Do Free Online Sample Chapters Sell Books?

Over the past few years there's been quite a debate about whether providing free sample content online spurs overall book sales. According to new data from LibreDigital, the answer is yes.

Drooling over Whedon

Wow, thanks to my brother for pointing me to these rankings of the best ever shows from the Whedonverse!

Google Settlement Fairness Hearing Adjourned

The Authors Guild has just announced that Judge Denny Chin has granted the parties' motion to adjourn the Google settlement fairness hearing until October 7th in order to give time for the settlement to be amended to address the Department of Justice's concerns.

Apple, email, and ebooks

Apple conducted their usual press event to unveil new products, but unfortunately the Tablet was nowhere to be seen.

In-Stat conducted an ebook reader survey, with the most desired feature request by current ebook owners being email capability. Agreed! (via Shelf Awareness and Teleread)

Finally, I want to belatedly call attention to another thoughtful post on The Shatzkin Files, this time discussing the controversy around ebook pricing.

Amazon and The Authors Guild

As you may be aware, Amazon filed a brief objecting to the proposed Google Book Settlement. Here's the response from The Authors Guild.

Really? A Publishing Comedy?

It seems the publishing world isn't as boring as it sounds. CBS has just bought a scripted comedy about a book editor and her friends. I'll check it out.

Dan Brown's eBook

TechFlash is reporting that Amazon will be releasing the ebook for Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol on the same day as the print version and for $9.99. This is a big score for the 10,000 pound gorilla, as there was some speculation that Random House, Dan Brown's publisher, might delay the release of the ebook edition to avoid cannibalizing hardcover sales.