Barnes and Noble is in a dire set of circumstances in the United States. They are the last major bookstore chain and their stock is down 60% this year. Their ailing Nook division has lost over a billion dollars since they lost it and are on their 4th CEO in recent years.They have been giving mixed signals about the future of the company and many people are wondering if they … [Read more...] about What does Barnes and Noble want to be when it grows up?
Archives for December 2015
e-Books have fewer spatial landmarks, making it harder to concentrate
People have been enamored with reading digital books for the last six years and they are not only easier on the wallet, but there are plenty of devices that can be used to read them. Reading e-books though, has its drawbacks. There have been numerous studies that that been conducted that say it is harder to concentrate and inhibits reading comprehension,  because our brains … [Read more...] about e-Books have fewer spatial landmarks, making it harder to concentrate
Good e-Reader App Store searching system has been revised
The Good e-Reader App Store is the largest Android and Blackberry market in Canada and we have made some big changes with app discovery and our internal search engine. This will allow for users to find the apps they are looking for quicker and only display meaningful results.One of the limitations of our Wordpress content distribution system was that it was made as a … [Read more...] about Good e-Reader App Store searching system has been revised
Zinio partners with Boopsie for digital magazine growth
Zinio is one of the leading digital magazine providers for consumers, but in the library sector they depend on distribution partners. Recorded Books has been the main company they deal with in order to maintain a presence in selling their content all over the world. Last week, Zinio signed a deal with Boopsie to double down on the lucrative library market.Since 2006, … [Read more...] about Zinio partners with Boopsie for digital magazine growth
Libraries drive e-book sales
There was time when major publishers were apprehensive at offering digital content in public libraries because they thought it would cannibalize their retail sales. This is a common misconception because according to a new report 50% of the e-Books that were read in the library in the past 12 months were than purchased from companies like Amazon or Kobo.A new research … [Read more...] about Libraries drive e-book sales
The Canadian Library Association wants to Disband
The Canadian Library Association has been in business for the last 69 years, but membership has been declining steadily and they have ceased to be relevant as many libraries are going digital. The lack of a unified voice on the national level is prompting a historic vote that will occur in late January, to dissolve the Canadian Library Association.The CLA has been … [Read more...] about The Canadian Library Association wants to Disband
Amazon is dominating online shopping
Amazon is dominating all of their rivals this holiday season as many people are rushing to buy things online. Two day shipping, free gift wrapping and a massive selection of products is resulting in a huge boom of sales.Amazon took in 39.3 percent of e-commerce spending from Nov. 1 through Dec. 6, up from 37.9 percent during the same period a year earlier, according to … [Read more...] about Amazon is dominating online shopping
e-Book Sales Have Declined 11.0% in 2015
The Association of American Publishers has just released their annual report that takes a look at the overall health of the industry and how well audiobooks, e-books, hardcover and paper sales are doing. The organization has reported that e-book sales have declined 11% on the year with YA falling a staggering 44.5% from the same period in 2014.One of the big problems with … [Read more...] about e-Book Sales Have Declined 11.0% in 2015
The Barnes & Noble affiliate program is closing
The Barnes and Noble has announced that they are closing their current network affiliate partner Linkshare on December 31st. This will affect anyone who uses their blog or website to link to e-books, e-readers, tablets or anything else that B&N sells online. Starting January 1st 2016 Barnes and Noble is switching affiliate providers and the new company everyone will be … [Read more...] about The Barnes & Noble affiliate program is closing
Global Audiobook Trends and Statistics for 2016
Audiobooks are the fastest growing segment in publishing and everyone within the industry is very bullish about the future of the format. Â There are a number of new start-ups that are making waves and retailers are beginning to release that audiobooks are worth investing in.The global audiobook industry is currently evaluated at 2.8 billion dollars and this is primarily due … [Read more...] about Global Audiobook Trends and Statistics for 2016
Scammers are preying on new and aspiring authors
When a first time author decides to self-publish their first novel they have every reason to be apprehensive. There are a wide array of dodgy companies that are totally for profit and have a bad reputation in the industry. Sometimes, there are scammers and one in particular has just been arrested for fleecing authors out of $300,000 USD.In late September police arrested … [Read more...] about Scammers are preying on new and aspiring authors
Andy Weir gives writing advice to indie authors
Andy Weir is best known for self-publishing The Martian, until it was picked up by Penguin Random House. It quickly transformed into a bestselling novel and made into a future length movie. In a recent interview he gave some useful advice to anyone thinking of being an indie author.First, you have to actually write. It's easy to imagine a story and think about plot points. … [Read more...] about Andy Weir gives writing advice to indie authors
Librarians are excited about e-books that don’t expire
Penguin and Random House will be introducing new e-book terms for libraries that begin on January 1st 2016. Libraries will no longer worry about their titles expiring after a few loans or have to purchase them again every year. Librarians are also full of glee that the overall price of buying digital content will also decrease in price.Shellie Cocking of the San Francisco … [Read more...] about Librarians are excited about e-books that don’t expire