my feelings.”

She looked miserable then. “I don’t want to say what I’m thinking.”

“Good!”

“No, that’s not good. Hrazon thinks you’re…Hrazon believes you spend time with me because…” She paused, searching for the words.

“Because I’m in love with you?”

She nearly fell backward. “Just blurt it out!”

He chuckled slightly. “This is uncomfortable, isn’t it? I’m sorry to embarrass you. This conversation would be better in a darkened corner of Arcana’s parlor. ’Manda, I’m not going to lie to you. Hrazon has every reason to believe I’m after his ward because I am. It’s no secret to anyone I enjoy your company. What, where are you…You’re the only woman I know who can scoot that far away on a saddle without falling off.”

“I don’t think you should say those things.”

“Aye,” he sighed, watching her fidget with Shadow’s reins. But he made a decision to press the matter. “I’m going to say them and get them out in the open. Then we can decide if you’re to die of embarrassment, or slap me across the face.”

She couldn’t help smiling, even though her heart beat as if it would burst through her bodice from the tension she felt.

“I enjoy being with you because you’re my perfect match,” he said. “Have you noticed that we agree on almost everything? And the few things we don’t agree on are intriguing to argue because you make them intriguing. There’s no one at that entire estate, The Master and every intelligent student combined, who can hold my attention as you do. None of them compare.

“I’m attracted to everything about you, including your compassion. Even now, when you’re on the verge of falling off a horse with embarrassment, your concern is for my feelings, not your own. Godric, who doesn’t deserve to wash your feet, who finds every excuse to correct you, gets your respect because you remind yourself that he’s your benefactor. Do you know what strength of character that shows? Do you know how it endears you to me to know you bite your tongue after his arrogant remarks to save my mother’s feelings?”

She merely nodded, her eyes cast down.

“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you would fight to the death for little Kaylin?”

She nodded again.

“And do you know how it endears you to me to know you instinctively threw yourself into healing spells to save my life?”

“You shouldn’t assume that means—”

“I remember sliding toward death that night, life spilling out of me, and poison seeping into me from that thing’s claws. But do you know what I remember most distinctly? I remember you commanding me not to bleed to death…and I remember your hands afterward. Once I was healed, once Master Rothahn became preoccupied with the dead ryfel, you crawled over to me and put your hands on me again, as if you had to be sure He’d done a good enough job of healing me. But you would’ve done it for any member of my family. I daresay you would’ve done it for any student in the school. And it’s because you care about others, and you want the best for everyone around you. And you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

The last comment caught her off guard. It didn’t seem to fit with the logical argument he tried to make.

“I fail to see how these things tell you you’re in love. Kaylin enjoys my company. Mia enjoys arguing with me. I saved Sorne’s life once. Does this mean they’re in love with me?”

“If love could be explained that easily, it wouldn’t be real.”

“But what makes you think it’s real now? If you can’t explain your feelings, how do you know you’re not misled?”

“How does the rose know to bloom in spring?”

“Oh, now that talk I’ve heard before. I didn’t believe it then, and I don’t think you should let yourself believe it now.”

“’Manda, I’m telling you the truth and I’m telling you what I know. If I’ve made you angry by falling in love with you, you’re just going to have to deal with it. Because you’re not currently interested in me, you have to give me time to change your mind.”

They were silent then; he waited for some sign that she wasn’t going to cast him aside, she waited for her heart to stop beating so loudly in her ears. As far as she was concerned, she was often a foolish girl, but her intentions at the beginning of this conversation were foolish beyond compare. She realized—with alarm—that the blood rushing through her veins, the lightheadedness, the excitement at getting to spend an afternoon with him, were all signs she had chosen to ignore.

She swallowed hard against the fear in her throat, and, with as much calm as she could muster, said: “What gives you the idea that I’m not interested in you?”

If you'd like to read more scenes from the fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, by Fantasy Author Sandy Lender, the first three chapters are available as a free sample at the publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. You can also purchase the eBook there for $3.99. The hard cover edition is available for order there, or at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, etc. I know you'll enjoy the story.

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."

Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy novel, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, PIVR, http://technorati.com/tag/www.archebooks.com, Amanda Chariss, dragon, ryfel

Guest Post From Nigel Taiman

Sandy Asked Me to Discuss the Romantic vs. Fantasy Elements of Choices Meant for Gods

My fantasy author, Sandy Lender, would like me to talk about my bride's story today. And that pleases me just fine!

Amanda Chariss is the heroine of the epic fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, which I encourage everyone to read. If you don't already have a copy, you can pick one up at or order one from any local book store. If you don't feel like dealing with unruly book store employees, you can get it at www.amazon.com or the publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. If you don't feel like paying full price, you can download the electronic version for less than $4 at the publisher's site, as well.

While you're thinking on those options, let me tell you a little about Sandy Lender's first fantasy novel. You see, you can read the synopsis at the publisher's site at the link above, or at any number of the sites that you find her on when you put her name in a Google search, but I can give you the real synopsis.

All the marketing materials will tell you that Choices Meant for Gods is an epic fantasy novel available in either hard cover or eBook format. All the propaganda and promotional pieces will tell you that Chariss is an orphan who's been on the run from an evil sorcerer all her life and she's finally found the will to stand and fight; and with that will has come the truth about her destiny, purpose and place in prophecy's evil plan to put her in charge of protecting a god who isn't worthy of her notice.

But I can tell you that Amanda Chariss isn't just the protector of the gods of Onweald. She is the stunning and amazing woman who will change the course of my life. Now, Sandy has warned me not to make more of the romance between Mandy and me than the book portrays because we don't want people coming to the book expecting a romance novel; you won't get only that.

It's a fantasy novel. High fantasy with a new world that Sandy has created. High fantasy with new creatures and monsters that no other fantasy author has dreamt up before. High fantasy with gods and goddesses who walk among the mortals, influencing and affecting our lives (though not always for the better). High fantasy with prophecy and history and legends and family lineages that all interweave with current events to create an atmosphere that spells danger and intrigue for my bride.

It sets my nerves on edge, believe me. I'd rather it was strictly a romance novel. For a variety of reasons. For those who prefer a heavy hand at romance, you can pick out that thread under the rest of the plots in Choices Meant for Gods and be delighted with it…as I am.

For a spate of five-star reviews of Choices Meant for Gods, visit Sandy's page on Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/1595071652/ref=s9_asin_image_1-1966_g1/105-8001163-2859664?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=10TVDGS539SGZYCWCBRW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=288448601&pf_rd_i=507846.

And now that we have this blog back (Sandy is rejoicing), she'll be back to posting Word of the Day, grammar and writing tips, and inspirational quotes starting tomorrow. This sudden "release" of the blog came as a surprise because there was no message from Blogger. We just discovered it because Sandy checks several times a day...obsessive compulsive, you might call her.

All my best to you,
Nigel Taiman
Tags: fantasy novel, Choices Meant for Gods, romance, fantasy, epic fantasy, high fantasy, fantasy author, Sandy Lender, eBook, electronic, five-star review, today the dragon wins, archebooks publishing, amazon, Amanda Chariss, Onweald

Cadbury Tomorrow, Barry Today
Or...The Dragon is summarizing the situation

Ugh, it's already Wednesday? People, there is too much to do!

Side note: If you're looking for the meme, it was posted yesterday...just scroll past the four posts today.

First, as promised, I have the Barry Manilow Music and Passion show review below. It's not really so much a review as me waxing melodramatic about how much of a freak I am. :) Well, okay, there's a review thrown in there, too. (It was a great show.)

Next, for those of you who have heard the rumors of the Cadbury Eggsperiment, I'll be posting the results tomorrow. I want to post photographic evidence, you see, and that will involve lining up technology without being thwarted by technology demons. :)

Third, if you're entering the contest for the Spa Kit from Arcana's Bathing Rooms, this is the place to do it! The rules are posted on the contest page at http://www.authorisland.com/, but, since Arcana is the estate in my fantasy novel Choices Meant for Gods, I'm the droid you're looking for...

Fourth, if you're looking for a fantasy novel with an empowered heroine who doesn't sleep with every man she encounters, but who kicks the asses of all things evil and bad (let me get a WOO-HOO!!), I've got your fantasy novel right here! (I think Nigel just rolled his eyes...) In all seriousness, I'm pushing the fact that Choices Meant for Gods is still available in hard cover, but is also available as a less-expensive eBook at my publisher's site. You can download it at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm. (There's also a free sample you can read there.)

I think that's all! Welcome to the site and enjoy the Music and Passion show "review".
"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, eBook, fantasy novel

We Have a Book of the Day Winner
Or...Author Island and Today the Dragon Wins give away another copy of Choices Meant for Gods

Have you won your copy of Choices Meant for Gods yet? Well, join me in congratulating Cheryl Snyder for winning her autographed copy of the epic fantasy novel from Sandy Lender because she was the fabulous person who got the trivia question correct Friday at Author Island! CMFG was the featured Book of the Day and Cheryl was the lucky winner who knew the answer to the trivia question about it...so her name was pulled from the vat of folks who entered.

Congratulations Cheryl!!!!

I'm hitting the post office tomorrow...

There'll be another contest going up at http://www.authorisland.com/ in a few days here and DeNita will have all the info on that shortly. I'll let you know when to check in!

In the meantime, you can get the eBook version of Choices Meant for Gods if you hop onto my publisher's site at http://www.archebooks.com/BookIDX/Indexes/Fantasy/CMG/CMGDesc.htm and click on the "download eBook now" button. (It's a whole lot cheaper than ordering it from Amazon.)

"Some days, I just want the dragon to win."
Tags: Choices Meant for Gods, fantasy, Sandy Lender, Cheryl Snyder