CNN digital biz takes a look at the growing ebook phenomenon and cites the advantages such as instant gratification and disadvantages such as the inability to easily rip a book into a readable e-format. Most of the article is nothing that we haven’t heard before.
The part of the story that I found [...]

I received a note in my inbox that a new ebook publisher, Twilight Fantasies Publications, have officially closed their doors. The house opened in May and closed this month. Editors, authors, cover artists are unpaid. When asked about payment issues and reversion [...]

According to Publishers Weekly, Hachette Book Group USA (which includes Grand Central Publishing, the house of Elizabeth Hoyt and Karen Rose) will adopt the International Digital Publishing Forum’s new file format standard for ebooks. The format standard allows a publisher to create just one digital book file instead of the 6-10 previously required. [...]

I think that when you say the word “ebook” that the assumption is the major consumer is a male, probably one who is a tech aficionado. The reality, though, is that the most successful epublishing company is one that caters to women. The majority of bestselling ebooks are romances. And yesterday, Harlequin [...]

Penguin has recently been releasing more ebook versions of its products. Penguin has lagged behind the digital market compared to the other NY publishers such as Harper Collins, Random House, Simon & Schuster and Harlequin. In April, it announced that Genevieve Shore would be the global digital director for Penguin worldwide. Penguin’s [...]

If you have been paying attention this last week, you will have read some eye brow raising posts from and about epublishers, unfortunately, few of it good. The fact is that because of the low entries to barriers in the e publishing industry (i.e., lack of funding), many epublishing companies are started by individuals [...]

On the heels of the Triskelion Bankrupty and the Silk’s Vault troubles, Mardi Gras Publishing will apparently be filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy at the end of this week or the start of next. (registration required). The rights will be returned to the authors but as we discussed previously, the bankruptcy court has the [...]

I’ve traveled a bit in my time and I never go anywhere without a travel book, but sometimes I end up buying more than one because each travel book has its own strengths, and, of course, its own weaknesses. Lonely Planet, one of the better guidebooks on the market, is using digital technology to [...]

Yesterday, I pulled up a review of an older book because I wanted to talk about one of my favorite anthology contributions written by Author Nicole Camden. One of the commenters, Charlene Teglia, asked what other works Camden had penned. Unfortunately, as Rosario, another commenter pointed out, Camden’s anthology contribution was her only [...]

I’ve purchased most of my books at Fictionwise. I’ve long thought that its Buywise club was a smart purchasing decision. After all, I buy alot of ebooks and it just seemed to make sense. I sat down with my laptop, an Excel spreadsheet, and Ned and learned that I really haven’t been [...]

Publisher’s Weekly reported that Harlequin saw a total revenue increase of 1.2% for the second quarter of 2007. Of interesting note, online retail sales have grown by double digits and ebook sales has also increased. Harlequin launched its Spice Briefs line which are Harlequin’s ebook publishing efforts. Spice Briefs will cost $2.99 [...]

Adobe released its Adobe Digital Editions 1.0 that had previously been released in beta form. I’ve tried out the beta form and with properly formatted pdfs, the books looked great. With older books, however, it struggles with the same issues of reflow and readability. Still, if the IDPF can convince every publisher [...]

Last week there was a big announcement from Samhain that it would be partnering with Kensington to bring a new Samhain imprint to the Kensington line. Ellora’s Cave also provided information about its increased output with Simon & Schuster for the year 2008, including a roll out of single titles to accompany the already [...]

Jaid Black, owner of Ellora’s Cave, mentioned in her previous interview that she thought the NY move into e-publishing would have difficulties because authors want to see themselves in print. In the Triskelion drama of the past week, one thing was clear and that was Triskelion appeared to over extend itself in attempting to [...]

Triskelion has published some very entertaining reads, my favorites probably being Shelly Laurentson’s Pack series which is now available at Samhain. We’ve been critical of its editing but not necessarily of the books. Triskelion has, however, hit some rocky ground. The news is flying today that Triskelion has been disinvited to RWA and [...]

Two recent events mark increased interest in digital books. The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) held a conference yesterday and the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) held a seminar on Wednesday. Both focused on the need for a uniform standard in the industry for digital content. [...]

Someone once asked (I think it was Laura Florand) whether I ever feel like quitting blogging and I do. Particularly on Saturday nights when I am supposed to be blogging about ebooks and ebook technology. I feel like there isn’t anything new to say. DRM is bad. New York needs to [...]

Publisher’s Weekly reported that The Penguin Group, publisher of books by Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, JR Ward, Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook, has finally created a digital director position and named someone to (wo)man it. Genevieve Shore is now the global digital director for Penguin worldwide. She reports [...]

When Steve Jobs announced the IPhone earlier this year, I was mesmerized. It looked cool and revolutionary even if it really wasn’t. I’m not alone in my IPhone lust. Piper Jaffray released a survey that showed 84% of teens are aware of the Apple Iphone and [...]

The e-backlist has been a long time in coming. Readers, particularly romance readers, are big glommers and they often are searching for the one book their reading buddy says is a must find. Unfortunately, these books are often difficult to find and very expensive. Publishers are being more responsive by making backlist titles [...]

While perusing the deals today, I came across a sale by agent Bob Diforio to Harper Collins for three erotic novellas penned by Delilah Devlin. The wording of the deal was so different that I wondered if it meant what I thought it meant.
Delilah Devlin's three erotic novellas, again to May Chen at Harper, [...]

After I moaned and wailed about not finding Annie Solomon’s books in e-format, I contacted the publisher as to what Warner was doing about getting its books into e-format. Here’s the answer I received from the man in charge, Mr. Neil De Young, Director of Digital Media.

Generally speaking, we try to get as [...]

Harlequin has invested quite a bit of money in its e-ventures and with its declining profits reported last month, perhaps its digital ventures can help right the ship. A reader can now get instant gratification for the April books that Harlequin is offering in e format. This definitely one-ups Simon & Schuster’s one [...]

Ann Allessi, Publisher, HarperMedia, of HarperCollins agreed to answer some questions about HarperCollins eBook initiatives. Out of all the major publishers, I think HarperCollins is really making an effort to give romance readers digital content. Every month, virtually every Avon romance is released in ebook format at the same time the paper copy [...]

Despite my initial misgivings, I did go ahead and purchase a Sony Reader. I love the idea of the Sony Reader with its clear screen, sleek design and perfect size. I was disenchanted with its software program, both the Connect and the Reader’s own software. The lack of a good reader is [...]

Claire Israel is the Director of Digital Content and Business Development of Simon & Schuster. S&S sells all of its ebooks 40% off the list price. She graciously answered some questions about S&S’s digital publishing business.
What is Simon & Schuster's mission for digital publishing?
Our mission is to turn every suitable book into a [...]

On August 24, 2006, Avon began a round robin sort of fan lit contest in which writers would submit chapters which were voted on by readers. Two winners were chosen, one at random and one which was an “editorial” selection. Sara Dennis (I think she’s commented here before) was the editorial winner and [...]

One issue that constantly crops up in the ebook discussion is pricing. Common sense tells us that ebooks cost less to make and distribute than paper books. According to an indepent epublisher, Sony charges $200 to have a book converted from a PDF to a digital BBeB (Sony’s proprietary content). In order [...]

Dear Ebook Publishers,
Do you people not want readers to purchase books from you? It certainly seems like it. I decided to buy 6 books, 2 from Samhain, 2 from Triskelion, 1 from Cerridwen and 1 from Liquid Silver. By the way Liquid Silver people, this is what is listed on your dl page

Liquid Siver [...]