Sunday, July 10, 2016

4 Ways to (Legally) Get Free E-Books



1. Library

Your local library is probably the best source of free books full stop. With the rise of digital technology,  many libraries have started loaning out ebooks through systems like Overdrive. Check out your local library and see if they have a system to lend out ebooks.


2. Websites and Databases Dedicated to Out-of-Copyright Books

There are a wide range of websites and databases that compile books that have gone out of copyright, and that you can read legally for free. Probably the most well-known example is Project Gutenberg, but there are plenty of others.


3. Kindle Books

Not only are there Kindle editions of out of copyright works, but many authors offer their books for free for various reasons. Maybe it's a temporary promotion, maybe they make the first book in a series free to hook new readers, or maybe they are trying to get on a bestseller list. Searching the free ebooks section of Kindle and finding a gem can be tricky, but worth it.


4. Social Media

If an author or website puts an ebook up for free for a limited time, it can be difficult to catch the deal. One solution to this is to search hashtags like #freeebooks on your favorite social media sites. Most social media sites are arranged in chronological order, so you will be kept up to date with the latest deals.


Any cool tips for legally getting free ebooks? Leave them in the comments.

Friday, June 24, 2016

5 Cool Fantasy and Science Fiction Short Stories


Looking for a quick, fun read? Here are five short fantasy and science-fiction stories that you can find online.

"Clockwork Fairies" by Cat Rambo

This is a steampunk short story with an interesting premise. It combines elements of science-fiction and fantasy.

"Variations on an Apple" by Yoon Ha Lee

This re-telling of the judgment of Paris and the Trojan war has a striking writing style.


"16 September 1999: Interrogations" by Kate Matta

A 19-year-old girl breaks into the Metropolitan Museum of Art and tries to steal pistols. A series of interviews and police reports reveal why she did this. Given that "found footage" has become such a significant part of supernatural and horror cinema, it is interesting to see how it might work in literature.

"Those Who Watch" by Ruthanna Emrys

This eerie, Lovecraftian tale has the uncanny feel of the original stories, but updating it to a modern setting. If you love libraries, archives or old manuscripts then this story will be of particular interest to you.

"The Lizard Dance" by Gio Clairval and Jeff Vandermeer

I really enjoyed Jeff Vandermeer's Annihilation, and this story has some similarities, particularly with the seeming supernatural representation of nature.



SaveSave