New Publication Announcement – Smilodon
My eighth novel is going live. As you may have guessed, it’s titled Smilodon, and it’s the first book of a new series, The Primogenitor Saga.
It is available via Knightsfall Press right now (Delivery by BookFunnel on February 9th) and as a pre-order for 2 March 2021 everywhere else (links coming soon on the Smilodon book page).
*** Until March 31st (31 March 2021), Smilodon will be on sale. ***
I’m publishing the eBook format of this novel “wide,” which means across all storefronts and not exclusive to any specific vendor. This is a change in publication policy for me, as the eBooks of my previous series, Histories of Drakmoor and Cole & Srexx, are available through Kindle Unlimited and exclusive to Amazon.
Why have I made this change? I have become increasingly concerned that a major disruption of Amazon may be on the horizon. One of the few things the US government can agree on right now–regardless of party affiliation–is that something has to be done about Big Tech (Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and possibly one or two others). And every time I consider that, the only thing I can think of is Ma Bell.
Haven’t heard of Ma Bell? That’s okay. I’m not surprised. You can read about it here.
I can’t help but feel that any breakup of Amazon due to antitrust activity will disrupt Amazon’s dominance of the eBook market here in the USA. As my stories are my sole source of income at this point (with eBooks making up the lion’s share of that), I feel intense pressure (admittedly, internal pressure) to build my readership across as many platforms as possible. Developing significant income via multiple retailers is more of a slow burn than the flash fire associated with Kindle Unlimited, and I sincerely hope I’m not too late.
I freely admit that I may be completely wrong about how the US government “handling” Big Tech plays out, and there’s no way to know what the long-term effects will be until we’re living through them. But I’d rather have my sources of income as diversified as possible, just in case I’m right.
Hello Robert,
I like and appreciate your honesty and sincerity towards us readers. I completely understand your dilemma, I would do the same.
I’m subscribed to KU for many years now, and it’s being a life saver, me not working for six consecutive years now due to my pains and later my major lower back fusion surgery and still in recovery period. I’m living on my saved income. Lol. But, your decision is comprehensive and only you know,-as each of us-your own situation. I purchase from iBooks and Kobo too, the books that are not in KU, but very very few now, my enrolment in some ARC teams with authors that have these teams and are not in KU helps a lot. Lol. As you can see, we all look out for our own individual interests and needs.
I wish you all the best in your adventures, Robert. Take care, be safe. Stay blessed.
Meenaz.
Hi,
Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a comment!
I hope your recovery goes as well as possible.
If you’d like to be on my ARC team, just send an email to sendrobmail@knightsfallpress.com from the email address you’d like me to send future ARCs to.
The only ‘requirement’ for the ARC team is to post an honest, unbiased review on two of the storefronts (i.e. Amazon, Apple, Kobo, etc.) for those titles that are Wide or just to Amazon for my KU titles.
Best wishes to you and yours for the coming days!
Regards,
Rob
Colour me confused.
Is ‘Smilodon’ only on general sale until 2021-03-31? {Please explain highlighting of this date.}
Are you guaranteeing that you intend any future stories in this series will be distributed via alternate platforms at some point? [Obviously if Amazon (or other publisher) offers huge advance – rather than larger portion of revenue after any sales – for exclusivity this would probably change.] The two previous series both disappeared into Bezos bubble after starting with more general distribution.
David
PS No reading because unable to afford a subscription that month (and/or supporting technology) sounds like a dystopia too far to me.
Smilodon will be available from here on out. It will only be at a reduced price until March 31st, 2021.
The only situations that offer advances are deals with traditional publishing houses, and since I’m independent, this does not apply.
Going forward all publications will be available ‘wide’ in eBook format, which means no exclusivity to any specific platform.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and questions. Best wishes to you and yours!
Regards,
Rob
IMO payment for sales exclusivity in arrears is dodgy and antithesis of independence. On the other hand a negotiated fee for specific rights was acceptable in preceding millenia. Introduction of digital distribution requires change, why?
I’m lucky that I figured out how to send file to kindle. (Had to update approved e-mail). Was a must when I discovered Stupid Boy series by G Younger. Had to have the ARC. I’m sad no longer KU, but I understand. I know about mal bells break up, so be interesting to if your right. I agree that big teck need to handle, but Wal-Mart and Amazon had large part of market before ebooks. Plus have little faith in government. A few years ago many litrpg authors left KU because of amazon banning some authors, So not first author I lost. It funny one of those authors had a book very much like this book. However his more harem type. I bought the book and never went back to his series. Story good but I figured 25% was just the sex no plot, so after ten books I drought the series. That said your a much better storytelling so I will keep buying you books
Forgot, what about you sifi book. Last I heard was working on that. I respect that you put hold last year, but said you had a new plot idea. How that going? Its my favorite.
Hi,
I finished Smilidon (Loved it!), went and signed up and got Lone Wolf, (after reading Smilidon, I really like it as well) and can’t wait till Roc comes out but I am also looking forward to The Fires of Aurelius and The Fall of Skullkeep, please don’t keep us in suspense on those.
Thanks!
Hi, William,
“Fires” and “Skullkeep” are my highest-priority projects right now. They’ll be available as soon as possible.
Regards,
Rob