An absurd Choose Your Own Adventure ebook for only $2.99

[Gwen Morse]

I've had a bit of trouble navigating the book via the links. I fully admit to it being user error .

You might (if it's not too complicated) to include both hyperlinks and "locations" for Kindle editions.

I'm enjoying the book, which is the important part . I don't recall if TTS is enabled, if it is, many thanks.

[rudykerkhoven]

Gwen,

What problems are you having with navigating the links? Remember the back button (if you're using a kindle) is extremely useful, as it lets you go backwards.

I thought of using location points, but I don't know how to find/calculate the location number for a particular spot. James Reed mentioned a few malfunctioning hyperlinks in his version (which was an earlier one), so please tell me if you come along one. It seems to work just fine on my Mac app...

Thanks again for giving it a try!
Rudy

[crich70]

Yep, and of course I just couldn't resist the full version to find out what happened next. I always liked the CYOA style of books when I was a kid, and still do.

Originally Posted by rudykerkhoven

Thanks, Crich. I hope you enjoy it as much as some others have. Did you download the sample first?

[rudykerkhoven]

If you have any problems with the hyperlinks, please tell me. I think they're all good now.

And remember: if Whatley stumbles across the penthouse, don't read it.

Originally Posted by crich70

Yep, and of course I just couldn't resist the full version to find out what happened next. I always liked the CYOA style of books when I was a kid, and still do.

[Gwen Morse]

Originally Posted by rudykerkhoven

Gwen,

What problems are you having with navigating the links? Remember the back button (if you're using a kindle) is extremely useful, as it lets you go backwards.

I thought of using location points, but I don't know how to find/calculate the location number for a particular spot. James Reed mentioned a few malfunctioning hyperlinks in his version (which was an earlier one), so please tell me if you come along one. It seems to work just fine on my Mac app...

Thanks again for giving it a try!
Rudy

When I try to select a link, before I get the "hand" pointer on the Kindle 3 wifi screen, I get a cursor and then an angled cursor. I'm not sure what they're for (maybe highlighting?) but sometimes I can't get them to change to the hand-pointer. If I get too impatient I start to mash buttons and then Weird Things Happen with the kindle. I file this one under user error because if I could be bothered to read the manual I'd probably have a better idea what's happening and be able to activate my hand cursor to follow the link.

Sometimes when I hit my "back" button the page doesn't go back right away. I get impatient and I click "back" again and it jumps back twice. If this happens with your CYOA book, it doesn't go "back" two links in my reading history. It drops me into a (seemingly) random section of the book I can't identify. Because I had no locations to keep track of along the way, I can't get back into my reading stream. It's the equivalent of dropping the paper book and equally frustrating.

Both these issues are triggered by my overly-impatient clicky-clicky tendencies. There may be *some* slight mechanical or software issues on the part of the Kindle, but I'm sure at least 99% of the problem is me consuming too much caffeine .

Actually, thinking about this now, telling you this may still be valuable information. Just because I know what I'm doing doesn't mean all your readers will.

[rudykerkhoven]

Those little problems are really interesting. Or perhaps I should just say annoying. But, I've been doing everything on the Kindle App for a Mac, and it's a little bit different. First, I've never had any problems with the cursor, most likely because on the Kindle App you can't highlight. When using the BACK button, I've found that sometimes it doesn't do anything, so I click it a bunch and finally it throws me back a few sections--but it's always in the correct plotline. Did you say this 'sticky back button' thing happens in other books as well? That one has always confused me, as to why it might get stuck.

I hope you're still able to enjoy the book. Tell me any other thoughts/problems you have.

[Paul Clayton]

Rudy,
I'm here, looking for Mr. Reed. Does he use some kind of handle? I don't see his name in any of these threads.

Sorry to be a pest. But he did say he wanted books to review.
Best!

[rudykerkhoven]

His username is Jamesread or Jamesreads...

[rudykerkhoven]

"I checked out other interactive fiction ebooks, and this was one of my favorites. Lots of strange stuff happening, some wildly divergent threads, and a healthy dose of WTF keep this ebook interesting even after multiple reads. Will this be the next big trend in ebooks? I sure hope so." -- J.A. Konrath from review on Amazon.com

Not mention our very own opinionated James Reed:

"The Adventures of Whatley Tupper is representative of the boundless creativity, raw energy, and just plain sheer fun and entertainment that independent authors are capable of and deserve recognition for accomplishing. There are things done with this story that is only possible through the new digital revolution in publishing that is the ebook. While it follows the Choose Your Own Adventure style of books from when we were kids, in this case by way of embedded hyperlinks which can be selected on your ereader device, the authors take the reader on a wild, wild ride that’s worth every penny you spend for this title." -- Digital Spotlight Fiction Review 15/09/2010

If you loved those Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid, then perhaps you should check out "The Adventures of Whatley Tupper" from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Wha...2520055&sr=8-1

It's a adult and comedic take on those wonderful books from the 80's. Take control of a middle-aged, Magnum PI obsessed janitor at a university and decide his fate. Does he find the deported love of his life? Does he tame the reclusive murderer living in the campus tunnels? Does he enlist the help of the local Denny's night manager? Does he ever get to meet his idol, Tom Selleck? Choose well, and he can do all of this. Choose poorly, and, well, he'll probably end up dead. But let's be honest here, that's the fun part.

A 33% sample is available at Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/22598

Yes, for Whatley Tupper, something is in the air tonight... and it's not just the carbon monoxide leaking from the furance.


(By the way, I tried to find a way to delete the other thread that I started. I actually only wanted to change the title, but I couldn't find a way to do it. So, I hope no one thinks I'm spamming this board! And if a mod reads this and can easily take out my other thread 'Did you love choose your own adventure books as a kid?' it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!)

[dreams]

Rudy, I have changed the thread title for you. It should be easier to keep all information about your ebook in this thread.

Please take a moment to review our posting guidelines for additional suggestions and tips.

Have fun exploring our forums and just ask if you have any questions.

dreams
moderator

[rudykerkhoven]

It's been a little over a month since "The Adventures of Whatley Tupper" was released to absolutely no fanfare, and I'm pleased with how things have gone. Some nice reviews, some new people met, and all-in-all a whole lot learned about self-publishing in a very short time.

"The Adventures of Whatley Tupper" is a choose-your-own-adventure style ebook, with more than 100 different choices leading to 37 different endings, most of which tend to end in death or imprisonment.

And now, time for today's out-of-context quote:

"You could cut the tension in the air with a putty knife."

You can download a 33% sample at Smashwords here, or purchase the book at amazon.com here.

[GraceKrispy]

I just finished this book and it was a hoot! Great literature, it is not, but a fun way to pass some time, most definitely! I reviewed it on my blog.

[rudykerkhoven]

"Great literature, it is not, but a fun way to pass some time, most definitely!"

I can't ask for anything more. Anyhow writing something entitled "The Adventures of Whatley Tupper" can't be taking themselves too seriously...

Thanks for the review!

[Gwen Morse]

Originally Posted by rudykerkhoven

Those little problems are really interesting. Or perhaps I should just say annoying. But, I've been doing everything on the Kindle App for a Mac, and it's a little bit different. First, I've never had any problems with the cursor, most likely because on the Kindle App you can't highlight. When using the BACK button, I've found that sometimes it doesn't do anything, so I click it a bunch and finally it throws me back a few sections--but it's always in the correct plotline. Did you say this 'sticky back button' thing happens in other books as well? That one has always confused me, as to why it might get stuck.

I hope you're still able to enjoy the book. Tell me any other thoughts/problems you have.

Sorry, it's been a little while since I re-read threads I've already submitted to.

I don't think the problems with the "back" button ending up at a random page have occurred with anything other than the CYOA book. In a regular book if I hit 'back' too many times it's easier to correct. I don't think the CYOA pages are totally random, either. I've never hit 'back' and ended up further along in the book. I think it can lose track of the story path.

I've been really overworked lately but I'm about to start on 2 months of 3-day weeks (yay) to burn through my vacation time before the end of the year. I was planning to go back to the book after I caught up on some sleep and felt leisurely enough that I wouldn't overclick .

I'll try to remember to come back and let you know how it goes.

[rudykerkhoven]

Originally Posted by Gwen Morse

Sorry, it's been a little while since I re-read threads I've already submitted to.

I don't think the problems with the "back" button ending up at a random page have occurred with anything other than the CYOA book. In a regular book if I hit 'back' too many times it's easier to correct. I don't think the CYOA pages are totally random, either. I've never hit 'back' and ended up further along in the book. I think it can lose track of the story path.

I've been really overworked lately but I'm about to start on 2 months of 3-day weeks (yay) to burn through my vacation time before the end of the year. I was planning to go back to the book after I caught up on some sleep and felt leisurely enough that I wouldn't overclick .

I'll try to remember to come back and let you know how it goes.

2 months of 3 day weeks! I'm jealous, although I'm sure you've earned it.

And thanks in advance if you can find the time to look at it again. I really appreciate any feedback I can get.