How to read things that aren't PDFs

Subject: How to read things that aren't PDFs
Author: Thoth
Posted on: 2022-06-21 02:21:02 UTC

1) so if you bought through Amazon/B&N/whatever, they'll probably make you download their terrible program for your computer and/or phone, or use Adobe Digital Editions, which is also kinda not great. However, it's pretty self-explanatory. Basically follow the directions the store gives you.

2) Sometimes, once in a blue moon, a service will let you download a raw EPUB. Amazon never does this, but they will lie about it and tell you they do. Google makes it pretty convenient if the author has permitted it (I don't know how easy it is to permit it as an author, though...). This is the actual ebook in its pure form, without any nonsense stuck in it to try and keep you for using it however you please. If you have one of these, you can use any ebook reader to read them. On PC, Calibre tends to be the software of choice for both reading ebooks and managing an ebook library. On iOS... well, I don't own one. Can't talk about it. On android, I am partial to Librera Reader Pro, which is $3.50 on the Play Store or free on F-Droid, thus continuing the popular open-source funding model of "it costs money if you want to support the developer or just don't know any better." Anyways, it's barebones and gets out of your way, which is really what I want in an e-reader application.

I am relating all this in case anyone wants to know, because having read both pdfs and epubs, I find the latter a lot more convenient (the text reflows to fit your screen size, you can adjust font and font size and text/background colors to whatever is easiest for you to read... etc).

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I wrote a book, and it's now available to read. :) by Iximaz on 2022-06-19 09:01:11 UTC Plug Reply

Great. Just great. First day of fall break, and a student's already been attacked.

As if college wasn't already stressful enough on its own, being mauled by a werewolf and learning that your roommate is a hundred and eighty year old vampire doesn't exactly help matters. But that's the situation Lee Lowell finds herself in after a timely rescue from classmate Ariel Montgomery—a son of the oldest family of monster hunters in the world—and Bella Graves, the aforementioned vampire with a passion for medicine.

Lee gets very little time to adjust to her newfound reality before the trio find themselves embroiled in a mystery: Werewolves have been going missing from the streets of Chicago, only to reappear months later in feral attacks, outside of the influence of the full moon. The Night Treaty is at risk of being overturned after two centuries of peacetime, and the world of Tenebrous could soon find itself at war.

Really, who has the time to worry about grades?

If you like urban fantasy, vampires, monster hunters, queer romance, and investigating feral werewolf attacks while navigating college, you'll not want to miss Gloaming, the first book in the Tenebrous Trilogy.

It's only available to read at a handful of sites right now, but will be coming to websites such as Amazon Soon(TM). It's already gone live on Barnes and Noble!

Check it out here!

Physical copies are being sorted now! by Iximaz on 2022-07-06 23:21:27 UTC Reply

It'll be a while before they're order-able but I've got a print proof on its way to me now. :)

Awesome! I also want one for my "people I know" shelf. ^_^ (nm) by Neshomeh on 2022-07-07 04:31:16 UTC Reply
Yay! by Linstar on 2022-07-07 00:22:53 UTC Reply

This is great. Still haven’t started reading yet, due to IRL stuff, but this is good news!

—Ls, a little regretfully.

Six chapters in; it's good. by Huinesoron on 2022-06-25 21:52:34 UTC Reply

I can definitely see shared influences and themes between it and your Ixilottie material, but that's hardly a bad thing. It's kind of fun to spot the similarities, to be honest.

hS

:) by Iximaz on 2022-06-26 01:52:09 UTC Reply

Hope you continue to enjoy!

And done! by Huinesoron on 2022-07-01 23:14:10 UTC Reply

Didn't see the ending coming, though I probably should have. (I've been slow because I don't read well on my phone, not because of the book itself.)

The trio of cheery - grumpy - angsty worked well, I thought, especially since you took care not to lock them into the roles. Bella is my favourite character; she reminds me of someone but I genuinely can't figure out who she's pinging as.

There's two moments which jumped out at me as drawable: the fence-jump in chapter 8, which I might attempt, and the Gloam beast appearing during Terry's spell, which I think is beyond me.

Fanfic... not sure. I tend to play with minor characters, and I'm not sure there's anyone who falls in the space between "too major a player" and "No distinguishing features". I'm also wary about writing anything which will be proven wrong by the next book. :) I'm most interested in the wizards from a fanfic perspective, because they're the ones who stand apart from other depictions of the same concept.

One possibility would be a crossover; the Gloam has Mist-like properties which would make something Percy Jacksony work, but it might be more fun to run some or all of the trio into Dresdenverse or Night Watch vampires or werewolves. Actually you push a lot of the same buttons as Night Watch and its sequels, apart from not being Russian and dark. So that could have potential.

When I asked about your fanfic policy, what I meant was: if it gets written, do you want to see it, and if so, any restrictions on what you see? I'm thinking of the Marion Zimmer Bradley fanfic incident, and don't want to make you uncomfortable.

hS

(Of course for real funsies I would contrive a reason for Selene to run into them, with or without Kaitlyn in tow... :D)

Eeeeeeeeee— by Iximaz on 2022-07-02 23:11:43 UTC Reply

It still tickles me so much people have been enjoying my book! I really wanted to lean into the sort of things I loved about urban fantasy growing up while also addressing a lot of the problems I nitpick at (like super-powerful beings needing to hide from the weak humans for... reasons?). Which isn't to say I think my book's without flaws, haha.

I'd be thrilled to read any fanfiction you might want to write; I've already got the other two books planned out so I don't think there will be any incidents if you're referring to the one I think you are. (Especially since aside from Aegis I don't think anyone will really be predicting where I'm planning to take the story so I'd be very surprised if any fics resembled it... ^^;) And with the Gloam Hunters being a worldwide organisation I left the setting wide open for people to play in if they so desired...

~~As for who Bella reminds you of—maybe my Agent Charlotte?~~

I read the book and it was good! by Thoth on 2022-06-23 03:49:41 UTC Reply

Lots of fun action, light mystery, and some drama and romance and it's just... the perfect book to spend seven hours reading on an airplane. Y'know. Hypothetically.

(Okay, I didn't do that, it didn't take the entirety of my flights)

Thank you so much! And I'm glad you enjoyed it! by Iximaz on 2022-06-24 10:44:46 UTC Reply

Being able to hold someone's attention during a long journey is quite the compliment, haha. X'D

Copy acquired! (nm) by Mattman The Comet on 2022-06-23 01:22:32 UTC Reply
Now available from Amazon! by Iximaz on 2022-06-22 01:10:21 UTC Reply

(Still ebook only, I'll be sure to say when it's possible to buy print copies!)
It's here!!! by Calliope on 2022-06-20 22:46:14 UTC Reply

Oh, my gosh, I have been so excited for this ever since I started seeing you post excerpts in the Writing channel. Need to find a way to get the book in readable format, now - since I don't really have a great way of reading things that aren't straight PDF files. ^^;

Still - I can't wait to get my hands on this, and I'm already excited for the rest of the trilogy. (Trilogy! I still can't get over the thought of one of my friends having an entire published book series.)

How to read things that aren't PDFs by Thoth on 2022-06-21 02:21:02 UTC Reply

1) so if you bought through Amazon/B&N/whatever, they'll probably make you download their terrible program for your computer and/or phone, or use Adobe Digital Editions, which is also kinda not great. However, it's pretty self-explanatory. Basically follow the directions the store gives you.

2) Sometimes, once in a blue moon, a service will let you download a raw EPUB. Amazon never does this, but they will lie about it and tell you they do. Google makes it pretty convenient if the author has permitted it (I don't know how easy it is to permit it as an author, though...). This is the actual ebook in its pure form, without any nonsense stuck in it to try and keep you for using it however you please. If you have one of these, you can use any ebook reader to read them. On PC, Calibre tends to be the software of choice for both reading ebooks and managing an ebook library. On iOS... well, I don't own one. Can't talk about it. On android, I am partial to Librera Reader Pro, which is $3.50 on the Play Store or free on F-Droid, thus continuing the popular open-source funding model of "it costs money if you want to support the developer or just don't know any better." Anyways, it's barebones and gets out of your way, which is really what I want in an e-reader application.

I am relating all this in case anyone wants to know, because having read both pdfs and epubs, I find the latter a lot more convenient (the text reflows to fit your screen size, you can adjust font and font size and text/background colors to whatever is easiest for you to read... etc).

Also just the Google Play Library seems to be a thing if you have a Google acount? by Neshomeh on 2022-06-21 03:26:20 UTC Reply

This: https://play.google.com/books

Upload an EPUB from your hard drive to your library, and it's readable there. (At least, it worked for the "generic EPUB" Young Wizards book files.)

~Neshomeh

Oh wow, I should have realized by Thoth on 2022-06-21 17:23:29 UTC Reply

...Since I like having online backups of my books, that is very useful.

If none of the sites I’m slated to be published work… by Iximaz on 2022-06-20 23:26:04 UTC Reply

I’m happy to shoot a copy via DMs to friends :) All I ask is help spreading the word!

I was actually about to ask: by Calliope on 2022-06-21 00:13:37 UTC Reply

If I want to go shout into a couple other servers I'm in about your book, do you want me to just use the link from this Board post?

Yes please, that would be perfect! by Iximaz on 2022-06-21 01:04:31 UTC Reply

I also have a Twitter if anyone wants to retweet. :)

Now available to read on Apple Books :) (nm) by Iximaz on 2022-06-20 17:50:58 UTC Reply
Congrats! by Ozzielot on 2022-06-20 14:36:12 UTC Reply

If I happen to see it in a store, I'll check it out!

--Ozzielot

Haha, thank you! by Iximaz on 2022-06-20 17:49:21 UTC Reply

It's only going to be available in ebook format for the time being with physical copies being print on demand, but maybe one day something of mine will be in physical stores. :)

How do I demand they print me one physically? : ) (nm) by doctorlit on 2022-06-21 00:30:57 UTC Reply

Soon(TM) by Iximaz on 2022-06-21 01:05:03 UTC Reply

You'll be the first to know once that becomes available, doc!

[Raises hand] Me too pls. by Huinesoron on 2022-06-21 08:04:22 UTC Reply

I have a shelf for exactly this sort of thing, and I much prefer reading hard-copies. Also makes it easier to take photos.

hS
Thank you! (nm) by doctorlit on 2022-06-21 02:51:14 UTC Reply

Ooh! by Linstar on 2022-06-20 13:37:23 UTC Reply

I would definitely give it a try. Most of the listed genres look like stuff I’d like.

The title Tenebrous Trilogy reminds me of an original fiction I tried to write when I was eleven. It was...Bad, to say the least. But I bet yours won’t be.

Bella, the vampire? cough I like that. cough

I’ll see if I can check it out.

—Ls

:) by Iximaz on 2022-06-20 18:31:43 UTC Reply

Bella knows what you're getting at. She'll be quick to point out that real vampires don't sparkle.

Bravo and congrats! by Huinesoron on 2022-06-19 22:45:05 UTC Reply

A copy of Gloaming has already been added to the Restricted Section of the Canon Library, right where it belongs. I believe the Librarian is on record as saying that if you can't get hold of a first edition of an ebook, you're not trying hard enough.

From a money/anything else perspective, do you have a preferred source? Eg do any of the sites give you a greater slice of the pie?

Also, out of curiosity, do you have a policy on fanart and fanfic? ^_~

Seriously, well done!

hS

Oh my gosh!!! by Iximaz on 2022-06-19 23:18:56 UTC Reply

My preferred source for you is to acquire it from wherever is most convenient! (And if none of the places I’m slated to be published work, I’m happy to DM or email a copy to people as well—I just want people to read, haha.)

It’s funny, my mom was actually asking at dinner tonight what I would consider a monetary amount of success to say I’m a published author and I said that it wouldn’t be money—it would be if anyone felt compelled enough by my story and characters to write fanfic or draw fanart. Just… knowing I made a thing that resonated with someone is incredible.

(Just nobody tell Ix or Charlotte or Lorson about this new canon!)
I was actually gonna ask a similar/related question: What would you prefer the minis to be? -kA (nm) by Kittyauthor on 2022-06-19 22:59:47 UTC Reply

Oooh, I would have to say mini-Gloambeasts! by Iximaz on 2022-06-19 23:20:06 UTC Reply

They could take on a shape that vaguely resembles the misspelling for extra hilarity. They might make the room a little bit colder if you get too close, but they’re friendly. Honest.

And there you have it, folks! by Linstar on 2022-06-20 13:28:49 UTC Reply

An author-announced mini!

I’d totally like to read this and write a fake badfic, just so there’ll be a mission in the continuum. If that’s cool with you.

Oooh, there's a thought— by Iximaz on 2022-06-20 17:50:30 UTC Reply

If an author gives the go-ahead to write badfic, does that weaken the canon or is the canon shielded from it?

(That is to say, go for it, because I'm absolutely tickled you'd want to do this!)

I think the canon’s shielded from it. by Linstar on 2022-06-20 18:48:59 UTC Reply

Like the regular PPC Badfic Games, you, the author, have given permission to write badfic, and it should logically be behind a creativity shield.

And I’d love to write a badfic for it, but I’m not sure if I’d be able to mission it alone. Anyways, should be fun.

—Ls

+1 on this. by Lily Winterwood on 2022-06-21 07:33:15 UTC Reply

Creativity Shields in my current understanding derive from authorial fiat. Ix allowing badfic could be authorial fiat that automatically quarantines away badfic.

Also congrats on getting published, Ix!

Not sure I agree. by Huinesoron on 2022-06-21 07:54:14 UTC Reply

By that logic, any author who says "write whatever you want" puts themselves outside the scope of the PPC. It also means there can never be a Tenebrous Trilogy mission, because the whole canon is behind a Creativity Shield.

Under the latest theories on Glitter from DAS, what this actually means is that Iximaz has been corrupted by Glitter and is actively encouraging the destruction of their canon. "I wanna see lots of badfic" is functionally the same as, oh, "the Force is actually microbes," at least according to the theorists.

(Naturally, being PPC agents, the one thing we can say for sure about their theories is that they're wrong. But that's what they say. ^_~)

hS

Especially since it's not so much "write whatever" in this instance... by Iximaz on 2022-06-21 08:44:51 UTC Reply

I prefer to think of it as... hm, more like the Badfic Games the PPC sees in September? :P Whatever it is that protects the agents from deliberate badfic could possibly apply here while still leaving the canon open to missions...

That’d be the Creativity Shield. :P by Lily Winterwood on 2022-06-21 09:19:40 UTC Reply

Which is the in-universe way to quarantine off canons where authors have specifically said no fanfics. I mean, since you’re explicitly allowing fanfic, even deliberately written badfic, to exist, then it’s probably unquarantined.

I thought perhaps it would be a different variety of Shield, since a Boarder is the author rather than someone who hasn’t heard of the PPC, that might automatically jettison badfic into a bubble universe?

And if she’s not making the shield... by Linstar on 2022-06-21 11:26:36 UTC Reply

I am. Since I’m writing the badfic, I can be the one to shield it—right?

(I think that makes sense.)

—Ls, who would also like to write a goodfic.

…Wait, what if it was a reverse Creativity Shield? by Lily Winterwood on 2022-06-21 08:21:23 UTC Reply

Authorial fiat welcoming badfic could create a… rolls dice Creativity Sword. That attracts Glitter, because it’s shiny! Or something.

Author-announced minis have happened before. by Kittyauthor on 2022-06-20 13:34:00 UTC Reply

At least one time before, but it's rare that one has the chance to ask an author, "Hey, what's the mini in your canon?"

Also, I would love to see either a mission in this canon or an agent from this canon. The latter could be used as a comedic bit where they meet Ix/Charlotte and those two learn about the book. Just a thought.

-kA, half asleep

Exactly, hence my “write a badfic for this during the Badfic Games” idea. (nm) by Linstar on 2022-06-20 13:38:35 UTC Reply