Author Archives: Shawn E. Bell

eBook, Self Publishing, Writing

Ebooks Responsible for Nearly $1 Billion Growth in Trade

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

According to Digital Book World, eBooks pushed the total net book sales over $27.1 billion for 2012. eBooks were 20% of trade publishing net sales for 2012, beating the 2011 eBooks sales figure (15%) handsomely.

From the DBW article:

The BookStat report shows prices are fairly stable for trade, ebook growth has slowed but contributes significantly to book sales overall, and that both romance and YA are growth genres, according to Ned May, VP and practice leader at Outsell Inc., who presented the stats at today’s MIP event.

The complete BookStat report will be released in June, and it will show a net new dollars figure for eBooks of $995 million.

You can read the original article HERE.

Conservation, National Parks

National Park Service removes trash cans from parks in an effort to shut down public lands

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

It’s already started back in D.C.

The National Park Service is REMOVING trash cans from national parks under a new “Trash Free Park” program that’s being instituted in some parks outside of California. According to the Question/Answer sheet found HERE, this is the idea behind the program:

“…Visitors are responsible for removing all refuse they generate in the park when they leave the park. Trash must be picked up and the area left in a clean condition before departure. Visitors are encouraged to come prepared when visiting the park. If they plan to picnic, barbecue, or in any way generate waste, they should plan ahead to provide the means to organize materials needed, and correctly package items and refuse, in order to efficiently remove it with them by the means in which they came -by walking, metro, bicycle, car, etc.. The park encourages visitors to consider how they package items. Using materials that can be recycled or composted when they return home is a positive way to help the environment…”

I don’t know about you, but my questions in no reflect the rainbows and unicorns questions dreamed up but the NPS flunky who wrote that sheet up.  My only question is this:

What fucking moron came up with this idiotic plan?

Continue reading →

Activities, Adventures, National Parks

The Yosemite Valley Stable is open for the summer season!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Yosemite Valley Stable offers two great rides: One up to Mirror Lake, and one up to Clark’s Point.

The Mirror Lake trip is a two hour ride that offers riders great views and many photographic vistas.  It’s a great ride for beginners.

The Clark’s Point trip is a half-day excursion.  According to the website, the trail is “uneven, and consists of many switchbacks up a steep slope, with an elevation gain of 1500 feet.  This is a strenuous ride best suited to riders in good physical condition.”  This trip includes great views of Vernal Falls. Visit the website for more information HERE.

Continue reading →

Self Publishing, Writing

Writers Union of Canada to vote on admitting self-published authors

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The CBC is reporting that the Writers’ Union of Canada is expected to vote on a measure to accept self-published authors as members at the end of May. From the article:

“…The Writers Union of Canada represents over 1,900 authors from across the country. For the past year, an ad hoc membership committee has been gathering feedback from chapters across the country on whether the organization should revoke its long-standing policy of not admitting self-published authors. Members will vote on the issue at TWUC’s AGM in Ottawa at the end of May…”

Continue reading →

Activities, Conservation, National Forests

Lassen National Forest Celebrating Wildflowers

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

With the spring bloom of wildflowers filling the forests with color, the Lassen National Forest will be hosting a “Celebrating Wildflowers” program during National Wildflower Week from May 20th through the 24.

“Celebrating Wildflowers” is a U.S. Forest Service program that promotes the “enjoyment of the thousands of wildflowers growing on our national forests and grasslands,” and helps to educate the public about the virtues and values of native plants.

From the Lassen National Forest press release: Continue reading →