Amazon has just announced the best books for the first half of 2018. The Amazon editors normally do this twice a year and it gives readers a chance to discover new authors or to be made aware of new titles from their favorites. All of these books are available in print and digital.Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover: Tara Westover didn't see the inside of a classroom until … [Read more...] about Amazon Announces the Best Books of 2018
Archives for June 2018
What’s All This Stuff about Book Stuffing?
There's been no shortage of controversy in publishing lately, much of it happening when authors have engaged in unsavory behavior that alienates them from both readers and fellow authors. The #cockygate scandal, as of yet unresolved, is a prime example of an author taking career-ending steps that were completely unnecessary from a book visibility and income potential … [Read more...] about What’s All This Stuff about Book Stuffing?
AuthorEarnings Debunks Industry Lies Surrounding SciFi, Fantasy
In another stunning display of both truth in publishing and meticulous attention to the data, the latest release from AuthorEarnings takes on another facet of the traditional publishing industry, namely the lies surrounding scifi and fantasy publishing. In a presentation at the 2018 SFWA Nebula Conference, cape-wearing number cruncher Data Guy presented findings that dispel a … [Read more...] about AuthorEarnings Debunks Industry Lies Surrounding SciFi, Fantasy
Amazon Prime now available in Australia
Amazon Prime is now available in Australia and it offers free two day delivery Two-day shipping in all major cities except Darwin, as well as and regional cities such as Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo, Gold Coast, Newcastle and more. In more remote locations, Prime members will get free shipping that will be as fast as four or five days. A one year subscription will cost AU$59, which … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime now available in Australia
Amazon permanently discounts the Kindle Voyage
The Kindle Voyage is going to be discontinued within the next few months and the only model is that is available is the WIFI and Special Offers version, the 3G variant has been sold out all year long. Amazon has just permanently discounted the Voyage today, the old price was $199 and the new one is $149.99.Sources in the supply chain told Good e-Reader a few months ago … [Read more...] about Amazon permanently discounts the Kindle Voyage
The Kobo Clara HD does a good job reading manga
Manga is starting to see some strong gains in the United States and sales rose 29% to $110 million in 2016. This is the same year that Barnes and Noble started to increase the size of the manga section in all of their bookstores and this year they are making a new kids manga section. Digital manga has yet to take off in a meaningful way, but it is huge business in Japan. Sales … [Read more...] about The Kobo Clara HD does a good job reading manga
New “Gift” Option for Authors to Share Books on Amazon
When it comes to getting the word out about their books, indie authors need all the tools they can get their hands on. It might be in the form of blog tours, book swaps, ARC giveaways, or other types of meaningful promotion, but any mechanism for putting a book in front of readers is welcomed.Amazon has now quietly launched a new feature that will give authors another … [Read more...] about New “Gift” Option for Authors to Share Books on Amazon
Amazon Discontinues Mayday on the Fire Tablet
Amazon Mayday debuted in 2014 on the Fire Phone and has been a mainstay on Fire tablets ever since. Mayday was a free program that allowed you to talk to Amazon tech support support via video right on the device and they were able to troubleshoot most issues. Amazon has quietly discontinued Mayday and it is no longer available.“The Mayday video calling service is … [Read more...] about Amazon Discontinues Mayday on the Fire Tablet
There is a psychological divide over ebook ownership
People's sense of psychological ownership is affected by three primary factors: whether they feel as if they have control over the object they own, whether they use the object to define who they are, and whether the object helps give them a sense of belonging in society. There no true ownership when it comes to ebooks, you merely lease them from an online retailer such as … [Read more...] about There is a psychological divide over ebook ownership
Amazon Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite on sale
If you want to get the latest generation Kindle e-readers before they are discontinued and new models come out, Amazon is having a 25% off sale. The Kindle Basic Touch is only $59.99 and the Kindle Paperwhite is available for $99. Amazon tends to discount both of these e-readers during special holidays, such as Mother's Day and Father's Day.The Kindle for Kids Bundle has … [Read more...] about Amazon Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite on sale
Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet 7 on sale for $29
Barnes and Noble has marked down their Nook Tablet 7 tablet by 40% and is now selling it for a paltry $29. It is available online and in most of their bookstores in the United States. This could be an indication that they are working on a new device that might be announced in the next few months.Barnes and Noble first started designing their own tablets in 2010Â and the … [Read more...] about Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet 7 on sale for $29
Alibaba launches new ebook app called Tmall Reader
Alibaba is leveraging their Literature unit and has just released a new e-reader app called Tmall Reader. It is now available for download from both iOS and Android app stores, offers access to titles, ranging from business and children’s stories to Chinese translations of popular foreign authors. There are thousands of ebooks from 300 publishers and more content will added on … [Read more...] about Alibaba launches new ebook app called Tmall Reader
Alexa and Google debut Stephen King book recommendation tool
Simon & Schuster has just developed the first the first voice-activated book recommendation tool. If you have a device running Amazon Alexa or Google Voice Assistant will be able to recommend King books tailored to users reading tastes from a selection of 56 titles.The program, S&S said, will ask users a series of situational questions—voiced by audiobook narrator … [Read more...] about Alexa and Google debut Stephen King book recommendation tool
Rogers slashes 75 jobs in their print and digital publishing division
Rogers has just slashed 75 full-time employees, reducing the size of publishing team to about 150 people in Toronto. The job cuts are primarily due to the dwindling subscriber base of Maclean's, Today's Parent, Hello! Canada, Flare, MoneySense, Canadian Business and Chatelaine.Rogers says it has reorganized its digital content and publishing structure to reflect the … [Read more...] about Rogers slashes 75 jobs in their print and digital publishing division
Kobo Clara HD VS Amazon Kindle Oasis 2
The Kobo Clara HD and Amazon Kindle Oasis 2 represent the latest generation e-readers. The Clara HD came out a few weeks ago and the Oasis 2 debuted late last year. The one thing the new Kobo has going for it is the Comfortlight PRO technology, which adds color temperature control. Whereas the Oasis has a larger screen, can play audiobooks and is waterproof.The Clara HD … [Read more...] about Kobo Clara HD VS Amazon Kindle Oasis 2
The President Is Missing is having a huge first week
The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson is having a massive first week. 147,000 hardcover copies of the thriller were sold in bookstores and 113,000 audiobook and ebooks were sold from retailers such as Amazon, Apple iBooks, Barnes and Noble and Kobo.The plot centers on a fictional president facing impeachment, for supporting terrorism, and tells of his … [Read more...] about The President Is Missing is having a huge first week