"Netflix and chill" just took on a new--and clean--meaning thanks to a book deal for its CEO Reed Hastings. Anticipated to be the biggest business book of the year, this deal is sure to put Hastings in a very "chillaxed" state of mind. In the US, Penguin picked up Hasting's unnamed title for a reported seven-figure advance, and UK's Ebury imprint got it for another … [Read more...] about Seven-Figure Advance for Biz Book by Netflix CEO
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Is Digital Reading Changing Our Brains?
If you launch a debate between a die-hard ebook fan and a staunch print bibliophile, grab your popcorn and be prepared for a hearty argument. Like almost any other issue, the more ardent the viewpoint, the more logical reasons both sides can find to support their cause. Digital readers often cite the portability, anywhere-access, and instant availability of downloadable titles, … [Read more...] about Is Digital Reading Changing Our Brains?
Keanu Reeves Launches Book Imprint but It’s Not Erotic Lit
Is anyone else still recovering from the tidal wave of actors-turned-singers that ruined a little bit of the '80s for us? Big names like Don Johnson, Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy, and Patrick Swayze made us all cringe a little by releasing albums, which is somehow not the same thing as a singer like Harry Connick, Jr. or Madonna turning to acting. In reality, entertainers have … [Read more...] about Keanu Reeves Launches Book Imprint but It’s Not Erotic Lit
India lowers the tax on ebooks
India has just lowered the tax on ebooks from 18% to 5%, but it has a few caveats. In order to qualify for the discount the ebook also has to have a print edition, which means the vast majority of self-published titles will not see a reduced tax rate. It is currently unknown if selling one single print edition and driving more ebook sales will quality for the 5% tax. … [Read more...] about India lowers the tax on ebooks
Walmart will start selling Kobo e-readers and e-books on August 21st
Walmart signed an agreement with Rakuten Kobo earlier this year to sell e-readers and ebooks online and carry a number of electronic readers in their retail locations in the United States. Walmart has just developed an ebook retail page and an e-reader page on their online website, but everything is placeholder right now. There is no word yet on the co-branded e-reader app for … [Read more...] about Walmart will start selling Kobo e-readers and e-books on August 21st
People are losing their faith in e-books
Bokon.se is one of the most popular digital bookstores in Sweden and they have thousands of titles. The vast majority of the Swedish content is powered by Pubfront. Their English catalog is from Ingram and Bokon.se announced that they are no longer doing business with Ingram, and users were provided with one days notice. Starting tomorrow users will lose access to their entire … [Read more...] about People are losing their faith in e-books
Amazon Announces the Best Books of 2018
Amazon has just announced the best books for the first half of 2018. The Amazon editors normally do this twice a year and it gives readers a chance to discover new authors or to be made aware of new titles from their favorites. All of these books are available in print and digital. Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover: Tara Westover didn't see the inside of a classroom until … [Read more...] about Amazon Announces the Best Books of 2018
What’s All This Stuff about Book Stuffing?
There's been no shortage of controversy in publishing lately, much of it happening when authors have engaged in unsavory behavior that alienates them from both readers and fellow authors. The #cockygate scandal, as of yet unresolved, is a prime example of an author taking career-ending steps that were completely unnecessary from a book visibility and income potential … [Read more...] about What’s All This Stuff about Book Stuffing?
There is a psychological divide over ebook ownership
People's sense of psychological ownership is affected by three primary factors: whether they feel as if they have control over the object they own, whether they use the object to define who they are, and whether the object helps give them a sense of belonging in society. There no true ownership when it comes to ebooks, you merely lease them from an online retailer such as … [Read more...] about There is a psychological divide over ebook ownership
Research Shows What Books Do to Kids’ Brains
The publishing industry has changed a lot for kids since the early days of Beatrix Potter's beloved animals and the Dick, Jane, and Spot books that plagued every primary school in the US. We've transitioned from calm books about very well behaved children to superheros who fly around in their underwear and protagonists who save the day with rancid flatulence. It might be … [Read more...] about Research Shows What Books Do to Kids’ Brains
Another Romance Author In #CockyGate-Level Move
Ah, who can forget only a couple of weeks ago when a romance author destroyed any hope of having a career and a dedicated following by being a jerk to other authors? Dubbed #cockygate, author Faleena Hopkins filed a dubious trademark-slash-wordmark on the word "cocky" as it pertains to her Cocky Brothers book series. She then moved forward with threatening other authors who had … [Read more...] about Another Romance Author In #CockyGate-Level Move