Ebooks

Apple Holds the Key to Fixing E-Reader Problem

The fact that you can’t show off what you’re reading is a big problem with ereaders. People keep bringing it up.

A few people are probably relieved because they can now comfortably pull out their Harlequin romances on ereaders without fear of judgment. But what about all those people who want you to know what they’re reading, who read a book just to be seen reading it? And what about all those love connections we’ve lost, you know the ones, when sparks fly as you ask how she is liking that book?

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Vending Machine Dreams

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Something tells me that humans are sentimental beings or perhaps it is that when there is a disruption we like to hang onto something we think is undisruptable. The problem is we don’t really know what is solid enough to hold onto. Is a vending machine solid enough? The reason I am thinking this right now is thanks to an article I saw on a 100 year old butcher shop adding a vending machine so that they can serve their customers 24/7.

I began to think about the number of times I’ve passed my local bookstore in the morning on the way to the train. I stare in the window and think “I would buy that right now,” but I can’t because the store is closed.

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Anthologize: Making Web-First Workflow Even Easier for Publishers

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Anthologize grew out of One Week | One Tool—yes, one week—a project of the Center for History and New Media, George Mason University.

So, what’s all the fuss about? This is the extra step that’s been needed to make it extremely easy for any publisher to implement web-first workflow : all you need is WordPress and a plugin.

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The Fight Over Formats: All or Nothing

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Random House and the Jackal are going at it and I can’t blame them. They are fighting over some very valuable territory. We’ve all read lots about trying to claim backlist ebook rights, about the conflict of interest in becoming an agent-publisher, about single-channel exclusives being a bad idea, blah, blah, blah. This turf war has raised a bigger problem:

Does it make sense to separate ebook rights from print rights?

It doesn’t—at least not if you’re the one who only has print. Here’s why.

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Ontario Publishers Collaborate for E-Book Promotion

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No surprise here: publishers of all shapes and sizes are making e-books. Still, making e-books is one thing; selling them is another. While direct e-book sales may seem like a dream come true for any publisher with their eye on the margins (no discounts, distribution, or inventory), the reality is that partnerships are MUCH more beneficial than going it alone, especially on the expansive interweb. Exposure and discoverability is key. By partnering up, companies can pool their resources for the greater good of the collective, get noticed, and hopefully see some returns on their technology investments.

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Midlist Authors Might Actually Be More Visible Online: A Rebuttal to HuffPo

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A few weeks ago The Huffington Post posted an article by James McGrath Morris called “Will eBooks Make Midlist Authors Extinct?”, a suggestion so dramatic (a.k.a Internet-friendly) that it led to much linking and re-blogging within the publishing community.

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With Digital Publishing, Bad Data = Lost Sales

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Kobo gives us some examples of how data issues can impact your book sales in the digital market.Sending good quality metadata in the first place will help you get your books to your readers on time. And that’s what we all want, right?

I asked Michael to list the most common metadata issues they see at Kobo. Here is his list (in order).

 

 

BookNet Canada is a non-profit organization that develops technology, standards, and education to serve the Canadian book industry. Founded in 2002 to address systemic challenges in the industry, BookNet Canada supports publishing companies, booksellers, wholesalers, distributors, sales agents, industry associations, literary agents, media, and libraries across the country.

 

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