Amazon has launched a new feature allowing readers to send questions directly to the author while reading a Kindle eBook. The pilot program only works with a dozen authors currently, including Susan Orlean, Timothy Ferriss, C. J. Lyons and J. A. Konrath.
If you want to send one of these authors an in-book question, you’ll need to connect your Twitter account to Amazon and keep your question below 100 characters. Highlight the passage you are reading and type your question using “@author” at the beginning of the phrase. If you have a longer question, visit the particular author’s page and click “Ask a question.”
Lyons has already answered a question about choosing the best eBook cover image: “E-book covers are often viewed at thumbnail size so I recommend keeping them as simple as possible. No more than three elements, if possible. Test them at the smallest size to make sure your name is easily readable and that the cover “pops.” A great example of the difference between print and e-book covers is my book SNAKE SKIN–check out the differences. The trade paperback (a fairly large size) looks gorgeous but is too busy for the e-book, hence two different covers. If you want more info on indy e-pubbing, I have a series of blog posts and resources here.”