Hi All - I haven't done this in a while, but I thought I'd post about the recent news from the publishing world and my thoughts on it. I get my news from Publisher's Weekly online, an industry trade magazine about the publishing industy and you can find it at: http://www.publishersweekly.com
#1 - Texas Attorney General questions Ebook Pricing.
Harper Collins and Hachette publishing have been approached by the Texas Attorney General regarding their pricing of ebooks. The crux of it: "Apple, in seeking to attract content for the iPad, opted for an agency pricing model in which publishers set their own retail prices and receive 70% of the price while sellers receive the remaining 30%." Because of this, the pricing on some ebooks went UP. For example, from 9.99 as much as 14.99. That's a lot. (And this is for major authors) This is the "Agency Model" and major publishers like this. The traditional model is to have the retailer, say AMAZON, set the price.
Personaly the Agency model is not Reader/Buyer friendly. While the iPad is cool, it is pricey and it's not something I can afford right now.
#2 - Borders is Developing an ebook reader - KoBo. I don't much else about it but I'll look around. Right now it is not available but the book store is taking pre orders for $150.00. It is scheduled to ship 17 June. KoBo does not have 3G or WiFi but has Bluetooth access so it should allow downloads from your computer to the ebook reader through bluetooth. KoBo uses eInk Technology like The Nook and Kindle.
My notes: Kobo looks like the Kindle. I like the price as it's very affordable at $150.00. If you are looking for affordablity, it is comparable to the Sony Ereader.
#3 - The Nook outsells the Kindle in MARCH 2010. One of the reasons? The Nook sells in Target and Barnes and Noble Brick and Mortar stores. The Kindle sells only through the online store. (All though I think this might changing soon.)
#4 - Belinda Carlisle publishes her memoriors: Good Morning America hosted singer Belinda Carlisle recently, whose Lips Unsealed: A Memoir (Crown, 978-0307463494, $26; RH Audio abridged CD, $30). PW thought "Carlisle writes candidly, and her chronic fear of being exposed as a fake is heartfelt and winning."
#5 - June is National Audio Book Month!
Enjoy
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI'd heard of Kobo, but had no idea what it was. I'm leaning toward the Nook. I think it would be great if publishers were allowed to set the prices of books. That's how most other products are sold. My only worry is if they are priced too high piracy will increase, which will really kill ebooks. Thanks for sharing the publishing news.
It's amazing how much new news there is every week about epublishing and ereaders. Btw, there's an award for you on my blog! :)
ReplyDeleteKathy, the appeal of the Nook, for me, is the ability to play back Audio books. I love audio books, especially when driving back and forth to work. (it's about a 45 min each way). It's nice to be able to listen to a good book.
ReplyDeleteMy concerns are yours - if priced too high, piracy might spike and ebooks become unaffordable to the little guy, like me.
Thanks for the award Nicole. I'll pop in soon.
Smiles
Steph