Two Interesting New Digital Book Developments

I'm in a bit of a quandary, because I find myself with two interesting new developments in the ebook and digital publishing world that I'd like to talk about.

Since they're both rather interesting, I'll tackle both subjects.

First, there's Amazon's announcement of its "Kindle Singles" program. (Is it a program? Is it a service? Does it really matter? Okay, whatever.) According to eBookNewser, "A Kindle single is defined by Amazon’s press release as 'Kindle books that are twice the length of a New Yorker feature or as much as a few chapters of a typical book.'

"These new books, which are categorized as between 10,000 and 30,000 words – or about 30-90 pages – will have their own section in the Kindle Store and be priced less than a typical eBook. Amazon did not yet say how much these works would cost, but perhaps $.99  – the typical price of an iTunes single – would be too low."

While I'm not entirely clear on the significance (or, indeed, of the benefit) of putting short fiction in its own section of Amazon, I think it is an interesting development. Will it have the effect of raising short fiction price points? Will it make it easier for readers to find? Again, I have no idea. Opinions, anyone?

Second, I thought it was most interesting that (according to Bookseller.com) the Orange Award for New Writers is being dropped and replaced with a "an Orange Book Club and a new books website, which will highlight 'future' Orange Prize for Fiction contenders, including one new writer a month."

Basically, the Orange Prize for Fiction "will focus on promoting the books across a wider range of digital platforms. As part of these plans, Orange confirmed it will be able to support a greater number of first time writers in a year long campaign, which will replace the current Orange Award for New Writers." Read all about here.

Can you feel the ebook and digital distribution love?