Find eBook Readers Blog   Reading in the Digital Age

A quick look at some of the things happening that might affect an ereader near you.

Amazon announced today that its publishing imprint AmazonEncore will be publishing author J. A. Konrath’s latest book in his Jacqueline “Jack” Daniels series.  From the press release:

J.A. Konrath is the author of the Jacqueline "Jack" Daniels series that includes "Whiskey Sour," "Bloody Mary," "Rusty Nail," "Dirty Martini," "Fuzzy Navel" and "Cherry Bomb." All six titles are available to purchase in both print and Kindle format on Amazon.com. Konrath has also written under the names Jack Kilborn and Joe Kimball. He has published over a dozen books using Amazon’s Digital Text Platform (DTP), and has been featured in numerous articles and blog posts as an author who is making a living off of Kindle.

"My Kindle readers have been incredibly faithful fans and I’m excited to be able to release the Kindle edition of ‘Shaken’ several months before the physical version is available to purchase," said Konrath. "Since it’s easier, faster and cheaper to create an e-book than it is a physical book, Kindle owners will get to read the seventh Jack Daniels before everyone else. The ability for authors to reach fans–instantly and inexpensively with a simple press of a button–is the greatest thing to happen to the written word since Gutenberg."

* * *

Recently French book retailers asked the French government and publishing houses to create a new sales platform for ebooks that would fix prices and help protect the French booksellers from large internet sellers such as Amazon.  pBooks in France already enjoy anticompetitive price controls and retailers wish to see this protection extended to ebooks.

The Bookseller reports today that leading French publishers have now agreed to cooperate and will create a single portal for the sale of ebooks to booksellers.

* * *

Franklin Electronic Publishers will release 12 of its visual dictionary applications for use on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.  From the press release:

While historically, Franklin provided language solutions on its proprietary devices, Franklin is now releasing ViDICTO+ Mytrip applications for download to 3rd party devices such as the Apple line-up.  Initially the ViDICTO+ Mytrip applications are available in 11 language pairs, either English or German centric, at the App Store for $5.99 each with a compact version of the English-to-Spanish version available for free.  These applications combine the features of a visual dictionary, talking phrasebook, regular dictionary and learning application all in a single offering. The applications run "offline," so internet and data connections are not required for use.

Each visual dictionary allows the lookup of words and phrases through a variety of categories, linking language to an activity or location.  Words and phrases are presented in a combination of pictures, spoken language and written words to aid in learning and memorization.  All recorded words and phrases are pronounced by native speakers.  Contextual phrases are available in every entry and any word or phrase can be saved to personalized "short lists" for easy access.  A "trainer" mode is available for quizzes.

The ViDICTO+ Mytrip applications are available in the following language pairs: English-to-French, English-to-German, English-to-Japanese, English-to-Mandarin, English-to-Russian, English-to-Spanish (also available in a free compact version), German-to-English, German-to-Japanese, German-to-Mandarin, German-to-Russian, and German-to-Spanish.

Franklin’s visual dictionaries are available at the iTunes App Store.

Possibly Related Posts:

• AmazonEncore Spring Publishing List & Fall Additions
• AmazonEncore Fall 2010 Publishing List
• Amazon’s Most Well-Read Cities in America
• Amazon expands trade-in program to include electronics
• Amazon.de launches German Kindle Store