Links for 2009-1-15

Er, just like the title says! (via @bookoven)

Mostly they think they suck and want their authors to do other things for promos. lol.

I like it! Though it does look VERY corporate. “The new site features a clean, streamlined look (using the Arial typeface) that immediately welcomes readers, using slideshows and “shelf menus” to compress a bunch of information into a tiny space without a sense of clutter. “The goal was to create a site that was engaging,” Hirschhorn said, that made searches easier but could also foster discovery.”

“It’s hard to describe what exactly makes an idea high concept—it’s almost the opposite of what it sounds. But simply put, it’s an idea that is easily explainable and can be sold in one sentence.”

“Someone at Barnes and Noble is a very big Louis Vuitton fan. In fact, they’re such big fans that they’ve been waiting for almost four years to copy Louis Vuitton’s Resort 05 Globe Shopper Cabas tote bag.” (via Jezebel)

“This essay collection will consider the significance of the audiobook. The growing popularity of audiobooks over the last several decades means that literary critics may no longer be able to turn a deaf ear to the ways in which oral delivery influences the reception of literature. The essays gathered here will explore the extent to which the audiobook not only enables us to hear literature but to hear it in new ways.” (via @bookoven)

Neil Gaiman’s on January 15th at 1pm EST!

“Self-published authors now have a nearly instantaneous way to publish and sell their book on the iPhone. Lexcycle, the makers of the Stanza iPhone reader, announced a partnership with with the digital self-publishing company, Smashwords.” (via @bookoven)

“For Young, the reason to use XML is simple–it allows Hachette to develop and deliver content to readers in the formats they want. It also saves money on production costs and can lead to new revenue streams. Young noted there are some estimates that put the number of handheld devices in the world at 3 billion, which, he said, equates to “3 billion blank pages.” To reach that audience, content needs to be flexible enough to be delivered in a variety of ways, Young said. Since XML uses a content-centric, design-agnostic approach to production, an XML file is uniquely suited to deliver content as an e-book or through print-on-demand, he said.” (via @bookoven)

“The Edinburgh-based publisher has revealed plans to digitise its entire back catalogue, making its 450 titles available as downloadable e-books by the end of the year. And in a similar style to films coming with extra features when released on DVD, Canongate plans add-ons for anyone who buys an e-book.” (via @bookoven via Bookninja)