News

Current news stories from the independent book industry

Publish America Rebrands as America Star

FireShot Screen Capture #534 - 'About Us I America Star Books' - www_americastarbooks_com_about_htmlVia Writer Beware comes this news: embattled vanity press Publish America is trying to make people forget its past by changing their name to America Star. It is perhaps in reaction to stories like this:

Plaintiffs allege breach of contract, unjust enrichment, fraud, violations of the California Business and Professions Code (for untrue advertising), violations of the California Unfair Competition Law (for unlawful business acts and practices, unfair business acts and practices, and fraudulent business acts and practices), and deceptive acts and practices under New York General Business Law.

The allegations of fraud, unjust enrichment, and breach of contract

[…]
2014-01-29T12:02:02+02:00January 29th, 2014|Categories: News|

The Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop On The Idyllic Greek Isle Of Ithaca

Homeric Writers

The Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop invites participants to their very own private odyssey on the island of Ithaca—a retreat focused on riveting one’s writing through an immersive and intimate Homeric journey. This much-anticipated event will take place August 1-7, 2014.

Ithaca remains unspoiled by the modern world. Even in the height of summer you can find a secluded beach or a rustic corner to contemplate your thoughts. On Ithaca you’ll discover the island’s rich culture and the reason why it holds such a special place in the hearts of those who have visited its shores – truly a writer’s […]

2014-01-27T12:48:11+02:00January 27th, 2014|Categories: News|

Poll: Writers Prefer Traditional to Self-Publishing

AuthorPrefPubNextBook AuthorPrefPubNextBookFrankly, the results of this unscientific poll are unsurprising. In a 2014 Author Survey, these were the results:

Despite the rise of self-publishing and the enthusiasm with which self-published authors celebrate its ascendance, overall, the authors surveyed are more interested in traditionally publishing their next book. The greatest preference for traditionally publishing was reported by traditionally published authors (87.2%) followed by not-yet-published authors (76.8%). Among authors who have self-published, more than half hoped to publish with traditional publishers—53.5% of self-published authors and 57.8% of hybrid authors.

Profits aside, when people are given the choice between:

1. Someone else paying […]

2014-01-13T12:43:39+02:00January 13th, 2014|Categories: News|

Smashwords Unveils Redesign

After looking nearly like a 90’s site for many years, Smashwords has unveiled a redesign throughout the entire site. Though some on the SW blog are complaining that it’s merely cosmetic, these cosmetic features strike me as a major leap forward. Rather than looking like a site where writers upload books to never be seen again, the site looks like a place where readers might actually buy books. This alone in the upper right corner is a major improvement:

smashwords redesign

Reviews are also more prominent on book pages, giving it a more Amazonian feel.

Other improvements:

Among the highlights of the

[…]
2014-01-08T13:02:17+02:00December 17th, 2013|Categories: News|

A Self-Publishing Movie Deal

An interesting case of a traditionally best-selling writer going the self-publishing route AND getting a movie deal at the same time. Via Entertainment Weekly: Allison Winn Scotch to self-publish fifth novel with Jennifer Garner’s production company attached to film

Time of My Life author Allison Winn Scotch’s first venture into self-publishing comes with her fifth novel The Theory of Opposites, cover art above. “The book industry is constantly changing, and at this time in my professional life, I’m committed to taking greater risks,” Scotch said in a statement. “I won’t deny that it’s overwhelming to venture out on

[…]
2013-11-09T14:20:42+02:00November 9th, 2013|Categories: News|

Ten Ways Self-Publishing Has Changed The Books World

As the DIY approach gains more and more writers and readers, traditional publishers must reinvent themselves, writes Alison Baverstock at The Guardian.

After a boom year in self-publishing the headlines are getting a little predictable. Most feature a doughty author who quickly builds demand for her work and is rewarded with a large contract from the traditional industry. But in our rush to admire, there’s a risk we overlook the wider cultural significance of what is going on. As publishers from all over the world prepare for next week’s London book fair, here are 10 changes that they ignore

[…]
2013-04-08T10:04:51+02:00April 8th, 2013|Categories: News|

Smashwords Courts Libraries

Mark Coker, founder and CEO of Smashwords, is courting libraries. In a March 23 post on the Smashwords blog, Coker describes his campaign to convince libraries to offer self-publishing programs to their patrons, with, of course, the help of Smashwords. According to the blog post:

Libraries are uniquely qualified to orchestrate community resources and talent to help local writers become professional self-publishers. By holding seminars and classes, and by bringing local authors together face to face with readers and aspiring authors, libraries can help unleash the talent locked inside the minds and fingertips of their local community’s writers.  They

[…]
2013-03-31T15:29:27+02:00March 31st, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: |

Amazon Buys Goodreads

 

 

This puts Amazon in an even stronger position to control which books get read and which ones languish. We’ll have to wait and see if Amazon starts deleting bookstore links, thus reducing options for both readers and authors. In any case, the 500 pound gorilla that is Amazon just got considerably bigger.

 Amazon.com announced on Thursday that it would acquire Goodreads, a social networking site for readers and book recommendations. With 16 million members and 23 million book reviews on the site, Goodreads is hub for avid readers and one of the leading sites where publishers promote

[…]
2013-03-28T15:05:47+02:00March 28th, 2013|Categories: News|Tags: , |
Go to Top