What did you love as a kid? Do you remember?
I loved playing hide and seek with water balloons and a game called Kick the Can. We lived on a hill in a Pennsylvania neighborhood. The house at the bottom of the hill. The most fun was getting inside a cardboard refrigerator box and rolling down the hill. (Can you picture that?!) In winter, we tried going down on sleds, but the house was in the way. It was still fun, though we had to roll off the sled before hitting the house. That wouldn’t have gone over very well…
What books did you love growing up?
Did you like fantasy stories, like James and the Giant Peach or The Phantom Tollbooth (my own favorites)? Or did you enjoy mysteries (like Nancy Drew… Am I dating myself?)
When I got older, I enjoyed Catherine Cookson, a British author who wrote historical novels that took place in the place where she grew up in Northern England. I loved being taken away into the stories and other cultures.
How have your reading tastes changed?
Maybe your tastes haven’t changed, but the way we consume books sure has! Back then, it was paper or hardback books, period. Now, we have subscriptions, eBooks, audiobooks, library eBooks and audiobooks, and platforms like Spotify where we can listen to audiobooks. Everything has changed… and yet, we still love a good story, don’t we? Stories are basic. Always have been. They’re part of us, which is why we love them.
Here’s a change we didn’t expect: Groups of readers on a subscriber list, like some of you reading this. It’s like a special club around the work and life of a particular author. I value each one of you, because together we form a community. I’m able to learn about you, if you want, and share things I’m doing.
This isn’t possible with a reader who buys a book online and remains anonymous. I appreciate your interest in my books and the fact that you’ve subscribed. But I’m interested in you too! (So, let me know what you’re reading, what you like, what you’re up to! I’d love to hear from you!)
Another huge change is authors—even those who are or were traditionally published—now can publish and market their own work and have their own online stores. It’s not unusual anymore to buy a book directly from an author in paperback, audio, or eBook. You may know I have an author store. I can sell eBooks or paperbacks or eBook box set (bundles) directly. By this time next year, I’ll have created and added audiobooks to the store. (Right now they’re only available on Amazon with their proprietary narration voices. It’s not bad, but I’d like to raise the bar even more, then offer them everywhere.)
So, where am I going with all this? I’m not sure, except to offer my author musings. The changes just underscore what I call the reading and publishing explosion. There’s more available to read now than ever in history.
Books have always been part of my life, so it’s no surprise that my greatest pleasure is writing them!
One goal I have in the coming year is to foster more of a conversation with my readers. Let me know if you have ideas on how to do that. I’d love to know more about what you think of certain books or characters, where you’d like to see a series go, or if you’re ready for a different one. Even after I finish book 6 in the Brenner Falls Series (I’m working on Book 5), I can write other series (like romantic suspense or women’s fiction), but go back to Brenner Falls to “visit” with a new book. It can go on and on!
By the way, if you’re a Brenner Falls fan and you’re waiting for the next book, don’t forget I have two other series and a few stand-alone books. They might be a few years old, but the stories are still fun (and some take you away to places in Europe!)
Click HERE for the full list in order.
So, here’s the action point: the conversation. Let me know anything you want to by email or by comment.
- Where is your favorite spot to read in your house or elsewhere?
- When do you get the most reading done? (during Christmas holidays? Summer? Weekends?)
- Have your reading tastes changed over time?
- Are they broader? More narrow?
Before I end my musings, it’s nearly time for Christmas. How about a paperback book or a series for a special reader on your list? A Second Chance is a great one to send. There are three novels and one novella in the series. It’s women’s fiction, and all the women in the books are friends with each other. Might be fun to curl up with this winter or send it as a gift.
Happy reading, and I hope to hear from you!
Kyle
PS If you have France travel enthusiasts on your list, I also write travel books under the name K. B. Oliver. I hope you’ll check out that store too! Here’s the website and here’s the STORE. Enjoy!