Last week there was a source at TUAW that Apple was rejecting all ebook applications. I had some doubts about this as I couldn’t imagine well established apps like Stanza or the individual ebook apps from ScrollMotion getting the boot. Can you imagine the teen uproar over the removal of the Twilight series?
In any event, Apple responded yesterday to the controversy. They are not rejecting all ebook applications. Second, content that is not properly labeled (i.e., 17+) will be rejected.
“The issue that the App Store reviewers did find with the Ninjawords application is that it provided access to other more vulgar terms than those found in traditional and common dictionaries, words that many reasonable people might find upsetting or objectionable….Even though the developer chose to censor some terms, there still remained enough vulgar terms that it required a parental control rating of 17+.”
I’ve raised the issue of ratings a number of times and I believe it is coming for books. I would prefer that the publisher take control of this issue than have it forced on them, but I have my doubts that this will happen.
Andy Kessler gives tips on how to game the AMAZON bestseller list:
“After countless hours watching the timing and delivery of PR for my books-’radio, NPR, cable TV, broadcast TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs, newsletters-’I have picked up on the rhythm of Amazon rankings,” Kessler says. “I’ve done the best after a week or two of decent PR followed by an e-mail newsletter (from a third party with a big, big following) with a link to click. The former sets up a base, and the latter spikes the sales within a few short hours or over the course of the day.”
But it’s not worth it, according to Kessler, other than the ego boost.
This article talks about romance being about sex, sex, sex, and more sex. I assume from the reading of it, that romance readers are the most sex hungry individuals in the country. Consuming more sex than the average porn addict so long as the sexxoring ends with the couple together at the end of the book.
The chairman of Barnes & Noble owned a number of college bookstores in the US and now Barnes & Noble has purchased those from the chairman for $596 million.
Hugo Award winners announced. Nothing new or surprising here.
Hillel Italie writes about the number of publishers who are jumping on the “free ebook” bandwagon because, surprise, suprise, the giveaways have increased sales of other titles. Del Rey has seen Naomi Novik’s titles increase by more than 1,000 percent when it gave away the first book in her series.
William Morris Agency came out against the Google Book Settlement and Authors Guild fired back. AG will be holding a conference call on Thursday at 2 pm EST so that it can convince all you haters that it was right put authors in the position of having to opt out in exchange for the Book Rights Registry. See more at E-Reads.
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Wow, the commenters on that article from the Tampa Bay paper sure are classy.
I’m finally a hater! I’ve waited my whole life for this moment.
~Meljean the Gr8 H8r
Jody W: Considering the dreck they’re commenting on, I’m not surprised. That article was insipid. Dress it up in a white Regency gown and you’de have a TSTL heroine.
With regard to free ebooks, I have become pickier about what I download, but that means I’m more likely to read what I download. If I just wanted to fill my Kindle up with free books I could hit the public domain section of Amazon– which I actually have hit by the way.
Regency fans might enjoy The Wits and Beaux of Society by Philip, 1834-1860 Wharton and Grace, 1797-1862 Wharton in two volumes, both free for Kindle.
As a principal focus of the Tampa article, I have to tell you I’m annoyed with the focus of the article and enraged by the comments on the website. I have actually stopped my subscription to the paper because of the stupid comments AND even worse, the paper has, from time to time, quoted the comments as if they are a gauge of public opinion. It’s utter nonsense.
As jaded as I am about interviews, I was surprised by the focus on sex. But as I was told by another reporter–until the sex was mentioned, the editor wouldn’t okay the article for placement in the paper. I wonder if this wasn’t the case here as well.
But…they spelled my name right. And in the actual paper (as opposed to online) they had a really great grid directing readers who to buy if they liked certain genres…mentioning only the Tampa authors, so that was very nice.
@JulieLeto: I hope you didn’t think I was blaming you for the article (I thought your comments were the only sensible part of it). The tone of the article, though, I think sets the stage for the idiotic comments. I’m glad that the paper profiled local authors. It’s one thing that local media should do.
If anyone doesn’t mind reading children’s books, Neil Gaiman’s The Graveyard Book, which won the Hugo for Best Novel, is engrossing and imaginative and a wonderful mix of fantasy, mystery, and, as always, humor. I think it’s already optioned, so I’m eagerly awaiting the movie.
Wow, that’s a lot of romance authors in Tampa! And a lot of jerks as well.
Oh, no, Jane! I understood. I was a little surprised by the focus–and not surprised. This seems to be the only way to get any coverage in our local paper. The only other time they covered my career was with my first book when they could emblazon “Catholic School Teacher Turned Sex Writer” or something like that across the banner. They only would have been more excited had I been a former nun.
It seems like normally, the only time authors get profiled in our paper is if they are self-published. Can’t fathom why. For genre authors to get such fantastic coverage, on the front page no less, is exciting, no matter the tone of the article. Like I said, the actual article, with all the sidebars was even more impressive.
And yes, we’re very lucky to have so many authors in the area. We’re a hot bed. (ha, ha.)
Perhaps there are so many talented people crafting wonderful stories in that area because you’re clearly surrounded by idiots? Those of you with brains must make the world a better place somehow! However, the commenters aren’t necessarily from the area, they could be idiots from across the world drawn to the article with their special internet idiot homing beacons.
Insipid article. I liked Julie Leto’s comments, but the overall tone of the article just got my hackles up. And the commenters on these types of articles are, as usual, dull and predictable with their odd logic that if you’re reading romance, you aren’t getting any. ~rolls eyes~ Whatever.