Q&A with Josh Lanyon discussion

Hey everybody, did you hear that there's a book coming out soon? Well... we heard that too and started planning for a little launch party.

If you're game drop by this topic next Friday when we start with some fun and magic tricks (and some prizes)! :-D

Can't wait to see what Josh has in store for Jason and Sam!

The Magician Murders

Nothing up his sleeves. Nothing but murder...

Jason West, hot shot special agent with the FBI's Art Crime Team, is recuperating from a recent hit-and-run accident at the Wyoming home of BAU Chief Sam Kennedy when he's asked to aid in the investigation of a suspicious death in a National Forest.

When the dead man is found to be the Kosher Conjuror, a much-hated part-time magician accused of revealing the highly guarded secrets of professional illusionists, it seems clear this must be a simple revenge killing—until Jason realizes an earlier suspicious death at the trendy magic club Top Hat White Rabbit might be part of the same, much larger and more sinister, pattern.

Calathea wrote: "

Hey everybody, did you hear that there's a book coming out soon? Well... we heard that too and started planning for a little launch party."

Thank you for launching the topic. BTW I love the banner.

Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :(

Antonella wrote: " BTW I love the banner"

Right? I love it too. Just had to use it for this topic. :-)

Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from some earlier dealings Josh had with Amazon. The A. doesn't seem to like it when you don't like them, or some such...

Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from some earlier dealings Josh had with Amazon. The A. doesn't seem to like it w..."

I think it was available for pre-order on Kobo, that I did pre-order it on Kobo, and was unhappy about the experience. I'm not sure, however, since I don't seem to have an record or receipt of the transaction on Kobo (another reason I am unhapy with the experience).

Edit: Yes, it's all true. I reread my comment to Josh's Blog Just Joshin: Sneak Peek - The Magician Murders (16 February).

Yey!!! New Josh's book AND a party!!!!

Sam wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from some earlier dealings Josh had with Amazon. The A. doesn't ..."

It was? So maybe those willing to brave the uncertainties of Kobo can preorder it there. Do we know about Smashwords?

I must admit I never tried Kobo... what are the perks? Do they have an easy manageable way to transfer books to Kindle?

Goge wrote: "Yey!!! New Josh's book AND a party!!!!"

It's the best combination. ;-)

Thank you for setting up our party topic, Calathea!

Oh hey, was that a BUNNY? Did I see a bunny jumping behind Josh's sofa?!

What are you doing with that top hat, Calathea...?

:-)

Antonella wrote: "BTW I love the banner."

Awww. Thank you, dear!

Goge wrote: "Yey!!! New Josh's book AND a party!!!!"

I know!!! How awesome is that!!! :-D

Johanna wrote: "What are you doing with that top hat, Calathea...?

:-)"

Oooh, I'm glad you asked. You see, this is not any old top hat... It's a special made chapeau claque, a collapsible top hat. Magicians like to use them because of showy effect when you un-collapse them. :-D
And now for that bunny... I'm sure I brought one with me. Kind of cute looking. Did you see one? :)

Here's the bunny!

KC wrote: "Here's the bunny!"

Hold it! Hold it, don't let it escape! That is one cunning little rabbit. :-D

Commenting to join the party, but I'll have to unfollow when spoilers start coming out.

(Is this book coming out before the Carina Scotland travel one? I see the Carina one is available to order through the library, but not this one.)

Calathea wrote: "Do we know about Smashwords?"

Wonderful idea, it's there!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...

Johanna wrote: "Oh hey, was that a BUNNY? Did I see a bunny jumping behind Josh's sofa?!"

Skip? Pip? Is that you?

Wait a minute... I thought I left a pile of rainbow silk scarves over here... the purple one is missing... Adrien... Jake... what are you two up to?

I was planning on practicing my disappearing scarves act... guess not if one's missing...

Jordan wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Oh hey, was that a BUNNY? Did I see a bunny jumping behind Josh's sofa?!"

Skip? Pip? Is that you?"

Or Peter, maybe? Or Cottontail? She's got such a cute little lisp.
Anyways, catch the bunny guys, we'll need that for the show...

YAY, can't wait :)

and the audio better be done by Kale Williams (just saying!!!)

Kirsten wrote: "Commenting to join the party, but I'll have to unfollow when spoilers start coming out.

(Is this book coming out before the Carina Scotland travel one? I see the Carina one is available to order ..."

According to Goodreads, Magician Murders will be out April 3 or so.

WMD wrote: "Kirsten wrote: "Commenting to join the party, but I'll have to unfollow when spoilers start coming out.

(Is this book coming out before the Carina Scotland travel one? I see the Carina one is ava..."

Oh, thanks for finding that. Murder Takes the High Road is due out on April 23rd from Carina. It's weird that that one is already on Overdrive for preorder, but this one isn't. Maybe it's related to Josh's Amazon kerfluffle.

I've just found out about The Murder Magicians... I'm so looking forward to it! (*throws confetti and happy dances around the office*)

Susana wrote: "I've just found out about The Murder Magicians... I'm so looking forward to it! (*throws confetti and happy dances around the office*)"

Yes, keep dancing, Susana! Wonderful start to a party. :-D

Joining the happy-dance while trying to hold on to Bunny Cottontail.

Kirsten wrote: "(Is this book coming out before the Carina Scotland travel one? I see the Carina one is available to order through the library, but not this one.)"

Yes, The Magician Murders will be out before Murder Takes the High Road. The latter one will be out April 23rd and The Magician Murders will be out April 3rd. Although today Josh wrote on FB that The Magician Murders might be out even as early as this Friday/Saturday. So, let's cross our fingers! :-)

Calathea wrote: "Johanna wrote: "What are you doing with that top hat, Calathea...?

:-)"

Oooh, I'm glad you asked. You see, this is not any old top hat... It's a special made chapeau claque, a collapsible top hat..."

:-D

Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Do we know about Smashwords?"

Wonderful idea, it's there!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/..."

It's on iBooks, too.

Jordan wrote: "Wait a minute... I thought I left a pile of rainbow silk scarves over here... the purple one is missing... Adrien... Jake... what are you two up to?"

Hahahaaaa! Sweet... :-D

Trio wrote: "and the audio better be done by Kale Williams (just saying!!!)"

I know! :-)

Calathea wrote: "Sam wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from some earlier dealings Josh had with Amazon. The..."

I contacted Kobo and asked about transferring their EPUB books to my kindle.
Here's their chat reply:
Kobo: Unfortunately Kobo software is not allowed in Kindle devices as it's not compatible.
Me: so you don't offer EPUB format?
Kobo: Yes, we offer EPUB formats but not for being transferred to kindle devices. Our software is only compatible to transfer our files to Sony ereaders or Nooks.

Bottom line: since I only have a kindle and not a Nook or a Sony ereader or an iPad, I cannot purchase this at the pre-release sale price.

Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Do we know about Smashwords?"

Wonderful idea, it's there!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/..."

do I need to purchase this book on release day to get the $4.99 preorder price offered by Kobo, B&N, IPhones, since Smashwords doesn't have preorders? I'm so darned confused.

Judy wrote: "do I need to purchase this book on release day to get the $4.99 preorder price offered by Kobo, B&N, IPhones, since Smashwords doesn't have preorders?"

Do you have something against Smashwords or do you think that on Smashwords it will be available later ? Because it is $4.99 also there.

Judy wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Sam wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from some earlier dealings Josh had..."

Depending on how adventurous one is, it would be possible to buy the epub on Kobo, download it, convert it to mobi/azw-format with Calibre (which strictly speaking is not legal, because it uses plug-ins to circumvent security messures) and then send it via e-mail or sideload it to the Kindle.

When I asked I had hoped there was an easier way like them sending it directly, but looks like they only offer epub then, which is of course a marketing tool to keep you bound to a certain platform/hardware. I was not aware that Kobo is laid out that way. Good to know, though. So, thanks for making the effort to find out! :-)

Judy wrote: "Antonella wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Do we know about Smashwords?"

Wonderful idea, it's there!
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/..."

do I need to purchase this book on release day to get the..."


Is the preorder price different from the "normal" later price? Is it supposed to go up?

Calathea wrote: "Is the preorder price different from the "normal" later price? Is it supposed to go up?"

Sometimes the regular price might go up by a tiny bit (an incentive to preorder). Or that's my impression. I never compared after preordering.

I've had good luck converting files on Calibre and emailing them to my Kindle.

I read Kobo books on the Kobo app. Of course that only works if you have a tablet, or if you're willing to read off a smartphone. I just mention it to point out that there may be an easy alternative to downloading, converting file formats, and using an intermediate app like Calibre. (Don't interpret this as me supporting Kobo. I'm actually highly disgruntled with them for other reasons.)

Antonella wrote: "Judy wrote: "do I need to purchase this book on release day to get the $4.99 preorder price offered by Kobo, B&N, IPhones, since Smashwords doesn't have preorders?"

Do you have something against S..."

I don't have anything against Smashwords. I buy a lot of Audible books and if I buy a book from Amazon, the whispersync makes reading more enjoyable. If a book won't be available in audio, I'll use Smashwords

Calathea wrote: "Judy wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Sam wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from some earlier deal..."

If you were to purchase an EPUB formatted book from Smashwords or the late unlamented ARe, the file is sent to you. At that point, this site works great https://www.sendepubtokindle.com/
I've tried to use Calibre, but I'm not tech savvy enough and the 'how to' helpful hints weren't.

Judy wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Judy wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Sam wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from ..."

I'll bookmark that. Thank you! :)

Trio wrote: "I've had good luck converting files on Calibre and emailing them to my Kindle."

It usually works for me to. I try to avoid it if possible, though, and buy the correct format if it's on offer.

Teal wrote: "I read Kobo books on the Kobo app. Of course that only works if you have a tablet, or if you're willing to read off a smartphone. I just mention it to point out that there may be an easy alternativ..."

I think I'll keep staying away from them. I faintly remember checking them out years ago and being less than impressed.

Judy wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Judy wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Sam wrote: "Calathea wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just went to see if this was available for pre order, but its not :("

I think that's the repercussion from ..."

I've never seen that one before Judy, thanks for sharing it!

Haven't read any of the thread. Just commenting to mark this party!

Haldis wrote: "Haven't read any of the thread. Just commenting to mark this party!"

We'll start tomorrow with the first game. :-)

Oh, and I just saw on fb that Josh hopes the books will be in stores on Sunday.