Early on at Quill Driver Books we discovered that an author who could take credit cards would sell three times as many books as one who was stuck accepting checks and cash only. Today, with everyone using debit cards, it’s even worse. So, when one of our authors was speaking at a large event or Read more…
I was going to take a shot at predicting what we would see by the end of the approaching decade but, with the speed things are changing and evolving, I decided it would be safer to limit myself to just one year. My 2010 predictions are: 1. The interest in mobile readers (iPhone, Kindle, Nook, Read more…
In a three-hour trial two days ago, Chinese professor, literary critic, writer, and political activist Liu Xiaobo was convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” by a Beijing court. Today, Christmas Day, the court sentenced him to 11 years in prison. Liu had coauthored a declaration which called for an end to one party rule Read more…
The Book Industry Study Group has published Digital Book Printing for Dummies with the help of Wiley and the sponsorship of CreateSpace, Hewlett-Packard, the Independent Book Publishers Association and Lightning Source. Featuring case studies, the book aims to “de-mystify the short-run, ultra short run and on-demand printing process for publishers.” The book draws on the Read more…
A book’s cover isn’t the final factor in whether a book sells well or not, but it does, certainly, play a roll. For one thing, the cover immediately sets the tone, helping the potential reader understand what the book offers. Often one book sells well and publishers copy its design for a similar book. Have Read more…
Hot Mercy Martha! I can barely keep up with the snow-balling e-reader selections. Here’s a video introducing the SI Tablet, a collaboration between The Wonderfactory and Time, Inc. Compare this to the one-color Kindle and its limited features and cancel any orders you have in for one. Just a Write Thought.
Stock pick expert Yair Reiner, who follows the Apple company stock for Oppenheimer, predicts that Apple will start shipping a 10.1-inch touch screen computer in March or April. The computer or “tablet” will rival the iPhone or iPod Touch and, some say, may set the standard for e-readers. Apple might offer a better deal to book Read more…
The Mystery Writers of America has removed Harlequin and its imprints from its approved publisher’s list. This means authors may not use Harlequin-published titles as a basis for active membership in MWA nor will any of Harlequin’s titles be considered for the coveted Edgar Award. The MWA website states “We did not take this action Read more…
As you likely know, it’s often tough to get a book published by a conventional publisher. Here you’ve got a great idea and you can’t even get agents or publishers to take a hard look. Then you get your Book-of-the-Month Club catalog as I did this month, and they are offering a book titled “Entertaining Read more…
Borders U.K. has filed for “administration,” something comparable to the U.S. bankruptcy. In a good article the U.K.’s Guardian did a fine job of listing the many things that worked against the 45-store British chain, including: • Competition from retailers such as supermarkets which carry only the bestsellers but discount those. This effect has been greater because Read more…