Digital Reading and the Publishing Industry

Everything that can be turned digital will be made digital. Or at least that’s what we are seeing nowadays.

Music has become digital. The advent of mp3 players has made music more accessible and more portable for music lovers. Movies have become digital. The mpeg format, among others, has made watching and collecting movies more convenient. Communication has become digital. The innovations in mobile phone technology have drastically enhanced the way people get and keep in touch with one another.

If the digital age has ushered these and other great improvements in the arena of media and telecommunication, what implications does it have for books and the publishing industry?

In the last few years, electronic books and digital reading have made radical changes in the presentation and availability of books and the way people read them. Technology has made it easy to access the latest bestsellers by downloading them from online retailers and onto a digital reading device. Digital technology has also made books more accessible, more portable, easier to collect and more convenient for people to read. However, the same technology that facilitates the circulation of e-books also raises concerns among publishers whose bread and butter is the production of actual books.

The publishing industry has relied heavily on the printing and publication of books and on the people who go to bookstores to buy them. This is how the industry has thrived for years. If more and more people preferred digital reading devices and download books instead of going to book shops to buy actual books, the publishing industry would experience a dramatic change in the way it carries on its business. Publishers will have cope with the emergence of new technologies that steer the reading public towards books in digital format. But how?

The digital age has shaken, brought change to and revolutionized many existing technologies. When cassette tapes were invented, vinyl records were rendered obsolete. When CDs came out, cassette tapes were rendered obsolete. The mp3 player is more or less doing the same thing to compact discs. And yet the music industry has managed to evolve and find ways to ride the wave of technology, one innovation at a time. The publishing industry can do the same.

Electronic books and digital reading are still relatively at their infancy stage. Their presence, however, have indicated that the rules and tools of the publishing game have changed. Publishers with good business acumen would be wise to start finding ways of getting on the digital bandwagon and begin steering their business, or parts of it anyway, toward this emerging trend. The publishing industry can innovate and reinvent itself. It has to.

Digital books may be the future of reading but it has yet to reach a certain level of popularity before it can totally take over actual books and the publishing industry, or even render them obsolete. Nevertheless, it is also never too early to start looking at the possibilities presented by modern technology and how it may change and revolutionize the publishing industry.

Author Spotlight on Connie Houser

“I have deep faith and a deep and abiding confidence in myself and those around me that we will continue to create good works and share them with others. Our riches are the rewards of joy inherent in that philosophy.”


Connie Houser is no stranger to creativity. As a professional writer, an award-winning artist and an acclaimed author, she has been well acquainted with varied forms of creative expression that has not only enriched her life, but has also enhanced her experience of it.

Through her resourcefulness, she has exhibited the possibility of pursuing different artistic endeavors passionately and bringing them together successfully. It was this character of creativity that prompted her to produce ‘The Letters: Portrait of an Artist, Jim Houser’.

“I thought it was time to chronicle the events in our creative lives for others to share since we have achieved a degree of success,” Connie says of her inspiration behind her self-published book. The creative life she is talking about is the one she shares with her husband, renown painter Jim Houser.

The Letters is a testament to the lifestyle of creativity espoused by the Housers – a lifestyle that is captured beautifully through photographs of Jim’s paintings and the words of Connie’s imagined letters. The paintings included in the book are some of Jim’s best work, which have been displayed in the artist’s gallery of Who’s Who in American Art.

Connie compiled photos of Jim’s paintings to visually represent the couple’s artistic life, while her words imaginatively expresses the passion she shares with her husband for life, love, art and each other. “I decided to present our creative journey succinctly in imagined letters to each other rather than the usual dissertation on the art”.

The innovative presentation of the Housers’ creative journey in words and images is matched by the author’s idea for the design of her book. “I wanted to present a new concept in art books with the reproductions at each chapter and the size – 8 1/2 square – smaller than the usual huge coffee table book so that it can be easily read as well as displayed.”

For the publication of The Letters, Connie researched on various print-on-demand publishers and decided that POD publishing was the only avenue where she could exercise the creative freedom to finish her book the way she wanted. After ascertaining that Xlibris would provide her with what she needed for the production of her book, Connie went ahead with the publication process.

Of her experience with the Xlibris creative team, Connie says she was “lucky enough to encounter several young employees whose knowledge, help and enthusiasm got me through the early days of signing on and into production. I also wanted quality reproductions [of Jim’s paintings] and although that was harder to achieve from a distance, the company’s CEO, John Feldcamp, made it happen as well as he could. Over all, it was a very pleasant experience with several outstanding employees helping along the way."

Connie’s pleasant publishing experience complemented her passion in marrying the art of painting with the art of writing. The result is a sumptuous concoction of creativity that represents Connie’s achievements as an acclaimed writer and her husband’s accomplishments as a renown painter. The Housers’ passion for life and the arts was translated well into the pages of a book that shares their spirit and talent to enable others to experience their resultant creative work. This has made The Letters into a work of art that the reading public and lovers of art have enthusiastically received and valued.

The Letters also garnered acclaim and honorable mentions in book festivals in California and New England in the US, and in London in the UK, which has certified the quality of the book and the creativity of its author.

Aside from enjoying these recent successes, Connie keeps up with the promotion of The Letters through local sources, newspapers and contests. She still pursues her passion for writing by working on another book and she continues to paint. She continues to enrich her life and enhance her life experiences by keeping herself acquainted with creativity.

The Letters: Portrait of an Artist, Jim Houser is for sale at Amazon, Xlibris, Barnes & Noble and Borders.

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Chinese Economy Evaluated in Self Published Book

Economist Fengbo Zhang assesses the growth factors that led to the rise of the Chinese economy.


China has become the world’s third largest economy, and in the midst of a global financial crisis, that says a lot about the resilience and strength of the Chinese economy. Revised figures of the country’s gross domestic product released Wednesday show a 13 percent expansion in China’s economy.

Economists are saying that with continued growth at its current rate, China could overtake the economies of Japan (in three years) and the United States (in 18 years). Reports say that China’s economy is on track to have a positive gross domestic product in 2009.

A study on the factors that led to healthy condition of China’s economy is presented in the self-published book, Analysis of Chinese Macroeconomy. Dr. Fengbo Zhang definitively depicts the development process and the existing state of Chinese economy, and provides materials for comprehending modern China and the future for economic reform.

This Xlibris release includes an evaluation of the country’s different economic sectors, the impact of foreign trade on the national economy, and an assessment of investment and macroeconomic policies – factors that have contributed to China’s current economic condition. The analyses presented by Dr. Zhang in this book are valuable guidelines in predicting the future of Chinese economy.

Dr. Zhang has helped Chinese top leaders in policy-making and led China’s economic research since 1980s, and his self-published book is going to be a valuable guide for those who want to learn from the country’s economic fortitude.

Analysis of Chinese Macroeconomy is available on the online bookstores of Xlibris, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Development Strategies for US Economy Proposed in Self Published Book

Certified Economic Developer Don Holbrook presents an approach to improving the American economy in light of its current financial condition.


The United States House of Representatives has recently approved the $819 billion economic stimulus package. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to Democrats, is the immediate attention needed by the rapidly failing US economy.

The bill includes $544 billion in spending and $275 billion in tax relief, and is intended to reinvigorate the American economy amidst recession, job cuts and business closures.

With companies like Starbucks, Boeing and AOL experiencing the effects of the economic downturn, the approval of the stimulus package offers a ray of light in the financial condition of the US and indicates a change of direction needed for economic development.

Certified Economic Developer Don Holbrook presents a blueprint for change that will stimulate the US beyond its current financial woes and propel the nation further as a global economic superpower in the book ‘The Little Black Book of Economic Development’.

Holbrook’s self-published book focuses on the economic struggles of the United States in responding to global pressures and competition. With the likes of China and India on the rise, the author looks at the impact of sending jobs overseas on the local economy, emphasizing that the global economy is a 21st century war for survival. Holbrook urges our economic decision makers to adopt a sweeping program of reforms and comprehensive strategies he calls ‘Prosperity with a Purpose’.

The Little Black Book of Economic Development proposes solutions that can revive the economic fortunes of America, down to the towns and cities level. Holbrook points out that building world-class economic communities from this level is a mindset not determined by geographic location or population, and can therefore create unparalleled new opportunities for America’s future.

The Little Black Book of Economic Development can be found at the online bookstores of Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders and Xlibris.

Self Published Release Explores the Moral Implications of Terrorism

The Xlibris published book Terrorism and Moral Condemnation delves into the arguments and theses behind the validity or vileness of terrorism.


The Interior Ministry of Saudi Arabia released a list of 85 wanted terrorism suspects last Tuesday. Soldiers of the Sri Lankan army captured the largest training base for suicide bombers. Former US vice president Dick Cheney warns America of the probability of a biological or nuclear terrorist attack in the coming years. Since the day of the terrorist attacks on the United State on September 11, 2001, the world has become more acquainted with the force of terrorism in a global scale.

Terrorism has been depicted in books and media over the years but the reality of it has never been so tangible with the increased incidences of suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism in many parts of the world. In the last seven years, the issue of international terrorism has become a common fixture in every day news reports.

There are many opinions and arguments on the nature and purpose of terrorism. Many people throughout the world would contend that some acts of terrorism cannot be morally condemned for varied reasons. The self published book ‘Terrorism and Moral Condemnation: Why Indiscriminate Lethal Terrorist Acts Are Evil’ takes a look at those different theses and viewpoints.

John S. Pletz presents a comprehensive assessment of the arguments that are being made in attempts to justify or excuse terrorism, explaining why terrorist acts, which indiscriminately cause the death of innocent noncombatants, should always be called evil. The author explores the noble ends that terrorists are supposedly seeking and the oppressive conditions in which they have been living as some of the reasons for perpetuating acts of terrorism.

Pletz emphatically concludes that since “an evil act is one in which significant unjustified harm is caused by someone who is highly culpable for it, indiscriminate lethal terrorist acts are evil.”

Terrorism and Moral Condemnation is available at the Xlibris and Amazon online bookstores.

Self Published Titles Featured on Online Christian Bookstore

CP Books, the online bookstore of The Christian Post network, provides exposure for Christian books and authors.


The Christian book category is one of the fastest-growing genres in the industry of book publishing. With more and more divinely inspired writers putting out their written works for people to read and be inspired by, it is no surprise that this genre has captured the attention of many booklovers, regardless of religious background or denomination.

Releases like William P. Young’s ‘The Shack’, Rick Warren’s ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ and John Eldredge’s ‘Walking with God’ have proven that there are literary treasures – hidden or otherwise – in the genre of Christian books and readers all over the world catching on to this worthwhile find.

Helping this genre make more waves in the Christian community is the existence of online bookstores and websites promoting Christian books. CP Books (at http://cpbooks.christianpost.com/) is one such site.

As the online bookstore of The Christian Post network, CP Books supports the genre by featuring the latest and the best releases from the Christian books category. The site bolsters the proliferation of Christian-themed literary works by showcasing traditionally published, independently published and self published books.

Among the self-published titles featured on the online bookstore are the Xlibris books ‘Son of God, Son of Man’ by Eduardo P. Olaguer, Jr., ‘Suffering - A Biblical Study’ by Charles P. Arnold, Jr., Ph. D., ‘Entering into Heaven’ by John Lyndon Green, and ‘Along the King’s Highway’ by Bryan Corbin.

CP Books also gives focus on Christian authors while posting breaking news relevant to the genre and providing deep insights on Christianity. The Christian Post network serves to provide direct and current news information to the general Christian public and this is echoed in the service rendered by CP Books online bookstore.

Self Published Book Explores Plans for Mitigating Possible Effects of Sea-level Rise

Sandor Istvan Biczo highlights the importance of mitigating the effects of sea-level rise in his self-published book, Dragon Hunting.


About 2,000 climate change scientists gathered in Copenhagen last week to discuss the results of the 2007 report on the impact of global warming on the Earth's climate. Among the conclusions they arrived at is the increased likelihood of the global climate reaching a dangerous tipping point in the next two centuries.

Elmar Kriegler of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, lead author of the study in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences said there is concern about the risks of massive changes in the global climate system. "These events are really massive changes to components of the Earth system," Kreigler said. "But what we found is scientists do not consider them to be low-probability events."

Of these high-probability events, the melting of the Greenland ice sheet was named as the most possible climate catastrophe by the year 2200, under high global warming. This would make the island largely ice-free and raise sea levels by 7 meters. The second most probable event was a death of large tracts of the Amazon rainforest followed by the initial disintegration of the West Antarctic ice sheet, which would raise seas by about 5 meters. Other possible tipping points include a collapse of the system of Atlantic currents including the Gulf Stream and a shift towards a constant El Nino warming of the Pacific Ocean.

The growth in the number of global climate scientists who point to a building body of evidence that support the possibility of sea-level rise is a warning for all humanity and a signal to begin mitigating the effects of possible sea-level rise. This concern is raised and addressed by author Sandor Istvan Biczo in his self published book, 'Dragon Hunting: an Holistic Strategy to Mitigate the Effects of Sea-Level Rise Due to Global Warming'.

Biczo presents his book as a Global Insurance Policy for people who shares his concern – and that of the world's climate change scientists' – on the impact of sea-level rise due to global warming. The author highlights the importance of looking to the world’s vast expanses of deserts, addressing the looming population pressures that threaten our fragile world, and mitigating the effects of sea-level rise.

Sandor Istvan Biczo is an applied thinker. Dragon Hunting is the product of his innovative thought process and is a road map for the future for the whole world. This book brings a holistic approach to lessening the outcome of sea-level rise as a result of global climate change.

Dragon Hunting is published by Xlibris Corporation and is available on their online bookstore, as well as on Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble.

Controversies in Adoption Process Highlighted in Self Published Book

The self-published release, 'Chronicle of an Adoption', reviews the process of adopting a child to look at its pros and cons.


The recent efforts of international pop star, Madonna, to adopt another child from the nation of Malawi has yet again placed the issue of celebrity adoption on the spotlight. The singer has drawn criticism from human rights groups, adoption officials and people questioning her morality and capability to take care of more children.

Last year, Madonna adopted Malawian baby boy David Banda Mwale amid much controversy as Malawian law requires would-be parents to reside in country for one year before adopting. A similar contention has arisen in light of the star's recent efforts to adopt another Malawian child.

Concerns such as the prospective adoptive parents' moral standing and ability to provide emotional security for children being adopted are but some of the issues raised against Madonna's attempt to adopt four-year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James.

Malawi's child welfare chief, Simon Chisale, said, "We do not only look at the material issues, but also the moral standing of prospective adoptive parents, because we do not want our children's morals to be corrupted," he said.

Warren Panem, author of the self-published book 'Chronicle of an Adoption' is no stranger to controversies and issues that prospective adoptive parents face. Although the stories in his book are not as controversial as the Material Girl's scenario, they are nevertheless just as time-consuming and testing. The experiences of couples who went through the adoption process are tools that Panem hopes will enabled many to understand that adopting a child may not be as easy as it seems.

Panem details the ins and outs of getting in touch with different agencies, sifting through lies, and endless meetings in the process of putting a family together. People who are thinking about adoption, going through the process, have had a failure or success, or have anything to do with adoption, you will enjoy reading about it in this Xlibris published book.

Chronicles of an Adoption recalls the frustrating times, the moments of hope, the crushed aspirations and the final success in adopting a child.

Xlibris Supports Published Authors in Annual LA Bookfest

Self-publishing company supports its authors in the 2009 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.


Xlibris, the pioneer in the self-publishing industry, is taking part in the upcoming Los Angeles Times Festival of Books from April 25 to 26, 2009. The book publishing company is supporting its authors by hosting exhibits and book signings during this annual event, which will take place at the main campus of UCLA.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is an opportunity for people who appreciate books to associate and make connections with people who write, publish and sell books. Xlibris is giving its published authors this occasion to meet supporters of their book and expand the exposure of their work. At the same time, book lovers will also get a chance to meet and greet Xlibris authors.

The book festival has become the most respected and biggest book fest in the US drawing in over 130,000 lovers of books to the yearly gathering. The Los Angeles Times Festival is expected to attract even more participants this year as a diverse line-up of talent, storytellers, celebrities, musical performances and literary giants await those who will be at the event.

Among the celebrity authors slated to be in the book fest are TV host Tom Bergeron, actors Michael J. Fox, Tori Spelling and Academy Award winner Marlee Matlin. Xlibris published authors -- like Arnold Patrick Parker, Susan Lee, Peter Chapel and Maureen Santora, who authored the book 'My Son Christopher' -- are also set to make an appearance at the exhibits and book signing booths.

Festival participants can visit the Xlbiris exhibit at Booth 238 and meet Xlibris authors at booths 1 and 2 for book signing.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books will start Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m. and will conclude Sunday, April 26 at 5 p.m.

Publishing Your Book in the Midst of Economic Woes

The economic downturn should not be a hindrance in publishing your book. People have done it before. You can too.


The world is talking about only one major issue today: the global economic crisis. From the loss of confidence by American investors in the value of US securitized mortgages back in 2007, to the worldwide shockwave of this economic downturn, the reality of a weakening global economy has impacted every company from different industries and every individual from all walks of life.

With corporations downsizing and households economizing, what are authors to make of the global financial crisis? How are writers, who are looking to get their books published, respond to this economic downturn? Is the current state of the world’s economy a blessing or a curse to one’s publishing dreams?

To answer that, let us take a quick look at one of history’s pivotal economic moments: the Great Depression. During the 1930s the world was plunged into unprecedented economic woes, which gave the era its well deserved name. Much like today, the Great Depression threw a great shadow of uncertainty over every aspect of human life, including the publishing industry.

However, a deeper look into this period of history shows us that there were many authors who have had their books published, and a few have even achieved critical acclaim. The Great Depression produced great written and published works like John Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall’s ‘Mutiny on the Bounty’, and Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’ to name a few. If these writers achieved their dream of publishing their books in a time of financial uncertainty, why couldn’t today’s author do the same?

If anything, there should be even more reasons for writers to become published authors today. With all the innovations in the industry, the wide selection of publishing services available, and the health competition between publishers that result in multiple benefits for authors, achieving one’s publishing dreams is made easier to attain. Recession or no recession, writers who wish pursue the publication of their books can go ahead and do so.

The global financial crisis should not necessarily be a hindrance to your publishing dreams. If you are determined to pursue success as a published author, or looking to publish another book, you will find many avenues to take on the way to your desired goal. Publishing companies like Xlibris offer many options from which aspiring authors can choose.

Among these are the various publishing packages that cater to the specific needs of each author, the discounts given on these packages, the monthly promotional offers on marketing and publishing services, and the special rates for specialty publishing. These are all designed to make publishing your book more attainable even in the midst of economic woes.

The Great Depression produced great works of literature. The current global recession should not cause the proliferation of literary works to recede. Rather, times like these should becoming a challenge and a stepping stone for writers to become published authors.

Self Published Author Gives Practical Tips on Preventing Spread of Viral Diseases

Health Lifelong Project is a self-published book that presents preventive and natural measures in warding off diseases and viral sicknesses like the swine flu.


With most of the world getting wary of the swine flu outbreak, one can just wonder if it is only a matter of time before they too can be infected by the H1N1 strain of the swine influenza virus.

Recent reports have indicated that locations as remote as China, Mexico, Colombia and New Zealand have either had confirmed cases of the swine flu or are already affected by the looming threat of the virus. In the United States, cases of H1N1 flu virus outbreaks have been reported in the state of Wisconsin, while the state of Minnesota is awaiting for confirmation of suspected cases.

This is not the first time an influenza scare has taken a grip of global awareness. A few years back, the world faced the threat posed by the avian influenza virus or the H5N1 flu strain. In much the same way, the swine flu has put people in a state of awareness and fear of catching the virus. However, the same preventive measures used against the avian flu can be used in preventing the spread of H1N1 virus.

Aside from the obvious use of vaccines against the swine flu virus, health experts have recommended practical methods such as the washing of hands with soap and water in preventing the spread of the virus.

In the book ‘Health Lifelong Project: With Healthy Recipes, Beauty Secrets, and More’, author Marina Marcetic presents several preventative measures that solves health problems with natural cures. She shares her knowledge of natural products and cures that were collected from her education and experiences around the world.

Marcetic suggests that “eating right and using alternatives, such as natural cures, does not have to be expensive or complicated. Whether we realize it or not, most of us have kitchen stocked with food. All we have to do is prepare and eat them properly to protect ourselves from illnesses and give our body more energy and a healthy glow.”

Although the H1N1 strain vaccine is still in development, boosting the human immune system through natural and alternative methods can help fight the swine flu virus or any other diseases that may threaten the human body.

The book author adds that, “vitamin supplements are certainly useful. However, in this book I will show you a simple, healthful, time-tested ways to protect yourselves from diseases and nourish your body to stay fit and beautiful.”

Health Lifelong Project is a self-published book, which Marcetic hopes will enable the readers to discover some alternatives, natural practices, and ideas to enrich their own life and overall health. Whether preparing preventive measures against the swine flu or just simply boosting one’s health, this book is a practical guide in finding inexpensive and natural ways to ward off viruses and diseases.

Health Lifelong Project is published by Xlibris.