melissa marr

B&N  (for the CORRECT price of FREE!)
the Sony ereader store (for the CORRECT price of FREE!)

Now . . . here's the chattering part. . . I wrote the story bc I needed to get my head around a few things, but since I'd written it, I went to Harper & said "hey, I can post this online, but more readers check stores than my site, so can you all put it on ebook spots?"  

Editor Anne: Let me check. 
Ana Maria (she who knows Digital Things): yes.
Merrilee (Agent who keeps me stable): No problem. I can do the necessary paperwork.

Me: Umm, I asked my readers, & they like print too.  I have this paperback of the last novel, so can I put it there too.
Anne: Let me check, but I don't see why not.
Ana Maria: I don't see why not.
Merrilee: *gets more paperwork*

Collective: Are you selling it? Bc there are other publishers who buy your books in other countries. There is paperwork giving Harper the right to it so it can be translated.
Me: Oh. Umm. Argh. I guess. BUT I want it to go out first as free AND not change the pb of FE price.
Collective: Ok, I don't see a problem. *gets paperwork*
Me: So LATER if you all want to sell it for very cheap bc I'm costing you money by asking you to do this . . . damn, I didn't mean to cost you money. I just thought this would be fun. 
Collective: *pats my head* We knew before we said yes. It's all fine. Go write now. 
Me: *feels a little daft* & *decides to do whatever they ask of me next to make up for daftness*
Collective:  Since we're buying this now, can you write more? 
Me: I have another story . . . it's about what happens in the Dark Court after INK.
Collective: Lovely.  *holds out hands*

Months pass.

Readers: Hey, M? That free story? Not so free in some places. 
M: *tells the collective*
Collective: *Emails & calls folks & fixes it in various spots.*
M: *is relieved*
Collective: You asking for free is costing vendors too. 
M: *feels daft some more* & *grateful to those who still list it as free*

Readers: Oh, & I'm in ____, & i can't get it in English.
M: *asks Collective*
Collective: Hmmm. We'll investigate. Let's see if we can find a solution. Okay?
M: Yes, please.

Readers: I own FE, so I don't want to buy the paperback.
M: Try B&N or Sony or elsewhere online?
Readers: But I want it in print.
M: *pings editor*
Anne: Remember, dear: you said we could include it in the Wicked World anthology that's out in 2012. 
M: Umm, sure. I wouldn't forget that. . . 
*looks at readers*
M: Guess what I just heard?  It'll be in the WL antho... I mean, I remembered that. I'm totally organized over here.  It's altogether possible that I told you this but I could've not. I honestly don't have a freaking clue.

SHORT VERSION

The FREE story I wrote is apparently costing my publisher & some online retailers money.  Many vendors are STILL providing it to you for free despite that. 

If you want it free, there are spots you can go now AND in the next few weeks.  There are other spots where it's NEARLY free.  

If you want it in print, it'll be in the FE paperback in the US & Canada (with no increase in cost on the book itself). I have no idea if it'll be translated in print anywhere. 

I do know that it'll be in print in the WL antho out in 2012 in the US too :)  I have no idea if that'll be translated either. I suspect it will in a few places at least.

This has been a learning experience, but we're trying.  My masterplan of put it out there for free in various spots was a little naive, but the Collective Wisdom of Digital, Editor & Agent are doing things to make it happen.  Please trust me when I say that they are onboard with you all getting it, and they are being exceptionally wonderful. . . as are all of these vendors who list it for you to get.