Congratulations, True Grit film!

This morning brought the exciting news that True Grit was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, trailing only The King's Speech, which received 12. We have to say that we think these are all incredibly well-deserved. A fine job by Paramount, the Coen Brothers and everyone involved!

Jeff Bridges - Actor in a Leading Role
Hailee Steinfeld - Actress in a Supporting Role
Art Direction
Cinematography
Costume Design
Directing
Best Picture
Sound Editing
Sound Mixing
Adapted Screenplay

As an added bonus, the ebook of True Grit is available today across all ebook platforms, as are Charles Portis' other four novels. Happy reading, and happy film viewing! Good luck to everyone at the Oscars!

Dave Zeltserman on Ebooks and the Future of Publishing

Kevin Tipple graciously invited Dave Zeltserman, author of the new Overlook release The Caretaker of Lorne Field, to guest blog over on his terrific site "Kevin's Corner." The subject? The future of the publishing industry, specifically related to ebooks and other digital developments.

Intriguingly, Zeltserman's post distills his thoughts on what ebooks mean and how publishing will change into six key predictions. Read the full post here, but scroll down for the quick hits of his predictions. Interested? We certainly were.

(Prediction 1) Dedicated eBook readers, like Kindle and Nook, will try to lower their prices to gain marketshare, but they will go the way of the 8-track as consumers gravitate towards multifunction devices like iPads, which will not be lowering their prices substantially.

(Prediction 2) You think ATD is bad now, just wait until we have a generation of readers constantly interrupting their reading to check Facebook and email.

...

(Prediction 3) Large publishing is starting to diverge where they’ll be publishing in print only books for the large box stores, everything else will be digital only.

(Prediction 4) Small independent bookstores that can integrate themselves into the their neighborhoods will survive and flourish, and will sell mostly books from small independent presses.

...

(Prediction 5) The large publishers who continue to follow their current blockbuster only mentality will die.

(Prediction 6) The smaller, independent publishes who keep publishing the books they love instead of chasing after blockbusters like the big six, will flourish as they form a symbiotic relationship with like-minded small independent bookstores.

Head over to his post on Kevin's site to read more about his thoughts, predictions and possibilities for the future of the world of publishing, and leave a comment there to get involved in the conversation!

From iPhone App to Overlook Hardcover - David Carnoy's Journey

Last week Overlook published the hardcover edition of CNET editor David Carnoy’s debut novel KNIFE MUSIC, a book that has otherwise existed only in digital formats. Our foray into the experimental world of self-publishing has certainly raised some industry eyebrows – a derisive colleague asks, “Self publishing? Really? You encourage that?”

We do. Not only does Overlook encourage the integration of new technologies into the world of publishing, but it seems that Carnoy’s novel and its journey from mobile app to printed book has struck a chord with reviewers and press throughout the media. Below are some recent stories on KNIFE MUSIC, Carnoy’s success as a self-publisher, and the future of printed media as it collides with interventions in new digital technologies:

Recently Carnoy guest edited an article on Publishing Perspectives (read it here) and discussed self-promotion in the age of self-publishing.

Gizmodo covered Carnoy’s relationship with iPhone Apps – in 2008 the App Store rejected Knife Music for objectionable content. Now, backed by Overlook, a new app has been accepted, naughty language and all. Read the full article here.

A few days ago Carnoy was on Media Bistro’s Morning Media Menu radio show offering his opinion on eBooks, self-publishing, and landing a book deal. His full interview is here.

David penned a letter to Steve Jobs that was posted on the Huffington Post, thanking the Apple exec for rejecting Knife Music, which may or may not have led to his book deal. Read it in its entirety here.

Knife Music is now available as a free iPhone App, downloadable at the Apple store. It’s been nabbed more than 400 times in less than two weeks. There is also a teaser available on Scribd (click here!) which has received more than 6,000 reads.

New Yorkers can meet Carnoy this Thursday when he makes an appearance at the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble for a reading and signing at 7:30pm. Hope to see you there!