Thursday, August 5, 2010

E-Readers

Last week, I was in Orlando at the Romance Writers of America conference. E-readers were everywhere!

Barnes & Noble had a large room dedicated to selling physical books--but there were also people selling the Nook e-reader outside it.

I arrived on Wednesday morning too late to attend a morning program given by Harlequin for its authors on social networking, darn it. I need as much instruction as I can get, to learn everything I’m not doing. The afternoon Harlequin program was dedicated to teaching us about the different kinds of e-readers and what their differentiating features are. I unfortunately also arrived too late to see the demonstration, but the room was packed. Afterward, a few techy folks from Harlequin hung around to give individual instruction, but I hadn’t learned enough to know what to ask. Sigh. But it did intrigue me.

Other programs discussed the future of the publishing industry, and where new forms of publishing, and reading, may fit in.

But did all this convince me to run right out and buy an e-reader? No. Maybe I’d have been so inclined if I’d seen the demos and figured out which one was best for me. But I haven’t heard of any yet that would survive a good dunking in the bathtub--which is where I do a lot of my reading.

So, for now, I’ll wait. Although if anyone reading this happens to know of waterproof e-readers, let me know. I might jump in earlier than I’m currently anticipating.

16 comments:

Camille Minichino said...

I'm also waiting for other features, Linda, but I have to say at least I don't need waterproofing! Hope you had a great time (otherwise) at RWA con; someday I'm going to one.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Linda, I just uploaded an app that will allow me to read all my e-books on my phone. I'm really happy about that because if I don't have my e-reader with me or if the battery fails, I have yet another option for accessing my library!

Linda O. Johnston said...

RWA will by in NYC next year, Camille--another incentive to attend!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Amazing, Joanna. What is the type size like on your phone, though--legible enough?

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Yes, I tried an Android, which was impressive and cool. I could not manage to type on it. No way! Finally I switched to a raspberry colored Blackberry. (You can see how much I love color!) I can read the type pretty easily on the screen, but best of all I am learning pretty quickly to type on it.

I can't say yet whether the e-reader function will work, but I have high hopes!

Camille Minichino said...

That does it. NYC for RWA -- what a deal!

Janie Emaus said...

Hi,
Let me know what you find out. I'll be getting one sooner than later.

Linda O. Johnston said...

A raspberry-colored BlackBerry? Sounds gorgeous and functional, Joanna!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Hope to see you at the NYC RWA, Camille!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Maybe you should let me know what YOU find out while looking, Janie. I may get one later rather than sooner...

Betty Hechtman said...

I went to the last RWA conference in NYC. I had a great time. Actually not too much time was spent at the conference now that I think about it. My son came with and we went to a Yankee game, lots of museums including a whole adventure on our trip to the Tenement Museum and we hung around Time Square at midnight.

I'm definitely going next year.

Camille Minichino said...

OK, I'm signing up! We should arrange a killerhobbies lunch at the Carnegie deli!

Linda O. Johnston said...

Great, Betty. And keep in mind that the Romantic Times conference is at the Bonaventure Hotel in downtown L.A. next April. Then there's Malice and all the mystery conferences... I hope to work some writing in around all of them.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Love the idea of a Killer Hobbies lunch in NYC, Camille.

Linda O. Johnston said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Planner said...

There are indeed waterproof covers for the Kindle. Search on Amazon for "waterproof kindle cover" and you'll see some. You can see demos of them on YouTube. Search to "kindle surfing" on YouTube for a short video from a passionate (and brave) Kindle owner.