Working With a Net

If you spend any time on the Internet, you probably know you can buy books online, but you may not know that you can publish books online, too.

Thousand Oaks resident Robin Westmiller joined the publishing phenomenon this year with her first novel, “Red Wine for Breakfast,” published by Book-on-Disc. The book was produced in CD-ROM and 3 1/2-inch e-book formats.

You can hear all about the brave new world of publishing when Westmiller discusses “The Electronic Publishing Revolution” at the monthly meeting of the Gold Coast Fiction Writers today at 1 p.m. in downtown Ventura.

Appropriately enough, an interview with Westmiller took place via e-mail, a communication method she has fine-tuned to an art form. She explained why she took the books-on-disc route with her first novel.

“What the printing press and copier did for writers of the pen-and-quill age, the Internet and electronic publishing will do for aspiring authors in the new millennium,” she wrote. She considers herself fortunate to have gotten into the fast-growing industry early in the game and points out the advantages.

“The best part of the e-book industry is that there are numerous new ways to market a book that didn’t exist a few years ago,” she wrote. “Major support groups are the online bookstores that only publish in e-book format.”

She noted that e-bookstores, such as www.ebookshoppe.com, list more than 300 titles, including hers, with more being added every month.

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Since her novel was accepted by Book-on-Disc, it has also been published by Print-on-Demand: Writers Club Publishers, which produced it as a trade paperback.

With both bases covered, she is on the Net and in print without plodding through the cumbersome process of acquiring an agent who must interest a dwindling group of publishers willing to take on new writers.

No wonder she sounds invincible when asked about future writing.

“Bourbon for Brunch,” her second novel, is in progress, and “there are a few short stories I’m also working on. Plus the third book, no title as yet, about the original five books of the Torah,” she wrote.

Meanwhile, her novel is in the system and will be available at local bookstores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders, where you can also touch and feel the book.

Westmiller expects to be booked for a signing at both stores next year. You can reach her by email at PaperDepo@aol.com or www.westmiller.com/robin.

HAPPENINGS

* Today at 1 p.m. Gold Coast Fiction Writers will feature Robin Westmiller, who will sign her novel “Red Wine for Breakfast” at Nona’s Courtyard Cafe, 67 S. California St., Ventura. Attendance is free; brunch is from the menu. Contact President Carol Givner at (310) 454-6264 or by e-mail at GOLDDUETS@aol.com for more information.

* Today at 3 p.m. Author Robyn Todd will discuss and sign her survival guide for women who are dating separated men, “How to Survive Your Boyfriend’s Divorce.” Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way, (818) 222-0542.

* Monday at 10 a.m. Kevin Starr, state librarian of California, will discuss his upcoming book, “The Coast: California in the 1990s.” Samuelson Chapel, Cal Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks, 493-3151.

* Tuesday at 7 p.m. The short stories group will focus on “The Old Woman Magsun” by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Friends of Dorothy Reading Group will discuss “A Home at the End of the World” by Michael Cunningham. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. First book story-time features “Tacky the Penguin” by Helen Lester. Ventura Barnes & Noble. 339-9170.

* Wednesday at 11 a.m. Mystery author Linda Fairstein will discuss and sign “Cold Hit.” Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m. Mystery author Mimi Latt will discuss and sign her new thriller, “Ultimate Justice.” Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday at 7 p.m. The American Girls club features the “Learns a Lesson” books. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Thursday at 7 p.m. Poet Janet Wong will present “A Night of Poetry” for teachers and others. Call for reservations at Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688. At 10 a.m. Friday, she will do a similar presentation for students. Teachers are asked to make reservations for a class visit.

* Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Book signing and slide show by author Michael Tochlin on “Ancient L.A.” Calabasas Barnes & Noble, (818) 222-0542.

* Friday at noon. Author Cara Black will discuss and sign “Murder in the Marais.” Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Friday at 7 p.m. Listen to “Lyle Lyle Crocodile” by Bernard Waber. Lyle also will pose for pictures and shake hands with kids. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Saturday at 10 a.m. Jan Burke will discuss and sign her book, “Bones.” Mysteries to Die For, 374-0084.

* Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Story time features Golden Books at the Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820. The same program will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Calabasas Barnes & Noble, (818) 222-0542.

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Plan Ahead: On Sept. 26 at 12:30 p.m., Adventures for Kids will hold a reception and autograph party for author Gail Carson Levine, whose novel, “Ella Enchanted,” is a Newbery Honor Book and one of the year’s California Young Reader Medal contenders. Levine also will introduce her latest novel, “Dave at Night.” 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688.

Information about book signings, writers groups or publishing events can be e-mailed to anns40aol.com or faxed to 647-5649.