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According to a survey by USA Today, more than 82% of Americans intend to write a book someday. ================================================================ *** Supreme Court Tightens Digital Copyrights *** The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that software companies that enable illegal music downloads can be held liable for damages: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4627679.stm The ruling will also impact filmmakers as broadband matures and movies become more easily downloaded. For publishers in the digital age, the decision could signal easier remedies in copyright infringement suits. However, it is unlikely that consumers themselves will stop "sharing" books, music or movies, using open-source software such as OpenNap or simply passing copies to family and friends. Poynter and Snow have long argued that publishers will deter piracy more effectively by charging readers less, and paying authors more, rather than relying on encryption and litigation. To illustrate, iTunes.com has had great success offering low- cost legal downloads as an alternative to piracy, as we pre- dicted years ago. The same will prove true for books: consumers are more likely to steal a high-priced product, but many will opt to stay legal when the price is modest. ================================================================ *** Rowling Blocks e-Books of the "Half-Blood Prince" *** MODESTO, Calif. -- The author of the popular children's book series "Harry Potter" won't allow the next edition in the series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," to be available as an e-book, according to a report in the Modesto Bee. Rowling has not licensed any of the six titles as an e-Book. A lawyer for the author says e-publishing wasn't an area she explored, but wouldn't comment if a concern about piracy was a factor, the report says. Source: BookTech Extra: http://www.booktechmag.com ================================================================ Please feel free to forward copies of this bulletin to your fellow authors and publishers. This is a free service that is available to anyone in the book world upon request. We don't endorse specific products or services, and we do not accept advertising. You may subscribe or un-subscribe at any time. ================================================================ *** Talk-N-Books is Back *** "We have a new Editor by the name of Janet Coleman and she has promised to make 2005 the best year ever for Talk-N-Books. We will have new author profiles, book reviews, interviews, literary news, articles and contests." Authors, publishers and publicists interested in promoting books can contact Janet Coleman at TalkNBooks@aol.com ================================================================ *** Reminder: Snow Seeks Manuscripts for Test Publication *** U-Publish.com co-author Dan Snow wants a few new books to test for paperback publication at this site: short non-fiction only, with a bare minimum of pictures, graphs, charts or graphics. Books on writing, publishing, technology or marketing preferred, but will consider any practical topic that is well written. No fees. Authors get generous royalties, good exposure at U-Publish.com and elsewhere. DO NOT SEND MANUSCRIPTS! Query by e-mail first: co-author@u-publish.com ================================================================ "Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies" was the first book sold by Amazon.com ================================================================ Please feel free to forward copies of this bulletin to your fellow authors and publishers. This is a free service that is available to anyone in the book world upon request. We don't endorse specific products or services, and we do not accept advertising. You may subscribe or un-subscribe at any time. ================================================================ *** Fiction Sleuths Take Note! *** The New Criminologist has launched an online bookstore as part of its site, combined with relevant news articles. The site is also used by journalists and TV/film producers for research. If you write whodunnits, investigate their site: http://www.newcriminologist.co.uk ================================================================ *** Call for Inspirational Writers *** Woodland Gospel Publishing is seeking inspirational writers for several biographical projects pertaining to the Southern Gospel industry. Woodland Press is also jurying nonfiction Appalachian history. For more information, e-mail: info@woodlandpress.com ================================================================ YOUR FEEDBACK: Poynter and Snow receive announcements for writers on a daily basis. We value your feedback about the the items you read here, good or bad. If you have a positive experience (or a negative one) from any of the reports here, notify Poynter and Snow, and we will tell others. ================================================================
