A highly contentious move in the world of digital publishing has resulted in a combination of forces between the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), a move that has caused no small measure of division among members and stakeholders. The IDPF proposed the measure last May at BookExpo, and the backlash was swift and loud. One … [Read more...] about IDPF Approves Measure to Join W3C
Digital Publishing News
Dear Americans: A Guide to Moving to Canada
Dear, dear Americans, Don't worry. Tomorrow, for better or for worse, it will all be over. Cheeto Hitler will either defeat the Hilldabeast, or not. Then you can go back to looking for cat videos and celebrity news on Facebook instead of unfriending your uncles one by one. Who are we kidding, it will never be over. No matter who wins tomorrow, the rabid supporters for the … [Read more...] about Dear Americans: A Guide to Moving to Canada
OverDrive Continues Efforts Against IDPF Merger
Two entities in the digital publishing sphere that GoodeReader greatly admires--OverDrive and the IDPF--are at odds over a planned merger between the IDPF and W3C. Steve Potash, OverDrive's CEO, has vehemently expressed concerns over the upcoming member vote on the merger in the past, and is reiterating those concerns with the IDPF board and membership. The IDPF, or … [Read more...] about OverDrive Continues Efforts Against IDPF Merger
The Paradox of the Publishing Industry
We can't have it both ways, yet that's how some industry experts want to spin it. First, the statistical news: the overall sales figures recorded a 7% decrease in sales across all books, while ebook sales for traditional publishers were down 22% year-over-year in an AAP Statshot for its most recent numbers, April 2016. There were some modest numbers in specific formats or … [Read more...] about The Paradox of the Publishing Industry
Why Is Self-Publishing Still a “Last Resort?”
The digital publishing revolution, such as it was, had many facets. There was the birth of the take-anywhere traditionally published ebooks, the hope of educational reform through bells and whistles digital textbooks, and perhaps most important of all, the self-publishing arm that allowed anyone to write, publish, and potentially sell a book. But in the space of the few years … [Read more...] about Why Is Self-Publishing Still a “Last Resort?”
Move Over Wattpad, Sweek Seeks Authors, Readers
In the world of digital publishing, there are a lot of copycats but only a handful of genuine game changers. Amazon's KDP changed the entire industry model for self-published authors, while Kobo opened up a global market for producing and selling ebooks in nearly every language. In that vein, Wattpad rethought the entire concept of what a published story means, giving authors … [Read more...] about Move Over Wattpad, Sweek Seeks Authors, Readers
Predictions for the Digital Publishing Industry in 2016
There were a number of notable events that transpired in 2015 that is setting the stage for this year. Vox acquired Re/code, Buzzfeed raised $200 million from NBCUniversal, Vice Media received a $200 million investment from Disney and partnered with HBO on a multi-year programming agreement, Facebook launched Instant Articles and Apple launched Apple News. What is going to … [Read more...] about Predictions for the Digital Publishing Industry in 2016
Digital Publishing Brings Censorship Woes to Iran
To industry insiders and readers alike, there are a few mainstay events that serve as household names. Events like BookExpo America, the London Book Fair, and the Frankfurt Book Fair are widely known, but it's easy to overlook the various other international events and book fairs where book publication rights are sold, debut authors exhibited, and other business conducted that … [Read more...] about Digital Publishing Brings Censorship Woes to Iran
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
Trajectory’s New Publishing Agreements Bring eBooks to Chinese Smartphones
A new agreement announced ahead of this year's London Book Fair just made the world of international publishing a little bit smaller. eBook distributor and discoverability platform Trajectory has inked a deal with the third largest smartphone producer in the world, Xiaomi, to bring publisher content to the company's 150 million customers. This agreement will bring Macmillan, … [Read more...] about Trajectory’s New Publishing Agreements Bring eBooks to Chinese Smartphones
What Can Super Bowl Ads Tell Digital Magazine Publishers?
Most American consumers have watched (and even enjoyed) a Super Bowl ad at some point, even if they're not professional football fans. These ads, which run well into the millions of dollars to produce and air, are viewed by an estimated 114 million consumers during the live event, and then are repurposed for network advertising once the big game is over. But an article by … [Read more...] about What Can Super Bowl Ads Tell Digital Magazine Publishers?