At least some buyers of the new Kindle Paperwhite model have been posting complaints online both about screen performance and screen defects–though “professional” reviews of pre-release models were enthusiastic about demand (or supply) that has resulted in a four-to-six week wait for new orders. Earlier this week, Amazon added a link to a new explanatory “We want you to know…” page that some speculate is in response to customer reaction. The page underscores “there are certain limitations and changes from prior generations that we want you to know about.” The company says: “Under certain lighting conditions, the illumination at the […]
Archives for October 2012
Authors Guild Criticizes Hathi Trust Ruling; Will “Announce Our Next Steps Shortly”
The Authors Guild has responded to the court verdict regarding the Hathi Trust earlier this week, saying in a site post that “we disagree with nearly every aspect of the court’s ruling. We’re especially disappointed that the court refused to address the universities’ ‘orphan works’ program, which defendants have repeatedly promised to revive.” Executive director Paul Aiken writes of his concern that “the temptation to find reasons to release these digitized books clearly remains strong, and the university has consistently pledged to reinstate the orphan works program. The court’s decision leaves authors around the world at risk of having their […]
Kindle Library Heads to Europe; Nook UK Now Headed Towards End of the Month
Amazon announced yesterday that their Kindle Owners Lending Library will expand to the UK, Germany and France “later this month,” available to Prime members (as is the case in the US). They promise “over 200,000 books to borrow,” which probably means the large collection of exclusive self-published titles (and Amazon Publishing imprint books) that form the core of the program in the US, alongside the Harry Potter books in multiple languages. They promise “thousands of local-language titles” as well, but did not indicate how many European titles are being contributed by publisher license rather than by Amazon paying per “borrow.” […]
People, Etc.: Random Plans “Open House”
Dan Ambrosio has joined Da Capo Books as a senior editor. He was at Wiley for the last four years, and has worked at Vigliano Associates and Warner Books. Deborah Ritchken has joined the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, working primarily in the areas of food, design and entertaining; pop culture; women’s issues; biography; and current events. She was with The Castiglia Agency. Random House is inviting the public to buy tickets (at $25 each, including breakfast and lunch) to an “open house” at their headquarters building in New York on November 2. The full-day event promises “access to upcoming titles before they’re […]
New Sylvia Day eBook Sells 286k Copies In First Week
Sylvia Day’s REFLECTED IN YOU, the follow-up to her bestselling BARED TO YOU, sold 286,000 ebooks in the US in the first week on sale, Berkley reported. It sells for $9.99. The publisher says the trade paperback, which does not go on sale until October 23, will have a 630,000-copy printing.
Corporate: Swann Steps Down as CEO of WHSmith; Final Suitors for McGraw-Hill Education;HarperCollins Moves to Streamline Global Publishing Infrastructure; and More
Kate Swann will step down as ceo of WHSmith on June 30 after more than nine years, the company announced Thursday. She will be replaced by current managing director of Smith’s high street business Steve Clarke. “It is an opportune time to make a change of leadership, and I am sure that the company will continue to thrive under Steve,” Swann told the FT. She didn’t elaborate further on future plans but said she “certainly doesn’t intend to retire.” The news was announced in tandem with the release of WHSmith’s preliminary full-year results, in which pre-tax profits rose 9.7 percent […]