Naughty Gift Ideas

Kink up your Kindle, Naughty up your NOOK. Kindles and NOOKs are the hottest Christmas gifts this year. They have big ones, small ones, paper white ones, ones for every need and preference. If you haven’t gotten one for yourself and every family member, get busy. Then start downloading all those hot sexy books to warm you up while you’re drinking that spiked egg nog or grog and sitting in front of a fire.

Ellora’s Cave (http://www.ellorascave.com ) of course has erotic titles that will please everyone: BDSM, ménage, contemporary, paranormal, historical, futuristic/scifi, multi-cultural, male/male, etc. Ellora’s Cave also has all the formats to suit all the various eBook readers.

Haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet and looking for some sexy, naughty, but nice ideas to get your significant other or get yourself or give hints to your sig other to buy?

If you’re really in a rush and don’t think if you shop online you’ll receive your items in time, then search for stores in your area. Use Key Words: Lingerie, Adult Sex Toys, Adult Novelty Store, BDSM shops, etc.

Some other naughty gifts ideas:

-BDSM equipment for roleplaying. Nylon Velcro straps, fur-lined cufflinks, blindfold, collar, nipple clamps, flogger, Nylon rope. If you’re going to attempt fancy rope bondage (Shibari) I recommend reading up on it first. Two Knotty Boys Showing You The Ropes is a good book. It could be dangerous if not done right. Keep scissors handy.

-A new vibe. Big ones, small discreet ones, ones with attachments and extensions that hit just the right spots. Ahhhh.

-Sexy stockings: Thigh-highs, crotchless pantyhose, fishnet, patterned, colored, etc.

-Massage oil and lube gel in various flavors and scents, some that warm the skin too. Nice!

-Scented bath salts or bubble bath-two in the tub with candles, wine and party down.

-Naughty videos to watch with your honey. 9 ½ Weeks, Wild Orchid, Deception, Lolita, Memoirs of a Geisha, Crazy Stupid Love, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, In The Cut, Little Children, Cruel Intentions, Twilight, Mulholland Drive, Savages, Ghost, The Lucky One, The Lover, Match Point, Unfaithful, Titanic, A History of Violence, Black Swan, Love and Other Drugs, Eyes Wide Shut, Body Heat, Troy, and more. That’ll keep you busy for a while.

 -Sexy Romantic Evening or Weekend gift basket- fill with dinner gift cards, bottles of wine, bath salts, chocolates, massage oil, B&B reservations, etc. Get imaginative.

-Plan a secret get-away weekend - Make reservations out of town and don't tell your loved one where. Tell him/her what to pack and let them enjoy the surprise!

A few website links to check out:

http://www.extremerestraints.com/home.html

http://www.dungeondelights.com/store/index.php

Sex toys, lingerie and more:

http://www.adameve.com/

http://www.bootyparlor.com/

http://www.lelo.com/

http://www.passiongate.com/

http://www.bettersex.com

http://www.babeland.com/

Naughty Newsletters and Loops:
Want to keep up to date with what's happening at Ellora's Cave with events, the latest HOT books, contests and more? Sign up for there newsletter and EC/Chat loop.
Info. here: http://www.ellorascave.com/chats-and-newsletters/?___store=default

For online chats with their Exotika (erotica) and Romantica (erotic romance) authors and fans, sign up:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ellorascavechat/info

For up-to-the minute news about Exotica and Romantica releases, sign up for their Newsletter:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ellorascave_newsletter/info

And don't forget to sign up for Kathy Kulig's newsletter for news, interviews and contests. A link is on my website: http://www.kathykulig.com/contact.html or add your email to the widget on my blog. I post monthly and promise not to share contact information or spam you. PROMISE!

HAVE A NAUGHTY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Self-Publishing Event w/ Jen Talty May 12th

Pocono Lehigh Romance Writers Special Event with Speaker Jen Talty: Self-Publishing:

What Really Are Your Options?

May 12, 2012

Are you a published author considering publishing your backlist or an unpublished author considering self-publishing?

Authors have more choices today than ever before, but the process can be overwhelming. While this is not a step-by-step technical class, the workshop is designed to give you enough information to make informed decisions on how to get your e-Book on all formats possible. Pocono Lehigh Romance Writers have a special guest speaker this month, and we're opening this workshop to outside guests.

This workshop with Jen Talty, Author of Who Dares Wins Publishing, will look closely at self-publishing distribution channels: from what kind of file and the various options you will need to upload your e-Book, to all the various platforms such as Kindle, Nook, iBooks and Smashwords, and what are the best strategies to getting your book up for sale. We will discuss doing it yourself, outsourcing and team-building options.

For directions and payment information, check the PLRW.org website or follow this link http://www.plrw.org/jen-talty-special-event

LOCATION: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., May 12, 2012
Palmer Library, 1 Weller Place, Easton, Pa.

Speaker Information: Jennifer Talty co-created Who Dares Wins Publishing with New York Times best-selling author Bob Mayer, and helps run the day-to-day administrative side of the company. She is published in romance under the pen names of Jenni Holbrook and Hollie Brooks. She also teaches creative writing at various writing conferences across the country and does freelance editing and technical writing. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business education with a concentration in marketing and sales from Nazareth College of Rochester.

What Will be Your First Nook/Kindle Download?

Are you getting a Kindle or Nook this year for Christmas? If so, what do you plan to download first?
If you have one, what's on your wishlist for ebooks this year?

This has been a busy couple weeks trying to get ready for Christmas - shopping, decorating, menu planning, cleaning, and I'm in the middle of a home improvement project. Painting two bedrooms. I love to paint but what was I thinking starting this project so close to the holidays?? During all the craziness, I'm still determined to finish a novella by the end of December for the 1-800-DOM-help, the Ellora's Cave author series. I'm having a blast writing this book, and I'm very excited to be a part of a group of very talented authors. I have the first two books in the series on my NOOK: Commanding Acquisitions by Christine d'Abo and Needing Harte by Marilu Mann. Coming Soon in January is Delight Me by Desiree Holt.This series is going to be very hot! Here's a cool promo video for the series:


Here's another ebook idea for your first download on that new Kindle or NOOK this year? This week I have a CONTEST for a FREE ebook download of DRAGON WITCH at Anna's Book Blog. Stop by Anna's Blog for a chance to win a free one. If you visit her blog and post a comment on my guest post, you'll be entered. The drawing will be held on December 22nd. Anna's Book Blog also gave me an awesome 4 Star review

"This story has a little bit of something for everyone. A futuristic setting, lush-erotic scenes with paranormal and fantasy elements. Now normally I'm not a fan of threesomes, but this one worked for me. All the different elements sucked me in. Dragon Witch is one Hot story. I loved this one. It was sexy, sweet and definitely an adventure. The situation between the witch, dragonshifter and the fleet captain was intriguing. The ending perfect.

Happily Ever After Reviews gave Dragon Witch 5 Tea Cups. Here's the review:

"Braden is a nice guy who occasionally does bad things. Jaida is a talented, misunderstood women who is willing to lie to save the people-or animals-she loves. Together they have great chemistry. Add to that a shapeshifting dragon who needs to change shape and mate twice a year and you have a really unique menage story that entertains from start to finish. I was really impressed with this book and this author. I'll be checking out her writing in the future."

Please share you ebook wishes. What are you downloading this holiday season???

eBook Revolution

About a year ago, I blogged about ebook vs print wars, but now I have to call it the eBook Revolution in line with the Industrial Revolution. Never have I seen a format of communication or entertaining cause such a stir in a matter of months, and influence publishing, media, commerce and other businesses to this extent. Maybe because I’m published by an eBook publisher Ellora’s Cave, I’m more aware.

Last Christmas when I got my NOOK, the display in my Barnes and Noble for the NOOK was a small table and you had to find someone to show you how it worked. They might have had one cover that you could look at but you had to order them or any other accessory. A few months later, a print bookshelf was replaced by a much larger display with a variety of NOOK accessories and covers. Now, several large shelves in the front of the store have been cleared out and a whole section is devoted exclusively to the NOOK. My critique partner has been hired to work that area.

I’m not sure when eBooks first came out, but I do know that Ellora’s Cave has been in business for ten years. So they’re at least that old. During the last eight or nine years, there was a definite line drawn between print and eBooks. The major New York publishing houses weren’t producing their books in that format. Then technology caught up. And now all major publishers produce their books in print and eBook.

We’re in an age where three-year olds are learning to use computers and elementary school kids have their own cell phones and laptops. Most households have a menagerie of electronic devices. Will a year’s worth of textbooks soon be downloaded on a student’s iPad or NOOK or Kindle each year instead of students lugging worn print books?

I also heard recently an agent negotiated a contract for an author with an eBook publisher. Usually agents don’t bother with eBook publishers because there are no advances or minimal advances with eBook publishers. But the royalty rate is much higher. The business model with eBook publishers is structured differently than traditional publishers. I think we’ll be seeing more of this too as the lines between eBook and print book publishers fade.

This past week New York Times announced that they will be rating eBooks starting January ’11. In light with what’s going on in the industry, this was inevitable but I think this gives eBooks a new level of legitimacy. The publishing world and the public watch the NYT ratings. Whether the NYT list will eventually combine the print list with the ebook list is yet to be seen.

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CONTEST:To celebrate my upcoming release SECRET SOIREE from Ellora’s Cave on November 26th, I’m giving away 1 readers choice download of any of my eBooks.
To Enter: post a comment on my blog any day during the month of November, include your email address and I’ll add you to the drawing. (If you prefer, you may send me your email privately at Kathy@kathykulig.com. Put “November Contest” in subject line). Contest ends November 30th. Drawing will be on December 1st

E-Book Wars

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the price and distribution of ebooks especially with the release of all the new e-readers on the market: the Kindle, Nook, Sony, and Apple’s new iPad .

With the sales of these devices on the rise (2.5 million Kindles have sold to date), publishers and retailers like Amazon are scrambling and knocking heads trying to decide when to release the ebooks (coordinating with the release of the hardcover and print titles) and how much to charge. The dispute over the ebook pricing came to a standoff this past week with MacMillan Books, one of the largest publishers in the United States. MacMillan and Amazon could not agree on terms for the pricing of ebooks. The publisher is concerned that Amazon’s current policy for pricing will devalue the price of print books.

Publishers have tried to deal with this by delaying the ebook release after the hardcovers of particular titles were released. This hasn’t gone over well to say the least with owners of the Kindle e-readers or with Amazon.

In retaliation, Amazon yanked Macmillan ebooks off their virtual shelves. Here's an article about it: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/technology/30amazon.html

I try to understand all this but my eyes glaze over as I read articles on it. I have mixed feeling about Amazon. My print and ebooks are listed there. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=kathy+kulig But I don’t want Amazon’s success to come at the expense of the brick and mortar stores I love. And I certainly don’t want to see a monopoly. That would be a crime. The traditional publishers have this new element to deal with that's causing them more headaches than they expected. Change is painful. I'm sure they will resolve this issue soon. It seems to be hurting everyone: the vendors, publishers and authors. Both vendor and publisher do have a common goal: Sell books and make money. They just haven't figured out how to meet on common ground yet.

What do you think? Or what are your feelings on this?

An aside, I like to buy ebooks at Ellora’s Cave and that’s one of the reasons why I got a Nook ereader. Even though most of EC’s ebooks are available in the Kindle format, they’re cheaper bought directly from the Ellora’s Cave site. http://www.jasminejade.com/ EXAMPLE: My new release DAMNED AND DESIRED is $5.95 at Ellora’s Cave. On Amazon it’s $9.52. The Amazon price may change according to demand or other factors I don't understand.

Even as I finish this blog to post on Sunday, Publishisher's Lunch popped up with a new update:

In summary, Amazon announced to its customers on Sunday night that although they strongly disaggree regarding MacMillan's terms to sell their ebook titles at $12.99 - $14.99, Amazon will offer those ebooks to their customers and let the customer decide if they want to pay what they believe is needlessly high prices for bestsellers. The more attractively priced ebooks from independent presses and self-published authors may be an alternative.

The story continues, we'll have to wait and see...

I think JA Konrath has a great take on all this see his posting: http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/01/selling-paper.html

It’s the End of the World...I Mean Publishing as We Know It

I think it's safe to say this is the year that ebooks and ebook readers hit a monumental shift in the publishing world. Ebook readers have been around for years but haven’t enticed a large group of readers up until now. Kindle http://bit.ly/6M4AsA stirred the interest but the price still kept a good number of people away. But with the Nook http://bit.ly/2xgzR3 and it’s lower price, Kindle was forced to drop it’s price.

Now, the sales on these two ebook readers are off the charts. I checked with my local Barnes and Noble and played with the Nook, very cool. The sales person bragged about hers. And told me if I ordered one today, it wouldn’t come in until January 15th.  A friend who works at B & N said they had no idea the Nook would take off like it has. The Sony reader http://bit.ly/8Z6pjw is another popular reader and people are reading books on the iPhones too. Watch for technology to continue to develop new versions of these readers in the next few years. New multimedia devices are being developed. I have a feeling this is a trend that will only get more interesting and the devices more sophisticated. Take a look at this pretty amazing media device being developed:




When to sequence book releases in hard cover, paperback and ebooks:

Publishers are now having to consider these devices and ebooks in their marketing plan. In the past, hardcovers were released first, then the paperback version. With the expanding popularity of ebooks, traditional publisher are trying to decide when is the best time to work this new format into their release schedule.

On Publisher’s Lunch, Macmillan CEO John Sargent said his publishing house would handle bestsellers in a couple ways. Some bestsellers will have ebooks released at the same time as the hardcovers. These ebooks will be enhanced with additional content for a limited time (~three months or so). This enhanced material will include author interviews and readers’ guides. Those versions will be priced slightly higher than the hardcover price.

Simon & Schuster spokesman Adam Rothberg said that, “sequencing has been a common practice in other media for quite some time.” Their house’s current policy sequences the release of ebooks between the release of the hardcover and the paperback. But knowing those who use digital media tend to want instant gratification, publishers may have to adjust their policies and release ebooks sooner.

It'll be interesting to see what happens in the next year or two.