Digital Pubbing

Exploring the ins and outs of the publishing industry

Future

Blockchain and Libraries and Museums

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Recently, I took a great free online course to learn more about blockchain, decentralization, and how it affects libraries and museums. The course is available on Canvas Network, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about this technology. Below are some of the things and resources I learned from the course. About Blockchain "Blockchain: how mining … [Read more...] about Blockchain and Libraries and Museums

Machine Learning Projects (And Some Are For Writers!)

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I recently finished my first machine learning project! I was able to follow along with Robin Sloan's writing with the machine project, and I trained a different dataset, to some hilarious results. It was a lot of fun, and now I'm trying to dive more into neural networks and figure out more projects I can try. If you're interested, here are some resources and tools to learn more … [Read more...] about Machine Learning Projects (And Some Are For Writers!)

The Growth of Audiobooks

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A while back, I wrote an essay for LARB about reading in the multimedia age. A big part of the essay focused on audiobooks, which are growing in popularity each year. According to QZ, audiobooks are growing more than ebooks. MarketWatch wrote that some audiobooks are selling more copies than their print counterparts, and according to The Digital Reader, "audio can outsell … [Read more...] about The Growth of Audiobooks

Tips and Tricks and the Latest Updates in Audiobooks and Podcasting

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Audio content (audiobooks and podcasts) is growing in popularity. Below are some tips and tricks, and news to get you up to speed on this aspect of the publishing industry. Making and Marketing Audiobooks "Understanding Audiobook Production: An Interview with Rich Miller" on Jane Friedman "5 Ways to Market Your Audiobook Without Ads" on Jane Friedman "ACXU Presents: … [Read more...] about Tips and Tricks and the Latest Updates in Audiobooks and Podcasting

Interactive Stories

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With digital storytelling, there are new, interactive, immersive ways to share stories. Here are a few cool examples: StoryNexus: Access hundreds of interactive worlds, from science fiction to romance to historical adventure. You can choose how the story flows, and there are also options for creators. The Cornwall a-book: An Augmented Travel Guide Using Next Generation … [Read more...] about Interactive Stories

Guest Post: The Impact of Cloud Technology on The Publishing Industry

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By Joe Peters Many of the changes in the publishing industry have been evident over the years. We’ve seen a significant shift from print to digital, where people are just as likely to read from a smartphone or computer screen as they are to buy a book from their local store. Digital Transformation Makes Publishing Easier The digital transformation of the industry has … [Read more...] about Guest Post: The Impact of Cloud Technology on The Publishing Industry

209 Examples and Trends Impacting the Future of Storytelling

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Storytelling comes in a variety of formats: as books, articles, podcasts, films, and more. It seems every week there's something new and cool coming out of the works, so I thought I'd highlight some of them here (in no particular order). Also, there's a lot that can be learned from other people's stories! New Tech / Tools / Platforms Book Marketing Book Title Generator … [Read more...] about 209 Examples and Trends Impacting the Future of Storytelling

The Overlap of Games and Books

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Games and books have a lot in common, especially when it comes to the publishing process. There's also a lot of cool overlap. After all, most games have full narrative stories. And those stories are written by professional writers. Now, game writers can win a Nebula award, from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, according to GeekWire. Games are great for … [Read more...] about The Overlap of Games and Books

Artificial Intelligence and Publishing

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Artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining steam, and there are lots of really interesting experiments and initiatives happening. One example is using AI to get an idea of a book's market potential. Enter Booxy, which analyzes "a book to generate comps (comparable titles) and predict reader experience," according to Huffington Post. It uses natural language processing and … [Read more...] about Artificial Intelligence and Publishing

An Interview with Josef Marc, CEO of Publica

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There are a lot of exciting developments in technology right now. One of the latest is blockchain technology, which allows digital information to be distributed but not copied. One startup, Publica, aims to bring the blockchain to publishing. I recently had the chance to learn more about it from Josef Marc, the CEO of Publica. Q: What will Publica do for authors? A: … [Read more...] about An Interview with Josef Marc, CEO of Publica

The Latest Trends in Publishing

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There's a lot of interesting trends going on in the publishing industry, and some pretty cool new content. Below is a list that breaks it down: Trends and News in Publishing "Indie Authors: Are We Ready for Self-Publishing 3.0? Part 1." on Self Publishing Advice Center "The Rise of the Fidget Spinner and the Fall of the Well-Managed Fad" on The New York Times "The … [Read more...] about The Latest Trends in Publishing

Guest Post: Where to Find the Best New Authors; 5 Online Writing Communities To Explore

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By Allison Phillips The environment is changing for authors. What once was thought to be a solitary pursuit is evolving into an interactive process with the introduction of new technology. As we move from the printed page to the screen, it invites readers and writers to engage and share the experience through online writing communities. Writers now have access to networks … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Where to Find the Best New Authors; 5 Online Writing Communities To Explore

Book Insights Based on Data

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Data is powerful, and can provide a lot of insights. Data also makes it easier to market books. For example, having good metadata makes it easier for readers to find certain books online. Here are some tips for how to use data to your advantage, as well as some awesome examples of what we can learn from data. Metadata "3 Ways You Can Plant Metadata in Your Book Blurb" on … [Read more...] about Book Insights Based on Data

A Quick Look at Coloring Books

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Valentine's Day is coming up, and you know what could make a nice gift? A coloring book! Seriously, I know it was a huge fad last year (and the year before), but there is something really relaxing about taking colored pencil to paper. In that spirit, here are some resources I've found about coloring books (in case you want to make and sell your own, or just color your … [Read more...] about A Quick Look at Coloring Books

Music and Sound Effects in Books

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  Audiobooks are gaining popularity, but sounds are making their way into ebooks as well. Back in 2013, Google submitted a patent to trigger sounds in ebooks. According to GoodeReader, "The sounds would be triggered by events within the book, such as lapping waves, an ominous crescendo, or maybe an outdoor market. The new application would have the sounds stored on a … [Read more...] about Music and Sound Effects in Books