A Day in the life of Jo Reader … sometime in the near future
by Gerard de Marigny
(Jo Reader is any person who loves to read. It tells the story of how life might be for book lovers … in just a few years …)
Beep … beep … beep …
"6:30 already? Alarm off!" Slowly climbing out of bed, Jo Reader barked the command to "Majel," Jo's name for the small handheld device lying on a nearby nightstand.
"Good morning Jo," Majel replies after shutting her own alarm off.
A little hung over, Jo walks into the bathroom without replying. I knew I shouldn't have finished that entire bottle of Greek wine last night!
Jo turns on the bathroom lights and begins the normal morning ritual – teeth brushing, shower and dressing while audio book-listening.
"Majel, play _The Watchman of Ephraim_ … begin where we last left off."
As Jo showers, Majel automatically and wirelessly accesses the internet, including Jo's cloud memory storage. The cloud contains Jo's entire catalogue of eBooks as well as all of Jo's other multi-media content – photos, movies, TV, video games, etc. Majel also seamlessly and automatically connects with Jo's home audio/video system.
Instantly, the bathroom is filled with the sounds of the debut thriller by author Gerard de Marigny being read aloud by a cast of voices. The audio book emanates from the ceiling mounted speaker in Jo's bathroom but as Jo walks from room to room, Majel is able to pipe the audio book into each room's ceiling speaker. In addition, Majel turns on the monitors in each room and places the eBook version of the novel on the screens of every room that Jo occupies.
So far, the first few chapters sound intriguing enough for Jo to want to learn a little more about the author and book.
"Majel, pause the book."
The speakers go silent.
"Tell me about _The Watchman of Ephraim_."
Majel accesses the book's summary and places it on the screens while using her voice-reader to read the summary aloud.
"Hmm … interesting, who exactly is Gerard de Marigny … how do you even pronounce his last name?"
Majel interprets Jo's inquiries and a moment later, Jo hears and can read on his monitors the author's bio, including the proper pronunciation of "de-Mar-E-nee."
Jo chuckles, while dressing.
"Thanks, Majel. Okay, pick it up from where we left off."
A second later, the audio book starts playing and the eBook reappears on the monitors.
Jo takes a last look in the mirror as Majel pauses the audio book.
Majel is also Jo's phone and it's ringing. Without looking at the caller ID on the monitor and on Majel's screen, Jo just asks,
"Who is it, Majel?"
Majel's soft but confident voice replies, "It's your office, Jo."
Always a fire to put out … can't they wait until I get there? What do I pay these people for?
Irritated, Jo replies "Let it go to voice mail."
The audio book and eBook start playing and reappear on the monitors.
Jo eventually walks out the front door of the Reader residence without worrying about turning off the monitors or asking Majel to pause the audio book. Majel detects Jo's location and does it all for him, including locking the doors to the house and setting the alarm.
Jo's car speakers immediately come alive with the audio book, as soon as Jo gets in. The ride to work allows Jo to listen to about 15-20 minutes of audio books, every morning. Before exiting the car, Jo decided to purchase Brad Thor's new novel as well as Jeff Bennington's new one in both eBook and audio book editions. In the near future, the divide between TradPubbed and SelfPubbed authors is barely noticeable.
Lunchtime for Jo is dedicated to accessing book trailers, video and audio interviews and guest posts of Jo's favorite authors as well as joining a couple of their book clubs and looking for new authors in Jo's favorite genres. Jo can do all those things from inside each author's eBooks. eBooks now contain links to all of the multi-media offerings of that author plus links to works of similar authors. Jo loves the ability to access so much literary content, all from Majel, and doing so during lunchtime allowed Jo to lose 10 pounds of butter-waist without feeling starved … food for the belly is replaced with food for the soul!
On the ride home, Jo decides to forego listening to the audio book of Gerard de Marigny's _The Watchman of Ephraim_ because Jo saw that Gerard de Marigny is also a musician. So, Jo tells Majel to find and purchase a few songs via iTunes of the author/musician.
Jo starts head-bopping while driving home. Not bad … sounds a little like Alter Bridge.
After eating with Jo's spouse and kids – a human-only daily event for Jo's family, no technology allowed near or around the Reader dinner table – Jo reclines on a couch in the sitting room area of the Reader master bedroom.
"Majel, the news please."
The 60" monitor, in the sitting room area, comes alive with cable news. Jo watches for about 40 minutes but becomes frustrated with the world full of bad people filling each evening's news casts. An idea comes to mind and makes Jo smile,
"Majel, let me play Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell game."
For the next 30 minutes Jo shoots bad guys with a sniper rifle and vents all that frustration.
That's enough video game carnage. It's getting time to get ready for bed. I know what I wanted to do!
"Majel, what other books are by Gerard de Marigny?"
"The Watchman of Ephraim is the first novel published by Gerard de Marigny. The sequel, _SIGNS OF WAR_ was published in September 2011. Book 3 in THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM series …" Majel recites all of the author's written works.
Jo is impressed enough with what he's read and learned to purchase more titles from the author, in every format.
After the nightly ritual including putting on new pajamas, Jo climbs into bed with Majel in hand, "Majel, play the video trailer for _The Watchman of Ephraim_."
Majel's screen and speakers come alive with the entertaining trailer. Jo loves playing good trailers right before reading the novels.
That's enough technology though, for Jo, for a day.
Jo loves to read the paper versions of novels in bed. Something about curling up with a novel in bed (or by the fire) that calms Jo's nerves like nothing else. So, Jo picks up the hardcover edition of _The Watchman of Ephraim_ but fumbles looking for the page.
Just one last question for Majel,
"Majel, where did we leave off with _The Watchman of Ephraim_?"
Majel's voice is somehow gentler reflecting the evening hour, "We left off at Chapter 15."
Jo gets comfortable and turns to the chapter.
"Thanks Majel, goodnight."
"Goodnight Jo," Majel's screen goes dark except to display the time. She's ready to sound the alarm to start a new day.
Author Bio
Gerard de Marigny is the author of the geopolitical thriller, _The Watchman of Ephraim_, Book 1 of THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM series. The sequel, _Signs of War_ is scheduled for release in September 2011.
Gerard de Marigny resides in the beautiful foothills of Las Vegas, NV with his wife Lisa and his four sons. When not bending an arm with friends at the local pub, he's putting to paper the stories and characters that are alive in his mind.
Author/Publisher Sites
Author's Website: http://www.gerarddemarigny.com/
Author's Blog: SelfPubber's Pub
Social Networking Sites
Facebook Page: www.Facebook.com/GerarddeM
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GerarddeMarigny
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/gerard_demarigny
LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/GerarddeMarigny
MySpace: www.MySpace.com/GerarddeMarigny
Buy Links
Amazon: Gerard de Marigny Books
Barnes & Noble: Gerard de Marigny Books
Smashwords (all eBook formats): _The Watchman of Ephraim_
Personalized, signed copies are available at the author's website: http://www.gerarddemarigny.com/ (all transactions secure via PayPal)
Thanks Stephanie for letting me share a smile with your friends and followers here.
ReplyDeleteHey everyone, if you would, click on the Amazon link above and you can read a free excerpt of _THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM_. I hope you'll like it enough to pick up a copy. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook and let me hear from you if you do!
Peace,
g