A few months ago I had my first short stories published. I was absolutely thrilled as you can imagine. They were published on a brilliant iPhone, iPad and iPod touch app called Ether Books.
Ether publish short stories by seasoned and new authors, for people on the go, who want something quick to read. It was founded by Maureen Scott whom I am honoured to say I recently interviewed. This is the interview, where you will find out more about Ether and the great woman behind it.
Thank you for joining us at Life in Clarity, Maureen, I really appreciate your time.
When did you initially get the idea to create such a brilliant app for readers who like short stories?
Read this link below; it pretty much gives you background about why I set up ether. I have been in mobile for 12 years and as soon as decent smartphones started shipping I could see that people would adopt reading on them. But I think book content is too long! Hence ether and our “15 minute reads.” Small but perfectly published….
We approached literary agents to secure rights for the short stories and essays from many of our famous writers including Hilary Mantel, Alexander McCall Smith, Louis de Berniers, Conn Iggulden, and Shaun Hutson to name just a few of our famous writers. The agents were very interested in working with Ether; we represent a new digital channel to market for these writers and their work. Hilary Mantel spent 12 years writing her story “The Heart Fails Without Warning,” it was previously published once in the Guardian newspaper. Hilary Mantel has been tremendously supportive of Ether, you can see her interview with Telecom TV on the Ether WEB site. She pretty much sums up why writers are so happy to work with Ether.
What is your favourite genre to read when you’re not working?
I’m always working…
The book I am reading now is called “Do bugs have bottoms?” It was one of the World Book Day books and I am reading it with my little girl.
It’s really good! I am learning a lot!
Where do you work and can we have a photo of your working space??
Right now I am working from my kitchen table! I often work from Starbucks. When we have a huge audience of readers I am going to offer Starbucks free ads on Ether since their WiFi is great and perfect for small start-up companies. So — I want you to insert a logo of Starbucks!
If you could do or be anything in the world now, what would it be?
I would have a team of 20 people working NOW for Ether. We have so much to do and there are so few of us…..it is a constant challenge and frustration for us. There are 5.5 billion mobile handset users around the world and I am not going to be satisfied until we get our Ether Writers out to the masses around the world.
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk about Ether and share a little if the person behind it. We sometimes forget that someone is behind the technology and work so this has been great. Thank you!
You can find the Ether Books website Here where you will also find a link for the Apple app store
mooderino says
interesting. Maybe phones will be an alternative to ereaders, hadn't thought of that. Thanks for a very interesting post.cheers,moodMoody Writing
Rebecca Emin says
Great interview!
Soooz says
Terrific post, technology is moving ahead so fast. I can never hope to keep pace. Interviews like this are so informative. I really enjoyed it.
David McLoughlin says
Thanks for this enlightening and inspiring interview that fills out a big gap in my knowledge. Wherever there is an opportunity for me to read on the move, or an opportunity to publish, I am grateful to know about it. I am hoping to be able to make contact with Ether Books and offer some MSS (if that is how they are referred to anymore? Thanks.
Suzanne says
Well done. Lots of good information. The Ether team is great.
Lynn says
I love the idea of Ether books! Sadly, I will have to wait until it is available on my phone or I upgrade to an iPhone. Wonderful interview!
Juliet Boyd says
Great interview – have linked to it on my blog.Juliet
Rebecca Bradley says
Mooderino – I have ether on my phone and it really is a great little app. Phones do so much nowadays and people expect so much from them. Ether gives something readers will love.Rebecca – Thank you :)Soooz – Thank you. It's a great app for a busy technological era.David – You're welcome. I hope you get some joy out of ether :)Thanks Suzanne. They really are great. Such a helpful, friendly and approachable team.Lynn – I'd definitely recommend an iphone! I think I would feel as though I'd lost my arm if I lost my phone now!Juliet – I'm glad you liked it and thank you for linking to it!
Sommer Leigh says
Excellent and well written! I love the direction technology is going. The next few years are going to be very very cool.
Jingle says
good for you.keep writing..you deserve the best.
Rebecca Bradley says
Sommer – Thank you! I definitely agree. It's very exciting.Jingle – Thanks Jingle.
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