Sony ebook edges on Kindle

Sony ebook reader has expanded its acceptable formats trying to getting an edge on Kindle - which is quite heavily promoted on the biggest online retailer in the world. It's a rather smart move I think, since Kindle is tied to Amazon subscription and purchases, opening up the Sony ebook reader to a more varied audience will give it better coverage instead of only being limited to Sony's ebook store.

The new models coming out next month and those with upgraded firmware will be able to load

• IDPF/EPUB - this is the XML-based standard format proposed by the International Digital Publishing Forum, all the major publishers like Harper Collins, Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin are offering texts in the .epub format
  
• PDF/A files - subset of the Portable Document Format that was designed for the purposes of long-term archival, with all fonts and images embedded into the document
• The device previously supported BBeB (Marlin) Books, PDF, TXT, RTF and Microsoft Word files (converted with Sony's CONNECT software).

This will make the Sony ebook reader a more flexible product

iUniverse's Expands Author Marketing With Newly Appointed Director

The Bookseller posted that iUniverse just appointed a director for author marketing. What does this mean for writers and authors exactly?



Let's define author marketing first. Author marketing is when authors with published works decide to spread the word about their work through a variety marketing efforts, like marketing campaigns for books that happen online, in print and through media publicity.



The goal would be to get as many people know about the book's release, the book's theme that would get readers interested in buying the book.



iUniverse apparently wants to provide affordable services to help authors develop a platform and sell books through a broad range of quality marketing services for iUniverse authors

Xlibris Publishing Promotion - Dollar Savings And Free Library of Congress And Copyright Registration

It looks like self publishing companies are going all out this July. Xlibris' publishing service promotion has authors getting Library of Congress and Copyright Registration at no additional charge when they publish before July 16. Also enjoy an additional 5% on top of the discounted rate.

So you get dollar discounts when you publish plus the registration stuff

Choose from our comprehensive range of Black & White Book Publishing packages and find the one that is perfect for you.

Advantage - $299 (special offer does not apply)
Streamlined and practical. Perfect for books with simple design requirements

Basic – NOW $449, SAVE $50
An economical service with multiple design options


Professional – NOW $799, SAVE $100
Interior customization and graphics with hardback availability


Custom – NOW $1,349, SAVE $250
Have total control over complex design and text formatting

Premium – NOW $2,499, SAVE $500
A full-service package with an extensive marketing campaign

Executive – NOW $5,249, SAVE $750
VIP service, full customization and up to 125 books

Platinum – NOW $10,999, SAVE $2,000
An incomparable assortment of publishing, marketing, and editing services that will cater to your every need

Authorhouse Gives You Free Gas Cards When You Purchase Marketing Services Or Books In July

You can get up to $100 in free gas cards when you purchase marketing services or books in Authorhouse. They're either brilliant or just desperate. Imagine giving out gas cards.

Although I can appreciate the effort. Gas prices are indeed expensive so the question here is what's the catch?

iUniverse Publishing Promotion - Offer Option, Save On Dollars Or Get Free Books

In a very aggressive and novel move, iUniverse just introduced 2 separate offers this month with which you can choose either dollar savings on your publishing package or free books

CHOOSE a special package price:
Promotion Description

Save $200 off the regular price of a Premier Pro Publishing Package. $1,299 NOW ONLY $1,099 -- JULPRO200

Save $150 off the regular price of a Premier Publishing Package $899 NOW ONLY $749 --- JULPRE150

Save $100 off the regular price of a Select Publishing Package. $599 NOW ONLY $499
--- JULSEL100

OR CHOOSE more free books:

Promotion Description

Receive 60 FREE** paperbacks with every Premier Pro Publishing Package purchase. (40 Bonus copies plus 20 included with the package.) --- 40JULBOOK

Receive 30 FREE** paperbacks with every Premier Publishing Package purchase. (20 Bonus copies plus 10 included with the package.) --- 20JULBOOK

Receive 15 FREE** paperbacks with every Select Publishing Package purchase. (10 Bonus copies plus 5 included with the package.) --- 10JULBOOK

Getty Images Helping Authors And Book Publishers With Book Images

I know how it feels trying to find just the right image to compliment your thoughts, trying to find just the right illustration to convey how you feel... that one picture that speaks a thousand words to better emphasize your theme and help you tell your story. It is very difficult to find the right picture to compliment your words in just the way you want it.

So here comes Getty Images. They just opened a Book Zone that has tailored offerings for book publishers, including images, footage, music and more.

They have a specialized book team to help with everything from image searches to licensing with galleries across a broad range of book-publishing themes as well.

I think it's a very timely service, having the kind of database that they have. Getty Images though is a tad high-end so depending on your budget you should consider your options carefully