Lorina Stephens's Blog, page 68
May 5, 2011
H.A. Hargreaves Work to be Published by Five Rivers
H.A. Hargreaves is one of Canada's remarkable, one might even say legendary, speculative fiction writers. He is a retired professor of English, formerly at the University of Alberta (Edmonton), and was twice nominated (1982 and 1983) for the Lifetime Contributions category in the Prix Auroras. His collection of short stories, North by 2000, in its time received wide critical acclaim from both peers and periodicals.
Today Five Rivers is pleased to announce the rebirth of that remarkable collection of short stories by Hargreaves. This new edition, entitled North by 2000+, will feature not only all the quintessentially Canadian stories of the first edition, but five additional published short works, along with a foreword from the author, and an introduction by Dr. Robert Runte.
Cover design has been awarded to Jeff Minkevics.
North by 2000+ is scheduled for release early in 2012, and will be available in print and digital formats worldwide.
Today Five Rivers is pleased to announce the rebirth of that remarkable collection of short stories by Hargreaves. This new edition, entitled North by 2000+, will feature not only all the quintessentially Canadian stories of the first edition, but five additional published short works, along with a foreword from the author, and an introduction by Dr. Robert Runte.
Cover design has been awarded to Jeff Minkevics.
North by 2000+ is scheduled for release early in 2012, and will be available in print and digital formats worldwide.
May 4, 2011
Flying Under the Radar
Journalists and analysts of the business of publishing have been saying for some time no one really knows just how large is the digital market. The reason for that is publishing data that's reported is collected primarily from the Big Six publishers. And while data from digital retailers like Amazon and Kobo is analyzed, that data usually is in reference to actual dollar sales, rather than unit sales.
Why these data aren't even close to representing what's really going on in the publishing world is due to the fact in the past half decade we've seen an explosion of indie publishers thanks to the advent of affordable and easily accessible print on demand and digital printers.
How many indie publishers are there? No one really knows that either. There isn't an umbrella organization, to my knowledge, in all of North America, let alone Europe and the rest of the world, that is representative of indie publishers. Given the number of independently published books available on Kindle and Smashwords, however, I'd hazard a guess the number of indie publishers ranks somewhere in the five to six figure range, each of them putting out, at a guess, an average of two to three titles a year.
At Smashwords alone it would appear there have been approximately 20,000 books published (based on 100,000 words/book, and Smashwords' claim of 1,981,327,264 published words.) That figure could also represent about 6,700 publishers.
One site that lists independent publishers would lead one to believe there are approximately 850 indie publishers on their list, and that of course doesn't include a great many across North America and the rest of the world. There are approximately 54 Canadian indie presses listed at Arsenalia, a list which is only inclusive of what realistically could be called small to medium indie presses in Canada, and certainly is not inclusive of the hundreds of micro-presses across the country. I can think of at least 20 other colleagues who operate micro-presses within Canada, and who publish about two to three titles a year. And that's just within my own sphere of knowledge.
So, given just this microscopic tip of the new publishing iceberg, I suspect the real digital units sold represents an enormous and significant segment of the publishing economy, a grassroots, almost underground, publishing world that is like the mycelium, if you will, of the mushrooming world of publishing.
And in light of that possibility, the fact the Big Six and publishing analysts still haven't grasped the impact or full extent of what HAS happened in publishing, means that indies like Five Rivers and a host of others, will continue to fly under the radar, remain absent from the census that would be vital to shaping economic and technological decisions in publishing.
Perhaps it's time for indies to form a coalition, whether regional, national or global, to realize there is indeed power in numbers, and that together we may very well find ourselves with a place at the publishing bargaining table alongside the Big Six. Imagine that.
Why these data aren't even close to representing what's really going on in the publishing world is due to the fact in the past half decade we've seen an explosion of indie publishers thanks to the advent of affordable and easily accessible print on demand and digital printers.
How many indie publishers are there? No one really knows that either. There isn't an umbrella organization, to my knowledge, in all of North America, let alone Europe and the rest of the world, that is representative of indie publishers. Given the number of independently published books available on Kindle and Smashwords, however, I'd hazard a guess the number of indie publishers ranks somewhere in the five to six figure range, each of them putting out, at a guess, an average of two to three titles a year.
At Smashwords alone it would appear there have been approximately 20,000 books published (based on 100,000 words/book, and Smashwords' claim of 1,981,327,264 published words.) That figure could also represent about 6,700 publishers.
One site that lists independent publishers would lead one to believe there are approximately 850 indie publishers on their list, and that of course doesn't include a great many across North America and the rest of the world. There are approximately 54 Canadian indie presses listed at Arsenalia, a list which is only inclusive of what realistically could be called small to medium indie presses in Canada, and certainly is not inclusive of the hundreds of micro-presses across the country. I can think of at least 20 other colleagues who operate micro-presses within Canada, and who publish about two to three titles a year. And that's just within my own sphere of knowledge.
So, given just this microscopic tip of the new publishing iceberg, I suspect the real digital units sold represents an enormous and significant segment of the publishing economy, a grassroots, almost underground, publishing world that is like the mycelium, if you will, of the mushrooming world of publishing.
And in light of that possibility, the fact the Big Six and publishing analysts still haven't grasped the impact or full extent of what HAS happened in publishing, means that indies like Five Rivers and a host of others, will continue to fly under the radar, remain absent from the census that would be vital to shaping economic and technological decisions in publishing.
Perhaps it's time for indies to form a coalition, whether regional, national or global, to realize there is indeed power in numbers, and that together we may very well find ourselves with a place at the publishing bargaining table alongside the Big Six. Imagine that.
April 27, 2011
Three Great Books Unrolling from Five Rivers
Five Rivers has some fabulous books coming to you this summer. We're so excited we're ready to shout.
The first of our trio of fabulous books releases June 1, 2011, from well-known Five Rivers author, Nate Hendley. Crystal Death: North America's Most Dangerous Drug, is a hard-hitting look at the most dangerous illegal drug in North America. A fact-based account featuring up to the minute interviews and life stories from users, dealers and doctors, with a Canadian perspective on the problem and its potential solutions. An important book for teachers, parents and anyone interested in, or living close to, this devastating drug.
Includes advice on how to talk effectively to your children and students about methamphetamine - and how not to!
It is available for preorder direct from Five Rivers, as well as through Chapters/Indigo.
Trade Paperback 6 x 9
132 pages
ISBN 9780973927832
$14.95
Crystal Death will also be available in digital format about a week after the release of the print version.
Second Great Summer Book
August 1, 2011 a new cookbook from Lorina Stephens becomes available, Stonehouse Cooks. These are timeless recipes for the 21st century. Stonehouse Cooks offers recipes, meal plans and strategies to bring nutrition, delicious food and fun into the kitchen and on to the table. Lorina Stephens examines the real food revolution from both a modern and historical perspective.
As with all Five Rivers' books, a digital format will be available about a week after release of the print version.
Trade Paperback 6 x 9
220 pages
ISBN 9780986642333
$14.95
Stonehouse Cooks can be preordered directly from Five Rivers, or through Chapters/Indigo at 24% discount.
Gardening Gurus in the Fall
We are ridiculously excited to be presenting on September 1, 2011, gardening gurus, Patrick Lima & John Scanlan's new, revised, updated, engaging, informative and fabulous The Organic Home Garden.
Patrick is the author of seven gardening books previously published by Key Porter and Camden House, as well as owner, with his partner John Scanlan, of the well-known Bruce Peninsula oasis, Larkwhistle.
With over 30 years of organic gardening experience, Patrick writes credibly and honestly, offering a step by step, no-nonsense approach for anyone interested in pursuing a greener, healthier lifestyle.
John is the visual artist of the duo, offering collage in photography and mixed media to create vibrant interpretations of everyday items.
In the Organic Home Garden, Patrick and John, take readers step-by-step through the engaging process of growing the best possible food - from spring's first spinach, asparagus and salad greens, through the summer abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and all, right into fall's harvest of squash, leeks, carrots and potatoes.
Often, a small timely tip makes all the difference, and this dynamic team leaves nothing out. Whether you tend a small city yard, a full-size country garden or something in between, their instructive, easy to follow and often humorous advice will ensure you make the very best use of the space you have -- and you can't get any more local, seasonal and organic than food from your own yard.
Combine this with John's unique and vibrant artistic paintings, and you have a book that stands out from the wall of glossy, manufactured gardening publications, making The Organic Home Garden a stand-alone, stand-out book sure to intrigue and capture gardeners, artists and customers who conduct their lives to a different rhythm.
Trade Paperback 7 x 10
336 pages
ISBN 9780986542756
$29.95
The Organic Home Garden is available for preorder directly through Five Rivers, or Chapters/Indigo at 34% discount.
The first of our trio of fabulous books releases June 1, 2011, from well-known Five Rivers author, Nate Hendley. Crystal Death: North America's Most Dangerous Drug, is a hard-hitting look at the most dangerous illegal drug in North America. A fact-based account featuring up to the minute interviews and life stories from users, dealers and doctors, with a Canadian perspective on the problem and its potential solutions. An important book for teachers, parents and anyone interested in, or living close to, this devastating drug.Includes advice on how to talk effectively to your children and students about methamphetamine - and how not to!
It is available for preorder direct from Five Rivers, as well as through Chapters/Indigo.
Trade Paperback 6 x 9
132 pages
ISBN 9780973927832
$14.95
Crystal Death will also be available in digital format about a week after the release of the print version.
Second Great Summer Book
August 1, 2011 a new cookbook from Lorina Stephens becomes available, Stonehouse Cooks. These are timeless recipes for the 21st century. Stonehouse Cooks offers recipes, meal plans and strategies to bring nutrition, delicious food and fun into the kitchen and on to the table. Lorina Stephens examines the real food revolution from both a modern and historical perspective.As with all Five Rivers' books, a digital format will be available about a week after release of the print version.
Trade Paperback 6 x 9
220 pages
ISBN 9780986642333
$14.95
Stonehouse Cooks can be preordered directly from Five Rivers, or through Chapters/Indigo at 24% discount.
Gardening Gurus in the Fall
We are ridiculously excited to be presenting on September 1, 2011, gardening gurus, Patrick Lima & John Scanlan's new, revised, updated, engaging, informative and fabulous The Organic Home Garden.
Patrick is the author of seven gardening books previously published by Key Porter and Camden House, as well as owner, with his partner John Scanlan, of the well-known Bruce Peninsula oasis, Larkwhistle. With over 30 years of organic gardening experience, Patrick writes credibly and honestly, offering a step by step, no-nonsense approach for anyone interested in pursuing a greener, healthier lifestyle.
John is the visual artist of the duo, offering collage in photography and mixed media to create vibrant interpretations of everyday items.
In the Organic Home Garden, Patrick and John, take readers step-by-step through the engaging process of growing the best possible food - from spring's first spinach, asparagus and salad greens, through the summer abundance of tomatoes, cucumbers, melons and all, right into fall's harvest of squash, leeks, carrots and potatoes.
Often, a small timely tip makes all the difference, and this dynamic team leaves nothing out. Whether you tend a small city yard, a full-size country garden or something in between, their instructive, easy to follow and often humorous advice will ensure you make the very best use of the space you have -- and you can't get any more local, seasonal and organic than food from your own yard.
Combine this with John's unique and vibrant artistic paintings, and you have a book that stands out from the wall of glossy, manufactured gardening publications, making The Organic Home Garden a stand-alone, stand-out book sure to intrigue and capture gardeners, artists and customers who conduct their lives to a different rhythm.
Trade Paperback 7 x 10
336 pages
ISBN 9780986542756
$29.95
The Organic Home Garden is available for preorder directly through Five Rivers, or Chapters/Indigo at 34% discount.
April 25, 2011
Stonehouse Cooks Contest: Recipe 30 Stonehouse Green Mussels
Contest Rules
Photo due: May 5, 2011
Stonehouse Green Mussels
1 pound frozen green mussels
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 seeded, finely minced jalapenos
Zest and juice of 1 lime
½ cup margarine
2 cloves garlic grated
Salt and pepper
1 cup Chardonnay
Arrange mussels in a large baking pan. Preheat oven to 400F. Make a compound butter of the remaining ingredients (except the wine). Place about 1 teaspoon of the compound butter in the cavity of each mussel. Pour chardonnay over the mussels and bake about 12 to 15 minutes.
Spoon into bowls, pouring the broth over, and serve with crusty bread.
Variation: You can add light cream in the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serves 4
Photo due: May 5, 2011
Stonehouse Green Mussels
1 pound frozen green mussels
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 seeded, finely minced jalapenos
Zest and juice of 1 lime
½ cup margarine
2 cloves garlic grated
Salt and pepper
1 cup Chardonnay
Arrange mussels in a large baking pan. Preheat oven to 400F. Make a compound butter of the remaining ingredients (except the wine). Place about 1 teaspoon of the compound butter in the cavity of each mussel. Pour chardonnay over the mussels and bake about 12 to 15 minutes.
Spoon into bowls, pouring the broth over, and serve with crusty bread.
Variation: You can add light cream in the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serves 4
April 24, 2011
Stonehouse Cooks Contest: Recipe 29 Ginken
Contest Rules
Photo due: May 4, 2011
Ginken
(Or what happens when you cross a chicken with ginger.)
18 sheets phyllo pastry
Olive oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3" ginger root, peeled and sliced thinly
2 cloves of garlic minced finely
6 pineapple spears
1 large orange, peeled and sliced into six pieces
½ cup orange juice
½ cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Preheat oven to 400F. Lay out a sheet of phyllo pastry, brush with olive oil, lay another sheet over this, brush with oil and cover with one more sheet of pastry. Near to the edge of the sheet place a chicken breast. Sprinkle with ginger, garlic, lay atop it one spear of pineapple and one slice of orange.
Wrap the chicken breast into the pastry by rolling the pastry over the breast, tuck in the ends and continue to roll until you have a neat package. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Continue with remaining chicken breasts. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden.
While the breasts are roasting, in a microwaveable bowl combine a few tablespoons of juice with the cornstarch, until you have a smooth paste. Add remaining liquid and stir to a smooth consistency. Microwave at high for about 6 minutes, pausing at 3 to stir vigorously. Pour sauce into a boat.
Serve with a spicy stir fry of vegetables or a cool cucumber salad.
Serves 6
Photo due: May 4, 2011
Ginken
(Or what happens when you cross a chicken with ginger.)
18 sheets phyllo pastry
Olive oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3" ginger root, peeled and sliced thinly
2 cloves of garlic minced finely
6 pineapple spears
1 large orange, peeled and sliced into six pieces
½ cup orange juice
½ cup pineapple juice
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Preheat oven to 400F. Lay out a sheet of phyllo pastry, brush with olive oil, lay another sheet over this, brush with oil and cover with one more sheet of pastry. Near to the edge of the sheet place a chicken breast. Sprinkle with ginger, garlic, lay atop it one spear of pineapple and one slice of orange.
Wrap the chicken breast into the pastry by rolling the pastry over the breast, tuck in the ends and continue to roll until you have a neat package. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Continue with remaining chicken breasts. Bake for about 30 minutes until golden.
While the breasts are roasting, in a microwaveable bowl combine a few tablespoons of juice with the cornstarch, until you have a smooth paste. Add remaining liquid and stir to a smooth consistency. Microwave at high for about 6 minutes, pausing at 3 to stir vigorously. Pour sauce into a boat.
Serve with a spicy stir fry of vegetables or a cool cucumber salad.
Serves 6
April 23, 2011
Stonehouse Cooks Contest: Recipe 28 Eggs Poached in Tomatoes
Contest Rules
Photo due: May 3, 2011
When my daughter was in her early 20s and attending her first years of university, we spent many a lingering breakfast over the following recipe, a dish that came to be our favourite and resulted in long conversations about philosophy, the meaning of life and relationships and state of world affairs.
Eggs Poached in Tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion minced
1 clove garlic minced
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped coarsely
4 eggs
Parmesan curls
2 tablespoons fresh basil, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper
In a medium skillet, sauté the onions until colour develops. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes break down and a thin juice forms. Crack the eggs into the tomatoes, keeping each separate. Cook covered until eggs are set but not hard. Garnish with parmesan and basil, and season to taste. Serve with crusty Italian bread toasted.
Serves 2
Photo due: May 3, 2011
When my daughter was in her early 20s and attending her first years of university, we spent many a lingering breakfast over the following recipe, a dish that came to be our favourite and resulted in long conversations about philosophy, the meaning of life and relationships and state of world affairs.
Eggs Poached in Tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion minced
1 clove garlic minced
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped coarsely
4 eggs
Parmesan curls
2 tablespoons fresh basil, roughly chopped
Salt and pepper
In a medium skillet, sauté the onions until colour develops. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook until the tomatoes break down and a thin juice forms. Crack the eggs into the tomatoes, keeping each separate. Cook covered until eggs are set but not hard. Garnish with parmesan and basil, and season to taste. Serve with crusty Italian bread toasted.
Serves 2
April 22, 2011
Stonehouse Cooks Contest: Recipe 27 Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Stilton and Asparagus
Contest Rules
Photo due: May 2, 2011
Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Stilton and Asparagus
2 large Portobello mushrooms cleaned
4 slices Stilton cheese
4 tablespoons capers
24 spears asparagus
Salt and pepper
Grape seed oil
Truffle oil (Truffle oil can be found in most urban large grocery chains, as well as in specialty shops. The earthy, pungent flavour and aroma of truffle oil adds an extra punch to this dish, but can be eliminated if you don't have it on hand.)
Oil a large baking sheet with grape seed oil. Clean mushrooms and remove stems. Save stems for use later in the week. Slice caps in half so you have 4 large disks. Place Stilton slices on top of the caps. Mound capers over this. Arrange asparagus spears around the mushroom caps. Season and drizzle with truffle oil.
Roast at 350F for about 15 minutes or you can grill on the barbeque for about the same length of time. The cheese should be melted and the mushrooms tender and beginning to sear around the edges.
The mushrooms make a fabulous vegetarian burger.
Serves 4
Photo due: May 2, 2011
Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Stilton and Asparagus
2 large Portobello mushrooms cleaned
4 slices Stilton cheese
4 tablespoons capers
24 spears asparagus
Salt and pepper
Grape seed oil
Truffle oil (Truffle oil can be found in most urban large grocery chains, as well as in specialty shops. The earthy, pungent flavour and aroma of truffle oil adds an extra punch to this dish, but can be eliminated if you don't have it on hand.)
Oil a large baking sheet with grape seed oil. Clean mushrooms and remove stems. Save stems for use later in the week. Slice caps in half so you have 4 large disks. Place Stilton slices on top of the caps. Mound capers over this. Arrange asparagus spears around the mushroom caps. Season and drizzle with truffle oil.
Roast at 350F for about 15 minutes or you can grill on the barbeque for about the same length of time. The cheese should be melted and the mushrooms tender and beginning to sear around the edges.
The mushrooms make a fabulous vegetarian burger.
Serves 4
April 21, 2011
Nate Hendley Twitterview at Novel Publicity
Nate Hendley, author of Al Capone: Chicago's King of Crime, was the subject of a Twitterview by the good folks at Novel Publicity, April 20, 2011. A visual transcript of that interview follows.
Watch for Nate's upcoming book, Crystal Death.
Watch for Nate's upcoming book, Crystal Death.
Stonehouse Cooks Contest: Recipe 26 Red Pepper Dip
Contest Rules
Photo due: May 1, 2011
Red Pepper Dip
3 large red peppers, seeded and halved
3 cloves garlic unpeeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
½ cup low sodium feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh dill
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 dried chilli pepper
On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, place the peppers skin side up, and unpeeled garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, season, and roast at 350F for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool
When the peppers are cool, peel and compost the skins and pop the garlic out. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Pour into a container, cover and chill.
Photo due: May 1, 2011
Red Pepper Dip
3 large red peppers, seeded and halved
3 cloves garlic unpeeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
½ cup low sodium feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh dill
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 dried chilli pepper
On a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, place the peppers skin side up, and unpeeled garlic. Drizzle with olive oil, season, and roast at 350F for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool
When the peppers are cool, peel and compost the skins and pop the garlic out. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Pour into a container, cover and chill.
April 20, 2011
The Future is Now, and it's Digital
It was back in 1985 I first ventured into publishing, releasing a small book of poetry by Vaughan G. Harris, The Cabinetmaker's Art, under my then wee imprint, Keystone Press. I published a few other chapbooks of poetry and short fiction. And quietly drifted away.
In those days publishing for a microscopic press was cumbersome, ridiculously expensive, heart-breaking hard work that often meant slogging books out of the trunk of your car. It was a labourious labour you pursued because of love of literature and a need to champion the little man.
Fast forward to the new millennium with all it's new technologies and Internet capabilities, and a revolution in publishing that allowed insane entrepreneurs to to create books in Canada, upload that data to an international powerhouse of a printer in America, and then realize sales across the globe. Cheques arrived in the mail. We were amazed and encouraged.
And quickly on the heels of the print-on-demand miracle came the dark horse of digital books. It would never catch on, the pundits proclaimed. It was a passing fancy, like 8-track tapes.
In two short years we've watched eBooks transform from cumbersome PDF files read on a computer, to reflowable text in EPUBs on digital readers that are lighter than your average paperback, and books at a fraction of the cost to the consumer. Still, the pundits predicted the digital book would never replace print.
The February 2011 sales figures accumulated through the AAP reveal a staggering 202.3% increase in digital sales. As a counterpoint to that, hard cover sales declined 43%, and paperback sales declined 41.5%.
Here at Five Rivers we've watched similar sales shifts since November 2010, with the February figures coming in at 96% of sales in digital format.
The way the numbers are shaping up for March, it's looking as though 100% of our sales are going to be in digital.
That's cause for some serious rethinking of sales and marketing strategies. As a result, Five Rivers has decided there's no point pursuing what now seems outdated book fairs and festivals, slogging print copies of books for a public largely uninterested in physical books when they can save space and funds by downloading that same book to a reader capable of holding up to 1000 eBooks.
And given technologies that are now emerging that allow book signings to occur for digital books, from remote locations, so that an author never needs to leave the comfort of their home, the expense and stress of slogging your sorry self across a continent becomes moot. Certainly in the coming year this is just one of the new wave of author/reader interactions Five Rivers will pursue.
We've successfully had two very public, very international Twitterviews (interview conducted through a hashtag on Twitter) for our authors, allowing the public to visit and converse. We've conducted an Espresso remote reading. And in the future we're looking to other avenues to allow readers opportunities to meet and converse with our authors.
In combination with that, Five Rivers will continue to offer print books; however, our concentrated efforts will be toward digital. Our books are currently available through Kindle, Apple, Kobo (there has been a glitch these past two weeks, but the people at Kobo assure me Five Rivers' books will be back online by the close of the week), and within the next three weeks our entire catalogue will be available for Nook and Sony.
Our print versions of titles are going to drift toward a more artistic interpretation, a return, if you will, to the art of book-making, with a respect for white space, typography and layout. After all, if one of our books is going to exist in the physical world, let it be a thing of beauty.
These are exciting, rapidly changing times in publishing. We welcome any comments and feedback.
In those days publishing for a microscopic press was cumbersome, ridiculously expensive, heart-breaking hard work that often meant slogging books out of the trunk of your car. It was a labourious labour you pursued because of love of literature and a need to champion the little man.
Fast forward to the new millennium with all it's new technologies and Internet capabilities, and a revolution in publishing that allowed insane entrepreneurs to to create books in Canada, upload that data to an international powerhouse of a printer in America, and then realize sales across the globe. Cheques arrived in the mail. We were amazed and encouraged.
And quickly on the heels of the print-on-demand miracle came the dark horse of digital books. It would never catch on, the pundits proclaimed. It was a passing fancy, like 8-track tapes.
In two short years we've watched eBooks transform from cumbersome PDF files read on a computer, to reflowable text in EPUBs on digital readers that are lighter than your average paperback, and books at a fraction of the cost to the consumer. Still, the pundits predicted the digital book would never replace print.
The February 2011 sales figures accumulated through the AAP reveal a staggering 202.3% increase in digital sales. As a counterpoint to that, hard cover sales declined 43%, and paperback sales declined 41.5%.
Here at Five Rivers we've watched similar sales shifts since November 2010, with the February figures coming in at 96% of sales in digital format.
The way the numbers are shaping up for March, it's looking as though 100% of our sales are going to be in digital.
That's cause for some serious rethinking of sales and marketing strategies. As a result, Five Rivers has decided there's no point pursuing what now seems outdated book fairs and festivals, slogging print copies of books for a public largely uninterested in physical books when they can save space and funds by downloading that same book to a reader capable of holding up to 1000 eBooks.
And given technologies that are now emerging that allow book signings to occur for digital books, from remote locations, so that an author never needs to leave the comfort of their home, the expense and stress of slogging your sorry self across a continent becomes moot. Certainly in the coming year this is just one of the new wave of author/reader interactions Five Rivers will pursue.
We've successfully had two very public, very international Twitterviews (interview conducted through a hashtag on Twitter) for our authors, allowing the public to visit and converse. We've conducted an Espresso remote reading. And in the future we're looking to other avenues to allow readers opportunities to meet and converse with our authors.
In combination with that, Five Rivers will continue to offer print books; however, our concentrated efforts will be toward digital. Our books are currently available through Kindle, Apple, Kobo (there has been a glitch these past two weeks, but the people at Kobo assure me Five Rivers' books will be back online by the close of the week), and within the next three weeks our entire catalogue will be available for Nook and Sony.
Our print versions of titles are going to drift toward a more artistic interpretation, a return, if you will, to the art of book-making, with a respect for white space, typography and layout. After all, if one of our books is going to exist in the physical world, let it be a thing of beauty.
These are exciting, rapidly changing times in publishing. We welcome any comments and feedback.
