This Penguin Classics Wallpaper Is Perfect for Book Worms | Gizmodo


This Penguin Classics Wallpaper Is Perfect for Book Worms | Gizmodo

DC Announces Choose-Your-Own-Path Digital Comics | Underwire | Wired.com


Less than two years after DC Comics began selling digital versions of its own comics on the same day as print, the superhero publisher announced two new digital comics formats: DC2, which will feature “dynamic artwork” that unfolds as the reader taps on the screen, and DC2 Multiverse, a choose-your-own-path format that will allow users to make decisions at key points that will unlock different storylines.

via DC Announces Choose-Your-Own-Path Digital Comics | Underwire | Wired.com.

See also:

Worldwide National Library Catalogs | OEDB.org


National libraries are tasked with the centuries-long responsibility of preserving books and documents that keep a country’s history and heritage safe through war, disaster, and the passage of time. They’re also responsible for sharing these vast and valuable documents with citizens of the country, and the world.

National libraries are the absolute best resource for finding publications within any given country. This is thanks to legal deposit, legislation in many countries that requires publishers to provide the national library with a copy of each publication. In some countries, this even includes digital publications.

Through national library catalogs, you can search all of the publications within a country. Many national libraries also offer extensive digital collections, offering online researchers access to documents of historical importance, official publications, even images and video.

via Worldwide National Library Catalogs – OEDB.org.

The post provides a comprehensive list of Worldwide National Library Catalogs, including 3 from Canada. 

With Black Crown, Random House Gets Into Games – Forbes


Random House, the home of 50 Shades of Grey and The Da Vinci Code, has extended part of its publishing empire into the world of games with The Black Crown Project, a story-based online game based on a suitcase by first-time author Rob Sherman.

via 50 Web-Compliant Shades: With Black Crown, Random House Gets Into Games – Forbes.

I enjoy immersive RPG, puzzle and mystery games. This project is creative and looks interesting. I think the website could use some work…some of the text is too small/fuzzy. It has the feel of the cold war…typewritten messages, gas masks, stained green backgrounds, the content decidedly weird, dreary and at times gruesome/offensive. I think this game would attract those who like the Bioshock and Metal Gear Solid series (n.b. it is a story-based game NOT a FPS game) but it’s not for me.

From the website: “The experience is free-to-play, with opportunities for eager users to make micropayments to unlock story strands, expedite the narrative and acquire items and status within the world.”

Black Corwn

 

Understand the Key Book Publishing Paths (Infographic) | Huffington Post


How To Get Published: Jane Friedman Outlines The Options (Infographic) | Huffington Post Books.

Book Publishing Paths

Confirmed: Elsevier Has Bought Mendeley For $69M-$100M To Expand Its Open, Social Education Data Efforts | TechCrunch


Confirmed: Elsevier Has Bought Mendeley For $69M-$100M To Expand Its Open, Social Education Data Efforts | TechCrunch.

Related:

Elsevier In Advanced Talks To Buy Mendeley For Around $100M To Beef Up In Social, Open Education Data | TechCrunch | The Modern MLIS

Updated: Varying Perspectives on Amazon GoodReads Acquisition


First Amazon acquires a partial stake in LibraryThing, then acquires Shelfari and now GoodReads. I wonder if the future will hold Amazon buying libraries and turning them into distribution centers…

You may also like:

Piggyback Technology | American Libraries Magazine
“With an increasing emphasis on ebooks, the issues around discovery, and other emerging topics, modern publishing is rapidly turning into a technology industry.”

Need a Book Recommendation? Ask One of these Sites | Information Space

Collection of Links: eBooks


I find it challenging to keep up with eBook news and resources, since it seems there are updates on an almost daily basis. I have provided links to the most informative and newsworthy below.

eBooks & Publishing

eBooks, Libraries & Publishers

Book publishers blast Amazon’s plan to control domain names | Internet & Media – CNET News


“Two industry groups argue that the retailer’s plan to control several generic top-level domains, including .book, .author, and .read, would be anti-competitive.”

via Book publishers blast Amazon’s plan to control domain names | Internet & Media – CNET News.

What Role Should Libraries Have in an Electronic World? | Nathan Bransford, Author


Although the article is short, the comments generate good discussion arguing the value of libraries.

What Role Should Libraries Have in an Electronic World? | Nathan Bransford, Author