The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction - Versão digital em exclusivo para o Kindle

  The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, founded in 1949, is the award-winning SF magazine which is the original publisher of SF classics like Stephen King's Dark Tower, Daniel Keyes's Flowers for Algernon, and Walter M. Miller's A Canticle for Leibowitz. Each double-sized bimonthly issue offers:

• compelling short fiction by writers such as Ray Bradbury, Ursula K. Le Guin, Terry Bisson and many others;
• the science fiction field's most respected and outspoken opinions on Books, Films and Science;
• humor from our cartoonists and writers.

A versão digital da Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction encontra-se agora disponível  na Amazon, em formato Kindle. Podem consultar uma amostra gratuita da edição de Julho/Agosto neste link.

Leituras Digitais (31 de Julho a 6 de Agosto)

Rubrica semanal de notícias e artigos relacionados com a edição de livros digitais.

Internet Archive founder turns to new information storage device – the book

  Brewster Kahle, 50, founded the non-profit Internet Archive in 1996 to save a copy of every webpage ever posted. Now the MIT-trained computer scientist and entrepreneur is expanding his effort to safeguard and share knowledge by trying to preserve a physical copy of every book ever published.

  "There is always going to be a role for books," said Kahle, as he perched on the edge of a shipping container soon to be tricked out as a climate-controlled storage unit. Each container can hold about 40,000 volumes, the size of a branch library. "We want to see books live forever."

E-book Pricing 101

  E-book pricing continues to be a tricky issue for publishers, with both publishers and e-tailers experimenting with different price points for different kinds of works. To help provide some answers, Vook has written a white paper on the key factors creators and sellers need to consider when pricing digital content. Based on an analysis developed during creation of the Vook pricing engine, the multimedia publisher has come up with 10 rules for maximizing digital sales of e-books, enhanced e-books, and Apps.

The Perils of Copy Protection

  Tech companies handcuff our files to protect against digital pirates. The strategy isn't just annoying for customers—it could be hurting sales.

The Good, the Bad, and the Sexy: Our Espresso Book Machine Experience

  I’ve gone so far as to characterize this machine, despite its clunky ugliness, as incredibly sexy — while allowing that, as a librarian, my threshold of sexy may be lower than average — and I’ve said that it has the potential to change utterly not just the nature of the library collection, but the whole world of publishing. By freeing publishers from the tyranny of the print run and libraries from the enormously wasteful practice of building huge just-in-case collections based on inevitably erroneous guesswork about future patron needs, the EBM could greatly increase both efficiency and effectiveness, allowing a library or bookstore to give researchers exactly what they need within minutes of the realization that they need it, all while reducing the clear-cutting of rainforests, the carbon emissions from pallet-laden delivery trucks, and the twin scourges of returns and remainders.

  And almost two years later, I don’t regret it. However, in the spirit of “How We Done It Bad,” I want to share some of the lessons that we’ve learned from our experience so far.

Facebook Acquires Book App Developer Push Pop Press

  So does this mean that Facebook is getting into the book publishing business? According to Matas and Tsinteris, it doesn’t. “Although Facebook isn’t planning to start publishing digital books, the ideas and technology behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook, giving people even richer ways to share their stories. With millions of people publishing to Facebook each day, we think it’s going to be a great home for Push Pop Press.”

The true price of publishing

  This, in a nutshell, is the argument that publishers have been having with Amazon for the last couple of years. When they first started selling ebooks, publishers argued that they should cost pretty much the same as physical books, and tried to set prices accordingly. Amazon, though, has always been in the business of driving prices down, and sought to sell them as cheaply as possible in order to gain as large as possible a share of the ebook market. In their efforts to drive prices down, Amazon has been hugely assisted (Levine points out) by the fact that they also manufacture the most popular ebook reader. Because Amazon makes big profits from its Kindle, it doesn't need to bother about making profits from its ebook sales. Indeed, if it sells ebooks at a loss, it may still be better off overall, because this will drive up sales of its Kindle.

How online bookstores should get social

  Shopping in person can have a social element to it, but shopping online is always a solitary experience. To be fair, I don't make a habit of bothering other customers in the bookstore but there have been times when I've asked their opinion, particularly if I overhear them saying something I'm interested in or if I see them picking up a book I'm considering. Then there are the in-store clerks: I've gotten valuable pointers from store personnel countless times.

What's the analog to that in the online bookstore? There isn't one. Sure you can read through product reviews but that's not the same as talking realtime with other customers or a clerk.

Online bookstores have gotten along just fine despite this brick-and-mortar advantage, of course. But if online stores enable this functionality would it lead to an even richer shopping experience?

Are the days of DRM protected ebooks almost over? UK Government about to legalize DVD and CD ripping

  In a fit of living in the real world, the British government has announced plans to introduce legislation to allow people to make copies of their DVDs and CDs and make changes in the current laws relating to Intellectual Property in a number of other areas.

Breaking it Down: the ePub 3 Spec

  With speculation abounding since the introduction of the spec in the spring of this year, publishers have been waiting to see what’s really possible with EPUB3 — and what reading systems will support it.

  To help manage expectations and alleviate confusion, I’ve provided a brief snapshot of some of the spec‘s new features, as well as what publishers can do to start preparing for them, and notes of caution as to what may, or may not, be available in EPUB3 reading systems.

Libraries will rely on volunteers to survive, says report

  Libraries will increasingly rely on volunteers and community groups, with more books distributed from shops and village halls, according to a report released on Friday from the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

New York Times E-Book Best Sellers

  These lists are an expanded version of those appearing in the August 14, 2011 print edition of the Book Review, reflecting sales for the week ending July 30, 2011.

E-Book Fiction

1.                      THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett

2.                      THE BLACK ECHO, by Michael Connelly

3.                      NOW YOU SEE HER, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

4.                      FULL BLACK, by Brad Thor

5.                      GHOST STORY, by Jim Butcher

Complete List »

E-Book Nonfiction

1.                      A STOLEN LIFE, by Jaycee Dugard

2.                      HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

3.                      UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand

4.                      IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS, by Erik Larson

5.                      BOSSYPANTS, by Tina Fey

Complete List »

Infográfico

Revista Macondo n.º 2

Macondo desponta como uma publicação que pretende explorar um espaço até então pouco habitado na cultura nacional: o da arte literária. Por meio da difusão de textos verbais e não-verbais, nos mais variados gêneros e formatos, o nosso objetivo é justamente a divulgação da boa literatura que, muitas vezes, não encontra seu devido lugar de promoção e, tampouco, recebe o valor que lhe é de direito.
 As publicações são trimestrais, disponibilizadas gratuitamente e para ampla divulgação, promovendo, por fim, não só a literatura enquanto um todo, como também os trabalhos específicos de cada autor participante.
  A revista surge modestamente, mas com o potencial de perdurar por muito tempo e, quem sabe, tornar-se referência em relação às novidades literárias do país. Buscaremos, enfim, um constante aprimoramento em relação às edições da Macondo e ansiamos, com bastante esperança, que ela seja do agrado de todos.

O download da revista pode ser efectuado neste link. Em alternativa, a Macondo pode ser consultada através do Myebook:

Nanozine n.º 3

A par com uma remodelação do blog oficial, foi lançado o terceiro número da Nanozine cujo download pode ser efectuado gratuitamente neste link.

Leituras Digitais (24 a 31 de Julho)

Rubrica semanal de notícias e artigos relacionados com a edição de livros digitais.

Sony Planning August Reader Release To Compete With Amazon Kindle

  A Bloomberg report provided indications that Sony will be upgrading its current line with both hardware and software improvements, probably before the end of August.  There are no indications at this time to indicate that price drops will be accompanying the upgrades, but it can be assumed that if there are any, they will be small.  The upcoming release of the new Sony S1 and S2 Tablet PCs will be intended to target “a more status-minded customer”, according to a recent CNN report, and it is likely that they will similarly weigh the prestige of owning a Sony Reader as a more important factor than matching the price of the increasingly inexpensive Amazon Kindle.

The Hybrid Writer: Balancing Traditional and Self-publishing

  The writers who are being successful now are those who understand promotion is an integral part of their success. Authors must connect directly with readers via social media. The published author with a strong backlist has the potential to connect to a whole new generation of readers and they don’t need a publisher to do so.

  So what do these changes mean for the unpublished author? It’s a question I’m asked frequently and I’ve put a lot of thought into. For the unpublished author, my suggestion is they consider writing at least three manuscripts before leaping into self-publishing. Few traditionally published authors had the craft down so well on their first manuscript that they were able to sell it, I don’t believe it’s changed for new writers. The number one promotional tool for a writer is great content and having multiple titles available.

Bertrand vende ebooks

  A loja online da Bertrand disponibiliza desde há pouco tempo a venda de livros digitais. Depois da entrada no mercado por parte da Leya, através da Mediabooks, e da Porto Editora, via Wook, é a vez da entrada do selo centenário.

Kindle fuels 'fastest growth' in a decade at Amazon

  Amazon.com is experiencing its "fastest growth" in more than a decade with accelerating Kindle sales, according to its founder Jeff Bezos, but at a cost to the bottom line.

  The giant e-tailer increased sales by 51% in the three months to 30th June 2011 to $9.91bn (£6.04bn), but profits came in at $191m (£116m), a decrease of 8% on last year, as the company continues to invest in expansion.

Competing with Free: eBooks vs. eBooks

  The salvation for the traditional publisher has to be quality when it can’t compete on price. Consequently, more attention needs to be paid to initial quality and to gaining a reputation for that quality. Unfortunately for traditional publishers, an increasing number of self-publishers are realizing that the quality problem also applies to their ebooks and they are improving their quality faster than are the traditional publishers.

Amazon Kindle Textbook Rental Program

  Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has introduced its new Kindle Textbook Rental Program.  Amazon has been offering new and used print editions of textbooks for awhile. What a great use for the Kindle DX, especially since it has a bigger screen.  There has been some push for use of the Kindle DX in education in recent years, but it hasn’t really taken off. But, regardless of whether you download your textbook to your Kindle, Kindle DX, iPad, computer, smartphone, etc, you’ll save a lot of money and backache.

Why Metadata is the Key to Your Digital Future

  Metadata might still sound like something intimidating for some, but it is actually very simple. Metadata is all of the information associated with a book or publication that is used to produce, publish, distribute, market, promote and sell the book. This includes very simple things, such as the title, author of a book, cover and format, to much more complicated data, such as the terms of the publishing contract, rights information, print run, sales data, reviews, etc. It usually takes the form of a file contained in a database that will contain information for all the publishers books. This file can then be output into a digital file or spreadsheet that can be used by search engines, retailers and other digital media to display and sell your book.

New York Times E-Book Best Sellers

These lists are an expanded version of those appearing in the August 7, 2011 print edition of the Book Review, reflecting sales for the week ending July 23, 2011.

E-Book Fiction

1.                      THE HELP, by Kathryn Stockett

2.                      PORTRAIT OF A SPY, by Daniel Silva

3.                      NOW YOU SEE HER, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

4.                      THE BLACK ECHO, by Michael Connelly

5.                      SPLIT SECOND, by Catherine Coulter

Complete List »

E-Book Nonfiction

1.                      A STOLEN LIFE, by Jaycee Dugard

2.                      HEAVEN IS FOR REAL, by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent

3.                      UNBROKEN, by Laura Hillenbrand

4.                      IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS, by Erik Larson

5.                      BOSSYPANTS, by Tina Fey

Complete List »

Nomeados para os World Fantasy Awards 2011

A Locus Magazine deu a conhecer os nomeados da edição deste ano dos World Fantasy Awards. Os vencedores serão anunciados na World Fantasy Convention, que se realizará entre 27 e 30 de Outubro em San Diego.

BEST NOVEL

• Zoo City, Lauren Beukes (Jacana South Africa; Angry Robot)
• The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)
• The Silent Land, Graham Joyce (Gollancz; Doubleday)
• Under Heaven, Guy Gavriel Kay (Viking Canada; Roc; Harper Voyager UK)
• Redemption In Indigo, Karen Lord (Small Beer)
• Who Fears Death, Nnedi Okorafor (DAW)

BEST NOVELLA

• Bone and Jewel Creatures, Elizabeth Bear (Subterranean)
• The Broken Man, Michael Byers (PS)
• “The Maiden Flight of McCauley’s Bellerophon”, Elizabeth Hand (Stories: All-New Tales)
• The Thief of Broken Toys, Tim Lebbon (ChiZine)
• “The Mystery Knight”, George R.R. Martin (Warriors)
• “The Lady Who Plucked Red Flowers beneath the Queen’s Window”, Rachel Swirsky (Subterranean Summer 2010)

BEST SHORT FICTION

• “Beautiful Men” , Christopher Fowler (Visitants: Stories of Fallen Angels and Heavenly Hosts)
• “Booth’s Ghost”, Karen Joy Fowler (What I Didn’t See and Other Stories)
• “Ponies”, Kij Johnson (Tor.com 11/17/10)
• “Fossil-Figures”, Joyce Carol Oates (Stories: All-New Tales)
• “Tu Sufrimiento Shall Protect Us”, Mercurio D. Rivera (Black Static8-9/10)

BEST ANTHOLOGY

• The Way of the Wizard, John Joseph Adams, ed. (Prime)
• My Mother She Killed Me, My Father He Ate Me, Kate Bernheimer, ed. (Penguin)
• Haunted Legends, Ellen Datlow & Nick Mamatas, eds. (Tor)
• Stories: All-New Tales, Neil Gaiman & Al Sarrantonio, eds. (Morrow; Headline Review)
• Black Wings: New Tales of Lovecraftian Horror, S.T. Joshi, ed. (PS)
• Swords & Dark Magic, Jonathan Strahan & Lou Anders, eds. (Eos)

BEST COLLECTION

• What I Didn’t See and Other Stories, Karen Joy Fowler (Small Beer)
• The Ammonite Violin & Others, Caitlín R. Kiernan (Subterranean)
• Holiday, M. Rickert (Golden Gryphon)
• Sourdough and Other Stories, Angela Slatter (Tartarus)
• The Third Bear, Jeff VanderMeer (Tachyon)

BEST ARTIST

• Vincent Chong
• Kinuko Y. Craft
• Richard A. Kirk
• John Picacio
• Shaun Tan

SPECIAL AWARD, PROFESSIONAL

• John Joseph Adams, for editing and anthologies
• Lou Anders, for editing at Pyr
• Marc Gascoigne, for Angry Robot
• Stéphane Marsan & Alain Névant, for Bragelonne
• Brett Alexander Savory & Sandra Kasturi, for ChiZine

SPECIAL AWARD, NON-PROFESSIONAL

• Stephen Jones, Michael Marshall Smith, & Amanda Foubister, forBrighton Shock!: The Souvenir Book Of The World Horror Convention 2010
• Alisa Krasnostein, for Twelfth Planet Press
• Matthew Kressel, for Sybil’s Garage and Senses Five Press
• Charles Tan, for Bibliophile Stalker
• Lavie Tidhar, for The World SF Blog