K-2 Foundation Event

Over the weekend, I attended the K-2 Foundation's Masquerade Ball at Doubletree Resort. The amazing Kyle Maynard spoke at the event.  What a cool guy and a great motivational speaker!  To tell you a little bit about Kyle, he was born on March 24, 1986 with a condition known as congenital amputation, that has left him with arms that end at the elbows, and legs that end near his knees.  His story begins as an 11-year old that wanted to wrestle, and a coach that gave him an opportunity to try.  After losing every single match his first year, and most his second, Maynard with his iron will and a coach with a heart of gold became a very successful varsity wrestler on one of the best teams in the Southeast.  In spite of his limitations, Maynard found a way to win 36 varsity matches his senior year, while defeating several state place finishers, and state champions, during his final season. 

All of this, is only the beginning.  You can read about Kyle's other accomplishments HERE, which include his world record, and the ESPY he won in 2004.  Next up?  Summiting the highest peak in Africa, known as Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Kyle has formed a team called "Mission Kilimanjaro", and together, they hope to send a message to heroes in the veteran community, and to kids with disabilities around the world, that regardless of any challenge we face, no obstacle is too great to be conquered.  Amazing doesn't even begin to define Kyle.  Please read more about Kyle's mission, and support him by visiting his website HERE for more information.

It was my great honor to meet Kyle.  Take a look at the pictures below, and be sure to check out his book, NO EXCUSES. 

 

 Rose and I with Kyle

 Kyle talking to his fans

 Rose and I with Kyle's book NO EXCUSES

David Copperfield Show

When I was in Las Vegas for the PubWest conference, my wife Rose and I caught a David Copperfield show at MGM Grand.  After the show, we went up on stage to meet him, and he did a little card trick for us.  He is a really nice guy, and the show was great!  Take a look at the photos.  Fun!

 

PubWest Conference Was A Success!

Over the weekend I attended the PubWest conference in Las Vegas.  I had a really great time, met some great people, made some fantastic connections, and came home with pages of notes and ideas!  Here are a few pictures for you to check out!

 The beautiful Green Valley Ranch Resort

My beautiful wife Rose and I relaxing :) 

 

 Here I am holding my Summit Murder Mystery Series sign in front of the sign introducing Len Riggio, the chairman of Barnes & Noble. 

                                                                                  Len Riggio and I. Len is holding a copy of Murder On Everest!

 I am so excited about the direction Irion Books is headed!  We are soaring, and I can't wait to share it with you!  Thank you for reading, and if you haven't checked out my series yet, what are you waiting for?!  Order Murder On Everest, the first book in the Summit Murder Mystery Series today!

For more information, click here! 

Exchange Your E-Books

It's no secret that users of such e-book readers as Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook can "lend" copies of the books they've purchased to friends.  But imagine if your universe of friends consisted of millions of people, not just the five or six people in your book club.  The lending library suddenly becomes much more interesting.

That's what EBookFling.com wants to create.  The site ultimately will let users borrow books listed by other members - for free.  Here's how the site works:  Users can list any digital book they've purchased.  When another member requests to borrow it, EBookFling sends the book owner a message with step-by-step instructions for lending it.  Each time users lend a book, they earn a credit, which can be used to borrow other members' books.  Each lending period lasts 14 days.

For those wondering if this is legal, Nick Ruffilo the chief information officer for the site said the site is perfectly legitimate and allowed by the lending policies set by Amazon for the Kindle and Barnes & Noble for the Nook.  Messages to Barnes and Noble and Amazon were not immediately returned.  "Legally this is using a feature that already exists."

Ruffilo admits that book publishers aren't likely to embrace EBookFling with open arms, especially if digital lending leads to a why-buy-when-you-can-borrow attitude as consumers continue to fret about the economy.  "Logically, one could say that publishers can end up losing money," Ruffilo said.  "It would be hard to argue with that because it's not incorrect.  But it's also not the whole picture."

Ruffilo argues why publishers should actually welcome his service.

"When you borrow a book written by an author you've never read before, you may become a fan and buy his/her other books and maybe his/her future books too." he said "Books themselves are great marketing.  New genres pop up all the time, like steampunk.  You may not know what it's about, but once you get a chance to try it, you might be open to buying it.  We're providing a discovery and marketing venue."  For now, the New Jersey-based start up doesn't need financial assistance from publishers.  The site is backed by BookSwim, a profitable, privately held book rental service that operates much like Netflix. The service lets subscribers borrow physical books via mail for a monthly fee ranging from $23.95 for 3 books checked out at a time to $59.95 for 11 books.

Still, the service needs some cooperation from publishers, which ultimately get to decide whether they enable the lending feature for Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  If lending eats into sales, publishers may reduce the lending period or opt out of the feature altogether.

What do you think?  Will you sign up to exchange your e-books?

For more information about Irion Books, LLC and to order books from the Hell Series, or Summit Murder Mystery Series, please visit Irion Books' website by clicking HERE

*Article from Alex Pham from Los Angeles Times

PubWest Conference!

In early November, I will be in Nevada attending a conference I am very excited about!  Over a three day conference where I will get to interact and connect with other people in the book publishing industry, I will also get to meet the Chairman of Barnes & Noble, Len Riggio.  

 

Len Riggio, (pictured to the right) built Barnes & Noble from a single store to a leading bookseller with more than 1,300 retail and Barnes & Noble College bookstores nationwide!  During the seminar he will be discussing his fifty years in this business, what he sees as the future of book selling, and his predictions of how print books, e-readers, and e-books will be sold.   

Other seminars include topics such as social networking effectiveness, improving profitability, product line branding and much more.  This is sure to be a very informative and educational seminar.  I’m looking forward to taking it all in and incorporating it into Irion Books, LLC.  

If you were going to meet the Chairman of Barnes & Noble, what questions would you ask him?  

For more information about Irion Books, LLC and to order my books, please click here to be taken to the Irion Books website!

The Happiest Man In The World Event in Pictures

Here are some pictures from last night's The Happiest Man In The World book event at ASU.  It was a very fun night, and I enjoyed listening to Dr. James Jackson speak.  I really enjoyed seeing my friend and Project C.U.R.E. Executive Mike Medoro get the recognition he deserves.  Congrats Mike! Enjoy the pictures! 

Project C.U.R.E. and The Happiest Man In The World

Tomorrow evening I will be attending a book event at Arizona State University, sponsored by the ASU Alumni Association, featuring Dr. James W. Jackson, the founder of Project C.U.R.E. an organization that I am heavily involved in and support.  Project C.U.R.E. was founded in 1987 to help meet the need for medical supplies, equipment and services around the world.  Since its inception, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered medical relief to more than 120 countries since its inception.

Dr. James Jackson has devoted the past twenty-three years of his life to traveling all over the world and “delivering health and hope” to the world’s most needy people.  Thousands of people are alive today as a result of Project C.U.R.E.’s efforts, its volunteers and its founder, Dr. Jackson. 

The Happiest Man In The World, Dr. Jackson’s new book provides unique and compelling insight into the life and legacy of a man who found true happiness in relinquishment and selfless service.  He tells the story of the heartbreak he endured seeing children die of treatable illnesses simply because the doctors and nurses lacked the proper medical equipment and supplies.  He also shares the joy expressed by doctors and nurses who saw containers full of donated medical supplies arrive just in time to save a life because of the efforts of Project C.U.R.E. 

Dr. Jackson’s book is said to provide an honest assessment of the challenges presented to him for building a “Business of Goodness” and he challenges people everywhere to learn from his experiences and join him in becoming, “The Happiest Man in the World!” 

During the event Dr. Jackson will be sharing stories and images of a life refocused from “getting” to one of “giving”.  I have been fortunate enough to see up close and personal the giving Dr. Jackson is referring to.  This past summer I participated in Project C.U.R.E.’s medical mission in Moshi Tanzania where I helped deliver supplies to the Mwerni School for the Blind.  While in Tanzania, I also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro where I was doing research for the Summit Murder Mystery Series’ final book, Murder On Kilimanjaro!  It was an amazing trip for many reasons!

I’m looking forward to tomorrow night’s event.   It is sure to be a moving and inspirational evening. 

To learn more about Project C.U.R.E. and how you can help, please CLICK HERE.  To learn more about Irion Books and the Summit Murder Mystery Series, CLICK HERE.