Fresh Voices - Fresh Choices For Readers

Winnipeg, Manitoba (February, 2006) Book lovers world wide have used their mouse buttons to send e-book sales soaring. Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive, Inc. and director of International Digital Publishing Forum, the trade and standards association for the digital publishing industry, stated: "eBooks represent the fastest growing segment of the publishing industry."

Read An E-Book Week, which runs from March 5 -11th, 2006, was created four years ago to educate readers about the advantages of electronic books and to promote the fledgling industry. In 2002 publishers were struggling with low sales and libraries reluctant to consider their books. Today many libraries carry e-books and even provide e-book readers to their patrons. E-book topics now range from dance instruction to science fiction, and from repair manuals to romance novels.

In the past e-book sales were hampered by unpopular reading devices. Sony has recently introduced their electronic ink reading device which closely replicates the experience of reading a paper book. Competing digital publishing platforms have also hampered sales. On February 7th and 8th the International Digital Publishing Forum met in New York to develop a standard for content that would allow publishers to produce only one format for entry into their distribution channels.

For additional information on Read An E-Book Week contact the founder, Rita Y. Toews.

Rita Y. Toews is the co-author of two award winning e-books: Prometheus and The Price of Freedom. She is also the author of two children's e-books, Kelly's Baby Brother and Christmas Stars. Christmas Stars was selected as one of the best e-books of 2002 by KnowBetter.com You can visit Rita's website at: www.domokos.com and her children's website at: www.domokos.com/Rita.html