At this week's American Magazine Media Conference in New York, top CEOs and publishing experts from the magazine publishing sector examined the shifting role of their products and their viability in the digital age. While magazine publishing is still firmly rooted in the creation of a physical print product, digital magazine consumption has increased enough in the last few … [Read more...] about Magazine Media in the Digital Publishing Era
subscription reading
Germany’s Bertelsmann to Close Bookselling Division
In what is possibly the slowest death in the publishing industry, German publisher and retailer Bertelsmann announced this week that it would be leaving the bookselling business to focus on content, which it produces not only as a book publisher but also in other forms of media. The company, which hit its heyday in the years immediately after the end of World War II and leading … [Read more...] about Germany’s Bertelsmann to Close Bookselling Division
DBW Buzzwords, Interview with Tim O’Reilly
Another great DBW digital publishing conference is behind us, and once again the future looks good for books. Digital books, print books, subscribed books, enhanced books...the industry, the authors, and the consumers are on fire for them, regardless of the format they choose to work in. The buzzwords this year were direct-to-consumer book sales, ebook subscriptions, and … [Read more...] about DBW Buzzwords, Interview with Tim O’Reilly
Oyster eBook Subscription Gets Titles from Perseus
When subscription reading was first introduced several years ago, companies like Spain-based 24Symbols introduced some of the first of a variety of different models. Some companies experimented with Netflix-style unlimited reading for a flat fee, others tried charging per page view, while still others tried freemium models. While any number of pricing and reading options may … [Read more...] about Oyster eBook Subscription Gets Titles from Perseus
Ad-Based Reading Service Readfy Launches in Beta
One the most elusive models in digital publishing has to be subscription-based ebooks, with companies around the world all seeking to be the Netflix or Spotify of reading. Everything from pay-as-you-read page view models to open, unlimited consumption have been tried, but nothing seems to have taken hold, at least not in a way like...well...Netflix or Spotify. But … [Read more...] about Ad-Based Reading Service Readfy Launches in Beta
Write or Read Opens Subscription Reading Service with Real Data for Authors
Write or Read, an organization for both authors and readers alike, is addressing too key issues in the ebook and self-publishing markets that have so far been fairly hard to grasp. The first is an attempt at a viable subscription reading service, something that has been attempted by many, many others, with little success; the other is a platform that provides authors with … [Read more...] about Write or Read Opens Subscription Reading Service with Real Data for Authors
Smashwords Announces New Publishing Milestone and New Subscription-Based Distribution Agreement
Digital self-publishing platform Smashwords made two impressive announcements today, and in some ways, they go hand-in-hand. The first announcement focuses on celebrating the 250,000th title being uploaded by an indie author, and the second, seemingly larger announcement is that Smashwords' catalog is now available for subscription-based borrowing through Oyster. "I’ve been … [Read more...] about Smashwords Announces New Publishing Milestone and New Subscription-Based Distribution Agreement
eReatah: eBook Subscription Service That Might Actually Work
A number of companies have experimented with the subscription model for digital reading, but there have been some factors that have stood in the way of launching a viable and productive reality surrounding pay-as-you-go reading. Publishers have expressed serious and very real concerns about ensuring their authors are fairly compensated for content read under subscription, and … [Read more...] about eReatah: eBook Subscription Service That Might Actually Work
24Symbols Subscription-Based eBook Reading Gets a Boost from Zed
Some of the frustration surrounding ebook lending and digital borrowing may be getting a little help, as Spanish company 24symbols announced today that it has partnered with mobile device company Zed for global distribution. Described as the Netflix of books, 24symbols allows users to read content from a wide variety of publishers on internet-based computers and devices, … [Read more...] about 24Symbols Subscription-Based eBook Reading Gets a Boost from Zed
Athina Offers Subscription Ebook Reading in the US
One model of e-reading that is gaining worldwide popularity is subscription-based user accounts. These accounts typically allow unlimited access to page views of digital books for a flat fee. Spanish company 24symbols launched its full program on June 30th, and now Athina.com is bringing a similar model to the U.S. Founded by Georgia Tech graduates Matt Cauble, Rob … [Read more...] about Athina Offers Subscription Ebook Reading in the US