Prior to the current digital publishing and self-publishing revolutions, the process for an author to get published was tedious, beginning with the very first gatekeeper: finding an agent. The literary agent, whose role may be shifting but by no means is disappearing, was often the first entity to pass judgment on a book's merit, accepting or rejecting the title … [Read more...] about More Publishers Begin to Accept Unagented Submissions
Digital Publishing News
Reading Improves Brain Function…Who Knew?
Your fifth grade English teacher was right, you should read a book. According to the study "Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain," by Emory University researchers Gregory S. Berns, Kristina Blaine, Michael J. Prietula, and Brandon E. Pye, reading a novel causes recordable, distinct physiological changes in the reader's brain.In this study, … [Read more...] about Reading Improves Brain Function…Who Knew?
eBook Review: The Redhead Plays Her Hand by Alice Clayton
Verdict: 5 StarsIn the final installment in the series which Clayton started with The Unidentified Redhead and The Redhead Revealed, "older" actress (she really hates to be called that) Grace Sheridan has a hit new series, a heartthrob sexy actor boyfriend, and a new house in LA. Unfortunately, she also has all of the baggage that goes with it, including stalker paparazzi, … [Read more...] about eBook Review: The Redhead Plays Her Hand by Alice Clayton
Judge Rules on Sherlock Holmes Public Domain Case
With the dramatic changes that have been taking place in the publishing industry over the last few years, it's easy to forget that some very solid, set in stone rules do still apply where books are concerned. One of those key areas is in copyright, which can be a sensitive issue in terms of anthologizing or crafting new stories based on decades-old characters and works.A US … [Read more...] about Judge Rules on Sherlock Holmes Public Domain Case
What’s Up with Amazon Royalties Coming Down?
The debate over the most recent accusations about how Amazon is destroying the book industry has taken a new turn with some new arguments, all of which--yet again--have nothing more behind them than the insistence that Amazon hates books, hates authors, hates readers, and basically...hates everyone.In a brilliant post with some actual explanation behind it, bestselling … [Read more...] about What’s Up with Amazon Royalties Coming Down?
Number of Children’s Challenged Books Increased in 2013
With the advent of digital reading, digital publishing, and self-publishing in their current forms, it seems that a resurgence in bibliophilia may be sweeping the planet. But at a time when access to books is being made possible literally anywhere and efforts to further reading through instant digital downloads continues to grow, a sad and shocking fact has come to light: more … [Read more...] about Number of Children’s Challenged Books Increased in 2013
Free Children’s Enhanced Shrek Forever After eBook from iStoryTime
As part of the holiday recognition of their customers, a number of companies are offering their users free content in this post-holiday period when many users may have received new devices. Apps likes Apple's 12 Days of Gifts offer everything from free songs to free ebooks via the iTunes store.One company that has extended the free gift period is children's ebook app … [Read more...] about Free Children’s Enhanced Shrek Forever After eBook from iStoryTime
New Startups Focus on Tracking eBook Reading Data
How long does it take for someone to complete a book? When reading a steamy erotica, are you lingering over the sex scenes? Do readers ever finish the books they start, or skip right to the end? New startups are seeking to address these questions with new software and they intend on opening it up to writers, indie authors and publishers.New startups such as Oyster are … [Read more...] about New Startups Focus on Tracking eBook Reading Data
Sex Sells: Big Foot, Gargoyles, and Erotica, Oh My!
It's no secret that romance and erotica top the list of bestselling genres because...well, let's face it...sex sells. But more importantly, well crafted romance titles that speak to a broad audience of readers also sells, as evidenced by imprints like Carina Press (Harlequin) and Ellora's Cave being digital-first pioneers while still maintaining standards of authorship.But … [Read more...] about Sex Sells: Big Foot, Gargoyles, and Erotica, Oh My!
eBook Review: Topless Jihadis by Jeffrey Tayler
Verdict: 5 StarsIts full title, Topless Jihadis—Inside Femen, the World's Most Provocative Activist Group, by Jeffrey Tayler, only succeeds in scratching the surface of what this book really stands for, namely depicting the 5,000+ member international group of self-titled "watch-bitches for democracy." For the lengthy period of time that Tayler followed the radical women's … [Read more...] about eBook Review: Topless Jihadis by Jeffrey Tayler
Too Much Choice Can Impede eBook Sales
A post by Shannon of the DuoLit team from earlier this year rings true, especially during the busy last-minute holiday shopping season. In the post--which got a surprisingly low number of critics in the comments section--the writer points to the need for authors to only advertise two retailers for their ebooks and one retailer--Amazon--for their print editions.The writer … [Read more...] about Too Much Choice Can Impede eBook Sales
Social Platform Storyful Bought by NewsCorp
Everything that is great about social media--all cat videos and hilarious memes aside--revolves around the ability to share completely unfiltered information to the entire internet at the click of a button. While ridiculous relationship statuses and Twitter hashtags tend to rule our day to day social activity, no one can argue with the power social media had to push forward the … [Read more...] about Social Platform Storyful Bought by NewsCorp
Top 5 Predictions for the e-Reader Industry in 2014
With the way things have gone in 2013 in the e-reader and tablet sector, some people may be optimistic about the future. I for one, am not. Endeavoring to capitalize on the quintessential Top 5 gravy train, I am looking ahead at 2014 to see what the future may hold for us. Things don't look good.E Ink Diversifies away from e-Readers E Ink is responsible for 85% of … [Read more...] about Top 5 Predictions for the e-Reader Industry in 2014
Ebook Bundles Add Value, Discovery to Authors’ Works
As authors and publishers clamor to help their titles be found in an ever growing ebook market, one source of promotion and increased revenue has come in the form of ebook bundling. Some publishers were early experimenters with the concept in its early form, which included titles such as Hilary Jordan's When She Woke being offered for one price in both print and digital by … [Read more...] about Ebook Bundles Add Value, Discovery to Authors’ Works