TOC Combined Feed : Tools of Change for Publishing

TOC Recommended Reading

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Lessons Learned from myebook and LinkedIn (Joe Wikert's Publishing 2020 Blog)

Where are the "view comments" and "send to a friend" buttons on my Kindle? They don't exist, at least not with Kindle 1.0. But why shouldn't I be able to take pieces of the book I'm reading and send them along to my friends with Kindles for their review? And all those notes and comments I've already embedded in some of my Kindle books/newspapers/magazines...why can't I share those with my Kindle friends as well?

Why Abundance Should Breed Optimism: A Second Reply to Nick Carr (Clay Shirky - Britannica Blog)

Every past technology I know of that has increased the number of producers and consumers of written material, from the alphabet and papyrus to the telegraph and the paperback, has been good for humanity.

The founder of ArtsJournal talks about arts and new media (Crosscut Seattle)

As users have more access to more information on the Web, the sheer amount becomes overwhelming. So increasingly you have to depend on curators -- other people -- to find the good stuff that you want to see over time. So you find the curator whom you trust.

[News] Rethinking Libraries and Museums as "Living" Structures

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:55:39 -0500

The Living Library project flips the reader-book dynamic on its head by allowing library patrons to "check out" human beings, and then engage in a civil dialogue. Nina Simon from Museum 2.0 extends the Living Library structure to a reimagining of museums:

How could visitors' stereotypes about museum behavior and the kinds of activities available in museums be exploited to provide a radically different experience? In the same way the Living Library is organized around the frame of librarians, catalogues, books, and the action of checking things out, a theoretical Living Museum could be organized around exhibits, artifacts, docents, and the action of looking at things or moving through spaces. Imagine a museum in which Artifacts of a war are veterans, family members, and former enemy combatants. Or an exhibit on immigration in which you could check out Legal and Alien Artifacts for discussion based on labels identifying their provenance and status. A museum tour in which a docent "tours" you to a variety of volunteer artists who talk about how they create their work.

(Via Read 20 list)

[News] Tor.com Woos Sci-Fi Fans with Free Ebooks

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:39:20 -0500

Taking a page from the Baen playbook, Tor.com, a division of Macmillan, is giving away 24 science fiction ebook titles through July 27. The ebooks are available in PDF, HTML and Mobi formats.

(Via News.com)

The Media Industry's Perspective Problem

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0500

A newsroom survey conducted by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism touches on one of the major issues -- and failings -- affecting mainstream media: the power of flawed perspective. Here's an excerpt from "The Changing Newsroom" report:

Staffing for coverage of sports, local government and politics, police and investigative reporting, all grew in 30% of the newsrooms surveyed. Although not specifically measured in the survey, anecdotal evidence suggests that at least some of these gains have been driven by pressure to provide web content during the course of the day. Some of this content is often then "reversed published" back into the newspaper. [Emphasis added.]

There's a huge difference between "published" and "reversed published." A published piece of content -- be it an article, a podcast, a broadcast, or even a book -- is pushed into the world with a clear intent (inform, entertain, influence, etc.). But reversed published content has been stripped of intent. Its sole purpose is to fill space; whether it entertains, informs, or influences is secondary.

The whole concept of "reversed published," and the adjacent issues of print vs Web vs mobile vs broadcast, illustrates a fundamental flaw in the media perspective. Content should be defined by its audience, not by its container. If an article is initially published on the Web, that article must be geared toward the Web audience. If the same material later appears in the paper, that material needs to be geared toward the newspaper audience. Same goes for mobile consumers and broadcast consumers.

Repurposing material without regard for its audience is a luxury the media industry used to enjoy when it was a primary information conduit. The only difference is that years ago the Web was where rehashed shovelware was dumped ("Story continues on A12", anyone?). Early Web users quickly tired of media's detritus, so they looked elsewhere for useful information. Apparently, media organizations didn't learn from this past mistake because now they're pulling the "repurposed content" maneuver with traditional audiences. No one wants rehashed bits.

This is where perspective comes in. If a media organization continues to think in terms of content containers rather than content consumers, then it will inevitably default to "reverse publishing" and other bad habits. These days, as audiences scatter and company valuations plummet, every piece of content needs the justifications and intentions of fully published material.

[TOC Directory] Recent Additions

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:30:00 -0500

22 new listings have been added to the TOC Directory in the last week, including:

Visit the TOC Directory to add your own listings and events.

[Announcement] TOC Resource Pages

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:30:00 -0500

Here at TOC we try to remember that the concepts bandied about in tech culture don't always translate into the wider world. So, in an all-inclusive effort to straighten out the learning curve, we've developed a series of Resource Pages that provides introductory information to many of the topics we frequently cover.

The Resource Pages are a "living glossary" -- each page includes oft-updated links to TOC stories that mention a specific keyword or topic. Some pages also include links to external sites that offer deeper context and information.

We'll be adding to the Resource Pages over the coming months, and we also welcome suggestions for improvement or additions.

Cloud Computing's Potential Impact on Publishing

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0500

If you use Google Docs or access email via a Web browser, you're already versed in cloud computing. Access to Web-based material is taking the place of downloads.

Cloud computing focused in the early going on software as a service (SaaS) applications, but Amazon, Netflix, Google, Apple, Microsoft and others are now tapping the cloud for content delivery (some of these companies focus on streaming entertainment, while others focus on content creation/management).

An interesting conversation about the cloud's impact on content publishers popped up recently on Peter Brantley's Read 20 list. Peter, by way of an an article link, noted that Amazon is moving some of its video distribution business into the cloud. From Last100:

Not only is Amazon utilizing streaming in order to deliver "instant" playback but it also means that content doesn't have to be permanently stored on a user's hard drive. As a result, Amazon is able to offer another potential benefit to customers: a virtual video library of previously purchased content, stored in the 'cloud' (on the company's own servers) ready to be streamed as many times and to as many compatible devices as the user has access to. While this will initially consist of PCs running Mac OSX or Windows, along with select TVs from Sony, in the future this could extend to many different devices, either through specific partnerships like the one currently forged with Sony, or by utilizing browser-based standards or any other technology or protocol Amazon chooses to support.

Expanding on Peter's post, Mike Shatzkin said the centralization of cloud-based content raises issues around digital rights management (DRM) and other access limits:

The cloud changes everything in terms of piracy and copyright. We are living in a transitional period where computer storage is decentralized. When that period is over, and the time is now not far off, everything is accessed from the cloud and it will be a relatively easy matter for rules about content access to be enforced by the content originator or distributor.

As others on the Read 20 list pointed out, cloud computing brings up additional questions around copyright and ownership. Toss in concerns about system reliability, open vs. closed clouds, and the potential for lock-in (or lock out) and you can see this rabbit hole growing deeper.

Cloud adoption may also represent an important moment in book publishing's digital transition. Publishers have enjoyed the past luxury of learning digital lessons from the media, music and film industries, but the wait and see approach may not work this time. If consumers come to expect access to their content -- all their content -- anywhere/anytime, publishers will need to meet that expectation ... or risk watching an unaffiliated company or industry step in.

Call for Participation Now Open for TOC 2009

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:30:18 -0500

The Call for Participation is now open for the 2009 TOC Conference, Feb. 9-11 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

As usual, we'll be accepting proposals for 45-minute breakout sessions (or panel discussions), 5-minute "lightning demos", and for longer 3-hour workshop tutorial sessions. For the latter, we're looking for people who really know their stuff, and are prepared to engage the audience with hands-on, practical material.

Some of the topics we'll be exploring at TOC 2009 (and accepting proposals about) include:

Ebooks
Alternative business models for paid content - both online and in print
Content for mobile/smart phones (that includes the iPhone)
Web-based marketing and promotion
New digital publishing and authoring tools
Managing the human side of change and innovation
Case studies of successful (or unsuccessful!) new publishing initiatives
Riding the wave instead of fighting the tide, such as using file-sharing sites to increase sales
Strategies and tactics for effectively using print-on-demand
Moving beyond books: selling merchandise, community, experience, and other scarce goods in a world of "free"
Strategies and tactics for incorporating ebooks into your publishing program
Tools and challenges for an efficient all-digital workflow
Revising your P&Ls for the economics of digital publishing
Understanding and responding to the changing retail landscape

We received far more great proposals last year than we could possibly find space for, and in some cases while the material was interesting, it wasn't the right fit for the audience or the rest of the schedule. To increase the chances of your proposal being accepted, here's some tips:

Include as much detail about the planned presentation as possible. The more we know about what you plan to present and why it matters, the better.
Be thorough! If you are proposing a panel tell us who else would be on it. If you are going to have a product announcement or software release, let us know. If you feel this is something that hasn’t been covered at TOC before, let us know.
Keep it free of marketing. Nothing annoys an audience more than an unexpected sales pitch.
Keep the audience in mind: they’re forward-minded, professional, and already pretty smart
Clearly identify the level of the talk: is it for beginners to the topic, or for gurus? What knowledge should people have when they come to the presentation?
Give it a simple and straightforward title or name – fancy and clever titles or descriptions make it harder for people (committee and attendees) to figure out what you’re really talking about

We're keeping the CFP open until August 25, but I encourage you to submit your proposal before then. There's always at least a few "must haves" that roll in along the way, and as they do the number of slots available to other sessions shrinks -- so your best bet is to be a "must have" session (see the tips above).

Submit your proposal!

[News] First E Ink Magazine Cover Coming in September

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:20:50 -0500

Esquire will use E Ink technology to declare "the 21st Century Begins Now" on 100,000 flashing copies of its September issue. David Granger, Esquire's editor in chief, discusses the first E Ink-driven magazine cover with New York Times:

... on its own, the magazine will run out of juice after 90 days. Mr.Granger knows some will see the cover as a gimmick -- but he says he thinks the technology behind it, which has been used for supermarket displays but never embedded in a magazine, speaks to the possibilities of print.

Update 7/23: Folio says Esquire's E Ink edition sell for $5.99, two dollars more than the usual cover price.

(Via Engadget)

[News] What Authors Can Learn from Silicon Valley

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:53:13 -0500

Sramana Mitra of Forbes.com sees parallels between author Elle Newmark's grassroots audience development and Silicon Valley's software process:

In Silicon Valley, we do alpha and beta products -- small prototypes of our vision -- and recruit a small number of customers to gain early validation of the products' viability. These alpha and beta products, along with early customer validation, help us sell our ventures to investors and raise millions of dollars in venture money.

In Newmark's case, she spent less than $10,000 of her own money to "bootstrap" her self-publishing effort, she found customers online, and then she recruited William Morris agent Dorian Karchmar as her "investment banker," who then got her Simon & Schuster as a "venture investor." Newmark's deal with Simon & Schuster is widely rumored to include a seven-figure advance.

Open Question: Should Publishers Develop Software Apps?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Book publishing's response (or lack thereof) to the iPhone 3G and the App Store has stirred up an interesting question around publishing and software development: namely, should publishers create their own software applications?

Sara Lloyd from thedigitalist says a focus on content, not software, is key:

Interestingly the price of apps [in Apple's store] is already plummeting as free apps get more highly and more frequently rated and the paid-for apps drop down the ratings. Perhaps this suggests even more strongly that the App is not The Thing; it is merely a container or a channel for the content, which will still be The Thing.

On the other side, James Bridle from booktwo.org says publishers are the natural source for e-reader apps:

Most ereader technologies are built by techies who put the technology before the reading experience: the combined skills of typesetters, print designers, editors and technologists that only publishers possess could, with the right direction, produce a far superior ereader app than any we've seen so far.

What's your take? Should book publishers move into the software domain? Please post your thoughts in the comments area.

[News] Opportunity Turns the Tables on Piracy

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:38:38 -0500

The Economist examines the underlying business opportunities created by piracy:

Piracy can also be a source of innovation, if someone takes a product and then modifies it in a popular way. In music unofficial remixes can boost sales of the original work. And in a recent book, "The Pirate's Dilemma", Matt Mason gives the example of Nigo, a Japanese designer who took Air Force 1 trainers made by Nike, removed the famous "swoosh" logo, applied his own designs and then sold the resulting shoes in limited editions at $300 a pair under his own label, A Bathing Ape. Instead of suing Nigo, Nike realised that he had spotted a gap in the market. It took a stake in his firm and also launched its own premium "remixes" of its trainers. Mr Mason argues that "the best way to profit from pirates is to copy them."

That this silver lining exists should not obscure the cloud. Most of the time, companies will decide to combat piracy of their products by sending in the lawyers with all guns blazing. And most of the time that is the right thing to do. But before they rush into action companies should check to see if there is a way for them to turn piracy to their advantage.

News Roundup: New Kindles Rumored, Free Ebooks with Embedded Google Ads, Web Publicity and Giveaways Boost Author's Profile

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Rumor: Two New Kindles Coming This Fall

Citing an inside source, CrunchGear says Amazon will release two new Kindles in time for the holiday season:

The first is an updated version with the same sized screen, a smaller form factor, and an improved interface ... The second new model, which is shaped like an 8 1/2 x 11-inch piece of paper, is considerably bigger than the current model. (Continue reading)

Free Ebooks with Embedded Ads Via Scribd-Lulu Partnership

Scribd and Lulu have joined forces to combine Scribd's iPaper format, a Flash-derived viewing technology optimized for bandwidth and speed, with Lulu content. From ReadWriteWeb:

Beginning this month on the self-publishing site Lulu.com, you will soon find a broad selection of some of the site's most popular free content made available via the iPaper format ... And thanks to iPaper's ability to embed [Google] AdSense ads within the documents, content creators will now have a way to offer free e-books that also have the potential to earn them an income.

Web Publicity + Free = A Fighting Chance

Sci-fi author Scott Sigler uses podcasts, giveaways and grassroots Web marketing to build interest in his work. We've covered Sigler in the past, but his recent interview with The Independent illustrates the value lesser-known writers can derive from Web-based brand building and free distribution:

Sigler's thinking -- and this is the revolutionary bit -- is that it's worth making commercial sacrifices to secure a fan base, because fans will always want physical copies of the books, even if they've already heard an audio version for free. (Continue reading)

[News] Budding Authors Use Espresso Book Machine to Publish

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:24:46 -0500

The future of print on demand might lie in personal expression. Customers at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT are using the Espresso Book Machine to produce their own titles. From Vermont Public Radio:

Since it was installed, some of the store's customers have been using the machine to produce hard-to-find books from a huge online database of titles in the public domain. But the store has discovered that the machine is most popular with would-be authors who want to turn what they've written into a book.

The full audio feature goes into more detail.

(Via Shelf Awareness)

Survey of Book Industry Reaction to New iPhone and App Store

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:20:20 -0500

Kassia Krozser struck a nerve earlier this week with criticism of the publishing industry's slow approach to the new iPhone and the just-opened App Store. From Booksquare:

Call me crazy, but I'd expect an industry that salivates over moving 150,000 units to be all over the potential for reaching seven million "mobile is the future" customers. Are you not out there, listening to readers, gauging their interest? They want, you have, and you're still hiding the goods. I get this isn't the largest market you have, but is that an excuse to sit on the sidelines?

Sara Lloyd doesn't see long-term value in this current burst of iPhone excitement. From thedigitalist:

... apart from a few digital PR points scored against competing publishers, there doesn't seem to me to be any huge value in first mover advantage here for publishers, unless we want to make the decision to become software developers. The perception is that the App Store has 'opened up' the iPhone to publishers and to e-reading. The reality is that the iPhone has always been enabled for e-reading ... So, whilst we have been awaiting the launch of the App Store with interest, we didn't see enormous advantage in, for example, creating a reading app ourselves or Being There on Day One, just for the sake of it.

Expanding on the software theme, James Bridle says book publishers are uniquely positioned to develop ebook applications that meet consumer needs. From booktwo.org:

... who better than publishers to craft such software? Most ereader technologies are built by techies who put the technology before the reading experience: the combined skills of typesetters, print designers, editors and technologists that only publishers possess could, with the right direction, produce a far superior ereader app than any we've seen so far.

Broadening the analysis, Michael Cairns says the "silo" mentality displayed in this iPhone debate is a competitive obstacle that needs to be put aside. From PersonaNonData:

To bring us back to the iPhone circumstance, as long as publishers continue to think in terms of traditional functional silos and roles and responsibilities they limit themselves in their ability to leverage their assets. In contrast witness Amazon which has never considered any aspect of the publishing value chain to be off limits and more publishers need to think in this manner if they want to redress some of the advantages Amazon and others retain (or new competitors develop) in the marketplace.

(Many of the links and call-outs in this post were provided by Peter Brantley via his Read 20 list.)