Getting Down to Business
By Densie Webb | July 1, 2023 |
Second verse same as the first—AI led the news once again in June, followed by Book Ban news, but resistance seems to be gaining momentum. The USA Today Bestseller List is back! And a New York Times article about Goodreads apparently caused the site to crash. But no fear, it’s back, warts and all. So, dig in!
AI
Will AI forever change publishing? What about copyright issues? Japan has a few things to say about it and a hearing was held in the US on the topic.
How AI Is Changing Book Publishing
Will Google AI Search Turn Digital Publishing Upside Down?
The Riddle of AI, Copyright, Authorship, Ownership
Key Takeaways from Hearing on AI and Copyright Law
Japan Issues Statement on AI and Copyright Regulation
Amazon Tactics?
Alleged price fixing and manipulative tactics by Amazon were in the news.
FTC Sues Amazon Over Manipulative Tactics
Court Hears Case About Price Fixing by Amazon and Publishers
Audiobooks
Audiobook listening is still growing, but will AI be the next voice you hear?
European Publishers See Audiobooks and AI as Inevitabilities
Where to Start with Audiobook Publishing
Audiobook Listening Is Trending Up
Libraries and Censorship
The American Library Association is fighting the good fight against book censorship, and Judy Blume is aiding in the fight.
American Library Association Fighting Censorship
Libraries Reaffirm Freedom-to-Read
At ALA Judy Blume Defends Freedom to Read
New “Book Sexual Rating” Law in Texas
Lists and Reviews
USA Today Bestseller List Is Back!
Goodreads—The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Publishing Trends and Happenings
June’s publishing news ran the gamut from publishing company acquisitions and Black women in publishing, to the carbon footprint of books and LGBTQ voices in literature.
Black Lawrence Press Acquires Nomadic Press Adult Titles
Graphic/Comic Formats Enliven Religious Titles
Elizabeth Gilbert’s Decision to Pull Russian-Set Novel
European Book Fairs Want American Literature
Australia’s New Publishing Guide
Carbon-Emission Labels on Books in the Future?
Sales
Sales numbers are a mixed bag. Read ’em and weep.
Publishing Blind Spots Miss Sales
April Publishing Numbers Tell a Story
What did you find to be the biggest publishing news during the month of June? Did I miss something major? If yes, please let me know. I’ll be here same time next month!
Densie Webb has spent a long career as a freelance nonfiction writer and editor, specializing in health and nutrition and has published several books and tons of articles on the topic over the years. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Red Adept Publishing released her debut women’s fiction novel titled, “When Robins Appear” in 2020. It is available in ebook, audiobook, and paperback formats. Her second novel, best categorized as romantic/domestic suspense, “Breathing in Reverse” was published in 2023, also with Red Adept Publishing. She is currently working (but not fast enough) on novel #3. She grew up in Louisiana, spent 13 years in New York, and settled in Austin, TX, where it’s summer nine months of the year. She’s an avid walker (not of the dead variety, though she loves anything to do with zombies, vampires, or post-apocalyptic worlds), drinks way too much coffee, and has a small “devil dog” that keep her on her toes. And she is thrilled to be a part of the Writer Unboxed family!
Thanks again, Densie. It’s like having an in-house search engine, only nicer.