As we have reported previously on multiple occasions, Amazon has been talking to publishers about an ebook subscription offering for some time now — and a cached version of a page that was put up recently and then taken down confirms the basic details. “Kindle Unlimited” is the name of the program, which promises “unlimited access to over 600,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks…for just $9.99 a month.” That cached page prominently promotes big series — Lord of the Rings; Harry Potter; and The Hunger Games. Amazon already had a big, direct license for Harry Potter for Kindle Owner’s Lending […]
What Moonves Actually Said
A short WSJ piece about an on-stage interview between CBS ceo Leslie Moonves and — ironically, a Fortune reporter at a Fortune forum in Aspen, CO — has traveled far and wide, and been stretched far and wide as it traveled. As we reported previously, Amazon is known to have been in discussions with other publishers besides Hachette Book Group about significantly revised selling terms, particularly for ebooks. Here is the precise discussion, in toto, between Fortune’s Adam Lashinsky and Moonves. You can watch the video, beginning at about 14:53, to confirm. Moonves: [Completing a long answer about all kinds of competitors who are […]
Agreements: Curtis Brown UK Unit Pairs with BBC, and More
Cuba Pictures, the film and tv development arm of Curtis Brown UK, has a first-look deal with BBC Worldwide, which will “provide investment, co-production expertise, access to their market research and development initiatives in addition to their global marketing reach.” Cuba Pictures ceo Nick Marston says, “Our aim is to bring together writers, directors and literary material in unique collaborations to create some first-class television. This partnership with BBC Worldwide will hopefully ensure that our work will get the best global support and we look forward to working together on future upcoming projects.” The two have already been working together on a […]
Bookselling: Diesel Malibu to Close, Munro’s Handed to Employees
Diesel will close its Malibu bookstore sometime this summer, and has marked down inventory. Owner John Evans indicated to the Malibu Times earlier this month, “Their lease runs through January 2015 but Evans said part of the reason they’re closing early is because they won’t be able to afford six more months of payments. Evans also faulted Diesel’s location in the Country Mart for the store’s impending closure. Housed in a first-floor space near a courtyard and fountain on the northern side of the center, Evans said it was often hard to draw in foot traffic.” In Victoria, British Columbia, 84-year-old Jim Munro […]
Harper Lee Repudiates Marja Mills Book, Again; Mills Affirms Her Experiences
When Penguin Press announced their acquisition of Marja Mills‘s THE MOCKINGBIRD NEXT DOOR: LIFE WITH HARPER LEE in 2011, saying it was written with “direct access to Harper and Alice Lee,” Harper Lee’s attorneys released a letter in which the renowned author said, ” I have not willingly participated in any book written or to be written by Marja Mills. Neither have I authorized such a book. Any claims otherwise are false.” Just prior to publication on July 15, Harper Lee has provided another broader letter, via attorney Tonja Carter (sent to Mary McDonagh Murphy, who directed “Hey Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a […]
Cain Tops August Library Reads; Target Picks Joshilyn Jackson; and More
Chelsea Cain’s One Kick tops the August Library Reads list, which includes 3 of our fall/winter Publishers Lunch Buzz Books titles you can start reading right now: Lock In, by John Scalzi The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton The Magician’s Land, by Lev Grossman [The first two are excerpted now on the Buzz site, as well.] The rest of the list features: Lucky Us, by Amy Bloom Heroes Are My Weakness, by Susan Elizabeth Phillips Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty The Truth about Leo, by Katie MacAlister An Unwilling Accomplice, by Charles Todd The Story Hour, by Thrity Umrigar Separately, the August Target Book Club Pick is […]