Every once in awhile someone asks me: “So what business book should I be reading other than your own?”
My answer is always the same: “Read what’s hot on the New York Times best seller list for business books.”
But think of how many influential books are not on on those lists. Books like Goldmith’s Paid to Think, Faktor’s Econovation, and Brito’s Smart Business, Social Business are all books business leaders should be reading, but may not know about. I raise this point because there needs to be a better way to discover great books that matter. And there is.
Goodreads has quietly grown into one of the most prolific social networks for book readers. In just the past few years, Goodreads has grown to 11 million members, created 20,000 book clubs and have shelved 395 million books. “We want to own book discovery – we’ve built the best way to discover books online and we’ve got 11 million registered members that agree,” Otis Chandler, CEO of Goodreads told me.
While today, most of the most reviewed books on Goodreads are either fiction or classics, over time I believe we’ll see more interest in non-fiction books as the site grows in membership. As with most successful social networks, they tend to start in segments with a lot of passionate users then spread to other areas.
We’re moving from a world where Publisher’s Weekly, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal pick winners and losers, to one where the crowd is doing it. Instead of professional critics offering singular opinions, passionate book readers like you and me have the chance to shape a book’s success. It’s a brave new world, and the industry can’t continue to operate like it’s 1984 anymore.
Want to see the future of how books become hot or not? Let’s start with the Goodreads top 25. These are the people that can help books become popular.
But for his part, Chandler is focused is on helping people find the best books for their own needs, “We have a long way to go with discovery, but we’re focused on it. Especially people in your network. We want to tie it to a user in a personalized way.” Chandler also believes his company will be able to use data analytics to help both authors and readers produce better books and better informed readers.
I have often written about how social and mobile technologies will upend traditional businesses – arguing that the world must go social. When I make those arguments, sites like Goodreads add exclamation points. We’re at an enormous inflection point, but still most traditional publishing businesses are playing by the old rules.
But as with any transition, there’s both a huge challenge and opportunity. It has never been easier to produce a book and it’s never been harder to make it successful. Anyone with the inclination to write and publish a book can do so within weeks – no need for a publisher, editor or even a good idea.
It is why 50 Shades of Grey was made popular in part by Goodreads. It did it without a marketing budget, without a publisher, without a formal review, without a publicity campaign – 50 Shades of Grey became popular through word of mouth and social networks.
Yet critics hated it, but fans made it popular. So who should we trust?
For me, there are no “professional” critics that matter anymore. In our new social world, the crowd must decide. That means authors and readers everywhere now have greater access to each other and the best books won’t be held back by traditional road blocks. Obviously, for authors, this makes it more essential than ever to have a solid social media plan, to be accessible and to build a following – because relying on the old publishing guard won’t cut it anymore.
That age is over.
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Looks like another indie title won’t be returning to IR’s bestseller list next week. And it isn’t due to lack of sales.
Today’s Publisher’s Weekly reports that, “In a major deal closed during the week of the Frankfurt Book Fair, Lauren E. Abramo at Dystel & Goderich sold the bestselling self-published romance by Samantha Young, On Dublin Street, to NAL for seven figures. Kerry Donovan acquired the title for the Penguin imprint in a two-book deal, which includes a currently untitled follow-up.
The novel, which Abramo said has sold more than 150,000 copies (n digital) in one month, has appeared not only on the Amazon bestseller lists but also on the lists for the Wall Street Journal and Apple. In the book, which is set in Edinburgh, a woman is awakened (sexually and otherwise) when she meets the intense brother of her new flat mate.
From everyone here at IndieReader, best of luck, Sam!
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The next big thing in YA books-turned-movies might just be here—and despite all the trend forecasts predicting such things, it's not a dystopian post-apocalyptic magical fantasy romance between a human girl and the sea monster who loves her. (Although can someone write that book? WE NEED IT.) Actually, the latest book to get snatched up by a studio before it's even been published is a total change of pace from the usual: a cerebral, intellectually driven little story called "Cool, Sweet, Hot, Love." According to Deadline, Warner Bros is already circling the film rights for this one, which is hitting shelves sometime in 2014.
Despite what you may be thinking—and we know what you're thinking, you filthy beast—this isn't a steamy romance. The novel by Erin McCahan follows a super-smart teenage linguistics enthusiast as she explores the meanings of different words to different people; the title quartet are the ones she's researching.
And while there's not much known about "Cool, Sweet, Hot, Love," it's safe to say that all the buzz surrounding it is a fascinating change of pace for an industry that usually saves its lustful slavering for the paranormal romance category. Think they know something we don't? Or is Hollywood just breaking out of its rut?
Do you know anything about "Cool, Sweet, Hot, Love"? Theories? Rumors?
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In June rumors surfaced stating Summit (and now parent studio Lionsgate) was already considering ways to continue the Twilight franchise beyond the five films.
Now a new source has come about offering a couple more particulars.
Moviehole.net, who we discovered through Bloody Disgusting, heard today that “they’re onto the [Breaking Dawn] follow-up,” but a decision hasn’t been made as to on what type of medium it will be created.
The aforementioned source says they’ve heard it could be a television show or a film spin-off set in the same world as the Twilight Saga but not centering upon three lead characters Edward, Bella, and Jacob. One idea currently being tossed around would focus on the Wolf Pack.
To us, a Wolf Pack show or film may be the best bet. The studio is likely looking at the runaway success of MTV’s Teen Wolf which, if you ask us, was only created because Twilight popularized wolves (the show is based on the 1985 film of the same name) in recent years.
The other big question concerning the continuation of the franchise is whether or not Stephenie Meyer, the book series’ author, will be involved. Then there’s Melissa Rosenberg who penned each of the five films. Both women had a key role in the success of the book to film adaptations.
With publicity for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 set to begin in a couple weeks, the cast and crew will naturally be posed questions about whether or not they’ll miss the franchise, and that may lead to questions about their interest in a reboot or spin-off.
When these rumors initially surfaced over the summer, Summit denied a “remake” but didn’t comment on a spin off. “We will happily support Stephanie Meyer if she decides to proceed in any way,” they said.
Films-turned-TV-spin-offs may be a new trend. In August, Joss Whedon started developing an Avengers television show for ABC based on his film but not using those same Avengers heroes.
Breaking Dawn – Part 2 promotional material uses the phrase “forever” – now you know why.
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For fans of Veronica Roth's "Divergent," the wait for a movie adaptation of the beloved dystopian YA thriller has been defined by brief moments of wild excitement followed by long, painful silences in which nothing happens, there is no news at all, and seriously Hollywood what are you trying to do to us WE CANNOT STAND IT ANYMORE. But at last, things seem to be moving forward: September brought reports that a release date has been set for 2014, and yesterday, rumors surfaced that Shailene Woodley is in talks for the lead role of Tris. Which means that now is the perfect time to dial up our "Divergent" obsession to 11 and offer up five strapping young actors who could play opposite Shailene (or whomever!) in the role of Four.
If you haven't read the books, some background: Four is the enigmatic Dauntless instructor who guides Tris through the dangerous initiation into her new faction. He's brave, bold, mysterious and—of course—a sexy beast of the highest caliber. So, who's on our shortlist of potential actors to play the role? Check it!
Steven R. McQueen
This exceptionally handsome gent is a "Vampire Diaries" veteran, but he's only barely dipped his toe into the waters of big-screen roles. What better transition than the familiar ground of another YA book adaptation?
Jesse Williams
Okay, we'll admit it: At 31, Jesse may be a teensy bit old at this point to pass as an 18-year-old onscreen...but with the role of Four calling for dark hair, piercing blue eyes and a certain gravitas, he's certainly packing a lot of, um, qualifications.
Matthew Lewis
After years of playing the overlooked, doofy Neville Longbottom in the "Harry Potter" franchise, Matthew is perfectly positioned to step into the spotlight as the star of the "Divergent" adaptation. And considering that he's become a bona fide hunk of late, all he'd need for this one is an American accent.
Diego Boneta
From bit parts in "Pretty Little Liars" to his big breakout in "Rock of Ages," Diego has been an impressive new presence in Hollywood of late; we like him so much, we even added him to the cast of our new show, "Underemployed." But hey, if Hollywood wants him to ride the Dauntless train, we'd offer him a ride to the station.
Alex Pettyfer
After getting passed over twice as a possible contender for major roles in "The Hunger Games," Alex deserves a serious look for the next big YA book-to-movie adaptation. Plus, he is number four, you know.
Which of our picks do you like best for Four? Have any ideas of your own? Tell us in the comments and on Twitter!
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