Book Publishing Odds and Ends
filed in Publishing Industry on Mar.15, 2012
"The Narrator" an illustration by artist Duncan Long
Sometimes I discover a variety of tidbits that aren’t quite enough for a blog entry, but which I suspect will be of interest to those connected to the publishing industry.
So…
Authors can now autograph their Kindlel ebooks for fans — via KindleGraph. Authors may sign onto the service via Twitter accounts or set up a new account at the site.
Encyclopedia Britannica announced that after over two centuries, it will discontinue its print volumes. Talk about an end of an era. One has to wonder if many newspapers and magazines may soon follow this trend. The tough part isn’t ending the printing as much as making money with an online and/or e-version of the publication. It will be interesting to see how this is done. Or, worse, seeing it fail to prove doable.
If you’ve been wondering why the ebooks you purchase from Apple seem more expensive than the equivalent through Amazon.com, here’s an article with a possible answer. It will be interesting to see if the Justice Department will bring a case against Apple and the large presses involved. And also fascinating to see if Apple fans embrace being gouged by the company they so valiantly support.
Recent research by book sellers suggests that an ebook can enjoy 178% better sales when the publisher adds enhanced metadata components such as the short/long descriptions, reviews, and author bio to the metadata of the title. Perhaps that extra effort spent cobbling together metadata pays off after all.
Press releases can also help boost sales of books. News Digest International is accepting news and press releases from authors; submission is free.
Many book cover designs head south because of a very simple problem: Too much “stuff” in the layout. Some sound advice from American painter and illustrator Harvey Dunn about what to do when a cover illustration isn’t working: “Take something out.” Generally very good advice.
And the inverse is true as well.
A perfectly good book cover design can quickly be ruined when someone dictates adding just a little more to it. Less is better, especially when many book cover illustrations will be reduced for web advertising and print catalogs. With cover design, when in doubt, leave it out.
Finally, Author R.S. Guthrie reports that for a very short time, his ebook Black Beast: A Clan of MacAulay Novel will be available for 99 cents in a variety of formats including Cloud Reader, Kindle for PC, Kindle for Mac, Kindle for iPhone, Kindle for iPad, and Kindle for Android. Snap up some of these inexpensive copies while you can.
And now… back to work.
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Duncan Long has worked in the publishing industry for several decades. Currently he works as a book and magazine illustrator for self-publishing authors as well as large presses including HarperCollins, Paladin, Asimov Science Fiction Magazine, Pocket Books, ILEX, and others. Find samples of Long’s illustrations and graphic design at: Duncan’s Book Artwork Gallery
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March 16th, 2012 on 4:49 am
Hi Duncan, just took your advice re: “Authors can now autograph their Kindlel ebooks for fans — via KindleGraph. Authors may sign onto the service via Twitter accounts or set up a new account at the site.”
Unfortunately, I didn’t find my books LOL :)
Back to the drawing board, mine, not yours :)
March 16th, 2012 on 8:31 am
The justice system can’t keep up with the new trends in internet, e-pubbing, and all that jazz. It’s all changing too quickly. Book covers – I much prefer a simpler cover, something that just hints at what the book is about. Good tid-bits, Duncan. Thanks for sharing.
March 16th, 2012 on 8:51 am
Jack, I am reminded of what my old music teacher used to say, “Everything is harder than it is.” I think that pretty much sums up the task when dealing with a new bit of technology.
And sadly it seems those companies offering manuals, help files, and instructions often appear to have created their guides without the help of a professional writer or even, at times, someone who spoke English.
March 16th, 2012 on 8:53 am
@Karen: Yes, the cover should be like the snapshot of a vacation cruise. Just a hint at what all went on, a promise of what’s to come, not the whole kit and caboodle.
March 16th, 2012 on 9:54 am
Re book covers – the cover for my latest sci-fi novel, “The Seventh Age”,(out next month) is simplicity itself. Take a look: http://akhen1khan2.blogspot.com/2012/03/seventh-age_13.html
;)
March 16th, 2012 on 10:43 am
Jack, that’s a beautiful cover. I guess it is simplicity in its design — but man, oh, man the artist went to some serious work with the flowing lines, details, and shadowing. Beautiful work.
And an intriguing plot.
March 19th, 2012 on 11:30 am
I think Apple fans must be used to getting gouged by now…
I don’t know much about art, but I agree that adding more to book covers can ruin them. My girlfriend is doing my covers, and her first draft didn’t come out quite right, and we decided to let another friend have at it. I really liked what he did, but it was just too much going on. Too many colors…I really like minimalist designs.
March 19th, 2012 on 12:57 pm
Thanks, JR. I would also direct readers to JR’s excellent analysis of the copyright/piracy situation we’re now seeing: http://jrnova.blogspot.com/2012/03/copyright-and-piracy.html