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It’s Time For Something New

I’ve had the greatest fun running this blog for the past six years, but over the past few months I’ve come to realize that it’s time for me to move on.

I’m still trying to decide on the path I will take in the next stage of my life, so any advice, pointers to opportunities, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated. I am reachable by email, or on Twitter.

All I know at this point is that I will likely be writing less on the blog. The link posts will continue, but the other posts will have to come second to whatever project I work on next.

If you’d like to meet in person, I will be at DBW in a few weeks, and at BEA in Chicago in May. (I will also attend a couple DC-area edtech conferences, COSN and Computers in Libraries.) I would love to buy you coffee.

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Comments


Felix February 2, 2016 um 10:50 am

Thank you for being there. Whatever you’re doing next, I’m sure it will be just as fun and useful. And it’s not like I have any reason to cancel my subscription. 😉


Greg Strandberg February 2, 2016 um 10:57 am

Why is it time for you to move on? Are you getting bored of the subject…revenues not good…or is there a burning desire for something else?

Since you’re not sure what that something else is, I’d be a little wary of this move.

I’d be surprised if a more reputable (high-paying) site didn’t pick you up.


Will February 2, 2016 um 10:59 am

Sorry to hear that as I enjoy the blog regularly, but I know how it is. Best of luck with whatever’s next!

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 11:04 am

Thanks, Will and Felix!


Arnold Halperin February 2, 2016 um 11:27 am

Sorry you’ll be shutting down The Digital Reader. It’s the source of a lot of provocative ideas (but good luck on your future endeavors).


Paul February 2, 2016 um 11:50 am

Good luck. You’ve always had interesting bits and pieces on the site that I will miss. Is part of the reason for cutting back the loss of advertising revenue? And why not do a meet up at Politics and Prose one evening for DC residents to thank you personally?

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 12:24 pm

@ Paul

That was part of it, yes. I lost an ad network, and while I can replace that revenue, I don’t want to.

Instead I’d like to do something else, try something new.


Paul February 2, 2016 um 12:25 pm

Any indication to what sort of new? In case we have contacts?

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 10:54 pm

Something related to ebooks. I’m really open to anything, especially if I can do it remotely.


CJJ February 2, 2016 um 12:31 pm

Truly a loss. Was always interested to see what you were talking about on any given day. Best of luck. I’m sure, at some future date, I’ll be pleasantly surprised to see your name in the byline of an interesting article.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 1:54 pm

Thank you CJJ!


Mackay Bell February 2, 2016 um 12:55 pm

Nate, I’ll certainly miss your terrific articles.

In terms of exploring other avenues, you’re a terrific writer. Have you considered self-publishing yourself? Probably non-fiction but whatever you might enjoy. Goodness knows you know a lot about the business. Some of your editorials are incredibly detailed and well paced. You could almost put together a book or two about self-publishing or ebook marketing with a cut and paste of your previous work. But it’s also clear you can write a lot of words every day, often with amazing research and reporting. Why not crank out a few ebooks for sale on whatever topic you want?

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 1:54 pm

Thanks, Mackay!


SteveHut February 2, 2016 um 1:28 pm

How about this idea…
apply at KDP to be a publisher-advocate/champion? It might provide a great reality check to Amazon. 🙂


Frank February 2, 2016 um 1:34 pm

Nate, I wish you success in your next thing, and I hope you still posts links on this blog.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 1:53 pm

Thanks, Frank.


Bob February 2, 2016 um 2:17 pm

Nate- I really appreciate all the hard work you’ve put into this blog. As an aspiring author the information you’ve provided has been top notch. Whether it was a link to an article or something you wrote, it was always good. Best of everything in whatever is next for you.
Catch you on the Twitterverse …

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 2:18 pm

Thanks, Bob!


Glinda Harrison February 2, 2016 um 2:37 pm

I am really going to miss reading the blog. 🙁 Best wishes in your next adventure! I know you will be a success at whatever you decide to do!


Joanna Cabot February 2, 2016 um 3:09 pm

All the best to you in your new endeavours, Nate! I have appreciated your contributions over the years.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 3:21 pm

Thanks, Joanna!


Steven Spatz February 2, 2016 um 3:13 pm

Nate – this has been one of my 'must read' blogs! Truly appreciate the hard work you’ve put into The Digital Reader. Best of luck in the next chapter of your life.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 3:21 pm

Thank you, Steven!


Paul Biba February 2, 2016 um 5:24 pm

I wish you the best of luck and I’m sure that you will be a success no matter what you end up doing.

You created the best ebook blog on the web and I hope you are proud of what you have done. While there are a few ebook blogs still running, nobody has the insightful commentary and scrupulous integrity that you display. I remember the days when you just started up and were way behind, and finally surpassed, TeleRead! Good work!

Paul Biba, former Editor-In-Chief, Teleread.com
For personally curated ebook/elibrary/epublishing news by the former Editor-in-Chief of TeleRead follow me on Twitter: @paulkbiba

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 5:36 pm

Thank you, Paul.


karen February 2, 2016 um 5:44 pm

Nate – I’ve enjoyed your blog and consider it one of the best. That said, for a long time, I changed jobs every 4 years because I’d get bored. So, although I’ll miss your ereader-oriented posts, I applaud your desire to try something new. Enjoy what’s to come!

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 7:01 pm

Thanks, Karen!


Juan February 2, 2016 um 5:57 pm

Maybe after all these years, our common topic (e-ink technologies, ebooks, etc.) is in a terminal stagnation. The hardware part for sure it is, and the software one… is a commodity. No more, no less.

I am specially sad since I was very optimistic with EPD displays and ereaders in all kind of education, from school to college, from developed world to underdeveloped one

I almost don’t post about it since several semester. I didn’t give up entirelly, but there are no news who really catch my attention.

ALthough I’m pretty said for saying this, I’m afraid that our common topics are almost not worth of our attention. It’s too late for a meaningful change or restart.

I’m afraid that your move is the correct one. I have been reading your blog since "always" and for sure I’ll miss it, but it’s a totally rational movement

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 7:01 pm

Thanks for your kind words, Juan.


Anthony February 2, 2016 um 6:42 pm

Sorry to see you go. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 7:00 pm

Thanks, Anthony!

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 10:33 pm

Thank you Anthony. I don’t know if I’ve ever said it but I enjoy your blog as well.


Chuck Litka February 2, 2016 um 7:09 pm

Looked in every day. It will be like missing a step… every morning. Good luck!

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 10:33 pm

Thank you, Chuck!


RK February 2, 2016 um 8:02 pm

Will really miss your posts. Your site is one of my favorites. Best wishes for your next endeavor.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 10:33 pm

Thanks, RK!


purple lady February 2, 2016 um 8:03 pm

Good luck with whatever you do next. You will be missed.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 10:32 pm

Thanks, PL!


David North February 2, 2016 um 8:20 pm

Grrrr!


John Stanton February 2, 2016 um 10:05 pm

Thank you Nate , you have been my go to guy through Sony readers etc. You performed an excellent , non profit based service. Please post on FB page when you next surface ! Life is what happens while you are making other plans J. Lennon. Fair Winds and Following seas.

Nate Hoffelder February 2, 2016 um 10:32 pm

Thanks, John.


QQ February 2, 2016 um 11:34 pm

Please, if possible, continue the Morning Coffee posts. I don’t know how I’ll down my cup of Columbian without you! Thanks so much for so many interesting mornings. Good luck wherever you land.


Will O’Neil February 3, 2016 um 1:41 am

Restlessness is an occupational hazard of the very clever and broadly-interested. I’ll certainly miss you, Nate, but I understand and wish you the very best.
— Will O’Neil


Solomon February 3, 2016 um 2:48 am

You will be sorely missed Nate. I have been addicted to this blog for the past two years. I wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do next.


beachwanderer February 3, 2016 um 3:13 am

Well, best of luck to you then! As a frequent visitor over the years I will miss your postings here a lot.
But I’m sure you’ll show up somewhere else with something worth having a look at. Thanks for the work you put in this blog!


Steve H. February 3, 2016 um 8:07 am

Best wishes. I will miss this blog and it’s viewpoints!


R February 3, 2016 um 8:37 am

I come every day and will miss this blog. I would like to thank you for every articles you write. I know that you will have a good performance in your next project too.


Mary February 3, 2016 um 8:57 am

It just goes to prove that we can’t have nice things. Your email is at the top of my early morning reading and something I look forward to when I first get up. I hope the future is bright for you!

Nate Hoffelder February 3, 2016 um 11:20 am

Thanks, Mary!


Jaylat February 3, 2016 um 10:15 am

Very sorry to hear this, but hopefully something bigger and better or you will arise.

Nate Hoffelder February 3, 2016 um 11:18 am

Thanks, Jaylat!


Andrew Girdwood February 3, 2016 um 12:27 pm

You’ve built a great site here and a fantastic community. I’m glad you’re not vanishing completely but sorry you’re moving on.


Becki February 3, 2016 um 1:24 pm

Thank you for what you have been doing, Nate. I work at a small public library, with not a lot of opportunity to explore new things as our budget is really pathetic. But reading your blog helped me keep up with the library-relevant e-world more than any other source I’ve found. I love that you are also a library advocate, in addition to being a reading advocate. Good luck with your new direction, and know that your voice will be greatly missed in this arena.

Nate Hoffelder February 3, 2016 um 1:36 pm

Thanks, Becki!


Bryan Cohen February 3, 2016 um 2:55 pm

Nate, your work is unparalleled. You do so much, and you deserve a shot at trying something new.

I’m very glad to hear you’ll still be posting. Sell More Books Show needs SOME reason to link to you every episode, right? 🙂

Thanks for everything you do.

Nate Hoffelder February 3, 2016 um 3:24 pm

Thank you, Bryan!


Rebecca Allen February 3, 2016 um 5:05 pm

Good luck, whatever you decide to do next! I’ve really enjoyed reading this blog, but time passes and new adventures await.

Nate Hoffelder February 3, 2016 um 5:14 pm

Thanks, Rebecca!


Basem February 3, 2016 um 5:51 pm

Nate – all the best in whatever you decide to do! Hopefully you will still provide updates on e-readers and may be post some reviews.


Paul February 3, 2016 um 11:01 pm

So sorry to hear about the demise of this site. I have come to it nearly daily the past 2 years for news on ereaders/ereading, and will miss that. Good luck in your future ventures.


K February 4, 2016 um 4:29 am

I read your blog every morning to fill me in on ebook news, gutted your ending, but best of luck.

Nate Hoffelder February 4, 2016 um 7:36 am

Thanks, K!


Bridget McKenna February 4, 2016 um 3:23 pm

All success to you Nate, whatever you decide to do. And I have no doubt you’ll find it.

Nate Hoffelder February 4, 2016 um 3:38 pm

Thanks, Bridget!


Scott G. Lewis February 4, 2016 um 8:32 pm

Often disagreed, always enjoyed reading. Best wishes.

Nate Hoffelder February 6, 2016 um 9:21 pm

I don’t know what you’re talking about, Scott; as we can see from the few counter arguments in the comments, many of my posts are perfect the way they are. 🙂


Rasputin February 6, 2016 um 9:18 am

Good luck. I enjoyed your blog. I preferred it when it used to be a bit more edgy. You’ve become too pro-amazon for my tastes. Also I suppose as e-ink development has halted in the USA there is very little to report on these days.


Nate Hoffelder May 16, 2016 um 9:52 am

Here’s a quick update.

I’m still looking for work, but one of my new side ventures is consulting. I am taking my six plus years experience as a web publisher and WP, and hanging out my shingle.

The new gig is called Valiant Chicken Digital. Contact me if you need help with WP, or general assistance with web publishing.


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