Hollywood actor Ian Mckellen has announced that he has scrapped plans to write a memoir about his life and has returned a £1 advance to UK publisher Hodder & Stoughton.At the Oxford Literary Festival he elaborated the reasoning behind his decision to abandon the memoir “It was a bit painful. I didn’t want to go back into my life and imagine things that I hadn’t … [Read more...] about Ian McKellen will not write a memoir and returns ÂŁ1 million advance
Amazon heavily discounts Kindle Voyage
Amazon will be announcing a new flagship e-Reader next week and it looks like the company is trying to clear out their remaining supply for the Kindle Voyage.Not only is Amazon discounting the Kindle Voyage, but a number of other e-readers in their portfolio. Unfortunately these deals on only available for Amazon Prime members.The entry level Kindle Basic is $25 dollars … [Read more...] about Amazon heavily discounts Kindle Voyage
New Amazon Kindle e-Reader will be announced next week
Heads up readers – all-new, top of the line Kindle almost ready. 8th generation. Details next week.— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) April 4, 2016Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has just confirmed that a new Kindle e-Reader will be released next week. The Tweet makes reference to a high-end device, which basically means it will be the companies new flagship e-reader and I think it … [Read more...] about New Amazon Kindle e-Reader will be announced next week
Kobo will launch a new e-Reader for Mother’s Day
I have heard reports that Kobo has a new e-reader they are developing and they will officially be announcing it by the end of April. The company intends on getting this new device on the market just in time for Mother's Day.Things have been very quiet on the Kobo front ever since December when they issued a new firmware update for its line of e-readers and also introduced … [Read more...] about Kobo will launch a new e-Reader for Mother’s Day
QueryTracker is the best way for self-publishers to find an agent
If you are a self-published author with aspirations to get a traditional publishing deal it is important to have an agent. Major publishers and their imprints normally do not accept unsolicited manuscripts and an agent can assist with getting your book into the right hands. Researching literary agents is complicated enough without having to worry about whether or not the agent … [Read more...] about QueryTracker is the best way for self-publishers to find an agent
80% of US schools use e-books or digital textbooks
Overdrive has just published a new survey that takes a look at digital penetration in schools in the United States. They take a look at what medium is the most popular and what type of tech devices diligent young scholars are employing to get the most out of their education.Based on a survey of more than 2,000 administrators at the school or district level in the U.S., the … [Read more...] about 80% of US schools use e-books or digital textbooks
700 Star Trek e-Books are now DRM-Free
Science Fiction has become more popular in recent years because a number of notable publishers have elected to go DRM-Free. This allows readers to be able to easily load whatever e-book they have purchased on their all of their mobile devices, without the need of Adobe Digital Editions. Star Trek fans are the beneficiaries of the latest announcement that over 700 e-books from … [Read more...] about 700 Star Trek e-Books are now DRM-Free
Audible has sold over one million Harry Potter Audiobooks
The Harry Potter franchise has undergone a resurgence because Pottermore dropped their exclusivity for e-books and audiobooks. This has allowed retailers such as Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble and Kobo to sell content directly and this seems to be a big hit with consumers. Audible has just reported that in the last four months they have sold over one million Harry Potter … [Read more...] about Audible has sold over one million Harry Potter Audiobooks
Kobo e-Readers will be soon be available in Taiwan
Kobo will soon be selling e-Books and e-Readers in Taiwan. Over the course of the last calendar year Kobo has been building a team in Taiwan and securing licensing deals with local publishers in order to launch their digital bookstore with a large portfolio that features local writers.When Kobo enters a new market, their standard blueprint is to partner with an established … [Read more...] about Kobo e-Readers will be soon be available in Taiwan
Sprint is now offering a monthly Amazon Prime Membership
If you want to opt into Amazon Prime there are generally two different options you can pursue, a one month free trial or pay a $99 yearly subscription. Â Sprint is now offering a third option, monthly installments.Sprint is offering existing customers a monthly add-on for their contract for $10.99. This is useful for people who want a Prime membership for the three months … [Read more...] about Sprint is now offering a monthly Amazon Prime Membership
Nook UK Bookstore has officially closed and Sainsbury’s is slacking
The Barnes and Noble Nook UK Bookstore has officially closed and the bookseller has admitted they are ceasing all international expansion and focusing exclusively on the US market. Emails were supposed to be sent out to users a few weeks ago advising them on how to initiate the migration process to  Sainsbury’s. It looks like it is taking longer than B&N and Sainsbury’s … [Read more...] about Nook UK Bookstore has officially closed and Sainsbury’s is slacking
New BiblioTech Digital Library to open in 2017
Bexar County is home of the first library in the United States that does not stock a single print book. Instead, the BiblioTech library has thousands of e-books that patrons can access on hundreds of computers, e-readers and tablets. Due to the success of this library, construction is now underway for a third branch that will open in 2017.The library system, which launched … [Read more...] about New BiblioTech Digital Library to open in 2017
Ukraine wants to digitize their libraries
There are 40,000 libraries in the Ukraine, but only 3,300 have a computer for patrons to use. This is all going to change in the next few years due to the fact that the Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers has approved a Strategy for Librarianship Development until 2025. Basically, they want to get a few computers in every single library in the country. … [Read more...] about Ukraine wants to digitize their libraries