blog, Personal Essay

E-Books and Print Books are Both Needed

black and white bed stripes kindle
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Frequently, there are posts about print books being the preferred method of reading and all the wonderful feelings elicited from holding, smelling and reading print books. Frankly, I am right there with these wonderful factors about print books. As I got older and had to wear bifocals. large print books became my go to books whenever I could get them. Then, I discovered from my friend who is visually challenged, that you can have your e-reader read your books to you. What a wonderful resource. I purchased an e-reader and discovered this was not only easy on the eyes, but it leant to relaxed reading.

What is the issue then? Well, because e-books are not universal, being up to the author or publisher, you can’t always get a book in this format. Then there is the library issue, where they may purchase e-books, but print books are still a priority. My friend needs to have books via e-books and I help her out by ordering them from the library. They can take a good while to have these available as there is always a budget to work with. They may not happen at all. My friend orders some e-books online, but that can get costly, if you are an avid reader.

There are other reading apps such as the audio books, but not everyone likes this method, for whatever reason. There are other resources such as phone readers and the National Library Service Talking Book Program. Searching online will bring up several choices. One of the easiest ways to reach folks is via e-books being published when print books are published.

This may open up a discussion of debate and is not meant to do so. It’s more my way of stating that there is a greater need for e-books to be just as available as print books. When I published my book, I first published it as an e-book and then followed right away with the print version. Most of my sales have been e-books, so I think the figures speak for themselves. Just something to think about.

poetry, Short Fiction, short story

Fired Up

yellow flame
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First, he saw the email with the subject line: Fired
Immediately perspiring, drenched with dread, he opened it
Relief came quickly when he realized the truth
Evidently, there was a typo with what was meant to be said on that subject line
Delayed office hours today are because of a fire in the break room, all staff are to come    in at noon for a lesson on fire safety
Ulysses was relieved with the news until he remembered the charred bagel he tossed in    the trash when he left the night before
Pressure built in the back of his head as he started his day

Thanks to Living Poetry for this prompt! Go HERE to take a look!

poetry, short story, TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – August 9

affection appreciation decoration design
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 It’s time for sharing 10 Things of Thankful AKA TTOT!! Let’s get this party started!!

1. My birthday! Yup! I made it to the big 6-5!! It has been a lovely birthday week with lots of well wishes, yumms and loves. Thank you to all who were so sweet to remember me.

2. My tribe! Well, I should say my tribe who also become my family’s tribe, too. One of the tribe members has been helping my daughter with a sort of Marie Kondo kind of thing. It’s great to see the transition!

3. Six Sentence Story – This is still in my heart rhythm and is there to stay! Here’s this weeks contribution: FARE THEE WELL

4. Poetry Challenges – I’ve been participating in a Haiki/Senryu Challenge and here’s this weeks contribution: FROZEN It helps me to develop more with Haiku as it’s one of those forms I started with from an early age, thanks to my 6th grade teacher.

5. Signs Group – I have been participating in a slow writing group called Signs and it’s helping me to do free writing and develop some ideas for longer works. It’s a very supportive, intimate group and I am grateful for the alliance.

6. Goals – I am grateful to have goals as they help me stay focused and also have a sense of accomplishment. It can be so easy to get bogged down and when you see a goal being met, it’s a wonderful feeling. I have a goal due by the end of the month and it has been dancing around it while keeping my eye on it as well. What is it about goals that gets us sidetracked? Some say it’s fear of success or fear of failure. Who knows? I’m planning to meet that goal, after all, since I posted it, I have to meet it, right?

7. Life – In light of the tragic news in just the past week, I and millions of people have been facing the reality of the impact of violence and the underlying issues in this life. Holding those close to us, staying in the moment, is so very important as, it’s not news, but it is news, that we have this time, this second and let’s hold close to the values we have and live life to the fullest.

8. Health – poundage is still sliding off and clothes are too! OOPS!

9. Toni Morrison – R.I.P.

10. You – Whoever is reading this, whether you are browsing or commenting, thank you for stopping by. If you got to this #10 – then you must be very dedicated! Thank YOU!

Want to participate? Do to the following link and give us your 10s!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Short Fiction, short story

Fare Thee Well – Six Sentence Story

above action bokeh business
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Fare Thee Well

It was a sad state of affairs for Harvey Funknell when he departed from the company, cardboard box scrunched under one arm and his briefcase slung over his shoulder.

Hailing a cab was a feat since his arms were occupied, but he had the skill of a powerful whistle and could catch the attention of a cab driver.

Fumbling with his haul, Harvey fell into the cab with his box and case and stared into the front seat, dazed when he recognized what the driver was asking about where he was going.  “I’ve already been to hell today, so let’s just take me home, where I’m sure I will catch more of the same.”

The cabby looked in Harvey’s eyes, seeing how watery and glazed they were, like a shocked, sad old dog; Shifting the gears of the machine, the driver took off to the destination of Harvey’s home and engaged in a long conversation about the woes of the city and kept Harvey connected the whole way.

They arrived at Harvey’s home and the driver hopped out of the cab and helped Harvey with his box, walking him to the door, reaching for his wallet, Harvey asked the driver how much he owed to which the driver said “No fare today, my meter isn’t working, have a nice rest of your day, buddy,” and he took off.

…..

So, there you have it! That is my Six Sentence Story for this day! To join in go to this LINK

Rules of the hop:
Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less.
Use the current week’s prompt word.
Come back here Thursday through Tuesday, link your post…
Spread the word and put in a good one to your fellow writers 🙂

PROMPT WORD:  FARE