Apple tablet

Apple Tablet with a 10.5 inch screen looks like a winner. I want one, unless it uses the same obscenely expensive wireless scheme as the iPhone. If it does, then I'll pass.

Michael Moore interviewed at the Commonwealth Club. 30 min. video, followed by 30 min Q/A.

Recommended for doc filmmakers, and anyone concerned about the financial crisis and the Great Recession.

Arts Journal -- publishing

Arts Journal publishing page. Very good.

Building your own audience 3

The Adderall Diaries. The author sent out copies of his book to readers as a "lending library."

Building your own audience 2

100 Skulls began as a blog. It was hugely popular.

1. build a media channel (blog)
2. build an audience
3. publish a book

A good example of an author building his own audience.

Building your own audience 1

Another brilliant post by Seth Godin. The relevant paragraph for authors is:

Authors have traditionally relied on publishers to bring them readers. The author gives up the majority of the income and the publisher brings them the readers. But then you see someone like Frank at Post Secret who builds his own audience for his (sometimes nsfw) content. He owns a platform, it's not something he rents. Now, using a publisher is a choice, not a necessity. Just about every successful author going forward (except for the lucky exceptions like Dan Brown) will own her own media channel. Not just authors, of course...

Again, Godin has nailed it. Absolutely. Nailed. It.

e-book formats

Good article in the New York Times about e-book formats, and the problems that authors and publishers face when selling e-books.