Verdict: 3 Stars Donna Tartt's book The Goldfinch, has over 4K reviews on Amazon, and the ratings are fairly well divided among each of the different ratings. Sadly, comments among the three-, two-, and one-star reviews tend to run along a common vein: the book just didn't live up to the hype from the industry. And truthfully, it takes a really special work of literature … [Read more...] about eBook Review: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
digital publishing news
eBook Review: Take a Chance by Abbi Glines
Verdict: 3 Stars Self-published sensation turned traditionally published romance/erotic romance author Abbi Glines has created a side story in the book Take A Chance that pulls several characters from an existing series of hers and offers up some insight into their relationship. This new adult title, though, falls into the trap that has plagued a number of other titles in … [Read more...] about eBook Review: Take a Chance by Abbi Glines
Transparency: Author HM Ward Discusses eBook Sales and Pricing
A number of authors, including JA Konrath and Hugh Howey, made international headlines this week with their open discussions of what is wrong with ebook pricing and sales data. The lack of open access to the information, guarded like a state a secret by the online retailers, presumably don't help authors know which publishing decisions are right for them. Without accurate data, … [Read more...] about Transparency: Author HM Ward Discusses eBook Sales and Pricing
Aquafadas Announces the Launch of its New Cloud Authoring Tool
Aquafadas has come up with a new cloud based digital publishing platform dubbed Aquafadas Cloud Authoring. This, Aquafadas claims will make it easy for publishers to convert PDF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF files into apps, ePUBs and Web Reader files. The new platform also offers several convenient features and simple production tools like crop and reorder, as well as unique enrichment … [Read more...] about Aquafadas Announces the Launch of its New Cloud Authoring Tool
Digital Publishing Industry in China Expected To Earn $57.74 billion in 2014
Digitization process is on the upswing in China where digital publishing is being accorded far greater emphasis than any time before. The rapid emergence of internet and digital technologies has only acted as a catalyst to the digital transformation process. If the above trend is put in financial terms, the figures are astounding to say the least. For instance, the compounded … [Read more...] about Digital Publishing Industry in China Expected To Earn $57.74 billion in 2014
Reimagining the Personal Library
With so much focus on the plight of libraries, a number of options have been proposed for libraries to reinvent themselves in an effort to keep up with the changing face of book consumption in the digital era. Some library systems have gone so far as to establish 21st century models for libraries, including everything from computer terminals, classroom and meeting spaces, green … [Read more...] about Reimagining the Personal Library
Amazon: Game Changer or Whipping Boy?
Warning: you'll need your tissue box handy when you read this piece for The New Yorker about how Amazon has ruthlessly destroyed every single aspect of the entire book industry. You're free to ignore the fact that it was written by an author who has no less than eight books are currently available on Amazon, a couple of which are even at the top of Amazon's rankings; the author … [Read more...] about Amazon: Game Changer or Whipping Boy?
Kobo, Bella Andre Launch Three-Month Exclusive Book Deal
In another brilliant career move by highly successful self-published author Bella Andre, the author signed an exclusive contract with Kobo to make five of her popular Lucy Kevin titles available in French exclusively through the Writing Life platform. Andre, who wrote the Four Weddings and a Fiasco series under the name Lucy Kevin, has become widely recognized for maintaining … [Read more...] about Kobo, Bella Andre Launch Three-Month Exclusive Book Deal
Vampire Diaries Author Publishes Her Own FanFic of the Work
For those who only know the sexiness and paranormal tension of the current-day television series The Vampire Diaries, it may come as a surprise to learn that the books were originally published more than twenty years ago, only to see them revived and repackaged for a new audience in conjunction with the series. What may also come as a surprise to fans--even a shock, to … [Read more...] about Vampire Diaries Author Publishes Her Own FanFic of the Work
Poorly Translated Public Domain Titles Removed from Amazon
Now that anyone can self-publish an ebook, critics have argued that the overall quality of books being published has plummeted. And despite the outrage from indie authors over criticism like that, Amazon made a move this week that seems to actually prove the point. A number of books uploaded by an individual going by "M Angelo" were nothing more than Google translate-style … [Read more...] about Poorly Translated Public Domain Titles Removed from Amazon
Kotobi, First Arab eBookstore, Launches at Cairo Book Fair
With the Cairo Book Fair wrapping up this week--amidst controversy, as journalists were arrested for possessing cameras and video equipment to cover the event--one exciting launch took place with critical support from Vodafone Egypt. The first dedicated Arab ebookstore, Kotobi.com, launched from their stage at the fair, bringing several hundred Arab titles from nearly forty … [Read more...] about Kotobi, First Arab eBookstore, Launches at Cairo Book Fair