It’s time we looked at Snapchat, one of the fastest-growing and most-buzzed-about social platforms, with more than 200 million active users. Snapchat is known for its high concentration of millennial users, which makes it a great tool for connecting with the thirty-four-and-younger set. However, recent reports show that older users are quickly taking to the app as well. Read more
Penguin Random House recently debuted Unbound Worlds (www.unboundworlds.com), an online destination that’s the successor to Suvudu, dedicated to the literary worlds of science fiction and fantasy. The website will offer readers insight into books and authors from all publishers and occupy the crossroads of science fiction and fantasy, including slipstream, pop science, fairy tales and folklore, magical realism, urban fantasy, and more. Read more
Some writers outline their stories heavily, while others let the words and ideas flow as they come to them. In the end, there is no one-size-fits-all way to plot a story. Read on for some tips and tricks from our editors about structuring your next book. Read more
Twitter recently made headlines by allowing all its users to request a verified account on the platform. A verified account is easily identified by a blue checkmark, which means it has been recognized as authentic. Prior to this announcement, verification on Twitter was limited to very public figures, companies, brands, and a few exclusive others. Read more
Making videos using a smartphone is a relatively simple and economical way to create valuable content. In fact, depending on the goal of the video, smartphone videos can often be more appropriate than slick professional videos. Smartphone videos can feel more personal and authentic, as you are talking directly to your readers. While viewers are generally forgiving when it comes to quality expectations, there are several things you can do to ensure yours hits a comfortable quality threshold. Read more
Last month Penguin Random House launched Subway Reads, a special eight-week joint promotion in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Transit Wireless, providing subway commuters with access to five free Penguin Random House e-shorts, as well as extensive samples from more than 175 of our full-length books, to enjoy underground. Announced on August 28 by New York’s governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, the promotion celebrates the installation of free wireless connectivity in more than 175 underground stations throughout New York City. Read more
Nearly all books are still made of ink on paper, whether printed on a conventional offset press or the more recent digital presses. To paraphrase Gertrude Stein: a book is still a book is still a book. But for each title we publish, the process of getting the book to press differs greatly. Read on to learn more about the interior design and print production processes at Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Read more
People love to talk about the death of the publishing industry, but as we’ve shown time and time again, the truth is another matter. The AAP recently released its industry-wide annual report of 2015 data, and here are some key takeaways. Read more
Litsy is a new social network that is generating buzz among readers. The platform is best described as a cross between Instagram, Twitter, and Goodreads, because of its highly visual, short-form, and book-centric nature. Litsy made its debut this spring as an iOS app. (Android and Web versions are currently in development.) Continue reading for an overview of Litsy, and learn how to effectively use it to connect with readers. Read more
In all areas of production, a great deal of time and thought is put into how to attract readers and turn them into lifelong fans of your work. But authors rarely get to see this process. For this article, we interviewed Helen Yentus, art director at Riverhead, and asked her to guide us through the multifaceted world of cover design. Read more