Simon & Schuster is experiencing massive growth with e-books and audiobooks, more than any other publisher.Digital revenues represented 31% of S&S’s total revenues for the first quarter of 2015. S&S CEO Carolyn Reidy said that while sales of e-books rose by one percentage point in the quarter, sales of digital audio had a huge quarter driven by sales of both new … [Read more...] about Digital Accounts for 31% of Simon & Schuster’s Revenue
E-Book News
Will Europe Become a Single Market for e-books?
The European digital publishing industry is fragmented beyond belief. Every single member country has their own VAT rate on e-books and a massive loophole was closed that allowed foreign entities operating out of Luxembourg, driving prices up. There has been talk for a number of years about a single European market for e-books, simplifying the book selling process.The … [Read more...] about Will Europe Become a Single Market for e-books?
How Agency Pricing Has Affected the Bestseller Lists
Hugh Howey and Friends (that really should be a trademarked superhero team name, as you'll see in a moment) has launched the sixth quarterly Author Earnings report, a seemingly flawless look at how ebooks are actually selling on Amazon. The reports have always served to try to get a better picture of how self-published authors are actually faring in the bookselling landscape, … [Read more...] about How Agency Pricing Has Affected the Bestseller Lists
Mobile Google Search Has Surpassed Desktop
Google implemented a new policy last month that had the entire digital publishing world take notice. If a website has a mobile friendly design it would have a higher placement in the search engine results and older websites would plummet in the rankings. This is not a decision that Google made lightly, primarily because for the first time ever mobile search has outweighed … [Read more...] about Mobile Google Search Has Surpassed Desktop
Amazon Kindle for iOS is Draining Your Battery
The Amazon Kindle App for the iPhone and iPad has been a battery hog for the last month. Even when you aren't reading an e-book and doing something else, the app remains in standby mode.The Kindle app was updated April 15th 2015 with the quintessential "performance and stability improvements". This last update was the culprit and many people are finding their tablets or … [Read more...] about Amazon Kindle for iOS is Draining Your Battery
The Sad Joke That Is the 2015 Hugo Awards
Imagine working your tail off to become a writer, to hone your craft, to connect with audiences who clamor for your work, then let your mind be transported to the bliss of being nominated for one of the most prestigious awards in your genre. Then imagine finding out you were only nominated because a handful of people with a hate-filled agenda rallied behind your work in order … [Read more...] about The Sad Joke That Is the 2015 Hugo Awards
New e-Reader with GPS Does Innovative Things
A new e-reader has just hit the market that has built in GPS that will change key locations in an e-book. Basically, this means that the book makes references to the city or place the reader is in as he progresses through the novel.This new e-reader called The Tripbook features e-paper technology that will give you an experience similar to a Kindle or Kobo. It is a … [Read more...] about New e-Reader with GPS Does Innovative Things
TOR Books Now Eligible for an e-Book Upgrade for $2.99
TOR is one of the largest science fiction and fantasy publishers in the world and there is another compelling reason to do business with them. If you have purchased in the past or buy a new print edition you can now get the e-book for $2.99.Tor Books has just announced that they have forged a new partnership with Vancouver, BC based BitLit, a free app that lets you download … [Read more...] about TOR Books Now Eligible for an e-Book Upgrade for $2.99
2015 Locus Award Finalists
If you are a fan of Science Fiction and looking for a great read, you might be interested in the 2015 Locus Award Finalists. All of these titles sold very well in the e-book format, but also in traditional bookstores.SCIENCE FICTION NOVELThe Peripheral, William Gibson (Putnam; Viking UK) Ancillary Sword, Ann Leckie (Orbit US; Orbit UK) The Three-Body Problem, Cixin … [Read more...] about 2015 Locus Award Finalists
Kindle Unlimited is the Most Popular e-book Subscription Service
Kindle Unlimited is the latest entrant into Netflix for e-books subscription style of service. In a short period of time Amazon has managed to attain more paid members using its platform than the competition.The Codex Group has reported in their April 2015 consumer survey, 12.4% of digital book consumers have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.  In comparison, only 1.4% of … [Read more...] about Kindle Unlimited is the Most Popular e-book Subscription Service
US Government Plan to Give Away Free e-Books to Low Income Kids is Flawed
The US government is planning on implementing a program that will see $250 million to give kids access to over 10,000 e-book titles. The New York Public library is creating a dedicated app that will allow disadvantaged children to have unfettered access. The program sounds good on paper, but is deeply flawed.There is currently some large riots happening in Baltimore and … [Read more...] about US Government Plan to Give Away Free e-Books to Low Income Kids is Flawed
Get Ready to Celebrate Indie Bookstores this Weekend
In all of the attention given to Amazon and its fights with various companies, ebooks and their digital benefits, publishing and the revolution of indies, it's easy to forget to take notice of some of the most important and dynamic players in the industry: the local bookstores.These bookshops, mostly independently owned as a labor of love and not a retirement investment, … [Read more...] about Get Ready to Celebrate Indie Bookstores this Weekend
Kobo Next Puts the Spotlight on Indie Authors
Kobo Writing Life is a self-publishing platform and it was first unveiled in 2012. It was originally launched to compete with Kindle Direct Publishing and provide a viable avenue to sell books internationally. Kobo has faced many challenges in the marketplace and they are always looking for new things to try out to see what pops. The latest, is Kobo Next, an extension of their … [Read more...] about Kobo Next Puts the Spotlight on Indie Authors