SelfPublishing
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Amazon simplifies self-published paperback printing
Amazon has a program in place allowing people to self-publish both printed and electronic books, but until now the workflow has been clunky as authors were forced to use a different tool for each format. The company is now streamlining the experience through a new beta initiative within its Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program, which used to be only for e-book publishing.
Xbox One self-publishing begins in early 2014 with a big list of devs onboard
It looks like Microsoft is on its way to the "tens of thousands of games" it wants produced through its "ID@Xbox" self-publishing program on Xbox One: The company announced this morning that the program will kick off starting in early 2014. The news dropped alongside a lengthy list of developers already signed on -- from the big (Crytek) to the small (Definition 6, which is basically just a single dude) -- some of which we've already heard from. Below dev studio Capy, for instance, was a known quantity. We've dropped the full list of devs after the break, alongside some of the games they're best known for. Microsoft's self-publishing head Chris Charla (the man previously behind Xbox Live Arcade) says today's list of devs is "far from comprehensive," and "just the first selection of the hugely diverse complement of developers who are working on bringing games to Xbox One via ID@Xbox beginning early next year."
Paper now making Books in most obvious business move ever
Paper making a Book? That would follow logic. But the Paper we're referring to here is actually an iPad sketchbook app and the book? Why, that'd be a product of Moleskine. An update released today to Paper's popular app adds a new 'Make a Book' service which allows users to self-publish their collection of doodles and designs into physical books. The end result is 15 matte pages of custom quirk in a 4:3 aspect ratio (to match the iPad) -- users can even design their own covers. But this kitschy road to self-publishing comes at a steep cost: $40 per Book. Sure, there are other, cheaper means of getting your work out into the world, but not all of them'll do it with a fold-out flair.
Kindle e-bookstore and self-publishing platform now available in Mexico
Both readers and writers in Mexico have a reason to rejoice today, as Amazon has just launched the Kindle Store and Kindle Direct Publishing in their country. The e-bookstore will feature over 70,000 Spanish-language titles, as well as e-books in indigenous tongues like Nahuatl. To help fill up those new e-readers, Amazon will also be offering upwards of 1,500 free books among the store's 2 million titles. The availability of KDP is especially significant, as it offers both unknown authors and big name writers like Paulo Coelho (who's using it to release his books El Alquimista and Once Minutos) an alternative path to publishing. Additionally, Gandhi, one of the largest bookstore chains in Mexico, will now sell the basic Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite in its brick and mortar shops for MXN$1,399 (USD$105) and MXN$2,399 (USD$180) respectively. For more info, check out the source links below or the press releases after the break.
Barnes & Noble to open 'PubIt!' self-publishing portal this summer
Self-publishing has long since been possible through Amazon, but you won't catch us kvetching about a little competition in the market place. In an attempt to do for indie writers what InstantAction has done for indie game developers, Barnes & Noble has just announced its intentions to open up a self-publishing portal this summer. We wouldn't say that the PubIt! name is the greatest of all time (for a variety of reasons, frankly), but the world's largest bookseller is hoping to expand its importance in the digital realm by giving wannabe authors the ability to upload and sell their material through B&N's website and eBookstore. Details on the compensation model (read: profit split) will be announced "in the coming weeks," but the real kicker here is this won't be limited to the Nook; pretty much any e-reader, tablet or PC will be able to tap in and make purchases, so the potential audience is quite large. Hit that source link if you want to be notified when invitations are going out, and given just how close we are to this mythical "summer" thing, we'd suggest you start putting pen to paper -- and fast. [Thanks, Victor]
