Author Archives: Shawn E. Bell

Indie Success Story: Maya Cross’s Intimate Connection with Readers

Alex Palmer has posted an article over at Publishers Weekly about the success Maya Cross is having reaching her readers.

From the article:

Among self-published authors’ major advantages over published big-names is often a more personal connection with readers. Whether exchanging comments on Twitter, posting updates to their blog, or taking other steps, these writers tend to ingratiate themselves with readers in a more direct way than a formal marketing blitz it likely to accomplish.

That has been part of the reason that Australian author Maya Cross has seen each installment of her three-part erotic romance Alpha Series become a bestseller. But while an unimpeded connection with readers has been key to Cross’s success, also important has been maintaining a certain privacy.

Continue reading

California State Parks Announces 150th Anniversary Annual Park Pass Program

California State Parks has introduced a new Annual Park Pass Program to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of State Parks. From the press release:

The Pass Program will include a variety of options for visitors, including a 150th Commemorative Pass, the Surf Explorer pass, the Off-Highway Vehicle pass, a Historian Passport pass, and the California Park Experience day-use pass. The new passes will be available to purchase starting today.

Continue reading

Record of Decision available for Mariposa Grove Plan

The National Park Service (NPS) at Yosemite National Park is pleased to announce that the Record of Decision for the Restoration of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Final Environmental Impact Statement (Mariposa Grove Final EIS) was approved by the Regional Director on December 10, 2013. The Record of Decision (ROD) formally selects Alternative 2, South Entrance Hub for implementation. Alternative 2 was identified as the park’s Preferred Alternative in the October 2013 Mariposa Grove Final EIS. The Selected Action in the Record of Decision is substantially the same as described for Alternative 2 in the Final EIS.

Continue reading

Smashwords Signs Distribution Agreement with Scribd

Smashwords has announced they’ve signed a distribution agreement with publisher Scribd.  From the article:

Smashwords today announced a distribution agreement with Scribd, which operates one of the world’s largest publishing platforms and online reading communities.  Scribd receives over 80 million monthly readers to their platform according to their website.

There are two distribution components to the Smashwords agreement with Scribd.

    • Smashwords will supply books to Scribd’s new ebook subscription service, where for $8.99 per month subscribers can enjoy unlimited reading.
    • Smashwords ebooks will also be available for individual sale to Scribd customers under our standard retailer terms.

Ever since Scribd launched in 2007, I’ve admired their publishing platform, their social reading technology and their commitment to content creators.  Scribd has built a massive audience of millions of readers, and these readers are now accessible to the 70,000+ authors and publishers that distribute with Smashwords.

Continue reading

Thru-hike the roadless Sierra

Backpacker Magazine put up an EXCELLENT appetite whetting hiking guide to one of the most scenic parts of the Pacific Crest Trail.

For those who don’t know, the Pacific Crest Trail is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail that follows some of the highest pats of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges from Mexico to Canada, crossing Califoria, Oregon and Washington.  It is 2,663 miles long, passes through 25 national forest and 7 national parks.  The trail became a National Scenic Trail in 1968.

From Backpacker Magazine:

The Hike
The best section of the most scenic long trail in the country is the 203.7-mile stretch in the central Sierra from Kennedy Meadows Campground to Red’s Meadow Campground. In that span, the PCT crosses Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and the John Muir Wilderness–and never meets a single road. It’s the longest roadless span on any National Scenic Trail in the country. On the way, you’ll have a chance to summit Mt. Whitney (the Lower 48’s highest point at 14,497 feet) and experience the legendarily gentle weather of California’s central Sierra. Plan for 10 to 15 days to cross this roller coaster of subalpine and glaciated terrain.

Continue reading