Book Buzz

There's a buzz in the author loops I thought I'd share that is pretty exciting for readers and authors both. Two new technologies are entering the ebook market. 
#1 Great Idea: An Ebook on a Card to sell in stores:
 From: Dean Wesley Smith's blog@ http://www.deanwesleysmith.com/?p=4154

Put A Book On The Card!!!” ... it's simple and surprisingly cheap.
... talked to about a half-dozen indie bookstore owners, asking them if they would like to sell gift cards for electronic books in their store? All of them said “Yes!”
And all were enthused.  Especially when I talked about how little space they would take up and that I could give them a 50% discount and free shipping.
...it's a very, very simple way to make an electronic book into a physical product for an indie store to sell. 

In fact, it’s the solution that just might save bookstores in this new electronic world.

How This Works Exactly

Step #1: Publish your book to electronic publishing, including Smashwords. Set up the book for free on a Smashwords code page. (There are other ways to do this, but this is basic and simple for the moment.) 

Step #2: Have a plastic credit-card-sized gift card printed with your book cover on one side. 

Step #3: On the back of the card print the free Smashwords code under a black scratch-off bar plus directions and other information. 

Step #4: Either give the card away as a promotion at signings and such or put the card into a cardboard hanger with a price and sell to bookstores. 

That’s it. Just about as simple as it gets.

If anyone reads this and tries it out before me, keep me posted on your results.

#2 Great  Idea: Expresso Book Machine--POD 

The Espresso Book Machine^® Hardware 

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Put simply, the Espresso Book Machine^® (EBM) is an ATM for books, a "bookstore in a box" for retailers, an additional sales channel for publishers, and a great vehicle for self publishing.

Readers can order books online or onsite at bookstores and libraries—global search capability with local print fulfillment. Within a few minutes a book emerges, in any language, with a full-color cover, trimmed to an exact size, and virtually indistinguishable from the publisher's version. 

Okay you found a book you love and it's only in ebook. Someday (soon) you'll be able to go to one of these neat outlets and buy that ebook you loved in a single printed copy just for your collection...in minutes, while you have a cup of coffee.
Check out this link for existing locations. HERE  


Pretty wonderful times for both readers and authors!

Gem Sivad 
2010 EPIC AWARD WINNER
2011 PASSIONATE PLUME FINALIST

www.gemsivad.com