Google+ local service will help Indie Booksellers

This is a good example of the Internet benefiting the economies of local communities

More on the news here -

http://mashable.com/2012/05/30/google-plus-local/

I could see independent booksellers taking advantage of this tool. It could help even the most tucked away bookshop attract customers.

Well done to Google!

Nook Simple Glowlight ereader deserves success

If only the Nook ereaders were available in the UK!

http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-nook-simple-touch-glowlight-review-20120530,0,1294343.story

A good review of the Nook Simple Touch Glowlight ereader. A versatile method of reading that deserves to be successful.

Although I hanker after a good paper-based book I can definitely see the advantages of this technology. So come on guys (and girls) please start shipping them over this side of the pond...

Now is the time to 'get into Publishing'

There is a lot of gloom and doom in the world of book publishing. Paperbacks are probably on the way out, Some of the major publishing houses will probably close. Booksellers are feeling the pressure.

Amazon dominates the book selling world and is moving into publishing itself. I am not a big fan of this organisation but it provides opportunities as well as threats. I am also aware that alternative channels (such as www.hive.co.uk) using rival technologies allow Independents to 'catch breath.'

Ebooks are the reason this is all happening. KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) allows authors who would not necessarily be able to publish a way to reach a potential market. There have been a number of well documented successes for self published writers.

But I think there are other possibilities for writer, booksellers and other industry stakeholders.

Booksellers should combine (like hive.co.uk) and do deals on mass with the Internet technology providers. (how about having independent booksellers selling on an optimised Mobile App or ereader such as Nook). Writers should group together to support one another and help promote their work. Writing collectives are a good idea. Share the costs share the profit.

Self publishing does not have to be solitary. A new generation of publishing houses could rise up based on real communities of writers (physical and Internet based) This is the future. It is not a bad one.

Windows 8 features

Windows 8 details can be found here

http://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/tablets/windows-8-tablets-release-date-specs-and-prices-916134

I hope that Microsoft makes a success of this platform. I would like my ebooks to be read on Windows 8 as much as any other channel. With Redmond's alliance with Barnes and Noble the fate of Windows 8 is very much a concern of mine.

And I am a bit of a geek so I would love have a few more toys to play with...

Google's new approach is going to suceed

An absolutely excellent summary of the state of play between Google and its major competitors.

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/341833/20120516/android-plan-google-mimic-microsoft-apple.htm

I do believe that if Android goes in this direction that Google will quickly catch up with IOS based devices and also give Microsoft a run for its money.

This is good for ebooks and publishing. if the there is an open, fully functional, OS available for multiple manufacturers its keeps the market 'honest'... prices will be lower and innovation will be strong.

Ereaders on Windows 8 or Android 4.0 / 5.0 will be good for authors who need to have multiple channels to sell their work. If the mobile 'pie' is bigger there will be more 'slices' available for content suppliers.

I have always admired Google and I do believe they have the most successful business model.

Good luck!

Android Laptops and other Jelly-bean speculation

Some speculation on the feature list for Android 5.0 (Jellybean) can be found on this site

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/mobiles/android-5-0-jelly-bean-news-release-date-features-and-more-50007958/

I like the idea of Laptops running Android ... Notebooks with touch screens, now that could be good!

But we will have to wait and see.

And I have no idea what Android 6.0 is likely to be called either...

Nokia ereader will challange Kindle

Nokia is preparing an ereading app for its Lumia range of smartphones

Read more at

http://www.t3.com/news/nokia-reading-launches-to-challenge-kindle-on-windows-phone

With Windows Phone to be replaced with Windows 8 (RT) soon this is another alternative to the Amazon Kindle.

I have yet to see a Windows phone of any description so I can not comment on this development in detail. I do however like the idea of more competition and the provision for many more languages. The more words that get read the more opportunities for writers and readers to expand their imaginations.

So this could be a good thing.

HTC alternatives to Samsung Galaxy III

Here is a review of the new HTC phones in contention with Samsung's Galaxy III

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/htc-review-best-android-phones-money-buy/story?id=16297450#.T6kOXes6KAI

I love the variety of Smartphone available now and this review particular phrased the screen quality of the latest crop from HTC

It would be great for my ebooks to be read on something like these phones. Graphic Novels and other 'rich ebooks' would also go down a treat.

Mobipocket ebook readers still available

An interesting ereadering site is reviewed here

http://www.computeractive.co.uk/ca/download-review/2171375/enjoy-ebooks-pc-mobile-devices-mobipocket-62

I knew about Mobipocket ebooks many years ago when I was first getting involved with self publishing. I think times may have moved on but maybe this format could be of use for viewing mobi ebooks on PCs and old style PDAs?

With the advent of Window 8 I think there are plenty of other ways to get ebooks onto Microsoft machines.

 

An enjoyment of writing is best motivation

I have not included a link with this article but I would like to reflect on the changes in the creative industries and how writers should (perhaps) approach the challenges that are implied.

With indie writers now having a tangible prospect of making a living from their work it is important to stress that  in the long term, for most authors, motivation has to be right.

Creative writing is a difficult business. Finding time (and energy) to get the 'black on white' is not trivial. That is the case for me as well as, I suspect, most others.

Some people will make a lot of money. Most will make a little. But that won't get the words out of 'your head' consistently enough and to a high enough degree of quality to make the whole thing sustainable. For most people.

I love stories. I always have done so. I started writing them around the age of 7. I would just like to take this opportunity to apologise to my teacher a the time, Mr Hanks, my spelling was (and still is) quite appalling and my handwriting remains almost beyond hope of resembling an intelligible form despite your best efforts....

But I write now for the same reasons I wrote my first stories 30 years ago. It is fun. It makes me happy and I enjoy the experience even more if others also have fun.

That provides me with my motivation.

I do not know if I will ever make a penny from my work. But that is not the point.

I would not worry whether the Agency Model of publishing is going to survive or not. If you just enjoy story telling and write to the highest standard you possibly can then you will be successful long term.

Ebook or physical. Stories are stories. Good work will stand out.

Kindle in decline?

A very good article about the future of the Kindle ereader.

Things are not as they seem at Amazon.

http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/is-the-amazon-kindle-in-trouble/

So kindles lose money and the content is the key to Amazon's profitability.

However with competition from Google and Microsoft / Barnes and Noble on the way it may be more difficult for Amazon to corner the market.

The other point raised is something I agree with strongly. e-ink is in decline. Why by an ereader when a Tablet PC (from Google, Samsung, Apple or Microsoft) is not much more expensive and has more functionality?

It is a shame, but its a sign of the times I am afraid.

Is Amazon on its way down?

A lot of people are hoping it is...

http://betanews.com/2012/05/02/why-are-amazon-kindles-vanishing-from-target/

So Target will soon be dropping the Kindle, but not the Nook...

Well in the UK Amazon is pretty strong. I personally do not like the way independent booksellers are being sneezed by the online stores. Ereaders come and ereaders go so. If the Nook arrives and beats up the Kindle then maybe, just maybe, the indies will find a way to make money. An all powerful Amazon will help no one.

So is this the trend? Retailers dropping Kindles from their offerings... Lets see.