Ebook Readers and The Evolution of Ebooks

Check out the great video over at AbsoluteWrite that's a panel discussion on ebooks from O'Reilly 2009 Tools of Change for Publishing featuring Harlequin ebook rep Malle Vallik, Samhain editor Angela James, Booksquare's Kassia Krozser and Smart Bitch Sarah Wendell.

It discusses ebook devices, ebook consumers (ladies, that's us), and what they want from an ebook in the future. They whip out more ebook electronics than a 21st century O.K. Corral, so if you've kicked around buying an ebook reader, this is a nice way to get opinions from some avid readers on which ones work best.

Watch Out Kindle - It's the MiBook

Nathan Bransford had a great round-up of publishing news today, including info on a much less expensive ebook reader than Kindle. It's called the MiBook. and retails for about $130 - and it plays music too!

Getting books on there can be a little pricey at $20 a pop. It does have a memory card slot.

It's cute though. But there are other options out there too.

Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Writers

Everyone is asking me what I want for Christmas, so I thought I 'd share some items the writer on your list might like. Forgive me if I'm a cliche, but it's fun to dream. If I won the lottery. . . Christina Katz also has a great list at her site.

1. Sony ebook reader ($250 -300) or Amazon's Kindle ($400.00)

2. Gift basket: paper (minimum 20lbs quality), gift card to an office supply store, pens, small notebooks to carry around and jot ideas, $5.00 gift card to Bread Co/coffee shop with wifi, bookstore gift card, #10 envelopes, 9x12 envelopes, stamps - any combo ($30-?)

3. Subscription to mediabistro.com: They have how to pitch articles with the inside scoop on magazines and a great freelance job board. ($49.00)

4. Subscription to writersmarket.com: Lists writing markets and contact info on countless magazines and book publishers (One year is $29.00, two years is 44.99. Or pay by the month at $3.99 so they can see if they like it.

5. Christina Katz book Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids - an outstanding book for beginning writers plus great tips for those already published. She also has a great list of other writing books on her website. (10.19 plus shipping)

6. Writer's Digest ($19.96) or Poets and Writers Magazine ($14.97)

7. Laptop, if you have the funds for such things (they have some great sales at Dell right now)

8. Glimmer Train subscription - great short story writing to inspire the writer within

9. If your writer is aspiring to magazines, an online course at The Renegade Writer would be a great start for the new year (around $120 for a basic course).

10. My manservant, Manolo