Interactive Ebooks? Almost...

So, I was thinking about enhanced ebooks and decided to try something that, AFAIK, hasn't ever been done before.

I recently got hooked on playing Escape the Room games. Not just cell phone apps, where you solve point-and-click puzzles to advance the story, but board games that challenge you to follow the clues and get away before the time is up, real-life games where you go into a room with a group of people and a guide and actually tried to escape by following a carefully constructed scenario, and mail-order subscription games where every month you are snail-mailed a mysterious package that you have to figure out.

And I thought: Could something like this be adapted to ebooks?

I came up with a concept. A serial killer is emailing me, author J.A. Konrath, and taunting me to prevent his next crime.

My first, grandiose way of doing this was to have the killer leave clues about the murder in his emails to me. Then readers could solve the mystery like the sleuth in a mystery novel.

But that already exists. It’s called “a mystery novel.” There’s no user interaction. There’s no “solve a puzzle to advance” dynamic that I enjoy in other media. And mystery novels are vicarious, not hands-on and personal.

I rejigged my concept and decided to have the killer send me cryptic puzzles, which linked to his website, www.StopAMurder.com. If I could solve the puzzles and type in the correct answers, it would bring me closer to stopping him.

If I failed, someone would die.

Since I don't want anyone to die, I decided to enlist my readers to help me.

STOP A MURDER was born, combining aspects of both thriller fiction and interactive games.

Here's how I pitch it:

This is unlike any mystery or thriller book you’ve ever read before. You play the sleuth, and as the story unfolds you will be tasked with solving puzzles to prevent a murder from happening.

In this five-book series, you’ll uncover the mind and motivations of a nefarious killer who is plotting to commit an unspeakable crime.

Each book contains an epistolary collection of emails, texts, and letters, delivered to thriller author J.A. Konrath, by a serial killer. This psychopath is sending detailed, cryptic puzzles and brain teasers that lead to clues about who will be murdered, why, when, where, and how.

Some of the puzzles are easy to figure out. Others are much more devious.

Do you like solving mysteries? Do you enjoy brain teasers or escape-the-room games? Are you good at spotting clues?

Only you can stop a murder. 

Are you smart enough?
Are you brave enough?
Let the games begin…

#1 STOP A MURDER – HOW: Puzzles 1 - 12
#2 STOP A MURDER – WHERE: Puzzles 13 - 24
#3 STOP A MURDER – WHY: Puzzles 25 - 36
#4 STOP A MURDER – WHO: Puzzles 37 - 48
#5 STOP A MURDER – WHEN: Puzzles 49 - 60
STOP A MURDER - ANSWER BOOK

This series works best with an internet connection, using a color e-reader or app to enter answers on the killer's website. A black and white e-ink device will work, but the interface will be smoother if used in conjunction with a computer or smartphone. 

While each book in this series can be read and enjoyed on its own, the experience will be richer if read in order, and if the internet is used.

Over the five-book series, you'll need to answer more than seventy puzzles. When you answer correctly, you are rewarded with more clues that can stop a murder and reveal the killer's identity.


Intrigued?

I've released all five books, and the answer book, on all platforms. They're currently live on Amazon, and they will soon be on Kobo, Nook, Apple, and Google Play. There will also be a paper version, with all 70 puzzles, plus answers.

Check out my website for more info.

I did a beta test for this a few months ago, via Facebook (I've killed the old posts to prevent spoilers, but the site is still there for readers to exchange hints and tips.) The overwhelming majority (96%) of readers liked it. Since then, I've radically changed the story and improved the interface. It's bigger, better, scarier, more fun, and easier to use.

I hope everyone reading this blog gives it a chance. If you do, please leave a review.

Now I'll take some questions.

Q: Joe, does this mean you're blogging again?

Joe sez: I dunno. I haven't really had much to say lately. This project is something completely new, so I thought it was worth blogging about. But in the last six months or so, there hasn't been anything happening in the publishing world that I felt a need to comment on.

Q: Why are you releasing this on all platforms? Are you done with Kindle Unlimited?

Joe sez: Like many self-pub writers, I've made less money since KU was introduced. That said, I believe Amazon is still the biggest game in town. But for this project, the books are only about 7500 words each, even though they take several hours to complete. It doesn't make fiscal sense to put them into KU, because I'd be getting paid pennies even though readers are getting many hours of entertainment. Also, as you'll see when you begin to read this series, I spent a great deal of time and money on these STOP A MURDER books. I'll never recoup my investment in KU.

Q: There has been a lot of talk about KU scammers. What are your thoughts?

Joe sez: There will always be scammers. It's unknown if scammers are hurting the KU payout since payouts are decided after a pay period ends. It isn't a zero-sum game when the pot is created after the month is over. And the pot keeps climbing higher. I've heard the All-Star Bonuses have been affected, which ain't good.

Q: How about visibility?

Joe sez: Scammers are certainly taking up bestseller spots. I'm sure that hurts. How much? I dunno. I've never seen any studies about how many ebooks are sold based on bestseller list presence. Having increased visibility is no doubt helpful. And my own buying habits on Amazon have me occasionally scanning the bestseller lists to see if there is anything that piques my interest. But I'd need to see data that differentiates sales between books on and off the bestseller lists to fully understand how much of a boost those books get. Data Guy, you got any ideas? Does being #100 on a list really boost sales as opposed to being #101 and off the list?

Q: Didn't you promise the next Jack Daniels book would be out, like, ten months ago?

Joe sez: I did. And I'm a jerk. But it will be out soon. So will the next two Phineas Troutt books. All three books are basically finished. I just need to do rewrites.

Q: I noticed that all of your Jack Kilborn titles are now JA Konrath titles. What happened to Kilborn?

Joe sez: Konrath is the bigger brand, so now all Kilborn books are Konrath books. But I am still going to continue that horror line, and have several horror books coming out next year. They'll just be published under the Konrath name.

Q: What happened to your bad movie blog?

Joe sez: My son, Talon, and I are still watching bad movies. He's in college, and I'm just waiting for him to put our notes online. We'll get back on it. And eventually, compile the reviews into a book.

Q: You've got the STOP A MURDER series, and three more novels out by the end of the year. What's next?

Joe sez: I'm putting the finishing touches on a children's rhyming picture book, and I still need to finish the TIMECASTER trilogy, do sequels to THE LIST and ORIGIN, and finish the horror novels I've already potted out (THE GREYS, CLOSE YOUR EYES).

Q: Will there be more Jack Daniels?

Joe sez: Yes. Jack will be back in the upcoming novels OLD FASHIONED and SHOTS. Not sure which will come out first. I hope to get everything I've mentioned above done by the end of 2018... unless STOP A MURDER does well. Then I'm dropping everything and doing a sequel. I already have something in mind.

Q: And what about this blog?

Joe sez: If writers have a topic they'd like my opinion on, ask me in the comments.

JA KONRATH

Joe Konrath has sold more than two million books in twenty countries. He's written over thirty novels and over a hundred short stories in the mystery, thriller, horror, and sci-fi genres. Known for combining incredible action, hair-raising scares, and big laughs, Konrath has received over 10,000 Amazon reviews for his work, averaging 4.2 stars out of 5. He's been a #1 Amazon bestseller on three different occasions and has been in the Top 100 bestseller lists over twenty times. He's twice won the Love is Murder Award for best thriller, and has also won the Derringer Award, and the Ellery Queen Readers Choice Award, and has been nominated for many others including the Anthony, Macavity, and Gumshoe. Konrath edited the collection These Guns For Hire, and his fiction has appeared in dozens of magazines and anthologies including Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, Cemetery Dance, The Strand, Thriller edited by James Patterson, and Wolfsbane & Mistletoe edited by Charlaine Harris (True Blood).

He's considered a pioneer in self-publishing. His blog, A Newbie's Guide to Publishing, gets several million hits per year, and Konrath has been featured in Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, Newsweek, Playboy, USA Today, Time, Woman's World, the LA Times, and the NY Times among many other periodicals. He also blogs for the Huffington Post.

The best way to keep up with his latest news is to sign up for his newsletter.

IS TITHING COMPULSORY FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN? By Dr Eddy Cheong.

Very often, this question has been asked by well-meaning Christians who are plagued by the torrents of appeal from churches for funds. Thrown into these appeals is the standard request to pay your tithes and offerings. Let me say from the very beginning that there is a distinct difference between giving to God and giving to "the church". Giving to God is a scriptural concept (Matt 22:21); Giving to "the church" could just be an emotional response to a well-orchestrated man-made appeal which is out of God's Will and God's Word. So it is important for us to study God's Word so that we are able to discern whether funds being solicited in a particular church are based on sound New Testament Scriptural principles. Prayer is the other means of helping to discern God's Will in a particular area of financial need (of such a church).

LAW OF FIRST MENTION

 It is important when attempting to derive spiritual principles from the Bible on a particular subject to go back to the time it was first mentioned. When was "the tithe" first mentioned?

 Gen 14:18-20

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,

19 and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

(NIV)

Verse 20 says Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. What is a tenth of everything?

Here we turn to the Living Bible for more clarification...

 Gen 14:15-16

15 He divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions, and pursued the fleeing army to Hobah, north of Damascus,

16 and recovered everything-- the loot that had been taken, his relative Lot, and all of Lot's possessions, including the women and other captives.

(TLB) Emphasis mine.

 Gen 14:19

19 Then Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "The blessing of the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, be upon you, Abram; and blessed be God, who has delivered your enemies over to you." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the loot.

(TLB) Emphasis mine.

 From the verses above, it is clear that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth or ten percent of all the loot that has been recovered (verses 16 and 19 above) not of all that Abraham possessed. See also Hebrews Chapter 7 verse 4.

 This is important because the tithe is based on the increase, not the capital.

The next time we hear of the word "tithe" is in Bethel after Jacob had his famous dream of angels ascending to and descending from heaven.....

 Gen 28:22

22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."

(NIV)

 Notice that Jacob promised a tenth of what God intends to give him not a tenth of what he already had (not much thought at this point in time). So once again we find that tithing is based on the increase, not capital.

TITHING IN THE MOSAIC LAW

There are three kinds of tithe mentioned in the Mosaic Law, viz,

 TITHE #1: This tithe was entirely devoted to the priestly tribe of Levi who had no land allocated to it and no inheritance among the Israelites. This is sometimes referred to as the Levite's tithe.....

 Lev 27:30

30 "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.

(NIV)

 Lev 27:32

32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock-- every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-- will be holy to the LORD.

(NIV)

 Num 18:24

24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: 'They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.'"

(NIV)

 The Lord then commanded the Levites to give a tenth of their portion to the priests (see also 2 Chronicles 31:4)........

 Num 18:28

28 In this way, you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes, you must give the LORD's portion to Aaron the priest.

(NIV)

TITHE # 2: The second tithe may be called the festival tithe.

Deut 12:11-12

11 Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name-- there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.

12 And there rejoice before the LORD your God, you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns, who have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

(NIV)

 It is only to be eaten at a place specified by the Lord in the land of Israel or as in the case of those living far away, in their own towns-Deuteronomy 12:18,21. Burnt offerings and sacrifices and special gifts are also included (verse 11). The celebration of this tithe is seen as an event to foster national unity and instill a sense of "brotherhood" among the people of God. 

TITHE # 3: The third category of tithing in the Mosaic Law may also be known as a "welfare tithe"...

Deut 14:28-29

28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns,

29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

(NIV)

 Take note that this tithe is only implemented once in three years (verse 28) and it is a tenth of the year's increase. It is to be consumed not only by the Levites but also the aliens, fatherless and widows. See also Deuteronomy 26:12.

 Of special note is the fact that tithing evokes a blessing from God and the failure to tithe invokes a curse from God (under the Mosaic Law)...

Deut 14:29

29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

(NIV)

 Mal 3:10-12

10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.

12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

(NIV)

 Malachi Chapter 3 verses 10 to 12 have been used to instill fear by churches in their congregations. Let me remind you that these verses are part of the consequences of not obeying the Mosaic Law and are therefore not valid in New Testament Churches.

Our Lord Jesus has fulfilled all the requirements of the Law and has therefore taken the curse of not fulfilling it from us!

 Matt 5:17

17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

(NIV)

 Gal 3:13

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."

(NIV)

TITHING IN THE GOSPELS

In the following two Scriptures, Jesus commanded observance to tithe as part of the Mosaic Law (which he was under)...

 Matt 23:23

23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

(NIV)

 Luke 11:42

42 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

(NIV)

Jesus said that it was not wrong to tithe the spices (which appear to trifle to some) but that these teachers of the law and Pharisees should also practice the other important matters OF THE LAW i.e. justice, mercy and faithfulness and the love of God. In the above context, Jesus implied that the Pharisees were fastidious when it comes to tithing and other legal issues but they did not show the love of God in them. This, He defines as hypocrisy. Tithing to them is just an outward show of their self-righteousness (see also Luke 18:12). Just as a reflection on this passage........if tithing was compulsory for the New Testament Christian,, wouldn't it be a sin if he forgets to tithe the "spices and herbs" or "flowers" he receives (as a gift)?

"TITHING" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

 What is mentioned in the Scriptures with reference to the New Testament church is now relevant to all Christians of all denominations. 

 PRINCIPLE NUMBER ONE

Giving is proportionate to the degree that God blesses a person without an obligatory figure being mentioned.

1 Cor 16:1-2

1 Now about the collection of God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

(NIV)

 John MacArthur is his "Commentary on the Book of Romans 9-16 (Moody Bible Institute) has this to say:

 ".......Christians are not under obligation to give a specified amount to the work of their heavenly Father. In none of their forms do the tithe or other Old Testament levies apply to Christians." page 233.

PRINCIPLE NUMBER TWO

Giving is from the heart.....

In fact giving should be more appropriately termed free will offerings in the context of the New Testament Church for Paul commanded us to give as we purpose in our heart. If the amount is a fixed one, there will be no need to purpose in one's heart anymore!!

 2 Cor 9:7

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

(NKJ)

 I repeat there is no curse for "NOT TITHING" in the New Testament church (as is often implied in sermons from Malachi 3:10-12).We should not go back to Melchizedek (where tithing was an example and may be taken as a guideline) or the Mosaic law (where tithing was by compulsion.) Our Lord has fulfilled all the requirements of the Mosaic Law and taken the curse of (not obeying) the Law away from us (Galatians 3:13). The New Testament Christian should abide by the teachings of the Apostle Paul (which has superseded Moses' Law.)

Christians who insist on keeping the Law of Moses or part of it are under a curse!

 Gal 3:10

10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

(NIV)

Churches advocating tithing as compulsory are putting a curse on their congregations!

So in summary, 'Giving' is a New Testament 'Church' Principle as opposed to tithing by Law (by compulsion.) Jesus clearly commanded (take note that it was not an option) that we have to give to God. 

 Matt 22:21

21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

(NIV)

"What is God's" implies a fixed sum. BUT we must remember that Jesus made the above statement in the context of the Mosaic Law which was still existent in His Time. Further on in the epistles, the Apostle Paul qualifies this "giving" as "from the heart" and proportionate to the degree that one is blessed. He specifically spoke against "compulsion" (from sources outside). Manipulating a person to give (whether directly or indirectly) is a form of witchcraft...........

2 Cor 9:7

7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

(NIV) Emphasis mine

 "What he has decided in his heart to give" clearly has to be some amount (not zero). It may be ten percent or more. Well, it may even be less, but give as the Holy Spirit directs your heart; NOT AS THE PASTOR DIRECTS YOU. This is the distinct difference between giving to God and giving to the church. 

About the author.....

Dr. Eddy Cheong is a Born-again, Spirit Baptised Christian who reveals God's Word with a deep, new spiritual insight (This is the Lord's gift to His humble vessel). He is the author of the Books "Man's Life Span according to God's Word" and "Deceiving the Elect". Dr. Cheong is a medical specialist by profession. 

Dr. Eddy Cheong 

PO Box 441 

75760 Malacca 

West Malaysia 

Internet:  eddys@pop.jaring.my 

 

© Copyright 1997 

 

OTHER ARTICLES BY THE SAME AUTHOR:

FROM CREATION TO THE FALL-PART ONE-THE CREATION (GENESIS CHAPTER 1): http://www.agape.com/creation.htm

FROM CREATION TO THE FALL-PART TWO-CREATION EXPANDED (GENESIS CHAPTER 2): 

http://www.agape.com/expanded.htm

FROM CREATION TO THE FALL-PART THREE-THE FALL (GENESIS CHAPTER 3):http://www.agape.com/fall.htm

Is polygamy a sin?

http://www.agape.com/polygamy.htm

DECEIVING THE ELECT- a scriptural and critical analysis of the laughter movement: http://www.agape.com/laughter.htm 

MARRIAGE, SEPARATION, AND DIVORCE IN THE LIGHT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES: 

http://ww.agape.com/divorce.htm 

Source: AGAPE.COM