Amazon has come under fire in public perception for the little tricks and scams that unscrupulous "authors" use. It might be manipulating the rankings through free downloads, paying armies of reviewers or hiring out to a company that can produce hundreds of reviews, and even the outright theft of content and publishing ridiculous ebooks to make a quick few cents. But ZDNet has … [Read more...] about eBook Catfishing Scam Netted Over One Million Dollars
ebooks
BiblioBoard, Self-e Stage First Annual Indie Author Day
There is little doubt that libraries are a vital part of the fabric of society, even though their importance is in no way limited to books. Surveys over the years have shown a very interesting public viewpoint: even among consumers who respond that they rarely or never visit their local libraries, those same individuals still list access to public libraries as a critical need … [Read more...] about BiblioBoard, Self-e Stage First Annual Indie Author Day
Obamas Slated to become Most Lucrative Presidential Authors in History
In the delightful children's book, Duck for President, an endearing little simple farm duck decides to change the world. He works his way up to President of the United States, and at the end of the book, he retires to the farm to write his memoirs, of course. It's a very Presidential thing to do, along with going on paid speaking tours. Many citizens may not even realize how … [Read more...] about Obamas Slated to become Most Lucrative Presidential Authors in History
New Harry Potter eBooks Not So New?
First, JK Rowling turned children's books on their head. Then she managed to turn digital publishing and self-publishing on its head. Then she turned the work of being a crossover author on its head. She even managed to turn the concept of being rich on its head. So why are readers so outraged over the very old concept of blog-to-book now that Rowling has tried her hand at … [Read more...] about New Harry Potter eBooks Not So New?
The majority of Americans read print and not digital
The vast majority of Americans continue to be enamored with print and have resisted the sirens call of e-books. Pew Research has just reported that 65% of US residents have read a print book in the last year, more than double the amount of people who have read an e-book (28%) or listened to an audiobook (14%). The Pew Survey has also stated that 73% of Americans have read a … [Read more...] about The majority of Americans read print and not digital
Kindle Reading Fund Launches to Provide eBooks
Amazon has a long but quiet history of giving back. It has launched initiatives to employ disabled veterans and their spouses, created the Amazon Smile website that supports consumers' favorite charities, and more. But now, the company that started with books is getting back to its roots with the launch of the Kindle Reading Fund, a branch of the organization that will provide … [Read more...] about Kindle Reading Fund Launches to Provide eBooks
Amazon Announces Top Books for Fall
The publishing world goes through cycles in its yearly calendar. Many literary agents tend to close to submissions in December, and the weeks after BookExpo America are a nice summery deadtime when it comes to releasing new titles. That's why fall is such an exciting time for books, and Amazon has announced some of the most eagerly anticipated upcoming titles from names like … [Read more...] about Amazon Announces Top Books for Fall
Wattpad Futures Lets Authors Earn Income through Ads
It's tough being an indie author. The industry still offers little respect and the retailers still offer little revenue. Even worse, the "get rich quick scheme" mentality of far too many would-be overnight success seekers has resulted in a marketplace saturated with lousy content, making it difficult for dedicated, talented, professional authors to get their books in front of … [Read more...] about Wattpad Futures Lets Authors Earn Income through Ads
New Harry Potter eBooks Coming from JK Rowling
There are a few major names in self-publishing success--names like Hugh Howey, Bella Andre, HM Ward, and a laundry list of others--and they're synonymous with doing it right. These authors have managed to build entire business empires out of writing and publishing their own works, and doing so while laughing in the face of criticism from an industry still built on … [Read more...] about New Harry Potter eBooks Coming from JK Rowling
Kobo Launches Book-Centric Social Responsibility Programs
There are a number of great organizations working hard to fight illiteracy, a plague that still affects nearly one out of every five people on the planet, and two-thirds of all women. But there's a disturbing social issue that in some ways is even more heartbreaking: individuals who have the ability to read but still lack the access to a book. Kobo has decided to fight that … [Read more...] about Kobo Launches Book-Centric Social Responsibility Programs
Kindle in Motion Feature Is Cool, But Do Readers Like It?
Amazon has a quirky option for ebooks called Kindle in Motion, and the news has been strangely uneventful. This feature, incorporated into certain titles, places moving graphics in various locations throughout the text. They can be limited to the cover, as in the clouds floating behind the spooky house in Edgar Allan Poe's "Darkness There," or they can be scattered in the text … [Read more...] about Kindle in Motion Feature Is Cool, But Do Readers Like It?