Kindle has changed the way authors write their books. And the way authors interact with readers. In fact, one author has begun putting readers in his books as characters, and then killing them off.

“As a joke, I put my girlfriend in my book, then had Jack Klak kill her off.

Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter have potential to get adults excited about reading books. Many adult readers enjoy connecting on a personal level with the authors of the books they read.

September is National Literacy Month, and adult educators are always looking for ways to get their students excited about reading books.

Self publishing is on the rise. The number of self published book authors is up 181 percent from 2009, according to Bowker bibliographic company. Arizona author Charles G. Irion of Irion Books LLC is part of this growing trend.

As technology progresses, so do the standards and expectations of publishing.

GOOD book authors get some publicity and have been in the media once or twice. GREAT authors and experts gets lots of publicity and have done radio, TV, and print at the local and/or national level. GREAT experts are everywhere at all times. They are out there commenting on the issues and getting their message heard by millions.

GOOD authors and experts have an in depth knowledge of their area of expertise.

Amazon.com announced details of a new program that will enable authors and publishers who use the Kindle Digital Text Platform (DTP) to earn a larger share of revenue from each Kindle book they sell. For each Kindle book sold, authors and publishers who choose the new 70 percent royalty option will receive 70 percent of list price, net of delivery costs.