Book History - The History of Books and Publishing
The history of books – printed pages of text bound
between two covers – spans about two thousand years. In that time,
these amazing objects--from papyrus codices to penny dreadfuls to
paperbacks to ebooks – helped stimulate the growth of civilization and
foster the spread of knowledge. Read about the modest device that has
provided humankind with untold hours of enlightenment and
entertainment, instruction and armchair adventure: the book.
The Codex - The Early Bound "Book"
The term codex (Latin for “block of wood”) refers to the early form of what we know as a book--that is, pages bound together. Papyrus codices supplanted scrolls as the reading devices of choice for the same qualities we value in books today.
Gutenberg - Johann Gutenberg and the Invention of the Printing Press
Johann Gutenberg is nearly universally credited with being the inventor of the printing press, the father of the modern printed book, and a communications catalyst who opened up the world to the quick and efficient spread of knowledge and ideas.
The Frankfurt Book Fair — The World's Biggest Book Fair
The Frankfurt Book Fair is acknowledged to be the world's largest book fair, attracting a global audience of book publishing industry professionals and a total of more than a quarter of a million visitors each October. Read about the Frankfurt Book Fair's illustrious 500-year-old history and its current day iteration, a cutting-edge annual book...
The Pulitzer Prize for Letters: A Coveted Prize for Book Authors Since 1917
The Pulitzer Prize for Letters is a coveted honor among authors. In addition to prestige, the Pulitzer Prize brings with it recognition in the book marketplace and, as a general rule, increased sales.
Mystery Writers of America (MWA)
Mystery Writers of America (MWA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to those who write mysteries and/or about crime in any form. Membership also includes professionals like publishers, editors, librarians, agents, booksellers and producers who support the genre, as well as aspiring mystery authors.
eBooks - Books in Electronic Form
All about eBooks - Books in Electronic Form, including history, usage of ebooks, advantages of ebooks, ebook readers
The Rise of E-Books
Book publishing history was made when in Spring of 2010, with the release of the Apple iPad and the launch of its iBookstore and the sale of e-books outpaced hardcover book sales on the Amazon.com site. Since then, the e-book revolution has been accelerating at a rapid pace.
The Google Library Project: An Overview of the Google Library Project
The Google Library Project was intended to create a comprehensive, searchable, virtual card catalog of all books in all languages, to make it easier for people to find relevant books, whether those books are in or out of print.
Google Book Settlement: Proposed Resolution of Google Library Project Lawsuits
The Google Book Settlement refers to the proposed settlement of lawsuits brought against Google for its Google Library Project. The two suits, Authors Guild v. Google and McGraw-Hill, et. al. v. Google, sought damages for the Google Library Project's unauthorized digitizing of library content, claiming that it violated copyright laws. The...
Google's eBookstore - Books from a "Cloud"
The Google ebookstore partners with bricks and mortar bookstores to give those booksellers the ability to offer their customers an ebook-buying option with broad choices.
Publishers as Booksellers and Vice Versa
Historically, trade publishers published books and booksellers sold them. But in this age of electronic publishing, the roles of publishers, booksellers—and even agents—have become more fluid.
Barnes & Noble As Book Publisher — The Book Publishing History of B&N
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, “The World’s Largest Bookstore,” also has a long history as a book publisher, and has published its own product since early its history as a chain store. From bargain books to e-books, read about the book publishing history of B&N.
The History of the Borders Group: About the Borders Group National Chain of...
The Borders Group, Inc is a publicly held bookstore chain that operates Borders superstores and Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment stores, including Waldenbooks, Borders Express and Borders airport stores. After three distinct bookstore chains were acquired, then spun off, by Kmart, the Borders Group grew to be the second-largest...
Amazon.com's Bookselling and Book Publishing Milestones
Today retail giant Amazon.com offers millions of different products. But the company founded by Jeff Bezos began with books. Look at the milestones in Amazon.com's history as it relates to all things book.
Len Riggio, Founder of Barnes & Noble
Leonard Riggio is the founder of the Barnes & Noble, Inc. Riggio’s roots in bookselling date back to his job as a bookstore clerk in college, just before he opened his first bookstore in 1965. Read about his history with books and how he's been on the forefront of bookselling innovation — and revolution — ever since.
Self-Publishing Milestone: Amanda Hocking's Self-Publishing Success Story
Self-published writer Amanda Hocking made millions of dollars in her first year as a DIY author of young adult paranormal romance and urban fantasy novels. How did Hocking find self-publishing success? By having a large body of work to draw upon, by knowing her audience... and by having some market savvy.
Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar® Awards
The Edgar® Awards are bestowed each year by the Mystery Writers of America to recognize writing achievements in the literary genre of mystery and crime, as well as achievements outside of the scope of writing that support the mystery genre, such as in publishing or bookselling.
New York City and Book Publishing
Home of the Big Six book publishers, NYC is also filled with bookstores; libraries; book fairs, conventions and literary awards; readings and signings by live authors, and the footsteps of authors long past. The Big Apple is a paradise for visiting book lovers; here's a sampling of what they will find.
2012 ALA Youth Media Award Winners
A listing of the recipients of American Library Association (ALA) 2012 Youth Media Awards and honors (including the Newbery Medal winner), which recognize the top books, videos, and audiobooks for children and young adults published in 2011.
2012 ALA Youth Media Award Winners (continued)
A continuation of the listing of the recipients of American Library Association (ALA) 2012 Youth Media Awards and honors (including the Caldecott Medal winner), which recognize the top books, videos, and audiobooks for children and young adults published in 2011.
World Book and Copyright Day—"The Day of the Book"
April 23 is a traditional day of celebration of books and publishing. Read about how April 23 became first “The Day of the Book" and then UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day—and read about the other book celebrations those traditions inspired.
World Book and Copyright Day—"The Day of the Book"
April 23 is a traditional day of celebration of books and publishing. Read about how April 23 became first “The Day of the Book" and then UNESCO's World Book and Copyright Day—and read about the other book celebrations those traditions inspired.
2012 World Book Night U.S. and 2012 UNESCO World Book and Copyright Day
Monday, April 23, 2012 marks UNESCO’s 2012 World Book and Copyright Day dedicated to Books and Translations. It is also the date of the inaugural celebration of World Book Night U.S., a celebration of books and reading.