Android App for The Wild Rose Press #twrp
Just wanted to share the news that The Wild Rose Press has launched a free storefront app for Android. 
I downloaded it and love that you can go shopping from your phone. Be aware the store is not fully populated, but they are working hard at getting each book loaded. Go check it out and look for something new to read. 
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.softwaysolutions.wildrosepress
Have You Heard About BookLamp.org?
A Romance Diva posted about BookLamp.org on the site and I went to check it out. So cool! It’s like Pandora but for books. 
Here is how they explain their service:
BookLamp.org is the result of an exploratory project intended to help you find new books by comparing the content of the books themselves, similar to the way that Pandora.com matches music lovers to new music. We’re attempting to help you find books with similar themes and writing style to books you’ve enjoyed in the past – comparing elements like Description, Pacing, Density, Perspective, and Dialog – while at the same time allowing you to specify details like… more Medieval Weapons.
It’s impervious to outside influences like advertising budgets – so it’s an equal friend to the front, mid, and backlist author. At BookLamp, we’re a fan of the idea that it is what’s in the book that matters most.
The best part is ITS FREE! How cool is that? I hope the Wild Rose Press jumps on board with them because I would love to see my book listed here for people to find. In the mean time, I’ll be over there playing with the tool and discovering new authors.
A Letter to Amazon about Exposing my Book Purchases
ETA: I was mistaken in my original post. You must opt to make your purchases public by ticking off what you are reading and allowing the status to be made public. My apologies for the confusion.
Dear Amazon,
I saw a tweet from @moirarogersbree about your Kindle Profiles and thought…no way. But yes way. You went there. You invaded my privacy and have exposed my reading habits to all and sundry without asking for my permission. I knew about the profile’s existence, even added my bio to mine. I don’t mind a profile where content provided by tweets from my kindle about books I am reading are captured. I have chosen to make that information public by tweeting it. At no time did I wish to make my purchasing habits public in such an uncontrolled manner. I have lodged a complaint via their feedback tool on my profile:
“I would like to have my book lists not be made public. In this day and age I want control over which of my books are shown to the public due to professional concerns. I am not some teenager who does not understand the importance of controlling what aspects of their life are put on display. I find it concerning that Amazon would think that it is “OK” to make something I consider private a matter for public consumption. “
As a semi-public (technically I’m nobody, but I do participate in the romance community) figure I prefer to choose how my image is presented to the general public as do most public figures. As a private person, I have no desire to have every book I choose to purchase listed for public awareness. I have colleagues, friends, and family who I may not wish to know EVERY book I read or buy. This move on your part is as unthinking and foolish as the kids who post pictures of themselves getting drunk all over Facebook. I however am an adult with judgment. Please allow me to exercise that judgment without the benefit of your interference. I am sad to say that I will likely curtail my use of Amazon until such time as you find a way to fix this issue. It is decidedly unsavvy of you to do this to your loyal customers, and frankly disappointing.
Unhappily,
Dara Young
ETA: I have now changed my name on my profile and removed all identifying markers. I have also stated my objection to the profile in my bio. I hope that Amazon changes this to an opt in type service or at least give me a better way to opt out than individually removing books I don’t want to share. Ridiculous!
