Dec 14

Smashwords Indie eBook Author Makes Sales Records

Here’s an interesting post and interview over at Stuart Aken’s blog, about the recent success of an indie author. We mentioned Smashwords before, the eBook publishing platform for independent authors and small publishers that was way ahead of its time.

Well, here we’ve got Smashword’s founder Mark Coker interviewing indie (& Smashwords) author, Brian S. Pratt whose eBook titles are predicted to net him $100,000 in sales in 2011.

This story highlights the best part of the democratizing of publishing via the eBook Revolution. Authors are allowed to live or die by a readership they’re able to court personally.

Dec 13

eBooks for Christmas? Might require some research…

With new technology comes new challenges.

Okay, so you always give books for Christmas, but all of your friends who read have already purchased eBook Readers, or they’re expecting a Kindle or Nook under the tree. This story at MarketWire will get you started in the right direction.

It’s going to be seem more complicated than buying a paperback, but remember this is the first mainstream Christmas for the eBook Revolution. There will be some growing pains.

Dec 12

iPad 2 Coming Soon?

CNNMoney has posted leaked details on Apple’s iPad 2. Pictures suggest the updated iPad will have the two cameras, front and rear that were conspicuously absent in its first incarnation.

I wonder if iPad2 will play Flash media?

Dec 11

eBook Weekend Grab Bag

GoodeReader.com has a how-to post and video on adding eBooks to the Kobo Wireless eReader.

PCMag.com offers more here on Google eBooks and experiences in a Cloud.

Pocket-lint.com has a review and pictures of Asus’ Eee Note EA800, a new competitor in the tablet market.

PublishingPerspectives.com says US children’s publishers are embracing eBook Readers. Read the story here.

Dec 10

eBook Trend Survey at Publishers Weekly

Publishers Weekly offers a new survey on eBook trends here. These surveys are going to become more meaningful, the longer the eBook Revolution has been rolling. It is so explosive right now that it’s hard to bank on any particular trend in eBook title or format, let alone the ever-changing landscape of eBook reading technology.

Dec 09

All Aboard… well, except Amazon Kindle.

This is when playing well with others pays off. A story at Reviews of Electronics highlights the perils of proprietary formats. Google Editions titles are now available on pretty much every eBook Reader on the market other than Amazon’s Kindle.

While it hardly leaves Amazon out in the cold, since Kindle eBooks are available through Apps on most of the eBook Readers mentioned, it does mean that Amazon Kindle users won’t be able to take advantage of Google Edition’s mammoth library that contains hundreds of thousands of eBook titles for purchase and millions for free.

As the article suggests, it’s just a matter of time before Amazon works a deal with Google Editions.

Dec 08

Borders Bids for Barnes and Noble

Now this is an interesting post at GottaBeMobile.com where we’re told that American book giant Borders has filed notice with the Securities and Exchange Commission stating its intent to buy American book giant Barnes and Noble.

This is seen as Borders’ attempt to acquire Barnes and Noble’s good eBook Mojo. B&N has made enormous strides since late 2009 catching up to Amazon.com by adding an eBook store then releasing their E Ink Nook and more recently their NookColor full color eBook Reader.

This union would create mammoth competition for Amazon and build a powerful foundation in the bricks and mortar arena with B&N’s many retail outlets’ in-store deals and off the shelf convenience.

Full details of the rumored deal at the link. If you can’t beat them, buy them.

Dec 07

Early Google Editions Review at CNN

Google has already said that its new eBook store Google Editions would take some time to roll out, but it doesn’t hurt to get an early peek at it. CNN has a story on it here. Up to now, the biggest complaints from eBook adopters have been about DRM and proprietary formats used by Amazon’s Kindle and other industry leaders, but I’m not sure that Google Editions’ ‘cloud-based’ reading is the answer. People want to own their eBooks, and being able to access them everywhere, on any reader as the cloud allows is not true ownership.

Again, the consumer will have the final say.

Interesting note: Here’s a link to a list of eBook Readers that will ‘read’ Google Editions eBooks.

Dec 06

View Quest Bookbox eBook Reviewed

The View Quest Bookbox eBook is reviewed at ComputerActive. Looks like the budget color eBook reader gets a passing grade as an economy video player but its low-resolution screen comes up short for eBook reading. Who knows, it might still be a nice option for anyone who’s curious about digital publishing or tablets.

Dec 05

Was Reading Always a Social Experience?

Thanks Jorgen for this link to a Booksquare feature that questions whether digital publishing is really changing the way we read. A thought-provoking piece for a Sunday afternoon.