This month, a significant publishing acquisition occurred which turns all of the shares of Quality Solutions/Firebrand Technologies over to a Japanese company's US operations, Media Do International. Firebrand is the parent company of popular ARC distributor and potential review source, NetGalley.Launched in 2008 shortly before BookExpo America by Rosetta Solutions, the … [Read more...] about NetGalley Bought by Japanese Company Media Do
B&N Press Just Sweetened Its Deal for Indie Authors
One of the most important things about self-publishing has always been that authors were finally in control. Without gatekeepers blocking the way, authors could sell where they wanted to, price their books how they wanted, write whatever genre and crossovers they wanted. Choice is a glorious thing when it comes to buying and selling, but that choice diminished somewhat with the … [Read more...] about B&N Press Just Sweetened Its Deal for Indie Authors
Authors to Dept of Justice: Stop the Penguin Random House Buy of Simon & Schuster
Once upon a time, the publishing world involved a vast, gatekeeping entity called the Big Six. Shortly after a devastating anti-trust lawsuit involving five of those publishers, Penguin and Random House merged to become the current largest trade publisher in the US. But a new deal to buy Simon & Schuster--amounting to what the Washington Post has called "the Big Bad Wolf … [Read more...] about Authors to Dept of Justice: Stop the Penguin Random House Buy of Simon & Schuster
Founder of Waterstones Not Sorry About Loss of Indie Bookstores
A rather biting article appeared in The Guardian in which brick-and-mortar bookstore chain Waterstones' founder Tim Waterstone said he doesn't feel guilty about the role that the megachain played in killing indie bookshops in the UK. At the time comparable to Borders or Barnes and Noble, Waterstones had the same deadly effect: sweep in, undercut the little guy, then close the … [Read more...] about Founder of Waterstones Not Sorry About Loss of Indie Bookstores
Amazon Publishing Nabs Several Top Authors
Amazon Publishing certainly isn't new to the industry anymore, but somehow, people continue to be surprised by the names the company manages to publish under its different imprints. According to Publishing Perspectives, Dean Koontz, horror author of more than 45 titles, is the latest name to sign with Amazon for a five-book deal, the first of which will release … [Read more...] about Amazon Publishing Nabs Several Top Authors
The Myths about Blue Light, Screen Time, and Eye Damage
Experts and advocates have warned for some time--pretty much since the advent of widespread mobile device use--that the screens themselves were physically harmful to users. With a lot of the focus being on damage to the retina due to "blue light" from overly bright smartphone and tablets screens, people have not only bought into the fear, but retailers have also bought the … [Read more...] about The Myths about Blue Light, Screen Time, and Eye Damage
A New Indie-Like Day Is Dawning for Barnes and Noble
If you're lucky enough to live in a town with a thriving indie bookstore, be sure to count your blessings. If the only bookstore within driving distance is a Barnes and Noble, you might not be so fortunate. The way B&N has operated for the past few years, you might not even consider it a bookstore, at least not when you look around at the pillows, t-shirts, candles, and … [Read more...] about A New Indie-Like Day Is Dawning for Barnes and Noble
Wattpad’s 10th Anniversary Watty Awards Now Open
Whatever your summer plans were, put them on hold. If you're an author or a reader and you're not using this platform, you're missing out...Crowd-based reading platform Wattpad enables authors and readers to connect over great content, something that many other platforms have tried (and failed) to do. With over 70 million users in its community who spend more than 22 … [Read more...] about Wattpad’s 10th Anniversary Watty Awards Now Open
IndieReader Announces Winners of 9th Annual IR Discovery Awards
Ever since the self-publishing revolution began, companies have come and gone that sought to capitalize on the "craze" by offering services and visibility to authors. Some companies, like Smashwords and Bibliocrunch, have withstood the changing publishing landscape by increasing what they can do for authors. Others faded away with little to show for their innovation and … [Read more...] about IndieReader Announces Winners of 9th Annual IR Discovery Awards
JK Rowling Blesses Readers with Four New Harry Potter Books
If you're still pining for the excitement of Harry's childhood journey through magic and adventure, there's good news. Author JK Rowling has announced four new books in the Harry Potter world, ones that will delve into the history of magic associated with Hogwarts and the wizarding world.While fans may know Voldemort's origin story or how the houses were formed, this … [Read more...] about JK Rowling Blesses Readers with Four New Harry Potter Books
Anti-Vaxxers Target Children Through Amazon Orders
The most recent report of a malicious actor using Amazon orders to target individuals has shown there is no limit to the kinds of vile actions people are capable of. A mother in the UK reported purchasing several popular age-appropriate novels for her middle school-aged son, only to have him bring her a leaflet that had been tucked inside one of the books. The leaflet contained … [Read more...] about Anti-Vaxxers Target Children Through Amazon Orders
Mueller Report Already a Bestseller
The long-awaited "fake news! witch hunt! no collusion!" Mueller report has finally been released--or at least, a uselessly redacted version of it--and people on both sides of the aisle and the issue are enthralled with the news. Some, like many members of Congress, still feel the blacked-out details need to be uncovered, while others feel that what is already visible in black … [Read more...] about Mueller Report Already a Bestseller
EL James Has a New Book Out and We Only Have Ourselves to Blame
It was bad enough when billionaire Christian Grey had his violent way with recent-teenager Anastasia Steele. The 50 Shades trilogy showed that there are no limits to how much book fans are willing to consume, and that self-published Twilight fan fiction could potentially take off in a traditionally-published way.But somewhere between they hype surrounding the movie … [Read more...] about EL James Has a New Book Out and We Only Have Ourselves to Blame
Move Over New Adult, There Are New Stories to Tell
"Against YA: Adults should be embarrassed to read children's books." --Slate, June 2014."Adults Should Read Adult Books." --New York Times, May 23, 2012."Why are so many adults reading YA and teen fiction?" --The Guardian, February 2015.The list goes on. Whatever you do, don't Google "adults reading YA fiction." The results are a cesspool of bookshaming and finger … [Read more...] about Move Over New Adult, There Are New Stories to Tell