BookBaby throws open the doors to the electronic publishing and distribution world for independent authors, offering the highest pay-out rate for eBook distribution in the industry. Authors will receive 100% of their net sales revenue — paid weekly — generated through all BookBaby’s retailer network, including all the major retailers including Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Sony, and soon, Google.

To celebrate its debut in the eBook world, BookBaby is offering worldwide eBook distribution for an introductory price of $99, a $50 discount off the regular price of $149.

O’Reilly Media announced today an innovative new digital service at O’Reilly’s Tools of Change for Publishing Conference in New York City.

O’Reilly’s new division aims to help publishers meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century. For publishers to succeed today, their content must be available in multiple formats, distributed through many channels.

Independent author Michael J. Gyulai received a two-year publishing contract for a reprint of his 2008 memoir Midnight in Rome after he used social media to drive a spike in online sales. The memoir, based on Gyulai’s real-life experience working behind the bar of a top nightclub in the Italian capital, was re-released in August.

Gyulai based his sales model on the direct-to-fan marketing tactics currently sprouting in the music industry, which is still searching for footing after digital distribution via mp3 sent the entire music sales model into disarray at the turn of the millennium.