The Daily Square

Today’s links of interest: Burkle Complains to Barnes Noble Board; Allow me to acquire up to 37% Stake Like the RiggiosHmm. Also, hmm. (Pub Lunch, reg required) In Amazon vs. Macmillan, Amazon comes off conquerorFeel this analysis is closer to reality than most. Apple’s own approach to iPad e-books could confuseYay, another DRM system. Go team! Soapbox: The Hobson’s Choice of Hardcover PricingGreat piece from Kevin Smokler about the high price of hardcovers…and the difficult choices made by readers.

Today’s links of interest: The wild weekend of Amazon and MacmillanGood analysis, including a breakdown of the Agency Model with numbers. E-book Royalties Will Rise When Publishers’ Hands UntiedWe want to believe! Agents Support Macmillan; Some Angered by AmazonOf course, agents haven’t yet grasped what agency model means to their clients. Soon, there will be lots of heated discussion.

Today’s links of interest: Apple iPad: too cheap for Taiwan?Wow, never thought I’d see this. Macmillan E-books – kindle Discussion ForumAmazon says Macmillan books are back in the store at the prices Macmillan wants (for ebooks). Somehow, not thinking this is the end of the story.

Today’s links of interest: ‘Catcher in the Rye’ author J.D. Salinger diesRest in peace. Borders laying off 88 at Ann Arbor headquarters today amid 164 total cutsHate reading stuff like this! Millions of Kindles SoldAs close to an official number as we’re likely to get. Seeing more and more of them in the wild.

Today’s links of interest: A modest proposalBrian O’Leary talks about Brian Napack’s piracy presentation. O’Leary: start with the big idea.

Today’s links of interest: More weak signalsInteresting perspective from Brian O’Leary about the recent inteview with a pirate. Amazon to publish original manuscriptsMake of this what you will. Adding in Twitter rumor (meaning: this is not verified by anyone): Amazon has also been approaching agents about original manuscripts.

Today’s links of interest: With Kindle, Publishers Give Away E-Books to Spur SalesAnother look at the most misunderstood controversy in publishing. Yes, Penguin, you do give books away (as do all your peers). Yes, free books help sell other books. That’s how it’s worked in the print world for decades. Before E-book Experimentation, How About A Little Back to Basics?I focus on the importance of getting basics right before leaping into the magical world of enhanced ebooks. Apple’s tablet and the future of literatureAnother article about books and technology that pretends the Apple Tablet will offer features not already available

Today’s links of interest: James Patterson Inc.Perhaps the most telling of all is that James Patterson is essentially the co-publisher of his work. Consumer complaints have companies rethinking how to dispose of unsold inventoryThis is not eye opening, except for the part where the Washington Post discovers the unicorn of publishing: a trove of bodice rippers. Which don’t exist. Which is just demeaning. And there were probably a whole lot of other genres there as well.

Today’s links of interest: Kobo Announces Availability for Tablet Computers in February 2010This is why we’re loving, loving, loving Kobo. 2009 O’Reilly Ebook Revenue up 104%Huge numbers for one publisher. Bloomsbury to Rejacket ‘Magic Under Glass’Here’s hoping the third time is *not* the charm for Bloomsbury.

Today’s links of interest: ATT Is an Apple Tablet Dealbreaker [SURVEY]Uh, yeah. Other interesting things in the analysis as well. Borders Plays Favorites, Delays Payments to Small PublishersBorders tries to maximize cash flowing by slowing payments to smaller publishers. Nice, make it harder on the little guys. Concerns over Borders GrowMore on the Borders issue.