The advice below relating to Windows is general in nature because of changes from version to version. However the same basic steps should apply. 

1. What is an ebook?

An ebook (electronic book) is just like a conventional book, but it can be downloaded directly to your computer and read on the screen. You don't need to be connected to the Internet. And unless the publisher has 'blocked' printing, you can print your ebook and read it anywhere.

There are many types of  ebooks. Some can only be read after installing special reader programs like Microsoft reader and Acrobat reader.

Erotic Tales ebooks are compiled using html (hypertext mark-up language) files... the same files used to display web pages. In fact, the page you're reading now is an html file. You navigate your ebook in the same way you navigate from one web page to another.

Each Erotic Tales ebook consists of a number of html files (pages) compiled into one executable (.exe) file, which runs just like any other computer program.

2. Why buy an ebook instead of a conventional book?

ebooks provide many advantages:

* Immediate delivery... anywhere in the world: Erotic Tales ebooks download in about two minutes.

* A library at you fingertips: Your computer can easily store thousands of ebooks.

* Find, sort and categorise almost instantly: You can locate any ebook on your computer in seconds.

* Enjoy unique and original literature: The Internet and ebooks have made possible a boundless diversity of  literature that traditional publishers would consider unprofitable or too risky. 

3. Why pay for an Erotic Tales ebook when I can download free stories from the Internet?

Despite the diversity of material available, if you've searched, you'll know how hard it is to find free erotic stories that are well written and nicely presented. 

And even when you do find one it's hard to keep track of  the downloaded web pages, and harder still to get clean print-outs.

Each Erotic Tales ebook is well written and beautifully presented then compiled into one, compact easily managed file. You can print your ebook and read it anywhere. 

Copying printing, selling

4. Can I give away copies of Erotic Tales ebooks?

Yes. But your password will only work on the computer on which it was first entered. Others can read any stories that were not originally password protected, but to read the entire ebook they must purchase their own password. 

5. Can I e-mail copies of Erotic Tales ebooks?

Yes. You can e-mail the ebook file (e.g. Interlude.exe) as an attachment. (see FAQ 4)

6. Can I sell Erotic Tales ebooks?

No, not yet. Keep watching the Erotic Tales web site for details of the affiliate program starting in the near future.

7. How can I copy extracts from Erotic Tales ebooks to the clipboard?

Sorry, you can't. Copying is disabled to discourage the less honest among us from breaking copyright laws.

8. How do I print Erotic Tales ebooks?

* Open your ebook (see FAQ 13) and go to the first text page of the story or chapter you wish to print. 

* Click anywhere within the text. (but not within the page number menu) 

* Click the Print icon on the toolbar.

* Your Printer Properties window should open. Look for a list of options. One will be to Print the selected frame. Choose that option then print your ebook as you would any other document.

Each short story of a collection or chapter of a novel is a single file -- one long document. Your printer will break this into pages. 

Downloading and saving

9. How do I download my ebook?

* Make your selection from the Erotic Tales Catalogue.

* Follow the instructions to arrive at the download page. When you start the download your download program should prompt you to Open the file now or Save it to disk. Click Save it to disk.

10. Where should I save my ebook?

Your download program will give you the option of saving your ebook file in a default folder (C:/temp or C:/Downloads for example), or to Browse your files to specify a particular folder in which to save it. 

You can save your ebook anywhere and move it later if you wish, by dragging and dropping or cutting and pasting.

Getting the password

11. How do I get the password?

* Connect to the Internet.

* Open your ebook (see FAQ 13). Click on the cover of any of the password protected stories or chapters.

* A window will open with a direct link to the page revealing your  password. 

* Select and copy the password so that you can paste it into your ebook. It's also important to write it down (i.e. somewhere other than on your computer).

Entering the password

12. How do I unlock the password protected stories or chapters?

* Open your ebook (see FAQ 13). On the Options menu click Enter password. 

* The Enter Password box will appear. Paste or type in the password then click OK. All stories or chapters in your ebook will now be permanently unlocked. 

The password will not be needed again unless you format your hard disk or try to run your ebook on a different computer. In that case you will need to enter the password again and might even need a new password (see FAQ 22). 

Navigating and reading

13. How do I start my Erotic Tales ebook for the first time?

* In Windows Explorer or My Computer locate the folder in which you saved your ebook when you downloaded it. Click the folder to display the list of files it contains. 

* Locate your ebook .exe file (Interlude.exe, for example) and double click it.

* A window will open asking if you want to install a shortcut on the desktop. After you click Yes or No, your ebook will open.

Whenever you want to read your ebook in future simply double click the desktop shortcut or the .exe  file.

14. How do I go to a specific page?

Click the page number in the page number menu (the row of numbers across the top of the page). In the e-novel Interlude click the chapter then use your ebook's Find tool to go directly to a page within that chapter.

15. How do I find where I last finished reading?

If you forget which page you were reading, you might remember a word or phrase or perhaps a character's name from the page. If so you can quickly find it again by using your ebook's Find tool.

* In the Edit menu click Find on this page. (Remember each short story or chapter is really one long page, separated graphically into smaller pages). 

* In the window that appears type the word or phrase you wish to find. Click any other options, as required, then click Find next.

System requirements

16. Will Erotic Tales ebooks run on Apple Mac systems?

No. Sorry Mac users, but keep watching the Erotic Tales web site. A PDF version of each ebook is not too far off.

17. Do I need special software such as Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Reader to run my Erotic Tales ebook?

No. All you need is Windows 95 or later and Internet Explorer 4 or later installed on your computer.

18. Can I keep my Erotic Tales ebooks in the Microsoft Reader library?

No. But it's simple to make your own library. Just create a folder, or system of folders to keep your ebooks organised. If you don't know how to create a folder, see  your Windows Help file. 

Common problems

19. When I click on the desktop shortcut my ebook won't open. What should I do?

A shortcut is simply a link to the ebook .exe file. If the shortcut doesn't work it means the link no longer points to the file. Perhaps you have re-named the .exe file or moved it to a different folder?

In any case it's easy to make another shortcut. If you don't know how, see your Windows Help file. 

20. When I click on the ebook .exe file my ebook won't open. What should I do?

Very likely the file is damaged. Delete it, then...

If your ebook is a free Trial Edition follow the original download link that was e-mailed to you and download another copy. 

If you have paid for the password or purchased a Complete Edition...

* Open your ebook then from the Options menu click Enter Password. A box will open asking you to Enter Password 9 (or 2 or 5 or 6 etc. Let's call this number x) This number is not the password  but a designator for the password.

* Send an e-mail to wild@erotictales.com.au asking for password x (substituting the real number for x) and the password will be e-mailed to you by return.

21. I can't remember the name of my ebook .exe file. How can I find it?

You can use Windows "Find" tool to locate your ebook. At the bottom left of your desktop Click Start, point to Find, click Files or Folders. On the View menu click List. On the Name and Location tab enter *.exe and choose any other options that might narrow your search. Click Find now. 

Windows will then list all the .exe files on your computer with the location (drive and folder), size and file type.

There might be several hundred .exe files but as you scroll through these you will easily spot the Erotic Tales icon. 

22. I bought a new computer. Now when I try to read all but one of the stories a message appears asking for the password. When I enter the password I get an "Incorrect Password" message. What can I do?

This happens because your original password will only work on the computer on which it was first entered. 

* Open your ebook, then from the Options menu click Enter Password. A small window will open asking you to Enter Password 9 (or 2 or 5 or 6 etc. Let's call this number x) This number is not the password  but a designator for the password.

* Send an e-mail to wild@erotictales.com.au asking for password x (substituting the real number for x) and the password will be e-mailed to you by return.

About the author
23. Why won't Robin Wild divulge his or her sex.

This is what I used to say: "Imagine you read something by an author you know is 18 years old, then you read something by an author who is 80 years old. Would you view their work in the same way?

"Try the same mental exercise with race, religion, skin colour, sex... and you'll see that everything we read is coloured by our preconceptions.

"This is particularly true of erotic literature. As a reader, I find myself thinking: That's just what you'd expect from a grey haired feminist, or What could this young man know about the sex lives of middle aged women?

I'd rather be thinking about the story and "feeling" what the characters are feeling. Wouldn't you?"

However, it seems readers do like to know the sex of the author and because I like to give readers what they want, these days I say: "Won't divulge his or her sex? Who says he won't?

(Oops!)

Robin Wild.