Glassbook Joins Microsoft to Co-Sponsor World's First eBook Awards
REDMOND, Wash. and WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 18, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. and Glassbook Inc. today announced that Glassbook will join Microsoft, NuvoMedia Inc. and SoftBook Press Inc. in the recognition of outstanding achievement in the emerging field of eBooks as a participant of the annual Frankfurt eBook Awards. Founded by Microsoft, these awards will honor eBook titles that represent excellence both in literary content and technology advancement.
"Glassbook is very pleased to join Microsoft and the other co-sponsors of these awards,"
said Len Kawell, Glassbook president and Lotus Notes co-inventor.
"Our Internet eBook software strategy supports open standards-based e-commerce products that integrate book distribution and delivery from publisher, distributor and retailer to consumer or library via the Internet. We encourage the broadest possible availability and distribution of electronic titles, and this award helps promote excellence to ensure wide acceptance of eBooks and the success of this new customer base."
The Frankfurt eBook awards will comprise seven awards totaling $160,000, including a $100,000 (U.S.) grand prize for a work published originally in eBook form. The additional awards will be given in such categories as works converted from paper to electronic form, audio books, and technology advancement in the field of eBooks. A panel of judges made up of authors, educators and publishing industry professionals will constitute the awards committee. Chaired by Alberto Vitale, chairman emeritus and former chairman, president and CEO of Random House, the committee plans to begin evaluation of award submissions after January 2000 and announce the winners at next year's Frankfurt Book Fair.
"Glassbook is a welcome partner as a co-sponsor,"
said Dick Brass, Microsoft vice president for Technology Development.
"eBooks are the future of reading, and it is important for us all to recognize excellence in this medium. Our goal in establishing these awards is to ensure that the reading public has widespread access to high-quality eBook titles. And the total prize amount places the awards among the largest in the publishing industry worldwide, which we believe highlights the importance of electronic books and will help attract the very finest talent to electronic publishing."
Glassbook Inc., headquartered in Waltham, Mass., is an Internet software company that develops open standards-based products for the emerging electronic-book customer base. Glassbook products deliver a high-fidelity reading experience to consumers and e-commerce software to publishers, distributors, booksellers and libraries. The company is dedicated to creating solutions that uniquely provide a true evolution of the book-reading experience through ease-of-use and enhanced features, while effectively addressing the needs of individuals and businesses that create, distribute and sell books.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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