A Quick Primer on E-Publishing

I have to admit I've been conspicuously avoiding most talk about e-books. When the words "e-publishing," "Kindle," "iPad," "Sony Reader," and "agency model" appear, my eyes kind of glaze over. I know I should be following this stuff. I know I should be informed.

Part of my hesitancy to delve into the topic is pure denial. (Always smart.) I'd like to think that someday I'll have a physical book on a shelf in a brick-and-mortar bookstore (another term that earns the Eye Glaze. "Brick and mortar"? Did anyone even use this phrase until recently?).

Because really, who dreams of one day having a downloadable file?

But last night I read a fantastic article, "Publish or Perish," in the New Yorker, about Kindle vs iPad, publishers' attempts to set prices with e-distributors, the hope that Apple may "save" the publishing business, and various insights from staffers at the six largest publishing houses.

And click ye here for Kristin Nelson's excellent posts on the Amazon / Macmillan war as it unfolded.

PSP eReader To Showcase Comic Books

Variety reports that Marvel has partnered with PlayStation Portable to offer hundreds of new and classic comic books through PSP's new eReader, which is expected to launch in October.

Fans who don't have the resources to locate or purchase rare editions of famous issues (such as Incredible Hulk #180 -- Wolverine's first time in print) will presumably get a chance to read them now. And no pesky dust covers!

Coming later this week: HAWT Pics of Seattle Public Library.