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Why Selling Direct is Vital for Authors

Why Selling Direct is Vital for Authors

News hit this morning that Google has decided to no longer sell ebooks through independent bookstores. Instead Google will focus on selling ebooks directly through Google Play. Their collaborative effort with bookstores had been an attempt by both parties to crack Amazon’s dominance of the ebook market. Writers having their own websites and/or taking other […]

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It’s a bad sign if…

It’s a bad sign if…

A rather enigmatic Tweet by Dean Wesley Smith pointed me toward a Tweet by a literary agent, Terrie Wolf. Allow me to quote: Terrie Wolf ‏ @AKA_Terrie Authors, listen up. Unless you’ve passed the bar – don’t argue contract law with agents/editors. We get it. Promise. #pubtips Here’s a big #pubtip: Any time someone with […]

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Whistling Past the Graveyard: HarperCollins and Amanda Knox

Whistling Past the Graveyard: HarperCollins and Amanda Knox

I ran across a news item today about HarperCollins signing Amanda Knox to a huge book deal. Four million dollars for her tell-all biography about her ordeal in the Italian justice system. For those of you, like me, who don’t have cable and haven’t been following cases like this (or that of Casey Anthony) closely, […]

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iBook Author Software projects…

iBook Author Software projects…

On 19 January, Apple made its big announcement about reinventing textbooks. They showed off some gorgeous, interactive texts that, frankly, I’d have killed to have as a kid. The animations, graphics and even the review section in the book really make it easy for kids, in my opinion, to move ahead at their own pace. […]

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…In Book Form…

…In Book Form…

HarperCollins has sued Open Road Integrated Media over Open Road’s publication of an ebook version of Julie of the Wolves, a children’s book HC acquired in 1972. The link above is to The Passive Voice blog, which is a great place for learning about publishing and contracts. I retweet their content often and am pleased […]

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Milestones

Milestones

I apologize for having gone silent on the blog for a month or so. Things have been insane (as you will see below), but in a good way. There are times when creativity grabs you by the throat and won’t let go. I’d complain, but since creativity is my bread and butter, you work hard […]

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Free Fiction X 2

Free Fiction X 2

For anyone following me on Twitter (@mikestackpole) or on Facebook, the following is old news, but I do have some new details. Night Shade Books has made a deal with Amazon to give away copies of At the Queen’s Command free. This offer, I’ve been told, runs at least until my birthday (11/27) and is […]

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