Readers and authors alike have been crying foul over book reviews from a variety of sources lately. Between the mysterious disappearing act that happens quite often with reviews posted to Amazon, the widespread news of authors buying favorable reviews from pay-per-star services, and the scandalous situation with author and reviewer bullying, reading consumers have had a hard … [Read more...] about Screwpulp’s Launch May Be the Salvation of Book Reviews
digital publishing news
McGraw-Hill Education Opens Create Platform for K12 Teachers
Digital textbooks continue to be one of the key frustrations in the public education arena. So far, they're not more widely available than print, they're not more cost effective than their paper counterparts, and they're still a one-size-fits-all tool that teachers are required to use without much prior input into which texts will best meet their students' needs in any given … [Read more...] about McGraw-Hill Education Opens Create Platform for K12 Teachers
Paper Lantern Lit and the Rise of the Hybrid Agent
In all of the recent debate surrounding traditional publishing versus self-publishing, both models appear to be emerging as valid options for books. But while the Big Five aren't closing up shop entirely any time soon--despite recent mergers and rumors of future mergers--and self-published authors continue to earn accolades and income, one entity in the publishing industry has … [Read more...] about Paper Lantern Lit and the Rise of the Hybrid Agent
New Plaintiffs Come on Board Against Apple for eBook Price Fixing
Apple is still waiting for the final decision from Judge Denise Cote in the ebook price fixing scandal, entered into with five of the then-Big Six publishers in order to drive out some of Amazon's market share. While the publishers settled out of court, Apple wasn't so lucky. The final damages in the suit--which certain provisions under the law could cause to come in at almost … [Read more...] about New Plaintiffs Come on Board Against Apple for eBook Price Fixing
Wattpad Announces Two Writing Contests for Its Authors
Reading and writing platform Wattpad has become a haven for authors and reading audiences alike due to the availability of great, fun content and the supportive nature of the platform. Several authors have found their Wattpad content requested by major publishing houses, and the site even launched a crowdsourcing program to help fund the publishing process for a select number … [Read more...] about Wattpad Announces Two Writing Contests for Its Authors
New Appzine Machine Tool Enables Self-Published Digital Magazines for iOS
Digital publishing has enabled self-publishing to become an industry force to be reckoned with, especially where text-based ebooks are concerned. But a new tool from Appzine Machine has made it possible for anyone with a desire to share their content to create and monetize their material into a digital magazine, available in the the Apple App Store, in order to reach the … [Read more...] about New Appzine Machine Tool Enables Self-Published Digital Magazines for iOS
PubSmartcon: Reenvisioning the Writer’s Conference
Writers' conferences have long been a source of networking and support for authors looking to hone their crafts and develop their business acumen for life in the publishing industry. One of the biggest lures to attract writers to conferences has always been well-known keynote speakers selected from top literary agents and publishers. Even better, many conferences offer authors … [Read more...] about PubSmartcon: Reenvisioning the Writer’s Conference
Rooster: Subscription Reading in Bite-Sized Smartphone Pieces
Subscription ebook reading is nothing new. Companies like 24Symbols have been offering Netflix-style reading since as early as 2010, all vying for an all-you-can-eat approach to reading. It's been difficult to get publishers on board with the concept without a clear structure for royalties, and it's been equally difficult getting readers to shell out money to consume books when … [Read more...] about Rooster: Subscription Reading in Bite-Sized Smartphone Pieces
Vook Launches Amazing New Book Tracking Tool, Author Control
A lot of focus in the publishing industry lately has centered around the need for more sales data for authors in order to let them exert more control over their writing careers. Until very recently, that data was closely guarded by retailers and unavailable even anecdotally to other authors. A series of surveys by different sources have given authors and publishers at least a … [Read more...] about Vook Launches Amazing New Book Tracking Tool, Author Control
StudySync, McGraw Hill Team Up on Digital ELA Materials
Academic publishers are finding that there's strength in numbers when it comes to launching digital content for classroom settings. At a SXSWEdu event today, McGraw-Hill Education and StudySync announced a partnership aimed at bringing language arts materials that are aligned with the Common Core Standards to digital environments for teaching. “With information available at … [Read more...] about StudySync, McGraw Hill Team Up on Digital ELA Materials
Simon & Schuster Launches Off The Shelf Book Site
A number of companies have tried to combat the growing problem of ebook discovery by building daily email lists and book websites, landing pages that are supposed to draw readers in order to discover the latest in publishing. Companies like Libboo have recently launched a daily feature based on traffic generated called The Midlist, designed specifically to highlight worthy … [Read more...] about Simon & Schuster Launches Off The Shelf Book Site