Jan 25

Digital Book World Conference 2011 Begins and the eBook Revolution Trundles on Regardless…

The Digital Book World Conference & Expo 2011 opened Monday and runs until January 26th.  The Los Angeles Times has a post on it.

I’ve looked around the DBW site but see no mention of Indie authors. I guess they will have no impact on the Digital Book World. Actually, it isn’t surprising that they’ve been overlooked when you consider all of (traditional) publishing’s BIG SIX publishers have sent small armies to attend.

The event’s Program reads like a who’s who of irrelevant business ideas. Just an example: “Fun Facts Now That We’re an Ebook Retailer & Wholesaler” (soon-to-be irrelevant middlemen), “Author Royalties for Ebooks: What the Agents and Publishers Say Is the State of Play” (irrelevant middlemen) and “A CEO’s View of the Future” (irrelevant overlords…).

It would be a gas to check this thing out, yah? I wonder if they failed to mention Indie Authors because it’s like mentioning ‘meteorites’ to dinosaurs…

Jan 24

Aldiko Book Reader 2.0 turns any Android device into an eBook Reader.

Sys-Con Media posted on Aldiko’s release of the Aldiko Book Reader 2.0. This FREE updated version of the popular Aldiko Book Reader for Android allows users to access eBook catalogs from various booksellers, as well as read and organize titles through a resident interface. Additionally the updated App supports EPUB and PDF eBook formats. Read the post for more.

Jan 23

Saturday eBook News Stories…held over to Sunday…

Suite101 says Kobo is celebrating Kobo eReader’s guest stint in a recent episode of The Office by arranging a Facebook Contest and eReader giveaway.

The Indian Express has a post outlining the University of Kashmir’s progress in upgrading the Jammu and Kashmir libraries by digitizing some 8 million pages from books in various libraries.

Androinica reports on Sony Electronics announcement about the delivery of a Sony eBook Reader App for Android. The App is available for devices using Android 2.2 or higher.

eBookNewser reports on Amazon extending the 70% royalty option from the Kindle Digital Text Platform (now Kindle Direct Publishing) for independent authors and publishers  to include Canadian customers. Up until now the option only applied to US and European customers.

Jan 21

Amazon Sales Ranking Questioned

The Guardian.co.uk has a post on an Amazon.com author who published an eBook instructing readers how to manipulate the Amazon sales ranks. The story goes on to say how he did it, and that Amazon responded by taking his eBook off the list of sales items. Can’t say I blame them. Whether his technique actually impacts the sales rank or not, the eBook giant cannot afford to have people lose faith in the system.

Jan 20

Libraries join the eBook Revolution

Our friend Jorgen stopped by with a link to a post by Mary Rakoczy for the Triblocal (Bolingbroke) featuring the Plainfield Public Library in Illinois. The article details many of the challenges facing bricks and mortar libraries in this eBook reading age.

Lots of information, but well worth a read. I like the idea of renting eBook readers to the curious, or for those who do not own one. Reminds me of the early days of renting video tape players along with your movie.

Jan 19

What’s the Best Price for an eBook?

We’ve been recommending lower prices for eBooks for years now. Here’s a detailed EvilGeniusChronicles post that provides some sensible numbers. I have to say that the market will indeed have its say on the graphs and figures cited, but a price range of $2.99-5.99 is what we’ve been thinking for a full year now.

Despite what the publishers say, eBook profits come from quality AND quantity.

Jan 18

Borders Struggles to Remain Competitive

The second-largest bricks and mortar bookseller in the U.S. is struggling to remain viable and competitive in the digital age. TheDetroitNews.com offers comprehensive coverage of Border’s ironic fight to survive in an era when people are reading more than ever.

We’ve followed its efforts to remain relevant including its attempt to buy rival Barnes and Noble. We hope the best for this big competitor whose continued existence will keep the other book giants from dominating the market.

Jan 17

Books-A-Million Joins the eBook Revolution with BlueFire

Third largest U.S. book retailer Books-A-Million, Inc. has joined forces with Bluefire Productions to offer their growing eBook catalog to a wide range of mobile devices. The Books-A-Million (BAM) Reader is based on the Bluefire Reader App. The Bluefire Reader was the touchstone App for reading eBooks on iPod Touches, iPhones and iPads.

GoodeReader has more on the story.

Jan 16

For New eBook Readers!

New to the eBook Revolution? Here are some web sites with Free eBooks. You’ll find a wide selection of classics, contemporary and non-fiction titles. An excellent weekend browse. Bookmark these pages.

Manybooks.net. This has become my favorite with thousands of free titles in a wide variety of trouble-free formats.

GetFreeeBooks.com. Just what it says.  A huge selection.

Project Gutenberg – Their mission statement: to encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks. Too many titles to count…

G. Wells Taylor has several FREE and/or affordable titles/sequels that are receiving great reviews at GWellsTaylor.com, SkinEaters.com and DraculaoftheApes.com. Multiple formats available.

Smashwords offers a long list of FREE eBook titles in formats to suit your new eBook reader.

Jan 15

eBook Prices Dropping?

Galleycat offers an interesting post on eBook pricing. Apparently, the $5.00 eBook is starting to show up in special offers and on back-listed titles.

We’ve been waiting for prices to drop since the eBook Revolution began. A $5.00 price tag will move a lot of E Ink.