Thanks to the e-book revolution, I've been working just as hard on re-releases of old fiction as I have on first releases of new fiction!

It's challenging for me, from a marketing perspective, because so much of my short fiction was written for the specific purpose of being a "free e-book" back when no one really downloaded e-books. They were short and sweet and to the point. A lot of them were longer and had more complex plots, but the ones that were simple didn't bother me, because there was no cost involved. Now that they are going to all eventually cost something (99 cents for the shorter ones), it makes it harder to decide what is going to be converted for Kindle and other e-readers first.

For example, "Music of the Metrognomes" works very well for a first time reader, if it's free. We were originally going to re-release it last month. Then we realized that the story, being one of the shorter more simplistic ones, specifically designed to introduce characters and concepts for a later work, might give new readers the wrong idea about the novel that was scheduled for re-release in the fall. So, we decided to move the re-release of the Metrognomes short stories to after the re-release of the novel, so that new readers will discover the exciting story of the novel first, and then backtrack to the chronologically earlier "Music of the Metrognomes" and its adventurous follow-up "Worse than a Gremlin."

Right now, we're shooting for a re-launch of our serial novel The Chronicles of Nightfire, Texas beginning in September. The first thirteen episodes will be converted for modern e-readers, starting next month, then new episodes will begin, starting with #14, next year. This series of tense cliffhangers is perfectly suited to the new e-book centered literary world!

Also, all of my short fiction will be reformatted. Next month should see the release of "Night Light" on Kindle. This story arrives early in the schedule, because a new e-book novelette "Night Light II: The Trial of Ooga Booga" is scheduled for publication later this year.

This month I've been working on the re-releases of those projects mentioned above, as well as "The Ghost in the Olive Grove," "The Rainbow-Colored Sheep," and "Aries' Cage."

New fiction in the works, includes new episodes of both The Chronicles of Nightfire, Texas and The Legends of Nod, the previously mentioned new "Night Light" story, and the second volumes in both the Metrognomes and Cry, Wolf series of novels, both scheduled for publication next year, if all goes according to plan. I am also working on a collection of haiku, which includes old ones from the Web site, reworked ones from the Web site, and some new ones too for the fall.

So my plate is full, but it's exciting to have so much going on all at once! We just have to be very conscious of the order of the releases, in order to bring new readers in, rather than put them off by charging them for very short stories they might not appreciate without having first been exposed to more complex offerings from my current body of work.

The future for every release in the near future looks a lot like The Legends of Nod #1. Each work of short fiction will be issued in four different ways:

1. Kindle e-book - This version of the story is formatted directly through Amazon.com for use on the Kindle e-reader.


2. Smashwords e-book - This version of the story is formatted for Smashwords.com, who then prepares it in every major e-book format and presents it to major online book retailers for consideration. The Legends of Nod was picked up by Apple, Sony, Barnes & Noble, etc., via Smashwords' efforts.


3. Clark Ink e-book - This PDF version of the story differs from the Smashwords PDF in that it reflects a more aesthetic approach to book layout, more closely resembling a printed book. It is available exclusively through GlennSladeClarkJr.com and Lulu.com.


4. Paperback - Because I like the idea of everything being at least available in print for collectors, fans, and people who simply haven't jumped onto the e-book band wagon yet, a paperback of each of the e-books will be printed exclusively through GlennSladeClarkJr.com via Lulu.com. These will not be sold through stores, except during special events like book signings. Rather, they are meant to be something special for fans to get through the Web site. :)

Major releases, like the new haiku book, short story collections, and novels will be released initially in all of the above e-book formats, as well as hardback and audio from here on out. Paperback editions will come after nine to twelve months and will be available through stores. We're moving into a lot of new territory here, especially with audio books, since none of my work has ever been available in audio before. There are a lot of bugs being worked out, but we're getting there! :)