"authors" entries

The problem with Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library

The Kindle Lending Library needs a pay-for-performance model, not a flat fee.

For Amazon's new lending program to be mutually beneficial, the flat-fee compensation model needs to be replaced by a usage spectrum: The more a title is borrowed, the higher the fee to the publisher and author.

How I automated my writing career

A former author uses data and software to take the tedium out of some kinds of writing.

You scale content businesses by increasing the number of people who create the content … or so conventional wisdom says. Learn how a former author is using software to simulate and expand human-quality writing.

Radar's top stories: May 30-June 3, 2011

Inside the Library of Congress' Twitter archive, 10 ways to botch a mobile app, the story behind Velocity '11

This week on Radar: We checked in on the Library of Congress' Twitter archive, Ken Yarmosh revealed 10 ways to screw up a mobile app, the story behind Velocity 2011 was told, Steve Souders discussed mobile optimization, and we wondered if readers would fund their favorite authors.

Publishing News: Rebooting online news presentation

Ben Huh has a fling with news, checking in on the Twitter archive, and readers can now fund authors directly.

In the latest Publishing News: Ben Huh dishes on news organizations moving in the right direction; one year later, the Library of Congress' Twitter Archive is still being built; and the Unbound.co.uk publishing platform launched with some big-name authors.

Will Golan v. Holder affect the Google Books settlement?

Dana Newman on how a separate copyright case relates to Google Books.

The Google Books ruling raised an interesting question in regard to copyright. If Congress is to be the judge on that issue, will further negotiations be affected by the ongoing Golan v. Holder copyright case?

Baby bibs to dog clothes to … publishing's salvation?

Margaret Atwood offers a blunt assessment of author merchandise.

Some contend authors can mimic rock bands and earn revenue through merchandise. Margaret Atwood, an author who's dabbled in merchandising, has some choice thoughts on that subject.

Publishers: What are they good for?

O'Reilly editors examine the role of traditional publishers in light of Amanda Hocking's independent success.

News of author Amanda Hocking achieving success without the help of a traditional publisher led O'Reilly editors to question the purpose and future of publishers. This post collects excerpts from a recent back-channel conversation.

Digital authors need a whole new set of skills

Dana Newman on how authors can best embrace the e-pocalypse.

Dana Newman, a transactional and intellectual property attorney, on how authors should change behaviors and actions to protect themselves in — and make the most of — the digital age.

An era in which to curate skills

Amidst disruption, publishing still relies on research, sales, authoring, and curation.

Three days of intensive discussion about the current state of publishing at TOC 2011 revealed that research, sales, authoring, and curation are all still important skills.

Margaret Atwood on solar flares and author needs

Margaret Atwood brought an author's perspective and deadpan humor to TOC 2011.

At TOC 2011, Margaret Atwood reminded publishers that as they blithely move into digital they'd be wise to remember authors. Plus: Why you might want to invest in a lead-lined safe.