In the world of self-publishing companies, there are more than a few scam outlets that steal not just authors' hard-earned money, but also their hopes, aspirations, and even their reputations. Many of these companies have thankfully been thrown on the trash heap due to shady business practices, while some have even spent a good deal of time in court desperately trying to defend … [Read more...] about Big Changes at BookBaby
Textbook Prices Continue to Rise Despite Digital Access
When people (re: students) complain about the outrageous cost of higher education, they're usually referring to astronomical tuition increases, seemingly endless student fees, and of course, multi-million dollar bribes to get Junior into his party school of choice. What is often overlooked at first is the inexcusable cost of textbooks, which have risen by more than 88% just … [Read more...] about Textbook Prices Continue to Rise Despite Digital Access
Children Prefer Print Books…Are We Still Surprised?
In unsurprising news, yet another study has concluded that children prefer, interact with, and retain information better when reading a print book instead of an ebook. In this recent study, the example cited was actually toddlers, and the data demonstrated in some way that the children interacted more readily and more profoundly with the text when holding a print book instead … [Read more...] about Children Prefer Print Books…Are We Still Surprised?
Amazon Deletes Books Promoting “Cures” for Autism, Anti-Vax Content
These are uncertain times for people peddling pseudoscience on some of the internet's largest and farthest-reaching platforms. Amazon and Facebook have both begun their crackdowns on books or advertisements that promote unproven medical information, as some authors have already discovered.The first are books that promote a "cure" for autism and autism spectrum disorder. The … [Read more...] about Amazon Deletes Books Promoting “Cures” for Autism, Anti-Vax Content
Predators Ripping Off Authors Are Worse than Ever
Imagine building a company slowly, one that is intended to give authors a place to sell and distribute their own ebooks. You grow that company into a household name in the publishing industry and enjoy a measure of success that goes with it. You even publish a few very helpful ebooks on your site--Smashwords, incidentally--so authors can benefit from years of industry insight … [Read more...] about Predators Ripping Off Authors Are Worse than Ever
Social Reading Just Got a Lot Sweeter
In what has to be one of the best viral feel-good stories in recent weeks, the internet is going crazy for a woman who reads children's books aloud on Facebook Live. The woman isn't just a book lover with a social media account, though, she's Belinda George, a long-time educator and first-year elementary school principal from Texas.For some background, Texas falls well … [Read more...] about Social Reading Just Got a Lot Sweeter
2.2M Students Used Free OpenStax Digital Textbooks Last Year
Digital textbooks were supposed to revolutionize and equalize education. By enabling access to uploaded, updated materials to students around the world, schools and families alike could be spared at least some of the expense that typically goes along with printed textbooks.So what happened? The widespread, world-changing adoption that the industry foresaw for so long has … [Read more...] about 2.2M Students Used Free OpenStax Digital Textbooks Last Year
Reedsy Launches Book Discovery Platform for Indie Authors
Since the the dawn of the current indie publishing revolution, startups across every aspect of the publishing process have come and gone. Some of these offered formatting, cover design, and editing; others promised to garner much-needed book reviews--legitimate ones or not. Other companies took authors' money and promised beautiful print and ebook editions, while other … [Read more...] about Reedsy Launches Book Discovery Platform for Indie Authors
Is the Dream of a Traditional Book Deal Dead?
There was a time when self-publishing your book through a vanity press was the kiss of death for any hope of a writing career. It was considered tacky and desperate, and not something any worthwhile author would ever consider. Then, with the self-publishing and digital publishing revolution, the notion of having more control over your work trumped much of the negativity … [Read more...] about Is the Dream of a Traditional Book Deal Dead?
New Allegations of Romance Plagiarism
To the outsider, the publishing world might not seem like a hotbed of intrigue, manipulation, and outright lies, but recent events--okay fine, since the dawn of time and the written word--prove that's not the case. From price fixing to review faking to author bullying to Cockygate, half the entertainment value of a book happens in the making of it, not the reading.Social … [Read more...] about New Allegations of Romance Plagiarism
Pearson Sells Off Digital Textbook, School Courseware Division
Widely-known educational publisher Pearson has been giving hints and reports since 2017 that it had plans to get rid of its digital textbook division, and now that deal has finally been announced. The company will sell off its K12 school courseware product--which distributes digital textbooks, among other things--to Nexus Capital Management, as announced this … [Read more...] about Pearson Sells Off Digital Textbook, School Courseware Division
Amazon Crossing Kids Brings Intl Works to Young Readers
There's a great big world out there, and Amazon's latest imprint is making sure that kids in the States have a chance to be a part of it. Amazon Crossing is already in place as Amazon's own imprint for translated works, and now Amazon Crossing Kids seeks to bring international titles to young readers in the US.According to a statement from the company, "Building on the work … [Read more...] about Amazon Crossing Kids Brings Intl Works to Young Readers
Print or Digital Isn’t the Issue in Kids’ Reading
Ever since the dawn of widely available ebooks and e-readers, there's been an educational debate surrounding kids' interactions with digital. While some advocates support the ability to read anywhere, enjoy a virtually limitless supply of content, and engage in educational content like never before, critics don't agree. In fact, multiple studies took aim at kids' ereading on … [Read more...] about Print or Digital Isn’t the Issue in Kids’ Reading
Indie Bookshops Are Back from the Brink
The meteoric rise of Amazon into a global retail empire has hit a number of industries hard, but perhaps none more so than the publishing industry. Along with the dramatic shift in producing books, obviously Amazon, other online retailers, and even the invention of the ebook had a huge impact on booksellers. Sadly, it wasn't in a good way.While major brick-and-mortar chains … [Read more...] about Indie Bookshops Are Back from the Brink