The Daily Square

Todays links of interest: U.S. Confirms Inquiry Into Google Books DealAnd it’s official.

Todays links of interest: Alain de Botton Clarifies the Caleb Crain ResponseAlain de Botton both clarifies his response and reveals a not atypical misunderstanding of online communication. The Question Concerning Digital TechnologyHugh McGuire considers the intersection of creativity and technology in a post that requires at least two readings and perhaps a long conversation. Hachette Relaxes Stance on Text-to-SpeechThank you Hachette for seeing this from the perspective of readers. Here’s hoping authors feel the same way. (Publisher’s Lunch, may be behind pay wall)

Todays links of interest: Student Body Shots: On Low Residency MFA ProgramsTod Goldberg explains his path to an MFA (congratulations!) and how he used his experience to design a low-residency at the University of California Riverside. 50 Reasons No One Wants to Publish Your First BookAh, so many good ones…

Todays links of interest: Q A with Jessica Stockton Bagnulo of Greenlight book store in BKLYNCool comments from Jessica about her new store. Can’t wait to visit the next time we’re in NY.

Todays links of interest: Big Software Plans for Amazon’s Kindle?Well, Amazon’s not a company to think small. What is not happening (in publishing)Peter Brantley considers how publishers can look to other industries for examples in innovation. His point about acquisition is particularly intriguing.

Todays links of interest: Why Kindle’s DRM Free-for-All Is Bad for Consumers and for AmazonDear Amazon: it would really help if you could teach your customer service people how to respond to questions without confusing customers because those customers then post the conversation on their blogs and then when you change your answers, it just gets worse and worse for you. Oh, and DRM free-for-all is bad for consumers and you. Audio Sales Slipped 6% in 2008Curious: does the library purchase number signal an increase? Are more people renting audiobooks than buying? NEA Awards Over $3 Million in Latest Round

Todays links of interest: The Lie that is BookscanAndrew Zack on the problems with using Bookscan numbers to make publishing decisions: they aren’t accurate. FTC Targets Internet Affiliate ProgramsWe believe is this part of the government stimulus package: monitoring and resolving these things will require A Lot Of Manpower! Oprah For Teenage Readers: Where Are You?While Mark Bertils makes an excellent point, the end of this post highlights the bigger problem. If you’re building community and are a few days behind in approving, your community moves on.

Todays links of interest: Amazon Runs Away With RetailingA Chat of the Day look at Amazon’s numbers. Kotobarabia’s Arabic E-Books Extend BordersA look at how digital distribution makes books available in the Arabic world.

Todays links of interest: Tor.com Launches New Online BookstoreWe are so thrilled with the coolness of this. Go, go, go! SS Launches Pulse It, Book Social Networking Site for TeensSS is using the site to help build advance buzz by offering read online reads to members. 5 Ways to Put More Skin in the GameCharlotte Abbott offers up some excellent thoughts on moving forward in publishing. Number two=personal favorite.

Todays links of interest: Publisher of ‘Harry Potter’ denies plagiarismSetting aside the obvious aspect of the headline (what, they’re going to say, Oh yeah, totally plagiarized?), welcome to this week’s lawsuit. The Digital Age and RWA: A Call for ChangeDeidre Knight discusses serious issues relating to digital publishing and the ongoing debate within RWA. How Much Do Novelists Make? (Part 2 of 3)Sadly, not much.