2.25 Million eBooks at World eBook Fair

The Fourth World eBook Fair will provide over 3 million digital items from July 4 - August 4, 2009. This includes approximately 2.25 million eBooks, with a further 1,000 new items being added per business day during the month long celebration of the birthday of eBooks. EBooks were first realized by Project Gutenberg on July 4, 1971 at the University of Illinois.

The first day of the Fair saw over 1 million downloads, including popular titles such as Jane Austen's "Emma," Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women," and Joseph Conrad's "Nostromo."

New high speed Internet connections and Web servers are in place to handle the vast reponse expected from the public, seeking free access to much of the world's great literature. This year, many readers will use their iPhones, Sony Readers, Kindles, MP3 players and a host of other devices, in addition to desktop and notebook computers.

New software and converstion programs have been in place for months of testing to encourage reading a book any time, any place, day and night, wherever people might want to read, research, or otherwise enjoy their library of eBooks at www.worldebookfair.org

"This is a fantastic use of the new $80 terabyte disk drives, as each terabyte will hold about 2.25 million compressed eBooks," says eBook inventor Michael S. Hart, co-founder of The World eBook Fair. "Never before has the common person had the ability to create their own `personal library,' just as a few decades ago common persons never had the capability of owning their own computer."

These sentiments are shared by John Guagliardo, of The World Public Library, who co-founded the Fair and supplies much of the infrastructure, websites, and support for The World eBook Fair. Guagliardo also hosts a .pdf eLibrary of Project Gutenberg content, online at http://www.gutenberg.cc/ and http://www.worldpublic.library/

Brewster Kahle, of The Internet Archive, has donateed an eLibrary of about 1.5 million eBooks to the effort and these can be found year round at http://www.archive.org/ . All told, over 2.25 million eBooks, and another half-million other items such as movies and audio recordings, will be available.

Another contributor to the World eBook Fair is EBooksAboutEverything, which has provided over 130,000 titles. When combined with content from other contributors, 2.25 million eBooks in myriad languages and formats will be available. These are readable on computers, cell phone, Kindles, and virtually every other device for displaying digital content.

The World eBook Fair is a celebration of freely available literature, accessible worldwide. These eBooks and other content will enrich, educate, and empower their readers.

Websites: http://http://www.gutenberg.org/
http://www.worldpubliclibrary.org/
http://www.ebooksabouteverything.com/
http://www.archive.org/details/texts

Book Publisher Reinvents Industry, Inspires 60 Million With Viral Movies

A small, young company in Naperville, Illinois is quietly reinventing the traditional book publishing model in three innovative ways: by publishing gift books for the corporate market, translating viral marketing into a profitable business model and delivering directly to customers who order online. The company, http://www.simpletruths.com/, is Mac Anderson's brainchild. A long time presence in inspirational and motivational circles, Mr. Anderson is the founder of Successories, the leader in motivational and recognition products. After selling Successories, Mr. Anderson started Simple Truths in the fall of 2005. Today, the company emails Mac Anderson's Simple Truths newsletter, with inspiring stories and short inspirational videos, to over 900,000 people. Anyone that is in need of a shot of inspiration may subscribe to Simple Truths' free newsletter.

Publishing Corporate Gift Books by Best-Selling Authors

Simple Truths' books weave photography, words and art work together into compact gift books that can be read in about 30 minutes. Featuring more than 40 gift books with over 600 stories on a variety of topics including leadership, customer service, ethics and goal-setting, Simple Truths' author list reads like a "best of" business list: Brian Tracy, Ken Blanchard, Zig Ziglar, John Maxwell, General Hal Moore and Andy Andrews. Best-sellers include: 212: the Extra Degree and The Dash: Making a Difference with Your Life and The Simple Truths of Service: Inspired by Johnny the Bagger.

Translating Viral Marketing into a Profitable Business Model

In 2006 Simple Truths produced a short movie based upon their best-selling inspiration gift book, The Dash [ http://www.thedashmovie.com/ ], as a test. If people liked reading the book would they want to watch a free movie about it online? With over 30 million views worldwide, The Dash is one of the Internet's most-watched movies. Every day, 55,000 people tune into http://simpletruths.com/movies to watch the company's collection of over 30 inspirational movies (the movies have generated over 60 million views to date).

Talk Radio Wants You: An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited

Francine Silverman, publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, a bi-weekly ezine for authors, has just debuted a new book designed to help authors land radio interviews. Talk Radio Wants You: An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited (McFarland & Co. 2009, ISBN 978-0-7864-4033-7).

The book includes what most radio websites fail to do - provide the theme of each show and guest criteria. It also provides the host's opinion of the best and worst guest, the preferred method of contact, what potential guests should do if there is no response and how they determine who gets invited back.

Both Internet and terrestrial shows are featured in 40 categories, along with contact information for more than 80 top radio shows not included in the categories. The list is based upon Talkers Magazine's Heavy Hundred and from its top 101-250 -- everyone from #2 Sean Hannity to Mike Malloy. (Rush Limbaugh, #1, is not included because he does not have guests). The Appendix contains three articles, "33 Radio Interview Tips" by book marketing expert and book publicist Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications; "Top 10 Telephone Tips" by Joe Sabah; and "Getting Invited Back" by Judith Sherven and Jim Sniechowski.

An Authors Access reviewer says: "Imagine being able to sit down with a coffee and discuss with hundreds of radio hosts what kind of guests they'd like to book. You can do just that with Francine Silverman's new book Talk Radio Wants You: An Intimate Guide to 700 Shows and How to Get Invited. I have paid $300 or more for talk radio show databases that had far less information than Francine presents in her highly-competitively priced book"

A discount is available by ordering directly from the author. http://www.talkradioadvocate.com/

Borders(R) Launches 'Babel Clash' Science Fiction Blog

Borders(R) has launched "Babel Clash," a new Science Fiction blog that proudly features the geekiest debates in the galaxy. Accessible at http://scifi.bordersblog.com/, "Babel Clash" is moderated by Borders' expert Science Fiction Buyer Morgan Burns and includes a rotating cast of authors and guest contributors who engage in debates on all things sci-fi. About every two weeks, a new guest contributor will join the blog to introduce new debate topics. Currently, Burns and New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison, whose new book "Once Dead, Twice Shy," hit shelves just days ago, are discussing this summer's blockbuster movies. Future guest contributors will include well known sci-fi authors Brandon Sanderson, who penned "Mistborn," and China Mieville, author of "The City & The City."

"Babel Clash" is just one of many ways Borders is connecting with book and entertainment lovers through social media. Borders also recently launched the "Borders Ink" Facebook(R) page, a source of information on all things related to teen literature and graphic novels moderated by Borders' expert Young Adult (YA) Fiction Buyer Liz Marotte. The Borders Books Facebook page, which features author interviews, book recommendations, photos, guest postings, exclusive author content and more, has been reaching tens of thousands of book, music and movie lovers for the last several months.

Tate Publishing to Create iPhone Applications to Market Authors' Books

Tate Publishing announced today the creation of a new service for Tate Publishing authors. The company will create an iPhone application so that users can connect with Tate Publishing authors and buy their books directly from the Tate Publishing bookstore.

The new Tate Publishing application can be used on computers and iPhones and will allow the user to connect directly to the author to learn their motivation behind the creation of their favorite books. In addition, these applications will link the users to the Tate Publishing online store to purchase the electronic versions.

Tate Publishing is the first book publisher to offer connectivity through an iPhone application. Company President and CEO, Ryan Tate, commented on the impending service, “We offer more opportunities, services and distribution than any other publisher.
While most would be content with this position, we never are. We want to always press to deliver more for our authors and the publishing industry and continue to distance ourselves from everyone else.”

Tate Publishing is an industry leader in sales and volumes and is known for their remarkable history of helping more first time authors succeed than any other book publisher. Ryan Tate credits their large scale success to their drive to ‘accomplish the impossible.’ Tate says, “Accomplishing the impossible is our calling, it is who we are. At Tate Publishing we wake up every morning and work harder than anyone else to see our authors, titles and this publishing house succeed. We not only consider our work a blessing, but to serve authors and have the opportunity to see lives changed and entertained by our products is amazing.”

Tate Publishing is expected to launch the iPhone application mid-summer.

Consumers who would like more information on the iPhone application can read Ryan Tate’s blog at http://www.tatepublishingblog.com or visit the main site, http://www.tatepublishing.com .

iFOGO.COM Reinvents The Way Authors and Books Are Marketed

Do you iFOGO(tm)?

Imagine hearing a printed book excerpt, not an audio book, before you buy. Imagine actually turning pages of a digitized excerpt, and hearing the sound, all there on your computer. Why not watch a video interview, listen to an audio excerpt, write a review, or make a suggestion. That's just the beginning.

Want to connect with authors, share the same space, read detailed biographies, all before buying a book? Welcome to the world of iFOGO.(tm) (http://www.ifogo.com/) And there's more.

The conventional world of books and publishing has not grown in ways that truly represent the needs of writers and readers. Now, everything changes, when it comes to the way authors, publishers, and books are presented. The key word is "interactive;" the driving force is iFOGO.(tm)

iFOGO,(tm) founded and created by an author, provides powerful tools for searching for and learning about authors, their books, and other creative offerings. The company dramatically increases the opportunity for authors, poets, publishers to connect with readers.

Readers are central to the iFOGO(tm) concept. This is no coffee klatch for writers.

Their Mission? To present the legitimate works of every author, and publisher, in ways that engage and fully inform readers. iFOGO(tm) uses both conventional, and cutting edge tools to enrich the book-buying experience. Readers may buy from any source the author or publisher designates, plus Amazon, Barnes & Noble or other booksellers.

Readers interact via audio excerpts, digitized excerpts, view video trailers, suggest authors, receive autographed purchases, get publishing news, and more. iFOGO(tm) goes even further, with iFOGO(tm) Village.

What is iFOGO(tm) Village? Home to writers, readers, booksellers, literary agents, book clubs, libraries, and more; all are welcome. Readers and authors register at, and become 'Residents' of iFOGO(tm) Village--iFOGO's social networking site. Visualize a marriage of Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Facebook, Ebay, and MySpace--that's iFOGO.(tm) Members enjoy his or her own web presence, upload photos, videos, form groups (including book clubs), post events, write reviews, blogs, create forums, chat live, and much more.

iFOGO(tm) promises even more innovation in the near future. They are on the top lists of Internet companies to watch.

Passersby and Publishers at Book Expo America Crack Up At Author Connie Bennett’s Zany Sandwich Board

For many exhibitors, Book Expo America was a serious, no-nonsense business affair, but single, Jewish author Connie Bennett provocatively made light of the fact that she's unmarried and available for a "committed relationship" with both a "compatible" publisher--and the right man.

"Are You The One?'" playfully asked the unmarried author's 24 x 30 sandwich board, which she wore around BEA last weekend.

The single author's zany publisher-hunting sandwich board—designed to look like a personal's ad--forced passersby to stop and appreciate the author's ingenuity, which includes the facetious promise: "Will put out on first date!!"

"Oh, that's so funny--I almost choked on my water," said Book Expo America visitor Jo Shumard, author of "Is Your Wallet Killing You"

Bennett's outrageous marketing effort came at a time publishers--like other businesses--have been facing economic challenges.

"It's time to become an out-of-the-box-thinking author-preneur, who creates captivating messages that nab the attention of readers and publishers," claims Bennett, whose first book was "SUGAR SHOCK!" from Berkley Books.

"I wanted to playfully show that I have the guts, marketing savvy and sense of humor to be a successful author in this economic climate," adds Bennett, a journalist, radio host ("Gab With the Gurus"), certified health counselor, speaker, self-described "Ex-Sugar Shrew!" and Better Habits Coach™.

The author--who has the coveted "big platform"--is seeking her "publishing soulmate" for her second book, "The Weight-Loss Habits of Highly Successful Losers: Simple Tips & Tactics to Slim down, Boost Energy, Rev Up Your Libido & Be Happier in 21 Days"

Bennett's first book, "SUGAR SHOCK!" (www.SugarShock.com), was a bestseller on Amazon and BN.com, and it is still selling.

You can learn more at www.SugarShockBlog.com. The book has a foreword by the bestselling Dr. Nicholas Perricone, and it has been endorsed by the until-recently "Oprah" regular Dr. Mehmet Oz, the popular Dr. Christiane Northrup and film mogul Harvey Weinstein. Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Sinatra serves as contributing author.

Bennett's second book--for which she's publisher hunting--is a fun, friendly, often-interactive diet and lifestyle book that will help people to lose weight and break free of bad habits (what Bennett calls "babits"™) that enslave them.

"Readers of my next book, 'The Weight-Loss Habits of Highly Successful Losers,'" the author promises, "will get more energy, feel and look younger and sexier, and become both happier and healthier"

The medical consultant for Bennett's next book is integrative physician Dr. Richard Linchitz, who overcame his lung cancer. The introduction will be by Joshua Rosenthal, MScEd, founder and director of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the largest nutrition school in the world.

Fans are already lining up to promise to buy "The Wrel="nofollow" target="_blank" eight-Loss Habits of Highly Successful Losers" at the author's blogs – www.SugarShockBlog.com and www.BetterHabitsDiet.com (A new site, www.SuccessfulLosersBlog.com, will go up shortly.)

So is there any truth to the single author's outrageous promise that she'll "Put Out On First Date!!"?

"Sure, I'll put out—BUT only with enticing, seductive, provocative information about my next book," Bennett quips.

"I may be willing to stage a zany, over-the-top marketing campaign, but all said and done, I'm a nice Jewish girl," laughingly replies the author, who credits friend and fellow author Dr. Diana Kirschner with the idea for her outrageous, facetious promise to "Put Out On First Date!!"

Dr. Diana is also a believer in zany marketing tactics. The love expert stars with her adorable, 4-pound Pomerian, Madison, in dating-advice videos posted on YouTube. (www.YouTube.com/lovein90days) Sure enough, the webisodes are boosting sales for her new book, "Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love" (Center Street).

In fact, Dr. Diana's "Simply Irresistible Flirting Moves" webisode series humorously illustrates flirting techniques with her adorable pooch, who "plays" a hot guy. In one month, the series has had 40,000 views.

Dr. Diana's videos--which she launched without publisher support--also have attracted more than 56,000 friends, over 81,000 viewers and nearly 3,000 new subscribers to her YouTube channel. The author's outrageous marketing stunt has been so successful that YouTube—which links directly to the Amazon sales page for her book—has granted Dr. Diana partner status, driving even more traffic to her website. (www.lovein90days.com).

With the publishing industry at a crossroads, pro-active author-preneurs like Bennett and Dr. Diana are increasingly important to drive book sales through creative PR stunts that also bring laughter into the equation.