On Amazon Kindle new lending library: The good, the bad and the ugly

Yesterday Amazon opened the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, allowing Amazon Prime members to rent one digital book per month for free. Right now, this library includes 5,000 titles, including over 100 current and former New York Times Bestsellers.

Coming from Amazon, this is a big step in the ebook space and we thought it's worth looking into three consequences of it: the good, the bad and the ugly.

The good: If you are a Kindle holder and also Amazon Prime member you just got yourself a free ebook every month. This is also good news to ebook lending fans in general - the market is and will get more competitive and readers will be the ones that will profit from it eventually. For example, right now ebook lending services such as eBookFling and BookLending, as well as libraries, let you rent ebooks only up to 14 days. Now that Amazon is offering you to rent a book for one month, there's a good chance other players in the market will eventually try to offer a similar offer.

The bad: Amazon is conquering another piece of the ebook market. It's true that right now it's only a pilot program offered to Prime members, but how much time do you think it will take Amazon to dominate the market? Not too much I guess. So even though the entrance of Amazon to this market will benefit readers (see the good part), it also helps to strengthen the status of Amazon as the most powerful player in the book market. And with Amazon exploring other parts of this market like publishing and self-publishing, it looks like that in couple of years Amazon won't be just a powerful player in the book market, but it will be the book market. This is definitely not a desirable future for this industry.

The  ugly: This move is bad news for brick and mortar bookstores in general and independent bookstores specifically, as it will help to energize the transformation to ebooks  (if this trend needs any help at all) and make more people do their ebook activity, whether its shopping or renting through Amazon. Not to mention that it provides readers that are not Prime members a good reason to consider paying the $79 annual fee and become Prime members. And once they become Prime members, with the free two day shipping, there's also a good chance they will start doing their paper book shopping only on Amazon, enjoying this shipping benefit. Again, not a desirable situation if you're an independent bookstore or even Barnes & Noble.

To read more updates on the ebook lending space check our ebook lending page.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

This week's book recommendation - Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America

I'd like to share with you today an update on a great book that has just been released - Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America by Tyson Miller (editor) and Kelly Spitzner (designer), Foreword by Paul Hawken, Closing by Alice Walker.

I just saw the book briefly but from what I've heard this is a very special book that anyone interested in finding sustainable solutions for a better future for America (and the world)  should be reading.

Here's more about the book from its website:

Across the nation countless individuals and organizations are dreaming a new future. Dream of a Nation sheds lights on some of the groundbreaking leaders, projects and ideas that have the potential to solve society’s toughest problems.

Through a collection of essays and short commentaries, the solutions and projects presented celebrate unique contributions from the country’s diverse population and span the nation’s most prevalent concerns. The content is applicable to readers of varying political persuasions and the material comes alive through four-color authentic images, and accessible graphics and illustrations.

Contributors include: (Click links below to see samples of the look and feel of the book!)

• Alice Walker
• Vice President Gore
• Time 100 Visionary Geoffrey Canada
• Bioneers Founder Kenny Ausubel
• NASA Astronaut Jerry Linenger
• Frances Moore Lappé
• Common Cause
• New America Foundation
• United for a Fair Economy
• The Bipartisan Bridge
• Citizen Effect
• Veterans for Peace
• (and nearly 50 more)

Over 60 interconnected issues are explored and organized across 12 chapters including: Building an Equitable and Green Economy, Waging Peace, Citizen Leadership, Strengthening Community, Environmental Stewardship, Ending Poverty, Deepening Democracy, Improving Health, Media Reform, Key Education Innovations, Re-Imagining Business, and Creating a Nation that Shines.

Dream of a Nation restores faith that humanity can solve our current looming environmental, economic and societal challenges. This is a comprehensive resource for any reader interested in gaining critical information and deepening their role as an empowered citizen.

Praise for Dream of a Nation
“Dream of a Nation moves us past party lines and into the realm of what is possible. This important work guides even the most disillusioned of us toward innovative measures that, if implemented, could benefit society in amazing ways and make citizen activists out of us all. Inspiring!” - –Jennifer Grayson, Huffington Post

“At a time when America’s challenges seem greater than ever, when polarization threatens to leave us permanently divided, Dream of a Nation reminds us of what we have in common—and all that we can build when we work together.” –Bryan Walsh, TIME Magazine

Last but not least, the book is printed on 100% PCW recycled FSC-certified paper in the U.S.

For more information on the book and ordering a copy visit http://dreamofanation.org/book/ 

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!

Three-eyed fish, too much poop and other green issues you should be horrified about this Halloween

Our Halloween special continues! After we shared with you a list of ten green things you shouldn't be horrified about this Halloween, here's a counter-list of ten green things that you should be horrified about this Halloween:

1. Fishermen trawling a nuclear-plant-fed reservoir in Córdoba, Argentina have caught a three-eyed wolf fish (not a very pretty fellow I have to say..) 

2. The 7 billionth baby is expected to arrive around Halloween (and we have a big poop problem)

3. No one in the media (except the Daily Show) seems to care about a new study that confirms the scientific finding that climate change is real and underway -would it be the same if the results were the opposite?

4. What you can find in the McDonald's McRib sandwich 

5. BP just got an approval to launch its first deep-water drilling since the lethal blowout of its Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico a year and a half ago

6. The Greenland ice sheet can experience extreme melting even when temperatures don't hit record highs, according to a new analysis

7. Cereal crimes: Bear Naked and other big cereal brands are exposed in a new consumer report for unethical “natural” claims

8. Animals shrink as earth warms (are we next?)

9. More dust storms expected as Texas drought lingers (I wonder if Rick Perry read this one..)

10. Ozzy Osbourne is embracing a vegan diet

If you have more ideas, feel free to add your comment.

Happy Halloween!
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

Hyperink, a new e-publishing startup is revolutionizing the digital publishing space

If publishers thought the only threat on their business comes from Amazon and its plans to seriously get into publishing, they're wrong. The eBook space is a great place for innovators, creating new models and ventures that might become even a bigger threat for traditional publishers in the near future. Take Hyperink for example.

Hyperink, as The Next Web defined it, is looking to change these facts. Essentially the company is looking to speed up the publishing industry, providing nearly on-demand access to topic-driven books, focusing on the micro scale. So rather than a “How to Get Into College”, you’re likely to see “How to Get Into Stanford”.

On Hyperink's website you can find the following: "We started Hyperink for a simple reason: there is too much knowledge trapped in people's heads, inaccessible to the world. Our mission is to unlock and share that knowledge by working directly with domain experts to publish beautiful, high-quality eBooks."

This need identification was made by Kevin Gao who founded Hyperlink after he left McKinsey and wrote down his thoughts on how to get there in a 90-page tract he called The Consulting Bible and began selling the e-book at $25 apiece. Last year, he told Businessweek, the title made more than $100,000, and the book’s unexpected success got Gao thinking. “There are millions of people out there like me who have interesting knowledge about all these random topics,” he told Businessweek. “But to market a book online there are a thousand steps that I had to figure out through trial and error.”

His idea transformed eventually this publishing startup that is focusing on producing 30-50 page nonfiction e-books on selected niche topics, from how to get into Ivy league schools to getting consulting jobs in India. Hyperink raised already $1.2 million from venture capital firms, including Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, SVAngel and Lerer Ventures and has published 100 e-books since January. Gao, who serves now as the company's CEO, wants to publish 100 books per month, available for download on e-readers, tablets, mobile devices and computers.

The comparative advantage of Hyperink is specialization - you already have For Dummies and other guides covering almost every topic on earth, but they're usually general. Hyperlink is looking to provide for more specific and thus valuable guidance. Scott Weiss, a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz who took part in the decision to invest in Hyperink gave Businessweek an example -instead of College Admission Essays For Dummies, Hyperink can produce 30-50-page volumes on the admissions process at hundreds of different schools, like "How to Get Into Amherst".

Hyperink also puts a lot of effort in identifying the right topics, the ones that will actually generate enough sales. The company, as businesweek reports, created software to predict in-demand topics. The algorithm takes in datasets, such as recent book sales figures and popular Internet searches, to determine what kinds of titles to produce.

And what about the authors? Hyperink explains on the website that "we’re ideal for experts who are entrepreneurial but don’t want to deal with the hassles of self-publishing. We’ll put you on a schedule and provide you with guidance to get the project completed." They hunt for what they call “domain experts” by advertising on Facebook, enlisting consultant-for-hire services such as Evisors, and simply calling around. There are no upfront payments to authors, but experts who write these books by themselves can get up to 50% of the royalties.

Hyperink's vision is to change the book publishing space - "book publishing needs to go through a lot of change - it should be faster, more personalized, and more democratic. We're going to make that happen," they write on their website. This is an ambitious goal, but Hyperink seems to be armed with the right tools to make it happen, or at least significantly contribute to such a change. In any event, publishers better pay attention to Hyperlink - this is the future of the publishing space and if they won't learn how to adjust to it, they will find themselves in trouble.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

Ten green things you shouldn't be horrified about this Halloween!

Halloween is almost here, so we thought of sharing with you today a list of ten green things you shouldn't be horrified about this Halloween (and in general):

1. Taking small steps to reduce your footprint even if you don't have an eco-concierge or you have just read 'Going Green but Getting Nowhere', which made you think it's all hopeless.

2. Telling President Obama: Stop the Keystone XL Pipeline.

3. Visiting your local Occupy Wall-Street protest (you might even meet Paul Krugman there..)

4. Checking the new Nest Learning Thermostat (as cool as a thermostat can get!)

5. Feeling optimistic about the future of sustainable consumption

6. Buying Mark Bittman's book 'The Food Matters Cookbook: 500 Revolutionary Recipes for Better Living' (and try some of his great recipes!)

7. Car sharing or even carpooling!

8. Looking for flip flops made of recycled paper (or: Paperflops)

9. Exploring your local e-library options.

10. Enjoying the fall colors (before it gets too late or just too cold..)

If you have more ideas, feel free to add your comment.

On Saturday we'll publish the second-part of our Halloween special lists - this time the green things you should be horrified about!

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant trees for your books!

This Saturday on Strand Bookstore: Chuck Palahniuk's first and only NYC event for his new book, Damned

Here's an update from our friends at Strand about a special event that they organize this Saturday with Chuck Palahniuk, author of Damned.

Here are the details: The Strand is hosting this special event at The Great Hall at Cooper Union, located at 7 East 7th Street on Third Avenue.

Admission is $30, which includes a signed copy of Damned-- and can be purchased here.

Please note that there are no physical tickets and books can only be picked up at the event. Please bring a copy of your receipt for verification.

The event begins at 6pm. Doors open at 5:15pm. Seating is first come, first served.

The first 100 fans to purchase their seat for this event were invited to meet the author and get their book personalized. Those VIP tickets are now SOLD OUT! VIP ticket-holders will be contacted via email with information about when to arrive at The Great Hall to meet the author.

Signed copies of the author's previous books, as well as signed copies of Damned, will be available for purchase at the event and via our Pre-Order Signed Page.

Reserve your seat in the store or here. Guests who reserve a seat online will be added to a guest list at the event.

Chuck Palahniuk's eleven best-selling novels-Tell-All, Pygmy, Snuff, Rant, Haunted, Lullaby, Fight Club, Diary, Survivor, Invisible Monsters, and Choke-have sold more than five million copies in the United States. He is also the author of Fugitives and Refugees, published as part of the Crown Journey Series, and the nonfiction collection Stranger Than Fiction.

About Strand: Located in 828 Broadway (at 12th St.), this New York's independent landmark bookstore is not only one of most famous bookstores in the world, but also a partner of Eco-Libris. Strand are taking part in our bookstore program and customers at the store can plant a tree for every book they buy there and receive our sticker at the counter!

Visit Strand's Event Calendar for the complete schedule of events.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Plant a tree for every book you read!

My Million Dollar Mom by Ross Schriftman is joining the 100 trees Project!

I'm sure most people think their mom is really great. Ross Schriftman actually wrote a book about it: My Million Dollar Mom, an uplifting true story of a lifetime of sacrifice and caring between a mother, Shirley and her son Ross.

We're also happy to update you that this great book has just joined the "100 Trees Project"!

This joint program was launched by Infinity Publishing, a leading self-publishing company together with Eco-Libris to promote environmental sustainability among its authors. Through the program, authors that publish with Infinity are able to plant 100 trees for the title they publish. These authors also have the option to add a special "100 trees planted for this book" logo to their book's design, as a way to showcase their commitment to environmental sustainability.

What's this book is about? My Million Dollar Mom is an uplifting true story of a lifetime of sacrifice and caring between a mother, Shirley and her son Ross. Love of family, politics, community, patriotism, teaching, animals, nature, music and service to others was Shirley Schriftman; a member of the greatest generation. When Alzheimer’s strikes this loving Mother their roles reverse and Ross, with the help of care giver Nora, take Shirley to the end of her life with dignity and joy.

About the author:

Ross Schriftman was a devoted son. In addition to his love of family, Ross has been active in politics for more than 40 years. He ran for Pennsylvania State Representative in 1974, 1976 and 2004 and Montgomery County Controller in 1979. He has been an insurance agent since 1975 and specializes in Medicare and long-term care insurance. Professionally, he served as the Associate Chair for Long-Term Care for the National Association of Health Underwriters from 2001 to 2003 and Legislative Chair of the Pennsylvania Association of Health Underwriters from 1994 to 2003.

Ross served as Regional President of the National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods in the 1980s. He has run marathons since 1970. Though Ross is a frequent speaker and writer on health care issues and public policy, My Million Dollar Mom is his first published book.

My Million Dollar Mom is available for sale on Infinity's website.

Other books on the "100 Trees Project":

My Name is Grace

The Last Original Idea: A Cynic's View to Internet Marketing

Buffalo on the Ridge by Deanna Meyer

What Love Is...A-Z by by Elle Febbo

Raven Wings and 13 More Twisted Tales

Ishift- Innovation Shift

Good Management is Not Firefighting

Play on Words

This is Your Brain on God

DRIVEN! Remembrance, Reflection, & Revelation

X-POSED: The Painful Truth Behind Yoga & Pilates

Last Male Born: Revenge

Reduced Load Ballistics Research Manual

Ligiea / Bryndt

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Plant a tree for every book you read!