Good morning. When books go out of copyright (finally), anyone can use them to republish, remix, re-interpret. “To turn a profit, you just need a basic understanding of the internet: Public-domain manuscripts are available for free through Project Gutenberg, while eye-catching covers can be mocked up in minutes on Canva, a free-to-use design suite. From there, aspiring publishers bring their titles to Amazon’s print-to-order publishing service, Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP, where users can create listings without paying a cent in overhead.” Turns out, according to Slate, it’s a flourishing business.
Here are more story highlights from this weekend:
- Apple Versus Hollywood
“Or at least movie theatres and cinematic releases. ‘In spite of some directors’ unhappiness, Apple seems set on being cautious with its theatrical risks from now on.'”
The Verge - Tim Robbins Feels Depressed About The Future Of Cinema, If That Future Is Netflix
“Robbins ‘fears for a Hollywood that has been upended by the rise of streaming services, and is increasingly governed by algorithms that prioritize more of the same over anything sui generis.'”
The Guardian - Austin Redirected All Its Arts Funding Toward Marginalized Groups. Now Established Organizations Fear The Arts Ecosystem Could Collapse.
“Dozens of established and proven groups and individual artists have had the financial floor ripped from under them. As one company leader put it, ‘If you’re from an organization that isn’t from a traditionally marginalized group, it’s currently not possible … to be funded as an arts group in Austin.'”
The Austin Chronicle - We’ve Entered The Era Of Grand Theft Hamlet
“Cinematic storytelling takes a strange turn, incorporating high-concept crossovers like Hamlet with Grand Theft Auto aesthetics, blending gaming culture with classical literature.”
The Guardian - How Much Input Did Barbara Hepworth Have In The Casting Processes For Her Sculptures?
“In newly revealed letters, ‘the instructions make it clear how deeply involved Hepworth was in the casting procedure, caring not just about the final look of the metal, but also the precise angle of balance.’ (Which might seem obvious? But, you know, woman.)”
The Observer
Skip down to see all the stories we collected this weekend. See you tomorrow.
Doug
