Something that’s been going on for some time now is that authors have been having videos created to help create excitement in anticipation of their newest book release. Not only do authors go on book tours through the states by visiting many bookstores (if they’re lucky enough to warrant such a grueling schedule) but they also utilize press releases, online social media sites, hold new release parties, and they also have promotional videos made.

It’s tough being a author. If the author isn’t a big name/big seller then they pretty much pay for their own travel expenses and any and all promotional expenses. Fortunately the web makes it so much easier and cheaper to promote one’s work that traveling and hosting isn’t as mandatory as it used to be. Most everything can be done online now from being interviewed to displaying a video of their book.

The following is a video for Jeremy Robinson’s book, Second World. By the way, I posted this video because it’s intense, anticipation is built to a crescendo, and it’s straight to the point as you will see when you watch the vid too.

If you want to increase your book sales perhaps having a vid made is for you. There are plenty of services out there that provide this type of creative product. Some folks think it’s a waste of time since we read books, we don’t watch them. I leave that for you to decide.

Mike

It’s World Book Night and the most important thing about that is the potential for everyone across the globe to be able to read. If you can’t read then making it in the economic system is nearly impossible. We must get the word out – people need to read!

Do your part

Mike

Here’s an article about the future of books from theguardian. Pretty interesting.

The Future of Books, Today

Gaiman gives “traditional publishing” five or “maybe 10 years … But that isn’t going to mean fewer books. There’ll be a lot more books – people will just find them differently.”

Read on!

Mike

According to Publishers Weekly, J.K. Rowling has a new book… and it’s not for kids. The author has signed a world English deal with Little, Brown, selling print, e-book, and audio rights to her first novel for adults.

The rest of the story at PW

Mike

Remember when Amazon dumped all of their affiliates in California because that state wanted to collect sales tax? Well it looks like the Virgina Government is about to make that a rule to follow.

A bill to force online retailers such as Amazon to collect the same sales taxes that mall discount stores and corner bookstores assess from their customers has won unanimous support from a key Senate committee.

Read the article HERE

Mike

So did you hear? Barnes and Noble refuses to carry Amazon books from their print publisher. For more go HERE

In my opinion this may be the way to go for the struggling B & N. I mean it is a war of control over what is published and who chooses to not only carry but make available to the public for reading… for what we place in our mind… for what gives us ideas and opinions… reading is incredibly important. We don’t need our reading habits controlled by one massive, corporate site. There MUST be competition.

So sad… really.

Mike

Back in the day we used to have tons of independent bookstores across the land. As a youngster I dreamed of owning my own book store someday. I was so hopeful. The big box book store didn’t really exist in the 70′s. That changed. Waldenbooks, Crown, and others popped up. And then they were swallowed up by Borders and Barnes and Noble. Well, now Borders is done. So that leaves Barnes and Noble, besides a smattering of independent book stores, to keep the print book from dying off. I mean who else has the power to keep book store shelves full of print books and magazines? The only one is Barnes and Noble. That’s the problem with massive monopolistic, corporate businesses… once they win, the products that they control, the ones we love, can easily go by the wayside. Anyway, I digress.

So accordingly it is the publishers who love B & N and shun Amazon. Amazon is the three-headed monster who has ran independents and the big box stores into near bankruptcy. Amazon offers great deals. They also have incredible control over their products (Kindle) and eBooks too in some ways (the eBook which may ultimately kill off the paperback). Publishers want, no they need Barnes and Noble to survive. After all… Amazon offers its own publishing service but no brick and mortar to sell paperbacks. Publishers are scared. B & N is struggling with sales as compared to Amazon’s numbers. Isn’t it like $700 million versus $88 billion? WOW!

So what will happen? I don’t know. But I’m leaning towards B & N shrinking after their attempted try at expanding outside of the US. This shrink will take time. But I think it’s inevitable. eBooks will lead the way as much as I hate to say it. And even though Barnes and Noble has the Nook, Amazon offers so many more products that they will eventually buy B & N out… someday.

So there you have it. The future of the paperback is the way of the dinosaur. I wish it weren’t true. I love paperbacks. I love independent book stores. I grew up with them. Damn…

For more info on this topic click HERE. CNBC posted a New York Times article on this exact topic, hence my inspiration to bring up a couple points.

Mike