Articles we read (and loved) in June

1/         How to Work with Influencers to Drive Book Discovery

     By Otis Chandler, @goodreads

This is a great article from Goodreads’ Otis Chandler that discusses the challenges of book discovery for publishers and authors. Detail is afforded to three types of “mini influencers” that impact book discovery on Goodreads, including notable readers, authors, and influential readers. It’s an interesting and easy read, and particularly a must for any authors with a Goodreads account! 

http://www.digitalbookworld.com/2015/how-to-work-with-influencers-to-drive-book-discovery/?et_mid=761873&rid=240989063

 2/         E-Books Get a Makeover

     By Jennifer Maloney, @maloneyfiles

E-Books are getting a makeover courtesy of Amazon and Google, with new fonts designed for easy reading and a better looking screen. WSJ books reporter Jennifer Maloney explains what the changes are, how they’ll affect your reading speed, and what it means for typography enthusiasts!

http://www.wsj.com/articles/e-books-get-a-makeover-1435263527

3/        How to swap games consoles for books (and get kids reading)

By Alex Scarrow, @AlexScarrow

If you’re writing for a younger audience, this article is definitely worth a read. Author Alex Scarrow took learnings from his profession as a computer games designer to write “addictive” books that would have his young son coming back for more. His top three tips are “bitesize effort and reward,” “special FX” and “Easter eggs.” Don’t know what that means? Head over to the link below to read the full article and get clued in!

http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jun/16/swap-games-consoles-for-books-boys-reading-alex-scarrow

4/         Why This TED Talk Has Everyone Rethinking First Impressions

     By Anna Hensel, @ahhensel

The face of famed book designer Chip Kidd has been popping up a lot lately, with lots of interest in his TED talk on “The Art of First Impressions – In Design and Life.” If you don’t have time to watch the entire 19 minute video, check out this article by Anna Hensel instead. A brief summation of the main points of the video, with examples, makes for an interesting and easy read.

http://www.inc.com/anna-hensel/study-this-ted-talk-to-give-a-better-first-impression.html

5/         Reading the revolution: the book club that terrified the Angolan regime

By Simon Allison, @simonallison

This article will certainly give you something to think about. Daily Maverick Africa correspondent Simon Allison reports on the arrests of thirteen young Angolans in a raid last week, as they met for a book club. Allison explores whether the simple act of reading has become “so subversive that it was tantamount to a rebellion.” It’s a thought-provoking article, and if you live someplace where you’re free to be a bookworm, it’ll make you feel lucky.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/30/angola-book-club-dos-santos-arrests