Today’s links of interest: Customer Service is a Ruthless BusinessSince the introduction of the Nook, customer service from Barnes Noble has been a problem area. As the retail giant faces new challenges, they are starting to lose a key battle.
Today’s links of interest: Random House sees e-book sales jumping: CEOWhile Markus Dohle is likely being overly cautious in his predictions for ebook share of the market in the next year, his comments on why he didn’t jump into the Agency Model pool are very interesting. Amazon: We have 70-80 percent of e-book marketInteresting interview with Ian Freed of Amazon about devices, platforms, and sales numbers. Connecticut Probes Pricing of E-BooksSecond state attorney general looks closer at the agency model. Fun, fun, fun!
Today’s links of interest: Amazon to set e-book prices for Kindle UKAs Amazon opens its first Kindle store outside the US, publishers in the UK decide against the agency model.
Today’s links of interest: Kindle to Go ‘Mass Market’Wifi only device will go for $139. Wifi plus 3G will go for $189. We are getting remarkably close to a price point that makes the investment a no-brainer.
Today’s links of interest: Amid Flagging Retail Sales, Guidebook Publishers Focus on iPad, SmartphonesPublishes of travel books decide to leave the sidelines. So much is wrong here — why haven’t they been exploiting the web? Is an iPad only app really useful for travelers wandering the streets of Rome? Where have these guys been while others have eaten their lunch? Will Random House Chicken Out Again?The very smart Richard Curtis makes many of the points we’ve made in the past few days. Evanovich Takes Her Bounty to Random HouseA lot of money while the backlist remains with another publisher.
Today’s links of interest: Amazon Doesn’t Care About Wall Street’s ConcernsInteresting analysis from Sarah Weinman. Totally agree.
If you are contract, royalties, or publishing geek, today (yesterday?) was an exciting day. Sort of like the bully saying “I’m gonna beat you up” every day until the scrawny kid picks a fight. All concepts relative. As promised, agent Andrew Wylie did what he said he would: “We will take our 700 clients, see what rights are not allocated to publishers, and establish a company on their behalf to license those e-book rights directly to someone like Google, Amazon.com, or Apple. It would be another business, set up on parallel tracks to the frontlist book business.”
Today’s links of interest: Andrew Wylie, Literary Agent, Plans E-BooksNot really plans. Better headline includes words is selling. Fasten your seatbelt for long and bumpy legal maneuvering. And more links to more articles about the topic. Odyssey Editions coversMeanwhile, check out the unenhanced covers done by Enhanced Editions for the Wylie publishing arm, Odyssey. Stieg Larsson Sells More Than A Million eBooksNot surprising in the least, and probably a more interesting stat than James Patterson’s digital sales versus print sales.
Today’s links of interest: Amazon Says E-Book Sales Outpace HardcoversMore on the Amazon numbers. Of course there’s an impact on paperbacks. People who have switched to digital reading aren’t just switching from hardcover, they’re switching their paperback purchases, too. United Artists ReduxMichael Cairns of Persononanondata wonders if there is power in developing artists collectives in the digital age (we agree with his conclusion).
Today’s links of interest: Kindle Device Unit Sales Accelerate Each Month in Second Quarter; New $189 Price Results in Tipping Point for GrowthThis is an amazing press release. Kindle books outselling hardcovers. Kindle devices still increasing on a quarter over quarter basis. No numbers to crunch (sigh!), but many things to consider.
