Who are you?

I'm bad at introductions, so here's what my Gmail signature says about me: "Erin Grace is a freelance writer from Salem, Oregon who has not-so-quietly been wondering if she was a hack since she was ten. She has been writing with much self-doubt and determination since then, and as a result has produced the manuscripts for seven different novels: one published (The Indefatigable Wright Brothers), three in editing (The Library; A Plane Saved Them, And You Should Have Seen It; and Paths of Righteousness), one resting (The World Is Round), one imcomplete (Distance) and one she only wishes she could forget."

What is this place?

This is the place where I post my completed work, for everyone to read.

Oh, you mean excerpts.

No, I mean the full works themselves, beginning to end.

Really? How much are you charging?

Nothing. However, if you're so inclined, my publisher and I have the complete, published version of my first novel, The Indefatigable Wright Brothers, ready and available for purchase in hard- and soft-copy at the store. You can also buy copies on Amazon.com or at Barnes & Noble.

Free?! Why would you post your work for free?!

Several reasons. Mostly because I wrote these books to be read, and I don't want to die like Emily Dickinson. But also because I think that giving away my work for free is one of the best ways to make it successful. Honestly, when was the last time you paid to read a webcomic or to watch an independent film on YouTube? Novels are next on the list of free stuff on the internet.

But doesn't that cancel out your copyright?

Nope. My copyright is alive and well. I'm still the only person who has the authority to sell or copy any of my work.

But how are you going to make any money on your work if you let it go for free?

Well, first off, I'm not posting my work because I think it'll make me rich. I wrote these books to be read, remember? Sometimes trying to make money from something is the best way to ensure it'll never be exposed to a larger audience. But also, I've seen the Laws of the Internet in action: "If you build something amazing, give it away for free, then offer products based on your creation, they will come." Maybe not in droves, but at least they'll come. If you like my work, I encourage you to buy the hard- and soft-copies I have available, for you to enjoy later in the comfort of your own library, bathtub, or bus stop.

Wait...didn't you say one of your books was already published?

Yes, through Jumping Duck Media. That's actually the first book I'll be putting on this website, The Indefatigable Wright Brothers.

Doesn't the publisher have a problem with you putting the book on your website for free?

Nope.

Oh, okay. So what's going on with the site? Do you have a schedule?

Yes. I post approximately 1500-2200 words a week, every Monday. Because of the post lengths, you'll sometimes get one chapter, sometimes a chapter and a half, and sometimes only part of a chapter. This is to help keep it consistent, and fair for both me and for you: more fair for you when there are short chapters (more to read), and more fair for me when there are long chapters (more time to edit and write).

I thought you said they were completed.

Au contraire! I said that I post my completed work, but you'll notice in my intro that most of my work is still being edited. The whole reason I post in 2000-word chunks is so that you always have something to read every week, and I have a couple months to polish or write more books.

You can seriously write and edit a book in a matter of a couple months?

Yep - I think if I was ever really hard-pressed, I could get a book from "Chapter 1" to "on the website" in about three months. Not to say that I'd enjoy myself overly-much, but it could be done. Thank you, NaNoWriMo!

So how do I begin reading?

Go back up to the "Links" menu, and choose The Indefatigable Wright Brothers to begin reading, or click on the Novels link to read a synopsis. I also provide MPAA-type ratings (G, PG, PG-13, etc.) for each of my novels so that you have a better idea what you're getting yourself into.