Category: A Novel Adventure

Posted on by — 3 Comments

#librarylove #freeandfair

Library Lovers 2016I’m a library lover. Are you?

Libraries are a place to connect. A place to feel connected.

Libraries are community and compassion – always with an ear to listen and a hand to hold.

Libraries don’t discriminate. They welcome diversity and discussion. If you walk into a library and you can’t read they’ll embrace you and admire you for your courage.

Libraries are free books – legally and morally speaking! Did you know an author receives a small payment every time someone borrows their book from a library? Borrowing a book from the library says thank you to the creator who spent 12 months writing those characters and making that book come to life. It’s free and it’s fair. #freeandfair

With council areas in some states amalgamating, and governments always looking to save money, your local library might be one of the first things to go. The way to save your local library is by frequenting it often. In doing so you’ll make your library an essential part of your community and you’ll be saying ‘thank you’ to an author and loving your local librarian.

This Saturday, February 14 is Library Lovers’ Day in Australia. Share the love.

[Tweet “Where to get free books #librarylove #books #freeandfair http://wp.me/p1zse7-1Wk”]

Jenn’s book are at libraries everywhere. Reserve one today. Or you can request your library stock Jenn J McLeod.

Check out my book room for titles and blurbs.

FB header TOSOTS

 

Posted on by — 9 Comments

Dear readers: She threatened me with a bad review and here’s why.

1starSo, there I am minding my own business when approached by a stranger (who obviously knew me). She told me she’d read and loved all my books, loving them even more as they were free.

‘Free?’ I enquired. ‘I don’t think my books are ever free.’

‘Let me show you where I get all my favourite author books,’ she said and proceeded to search on her iPhone.

And there they were – FREE to download in PDF format.

My first mistake was to let her know (politely) that she was using a pirate site. Her expression was…Well, she was mortified.

My second mistake was trying to make her feel better by acknowledging that some pirate sites can be very clever with the wording to make it appear they are ‘doing the right thing’ by the copyright holder.

Foolishly, I went on the say the pirates are the only ones who make money from such sites. (The lady was older, so my rabbiting on about online affiliate advertising that some sites use to make their money was lost on her. Not so when I added (breathless by now) that her personal details, used to log on and acquire books, including her computer details, will have been sold on to unlimited third parties by now, again providing the pirate people with money.

My third mistake was asking a rather simple question, ‘Why would anyone run a website of free books if not to make money?’

Three strikes and I was definitely out of favour.

That was when she swore at me (yes, she was older but she knew some words) and threatened to go home and give me one-star reviews. (I’m not sure pirate sites have review opportunities so I gather it will be Amazon or Goodreads, or some other official site.)

So I came home and searched, and yes my books are listed on several pirate sites. People are downloading my books every day and I’m not getting a cent. In Ms Mad Pants’ defence, the clever wording the site did look realistic (if you ignore their grammar and punctuation).

Sample of PIRATE SITE wording (with their poor spelling and grammar):

We do not intend to support illegal activity. (But they do) We uses Search API to find the overview of books over the internet, but we dont [sic] host any files. (But they do keep your personal and IP address details on a database to sell on to more cyber criminals). All document files is the property of their respective owners, please respect the publisher and the author for their copyrighted creations. (They are putting the legal onus on you.) If you find documents that should not be here please report them.  (And, of course, there is no link for reporting on their site.)

So, please, if you want a free book, borrow from a friend, or better still consider your local library (yes, authors are paid each time a book is borrowed). And if you know someone who downloads free books, be a friend and let them know it’s wrong and it’s risky. They may not even realise.

On second thoughts, maybe don’t. Instead, take a moment to go to your favourite author’s book (a.k.a mine!) online and give it a genuine star rating or a review. Every one helps.

Rate My books on Amazon

Rate my books on Kobo

Rate my books on iTunes

 

FB header TOSOTS

Posted on by — 37 Comments

Cue the music: I’m ready to blog hop.

I’m recognising Australia Day by saying …

ozdaydonateNO to fireworks.

NO to fake, foreign-made flags, thongs, and drink holders.

(Oh, and giving away a book to one lucky reader.)

aussie helpersYep, I’m keeping it real and celebrating the 26th of January by being a REAL Aussie. You can too by donating to Aussie Helpers – helping the heart of our country (our farmers and graziers)

I’m also sending one Blog Hop reader a signed copy of their choice:

Any book.

You choose.

 

To enter the draw simply… leave a comment below and TELL ME what month my new book – The Other Side of the Season – is out. (Not sure? Look here.) AND, of course, tell me which book you’d like to win*.

Optional:

DOUBLE your chances: I’ll pop a second entry into the Akubra with your name on it if you share this post on your Facebook page (if you have one – and don’t forget to tag me.) or you can Click to Tweet:

TRIPLE your chances by donating to help our farmers. It’s the Aussie thing to do: Go to www.aussiehelpers.org.au

CLOSED *Entries into the draw close at midnight on January 27th. Winner announced within 7 days. Australian postal address only.

After leaving your comment below, check out Book’d Out for more Great Aussie Author Blog Hop participants with more giveaways.

2016australiaday-bloghop

Then…

Grab a snag, a beer, and if you can DONATE to Aussie Helpers. Then kick back feeling good and remember… slip, slop, slap, read.

And if you’re still with me and you read ebooks on iTunes, head over to this blog post I did earlier and go into an extra draw to win one of three copies of Wild Chicory by Kim Kelly (courtesy of The Author People).