If you’re keeping track of the Automated Content Access Protocol (ACAP) project, then check out the page for their Final Conference which happened last week before they launch into full implementation.
NEA Study: To Read or Not to Read
The most recent edition of the National Endowment for the Arts study on reading habits in America, To Read or Not to Read, (100pg PDF) will likely cause a renewed epidemic of brow furrowing in publishing circles (and let’s face it, some of those brows already look like William H. Macy during root canal).
Spiderman Finds a New Web
As Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Publishing, (wryly?) understates, kids these days just aren’t finding “that spinner rack of comic books sitting in the local five-and-dime any more” (cut to kids all over the world reading and re-reading that last sentence in abject confusion. Blank stares are misted with tears of non-comprehension).
So Marvel is going to post old versions of classic comics online to be viewed but not downloaded. Subscribers will have access to a number of backlist issues simply by paying a monthly fee.
The Death of DRM?
Rabble.ca’s Wayne MacPhail has an intriguing perspective on the future of DRM and the impact of using it or losing it in book publishing…
Small Niches with Big Targets
Magazine publishers are hitting big by serving smaller demographic sections in Pittsburgh and across the US. Chalk up another win for the Long Tail cocktail, although this time it’s being served with a twist.
When Fake Plastic Trees Meet E-Ink...
You might have heard a little something about Radiohead’s decision to make their latest album free to download, with a hardcopy box set available for purchase (thanks to Oasis and Jamiroquai for jumping on that bandwagon after hearing those sweet, sweet sounds of free publicity).
My Love Will Go On
More news from Harlequin this week (apparently fall is the time when a marketing coordinator’s fancy turns to love): the newest interactive community on the site is built around readers’ shocking confessions.
Fabio's Bits—I Mean, Bytes
Don't Miss Out on This Special Offer!
eMusic.com is an online music store that operates by subscription. It is headquartered in New York, New York, and owned by Dimensional Associates, LLC. eMusic is considered the second largest online music store and has over 250,000 subscribers.
I think that the eMusic subscription model has succesfully proven that people are willing to pay money for digital music.
What Will They Think of Next?
An entrepreneurial company in Shanghai—Bookgg—is exploring a new advertisement-powered free book business model.
