Cover fail: This is just so wrong, I’m still shaking my head in disbelief. So, apparently, are a lot of other folks. I guess that whoever self-published these three public-domain novels hasn’t actually read them.
On a happier note, Joe Konrath posted an excellent article on “How to sell ebooks” on his blog, A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing. Konrath, who is a well-known thriller writer and a champion of self-publishing, can be pretty abrasive when he rails at traditional publishers, but this post offers straightforward, common-sense advice for writers on marketing and selling your ebooks.
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| photo: jessdamon (CC BY-SA 2.0) |
Reselling your unwanted ebooks may someday become a reality. On January 29th, Amazon received a patent for a digital resale marketplace, sort of like Amazon Marketplace but for digital media like ebooks and mp3s. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re ready to set up such a service, and the legality is questionable. Book and music publishers are certain to object vigorously in the courts. In fact, they already have: In a case that is still pending, Capital Records sued a company called ReDigi for creating a secondary marketplace for digital music.”* At issue is whether the “first sale” doctrine, which permits the original purchaser to resell something like a car, book or CD, applies to electronic media. Click on the following links to read more:
- “Amazon patents resale marketplace for used e-books, songs and other digital goods” (Caitlin Dewey, Washington Post, 2/06/13)
- “Amazon wins broad patent to create marketplace for used digital content” (Laura Hazard Owen, paidContent, 2/05/13)
- Jane Litte on the ReDigi service (Dear Author, 2/07/13)
A few more articles about ebooks:
- “Students Still Not Taking to E-Textbooks, New Data Show” (Jeremy Greenfield, DBW)
- “Needing multiple reading apps — problem or not?” (Juli Monroe, Teleread)
- “Bookish, New Web Site, Provides Information on Books and Authors” (Lesley Kaufman, The New York Times)
And finally, here’s an inventive way for a library to broaden its relevance and appeal: become a seed bank! NPR’s Luke Runyon reports on the Basalt, Colorado, public library’s seed-lending program. My first reaction when I saw their headline was “what the…?!”, but after reading the article, I think it’s actually a pretty good idea for both library and community.
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Photo:various eatable seeds, by Petr Kratochvil. Public Domain Image. |
* “Thursday News.” Dear Author blog, 02/07/13.
kimbacaffeinate
I hate the cover! I loved these books as a kid and agree whoever created this didn’t read the books. Off to check out the seed article.
Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard
Since I first saw that awful cover, I’ve seen it posted all over the place by outraged Anne lovers. Perhaps we’ll get the original seller to change the cover.