Tag Archives: Finance

Self-Publishing Companies Making Bank

Motoko Rich had a story in the NY Times today about the self-publishing industry.  As you all know from a previous post, we’ve got at least one regular here who is a self-published author, along with one who is planning on becoming a self-published author.  I think it’s awesome that technology is allowing people to self-publish without prohibitive costs.  The world is becoming more democratic.

The story in short goes like this: traditional book publishers, which front money and time to promote books, are hurting badly.  Self-publishing companies, on the other hand, which usually charge authors to get started, are flourishing.  They seem to be the one bright spot in the entire publishing world.

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71,400 jobs

CNN article here.

All I can say is ouch.  My thoughts go out to those who are struggling.  Please stay positive.

chart_job_cuts0126d(Updated to include the numbers which have been added since I posted this morning.)

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Happy Lunar New Year!

ox_600_1

Happy New Year, everyone!

Saw this article in the NY Times this morning: Year of the Ox is looking Inauspicious

“The mood is confused and desperate,” said Kerby Kuek, a feng shui master and Chinese astrologer. “Two years ago, people would ask me if they should change from a medium house to a big house, or from a Nissan to a BMW.

“Now people ask me directly, ‘When am I going to get laid off?”’

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Tech Business News

Intel and Microsoft are cutting jobs after their financials came out worse than expected.  AMD, according to the Intel article, is planning to cut 9% of its workforce.  Apple, however, beat analysts expectations and posted a net income gain of almost 2% compared with last year.  Apple’s rise, however, may be short-lived, since Steve Jobs is having health issues.

This hits very close to home since Intel has several major plants in the Portland area, and Microsoft is only three hours away in Redmond, WA.  Portland’s unemployment rate is already over 9%, and this closure is only going to make things worse.

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