My Secret EBook Romance
Posted on | August 13, 2010 | No Comments
The thought of buying An Impolite Seduction, Her Lord and Master, or Mile High Mistress over the counter is enough to make even the most courageous of us blush.
But the rise of eReaders has made the secret pleasure of indulging in steamy romances novels all the more achievable, providing the ability to download huge quantities of romantic fiction titles without anyone having to know. ‘It was a bold move to publish our entire catalogue as eBooks in addition to paper versions, but it’s paid off,’ says Tim Cooper, director of direct and digital marketing at Mills & Boon. In September 2008, Mills & Boon became the first UK publisher to produce all its titles as eBooks simultaneously to publishing the paper versions. ‘eBook sales have been higher than we had forecast – a real sign that eBooks are what our readers want, and they’re here to stay,’ explains Tim. According to Cooper, online sales were encouraged by the relatively low cost eBook prices that are about half the cost of many paperbacks.
More than 140,000 Mills & Boon stories were downloaded digitally last year, compared to 400,000 that were bought as paperbacks through Amazon. And US Supermarket Giant Tesco has reported a 57 percent rise in Mills & Boon eBook sales within the five months since the Sony Reader went on sale.
Mills & Boon has always been more popular with older readers, like many younger readers were often embarrassed to be seen reading one. But Tesco’s own customer research revealed that younger fans (ages 30 to 42) are now indulging in the eBook versions of these books. 31 percent of correspondents also said that they prefer not being seen purchasing the print versions, because of it being associated with older readers.
Selling particularly well as eBooks are the titles in the Mills & Boon “Spice” category – which offer slightly more erotic literature than the average romance novel.According to Hazel Powell, commercial manager for books at Tesco, “Some bashful customers prefer to use e-readers so they can access stories privately. However, there is no reason why reading Mills & Boon should have to be a guilty pleasure.”
Ever since Mills & Boon were launched by entrepreneurs Gerald Mills and Charles Boon in 1908, millions of women have been entranced by this fantasy world of intrigue, danger, passion and romance. And the predictability that they offer is a very large part of the reason for their popularity. Cigarette smoking and one-night stands are not permitted. The hero is always tall and handsome. And the heroine is always attractive, never overweight, and often fragile and vulnerable.
This allowed the books to flourish during the war years when they were released – when women needed to escape the dreariness of an era where both men and money were in short supply. And even though the world that women live in has changed a lot since then, everyone still needs a bit of escapism. Mills & Boon has managed to adapt and stay relevant, and is more popular than ever with more than 175 million copies sold each year, and a new Mills & Boon book sold every 5 seconds in the UK. They are available in 26 different languages and sold in 109 countries,
Working in partnership with Mills & Boon, New Holland Publishing has launched eBook Diva www.ebookdiva.com last month – a South African eBook Store dedicated to the romance genre. The website offers users an online shop with over 1200 titles and the community is a romantic interaction, where romance fans and aspiring writers can share their work with other enthusiasts while protecting their own copyright.
Asia, A Beautiful Destination For Your Travel
Posted on | December 4, 2009 | No Comments
As the largest continent on earth, Asia offers travelers a huge variety of places to visit, things to do and, cultures to see. For first time visitors who travel Asia, we recommend the following:
Island Nations-Indonesia:
One of the most diverse destinations for travelers to Asia, the Indonesian archipelago can provide enough exciting destinations for a complete trip. Whether you are seeking relaxation, natural beauty, cultural diversity or all of the above, Indonesia will show you an exciting and wonderful Asian travel destination.
Philippines:
Comprised of over 7000 islands, the Philippines has become on of Asia’s forgotten travel destinations. Due to a recent history that includes martial law and economic corruption, the Philippines has lost much of its previous tourist activity to its more stable neighbors. Those who do visit will enjoy beautiful spots like the Boracay beaches and Lake Sebu.
Japan:
For decades, the island nation of Japan has been a favorite destination for travelers to Asia. From amazing Zen temples to kitschy reproductions of western monuments like the Eiffel Tower, Japan has something for every traveler who visits. The hardest thing is fitting it all in.
Southeast Asia
Thailand:
The Kingdom of Thailand is the most popular tourist destination in Southeast Asia drawing more visitors than its neighbors. With both mountainous regions and a beautiful coastline dotted with amazing islands Thailand is one a must see for those who travel to Asia. The city of Bangkok, the largest in Thailand is one of the most popular in all of Asia, as well.
Vietnam:
A quickly emerging destination among travelers to Asia, Vietnam is reshaping its image among world travel destinations. From the beaches along the coast, to its soaring inland mountains, Vietnam offers travelers to Asia with a sublime experience.
Mainland Asia-China:
Too vast for words alone, China is rapidly emerging as the top destination for travelers to Asia. As China continues to modernize both economically and socially, it is becoming easier for those who travel to Asia to visit one of the largest and most populous countries in the world. If you travel to China, follow a loose itinerary and try to see as much as you can.
Korea:
South Korea is one of the most westernized of all Asian nations. Travelers to Korea can enjoy the modernity of the capital city, Seoul; or they can try visiting beautiful natural wonders like Songnisan National Park.
India:
Another of Asia’s largest and most heavily populated countries, India is a complex and diverse nation unlike any other you will experience when you travel throughout Asia. Visitors to India will be enchanted by its unpredictability and surprising cultural dramas that exist among its inhabitants.