Twitter founders launch two new websites, Medium and Branch | Technology | guardian.co.uk

Twitter founders launch two new websites, Medium and Branch | Technology | guardian.co.uk: They inspired a boom in self-publishing with Blogger, then turned the world to 140 characters with Twitter. Now Ev Williams and Biz Stone have launched two new websites – Medium and Branch – in what they hope will prompt an "evolutionary leap" in online sharing.

Williams and Stone are still directors of Twitter, but are involved in the new ventures through their San Francisco-based incubator fund, The Obvious Corporation.

Hollywood Gets Hot for Fanfic: Who Will Write the Next 'Fifty Shades'? - The Hollywood Reporter

Hollywood Gets Hot for Fanfic: Who Will Write the Next 'Fifty Shades'? - The Hollywood Reporter: Call it the Fifty Shades effect. The hottest genre in the book world is self-published fan fiction -- original stories based on existing characters, typically traded online for free. Thanks to the steamy E.L. James trilogy, which began as Twilight fanfic before becoming a successful e-book and now a 20 million-selling worldwide sensation, publishers are racing to secure the next hot titles.

Another 'Fifty Shades'-like Self-Published Ebook Scores Major Publishing Deal - The Hollywood Reporter

Another 'Fifty Shades'-like Self-Published Ebook Scores Major Publishing Deal - The Hollywood Reporter: In the wake of Fifty Shades of Grey's phenomenal journey from self-published fan fiction to a twenty-million copy selling hit, major publishers --and film studios--have eagerly snapped up self-published erotica and romance hits.

"Annie" Remake, Starring Willow Smith, Will Begin Production in 2013; Rapper Jay-Z Is Writing New Music - Mobile Playbill.com

"Annie" Remake, Starring Willow Smith, Will Begin Production in 2013; Rapper Jay-Z Is Writing New Music - Mobile Playbill.com: "Annie" Remake, Starring Willow Smith, Will Begin Production in 2013; Rapper Jay-Z Is Writing New Music
By Michael Gioia
21 Aug 2012

"Annie," the upcoming film remake of the 1982 movie musical that will star Willow Smith in the title role, will begin production in spring 2013 in New York, according to BBC News. Rap artist Jay-Z is currently working on additions to the score.