The pub date for “The Story Of Rose: A Man And His Dog” is Monday but as with all things Rose, my first e-book original is a bestseller already, no. 1 on many lists relating to memoir, non-fiction, dogs and animals. Today, Slate Magazine is running an excerpt from “Rose” online – the book costs $2.99, $3.99 for the enhanced edition which has color photographs and some unseen videos, including one from Rose’s last day. The reaction to the book has been very gratifying. I sometimes forget how many other people than me loved Rose.
Random House believes the $2.99 price will not only boost sales, but will also draw attention to my first short story collection, “Dancing Dogs,” out in September, and to the revised paperback edition of “Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die” out in the same month. “Dancing Dogs” has sparked some of the best reviews I’ve gotten in my writing life, and that is important to me, because it is my first attempt at fictional short stories. Lots of writers gripe about their editors and publishers, but I appreciate the people at Random House very much. They are not squawking about the new publishing, they are charging in to figure it out. Me too.
The publisher’s idea is that e-books can help promote sales of paper books and I see that. E-books are not generally available in bookstores (you can buy “The Story Of Rose” on the Battenkill books site) and Connie Brooks of Battenkill (518 677-2515) Books and I will speak together at 6 p.m. Monday in her great independent bookstore on Main Street in Cambridge. All of my paper books are available for purchase or pre-orders there and I will sign any book purchased at Battenkill, Monday or any other time. I am bringing Red and Lenore to kick off the publication of my first e-book. Please don’t bring your dogs, thanks.
In the meantime, check out the excerpt. The onsale date is Monday but you can pre-order “Rose” on Amazon, Bn.com, Ibooks, on your Kindle, Ipad, Iphone, Nook, on computer reading programs. And I have to say you can’t beat the price. A large cup of coffee at Starbucks costs much more, and so does a bran muffin at Dunkin’ Donuts. This is a real book with original material and it sure was a labor of love.
“The Story Of Rose” will not be available in paper. Many people are telling me they are upset about this e-book because they don’t want to buy or read books on tablets, and they want to support independent bookstores. Many are telling me they are buying Kindles, Nooks and Ipads so they can read my e-books. I am touched by that. Everybody has to make their own choices and decisions. I love this book. It is a fitting tribute to Rose, one of the most creative things I’ve done and a chance for me to explore the new world of publishing.
As I thought would happen, Rose keeps working for me. I don’t grieve for her much, as I never feel that she is gone. Monday will be an important day for me.