Netbooks: A Viable Answer?

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students-on-netbooks-grade-5

Australian students using netbooks in the classroom.

Since Governor Swarzeneggar’s recent move to make digital textbooks a reality in California, I have been watching the process unfold and have listened to a dizzying array of public reaction. Typically, many people fire off opinions prior to becoming fully informed on the subject. Some fear that economically-disadvantaged students would not be able to keep up without computers and/or internet connections at home. Others cite the high cost of ebook readers as the shortfall of the project.

One thing’s for certain: there is a lot more to be researched and said. I’m not entirely sure that the Governor was totally up-to-speed himself as he proposed his mandate. And how could he be? Technology is changing rapidly, as hardware (ereader manufacturers) and software (textbook publishers) providers all scramble to provide the latest and greatest and more, do it first.

As previously mentioned, the Kindle DX is currently in use on several college campuses as students determine the strengths and weaknesses of the portable electronic book. One issue is the device’s inability to display in color, which diminishes the impact of science textbook photos and diagrams. History books, too, suffer under the monochrome limitation.

After reading about One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) a non-profit organization that strives to “empower the children of developing countries to learn by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child,” I thought, why not here? While it is certainly a worthwhile, altruistic goal to modernize education in Peru and Cambodia, why can’t we improve education in Bakersfield or Hemet in a similar fashion?

netbook2Naturally, when I was first introduced to the popular new “netbooks“, something clicked. Netbooks are fully-functioning laptop computers, missing only a CD/DVD drive and a pound or two in weight. Smaller keyboard, smaller screen, but internet capable. Beefy enough to handle word processing and ebooks. Retail priced lower than the Kindle DX. In color. Wrap it up with a rubber collared bump guard and you have a student-ready learning device.

No waiting around in Evansville, IL. The school district is acquiring thousands of netbook computers for their students and teachers. This pilot program will see the rental of these units to families for $70.00 each. The District is picking up the $45.00 balance of the $115.00 yearly rental fee. See the whole story here.

I envision a time when a high school will have its own wi-fi intranet, where teachers will upload and download lesson plans and tests will be instantly posted from students’ netbooks. I see textbooks with interactive, mini-videos embedded within. Who wouldn’t rather watch a reenactment or actual archived footage of an historic event than read through four dry paragraphs recounting same? Today’s students are point-and-click fanatics.

Read here about an Australian school where netbooks have already been implemented. Be sure to read comments made by 4th & 5th grade students. (Top photo courtesy Anne Mirtschin.)

As I mentioned above, there is still much ground to be covered. I look forward to being on the front lines.

Mourning Michael Jackson

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man in the mirrorLast night, someone likened the reaction to Michael Jackson’s death to that of Princess Diana. Shockwaves felt ‘round the world. One of those life-changing moments one will always remember, like the day John Kennedy was assassinated; the day John Lennon was murdered; the day the space shuttle Challenger evaporated right before our eyes; and, of course, September 11th. Days of infamy.

Not many years back, you couldn’t find a positive word about “Jacko” in the media. After all, the King of Pop had fallen from grace on more than one occasion, igniting controversy and prompting outright disgust from a formerly adoring public. His bizarre behavior and questionable antics made him suspect; accusations of child molestations, false imprisonment and endangerment tainted his stellar all-American good boy image. His fans felt betrayed, and those who loved him best quietly turned away while others slung arrows and mud.

Why, then, the outpouring of love and grief, now that the King is dead? Suddenly, this once much-demonized individual is, instead, deified, mourned, and remembered for his best days instead of his worst. And that’s the point.

As I sat watching Michael perform “Man in the Mirror” yesterday (having followed a YouTube link so thoughtfully passed on by a Facebook friend) I found myself smiling, being pulled in and engulfed in that mesmerizing talent that only he could bring. Yes, I thought, this is the Michael we loved. Images of chalky-white face and clown-painted lips faded away. Memories of an infant dangling over a balcony dissolved. Here was the real Michael Jackson, doing what he did best, entertaining with a passion and unmatched devotion to his craft, his public.

Death gives us a stopping point. Michael Jackson stopped being bizarre yesterday, giving his fans the opportunity to “erase” those bad years. His life took on a new image, one truncated and abridged to include mostly the good stuff. Although his true fans will still feel his struggle to survive in a world that couldn’t, wouldn’t understand him, they can now focus on that part of him that loved and adored them, without wincing at his sullied reputation of recent times.

Isn’t that how we always want to remember our lost loved ones? The good times?

Rest in peace, Michael. I hope you’ve found complete love and acceptance.

Challenged to Sell, and On Sale

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“Amy Winslow isn’t looking for a mystery, and she doesn’t even like secrets. In fact, secrets have nearly destroyed her life. But when her brother’s accident forces her to take over a mysterious California lighthouse in his place, Amy finds herself immersed in its shocking past and uncertain future.

“Case McKenna hasn’t quite reconciled his own painful history when he sails his crippled boat into Newburg Harbor. Despite an overwhelming urge to flee, Case follows intrigue and passion, as he too is drawn in by Point Surrender…”

So goes the blurb for my lastest novel, POINT SURRENDER. As you can gather from the copy, there’s a lighthouse, and two people who may or may not be destined to uncover its long-held secrets. PS is the first in a trilogy of lighthouse-mystery-romantic-ghostly books with a broad appeal.

As much as I love ebooks and advocate them at every turn, I am hesitant to accept my publisher’s challenge that I can sell 100 copies within 30 days. She’s even making it easier this week, by offering 25% off any ebook that retails for over $3.00. Read about it here. I think that makes it around $4.50, which is a super price for any full-length novel, and especially for mine. $12.95 in paperback, mind you. CLICK TO BUY! 🙂

So how do I go about selling 100 more ebooks? Offer autographed cover flats? (Yes.) Run a contest? (Nah.) Beg? (Why not.)

If you buy it from Echelon, you can get it in PDF or HTML, readable in any computer and most hand-helds (including your iPhone.) If you need it in another format, check out Fictionwise (where it is not on sale but is still only $5.25, and is available in MS Reader, Kindle, Mobipocket, eReader, Sony Reader and others.

I hope you choose to help me out. Prove to me that it can be done!

It’s Not Easy Being Green

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ppc6800sp_lpiThis is about electronic books, or “ebooks” as they’ve come to be known. I’ve had books available in this format for ten years now. For ten years, I’ve been waiting for this manner of reading to come into its own. It’s getting closer, just not there yet.

There is a lot to write about with regard to digitally formatted books. Right now, my focus is on how to sell more of them. I buy almost exclusively ebooks myself, most of them from on-line bookseller Fictionwise. And no, I don’t read them on my computer. I have a small PDA (“Personal Data Assistant”) device — you may recognize the pioneer name “Palm Pilot” — that I download books onto and read at night in bed. I love it, and now have difficulty changing back to paper books on occasion. Since I read in bed, paper books don’t work because they require light, space and they make noise. Not to mention that they take up space on the shelf when they should still be standing in the forest. But that’s another issue.

By now, you’ve probably heard of the Kindle, Amazon’s offering in the digital book arena. Two of my friends own them and I must say, they are pretty nice. Kindles, along with their nearest competitor, the Sony Reader Digital Book, work for a variety of different scenarios. However, as they both utilize the revolutionary “eInk”, they don’t light up at night, and they don’t display in color.

Nonetheless, either of these (and several other) ereaders work  just fine for the reading of any of my seven available fictionwiseebooks. Fictionwise, in fact, makes my titles available in no less than thirteen different formats for different readers. Prices range from 85 cents to $5.95 for my latest, full-length romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER. Is that a bargain, or what? The paperback sells for $12.95 plus shipping. The savings is about $8.50, and it wouldn’t take too long to make back the price of the ereader, would it?

I believe that once the price on the ereader comes down to under $100, we will start to see greater momentum on the ebook front. The fact that California, Texas and other states are experimenting with digital textbooks is a good sign.

I’d like to know what others think. Others who are still on the fence, or starting to think more about going green with ebooks. What would make you switch?

Murder in La La Land

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san_fernando_valley_view323184728_stdWas murder on Jerry Lambert’s mind as he stared out the bus window on that scalding, sweat-soaked L.A. morning?

Does Los Angeles have its own particular brand of crazies, just scratching by amidst the daily roadblocks of urban life, the scorching summers, shaky seismic plates, potholes and panhandlers? Sisters in Crime of Los Angeles is certain it does, and has set out to prove it with the upcoming anthology, “Murder in La La Land,” set for publication this fall. Look for my latest devilish short, “Just Like Jay,” which has been selected for inclusion in MiLLL! Story takes place in the summer swelter of the San Fernando Valley, pictured above, where I grew up.

Jerry is fed up with his life, sick to death of caring for his crabby, ailing Uncle Bernard. But when his path crosses that of a famous nighttime television host, Jerry’s life changes forever. And so does Bernard’s.

I am both thrilled and honored to be a part of this new book. Stay tuned for publication date and availability!

On Board – Or Not

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hyattOur local elementary school district is near and dear to my heart. Having been a part of said district–as a parent of students attending over a period of 21 years–I’ve kept up with the progress and issues involved. I am familiar with both the five board and various staff members.

Directors are elected for two year stints, term renewals alternating between two members and three members each year. That is to say, two members come up for reelection one year, then three the next, and so on. This year, all three of the members whose seats are up for renewal have decided to bow out. One of the other two members, last seated in November, 2008, has decided to run for a spot on another secondary school board. So, there will likely be four seats out of five vacated this fall.

I have been asked to opt for one of the seats. I have to admit, I was immediately, immensely flattered that I could be considered competent enough to sit on this important board. I hold the Superintendent in the highest regard, and appreciate the magnitude of responsibility he and his staff shoulder. Word of my potential campaign spread quickly, and I’ve been contacted by several friends to ask if I will be running.

I am tempted. Serving on the district board would be a great way to stay involved in local education (even though my yougest child is no longer a student of this district) and offer my support during these challenging times for educators. I already serve on the SCV Education Foundation board, and am significantly involved in their efforts to support excellence in local education. I spoke at length with both the Superintendent and one of the outgoing board members. Resounding in their comments was the hope that newly elected (or appointed, as may occur) board members be committed for the long term. While it is technically a two-year term, departing members have served as many as twelve consecutive years on the board.

Making this decision has been difficult. Yesterday, I had a brief discussion with a very good friend, himself a principal in this same district. While he was, at first, delighted at the prospect of my service, he noted my hesitation and advised me to decline if I was not 100% certain I wanted to go forward. Of course, he was right.

It would be wrong for me to fill the seat when someone else might be able to make a longer term commitment than I. So I’m stating today that I will not be throwing in my hat for November’s election, but am honored to have been considered.

Does This Blog Make Me Look Fat?

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scalesSo we are all eating too much. Do you know many people who are content with their size, their weight? I don’t seem to. Outside of my son, who has the metabolism of a hummingbird, most of my friends and acquaintances grumble constantly about ill-fitting clothes, out-of-control appetites, stress eating, and the caloric expense of a good glass of wine. Personally, I am not pleased to share that I’m 20 pounds over my “comfortable” weight. Like many, I have a closet full of clothes that I refuse to get rid of because I know I’ll fit into them again s-s-soon. I know all about glycemic indexes, blood sugar and hunger, carbs and sugar. I belong to the YMCA and sporadically make an attempt to get fit–ter.

Why is health less important than, say, making sure I see every episode of LOST? Why does my knowledge and reason give way to cravings for sweets and pasta? Where is my willpower? And importantly, how do I allow this to continue when it makes me so unhappy?

Immediate gratification. Destructive self-talk*; irresponsible rationalization. Chocolate.

That rationale stuff is dangerous. When I am full, satiated, content, I can make all the promises in the world to myself about how I don’t need or want to eat another cookie. But just an hour later, I experience a craving so strong that all reason evaporates and that self-talk begins rattling in my head. *Self-talk is the catalog of statements your mind chooses from in order to make you feel better about something, usually something you already know is wrong. Akin to the “devil” on one shoulder that is bickering with the “angel” on the other.

Angel:  You know you don’t need that chocolate chip cookie. It will make you fatter.
Devil:  Aw, c’mon. You didn’t have breakfast (lunch, dinner). It’s only 150 calories. It’s your favorite. One cookie won’t matter.
Angel:  It’s time for the pilates class at the Y. Better get changed.
Devil:  There’s so much on the calendar today. It will stress you out if you try to squeeze in a trip to the Y. And anyway, parking is a bitch. Maybe next week is better. Have a cookie instead!

Do you recognize this talk? If only there was a way to swat that little devil right off my shoulder!

All I can do is try. I’m too vain to type in here what I weigh, but I’m making a new commitment to drop 12 pounds by my birthday, which is September 14th. Not particularly ambitious, and certainly doable. Do I hear a second?

Relay For (Your) Life (and Mine)

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candlesI took a day off to let the memories of the weekend mellow a little. This was my fourth annual Relay For Life and each year proves a little different. Not only does it grow, it changes personality as past organizers move on and new blood takes hold.

Our local event boasted 140 teams this year and more than 5,000 attendees; around 220 booth spaces (many teams had multiple booths). The track was trapezoidal, as the old rectangle layout no longer works. Parking, as always, was a challenge, despite the seemingly endless chain of lots at Central Park. When I arrived at 8:40 am (late as usual) there were exactly 5 spaces left. I got lucky.

Opening ceremonies were organized differently this year, due in part, I’m sure, to the increased number of teams participating. Noticably missing was L.A. County’s huge ladder truck, which has, in years past, raised Old Glory during the Star Spangled banner and prompted more than a few patriotic tears. Instead, this year’s committee opted to release doves to kick-off the always moving Survivor Walk. After a truncated turn around the park, survivors joined their teams for the team walk,  which was a random line up this year. Whether by good fortune or planning, our team happened to get announced just as we passed by the microphone. I do know we cheered the loudest.

At 10:30 am, we gathered before the stage to listen to winners of the inaugural essay contest. My 17 year-old niece, who won in the 10-12 grade category, read her moving poem, “United”, and I couldn’t have been more proud. She was awesome, confident and deserving of the necklace and gift card she was awarded.

It was great seeing “old” friends, good folks I only see at this event. The weather was kind this year. Our family walked at 1 pm, and although the “track” was longer this year (.4 mile), it didn’t matter much as we walk for one hour regardless. We slowed briefly to give a listen to the 21st Century Blues Band, a great group of musicians reminiscent of the Allman Brothers. These guys are pro. We dutifully entered a few raffles and gratefully accepted free water.

Relay is so much more than just that one hour walk. Indeed, the walk itself seems almost inconsequential in light of the many other efforts and activities that precede it in order to make a good event successful. As the day progresses, you begin to feel the effects of the collective; the aggregate emotions, energy, and power that pervades the atmosphere in the Park. How can 5, 000 people, all of whom have been touched by cancer in some way, not create a massive aura?

It is with this collective spirit that we come to Luminaria in the evening. We are laid bare by our emotions, we express our grief–and our hope–openly. Stripped away are the pretenses, the thoughts of money, competition, raffle tickets and parking. Here we are united in remembrances, gratitude and in honor of each other and our loved ones.

100_3642The luminarias are a testament to the outpouring of love for those victimized by cancer. As we walk, those white paper bags beckon to us, ask us to read their names and remember their stories. Remind us to never give up the fight. Lots of tears, lots of hugging, lots of memories are shared.

Some go home, others camp out for the night, but all are left contemplative and solemn, for a time. We come close to truly understanding why we came, and why we will be back next year. If you have not been to a Relay For Life event, you owe it to yourself to attend.

Int’l Space Station: Could You Do It?

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space-station

I already know I couldn’t.  It was hard enough traveling to Singapore earlier this year; off-planet would be beyond my limit.

I think the problem is that, as a long-time sci-fi fan, I know all about the things that can happen up there. And this thing is no Deep Space Nine.

You can run out of air. Yep, it’s true; some people might breathe too much and use it all up. Or there could be a fire, which we all know uses up oxygen like no other.

What if they run out of food? Maybe one of the astronauts is a hoarder, and starts squirreling it away?

Did you know there’s no refrigeration, no cold water? All the water they drink is recycled. And where does that come from? Can you dig it? LOL.

Worst of all, what if something horrendous happens back on Earth, and the space shuttle can’t come back to get you. Oh, man! And there you are with five other cranky, HUNGRY people…

Nope. I’ll stay right here and get my off-world experiences from Stargate SG-1 reruns.

ps – for more on the International Space Station, NASA has a pretty cool site. They don’t talk much about running out of air or food, though.

She’s Not Too Big to Miss, But Her Book Might Be!

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too_big_to_miss_thumbnailI got an email this morning that made me sit up and take notice. Fellow Sister in Crime Sue Ann Jaffarian writes,

“Just this morning I signed a TV/Film Option Agreement with producer [shhh!]. They have optioned Too Big To Miss, the first Odelia Grey book. YAY!”

Well, first off, major congrats to Sue Ann are in order. This is possibly the biggest news any published author could want to hear. I have, twice, been asked for review copies of my books for possible film options. Although neither occasion panned out, I was thrilled, nonetheless, to be asked.

What makes a book a contender for the screen? Setting, plot, content? It’s all and none of these. It is most often just dropping the book into the right hands at the right time. That’s not to say Sue Ann’s book got there by sheer luck not at all. I’m saying that all things being equal, and one of those things being a quality, viable story, good fortune does play a part.

The Odelia Grey series involves “women of size” and has met with great success with readers of all sizes.The news that Too Big To Miss has grabbed Hollywood’s eye will undoubtedly benefit book sales, regardless of whether the option comes to fruition or not. And that kind of exposure is nothing to sneeze at, either.

So “BIG” kudos to Sue Ann and her much-deserved grab at the brass ring. I can’t wait to see what happens next!