Synchrony Books has just released "Saving the World", an ebook version of R. Eric Swanepoel's 2004 paperback novel "Saving the World and Being Happy, The Computer Ager". The cover was designed by Kit Foster. Click on the image to purchase it from Smashwords. See below for Amazon link.
The cover of the original paperback version of "Saving the World". The novel received excellent reviews. The ebook format will make it much more widely available and affordable.
Synchrony Books is pleased to announce that it has just released Saving the World, an ebook version of Saving the World and Being Happy, The Computer Ager. It is now available on Smashwords.com in multiple formats and on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.fr and Amazon.de in Kindle format. Both these sites offer free samples too, so try before you buy!
The author, R. Eric Swanepoel, answers some questions:
Why are you re-releasing this book now?
- For several reasons. Firstly, although the paperback version was published in 2004 and received good reviews at the time, I recently received an unsolicited and spontaneous review from an academic and writer I greatly admire, Professor Bruce K. Alexander. If he thinks Saving the World should be widely read, who am I to argue?
- Secondly, it has never seemed more relevant. It examines the sinister effects of the near monopoly of the media exercised by “Bear Mudrock”, and demonstrates how this might be overcome. The recent collapse of Rupert Murdoch’s bid to take over BSkyB in the wake of the News of the World phone-tapping scandal has raised awareness of this man’s questionable ethics and influence. The recent riots in England have also led people to ask questions about our society.
- Thirdly, the rights have just reverted to me, so I wasn’t able to publish it until now.
Why are you releasing it in ebook format?
- I believe ebook sales are rapidly catching up on the sales of conventional books. The minimal cost of producing ebooks means that the price can be kept low and so most people with a simple computer anywhere in the world should be able to read it (the book will be available in multiple formats). It is in keeping with the book’s ethos to keep it affordable so that price will not be a significant barrier.
- It is difficult and expensive to get hard copies distributed and stocked when one is competing with large publishing firms, particularly if one’s book is opposed to the economic orthodoxy. (Prof. Alexander describes it as “dangerous to the status quo!”)
Ten pence from every copy sold will be donated to a charity that educates girls in the developing world. Why?
- I want every reader to feel that he or she is making a real and practical difference to the world (and I want to feel this too).
- Educating and empowering women and girls in the developing world is, I believe, the single most cost-effective way of improving the wellbeing of humankind.
Who designed the cover?
A Facebook friend recommended an artist called Kit Foster. Kit seemed to instantly understand the brief I gave him. I think the design he has come up with is striking and fresh, and manages to convey the book’s humour as well as its depth. I hope this will lead to more commissions for this talented young man.
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