A new study by the Pearson Foundation appears to show that students’ general resistance to etextbooks – documented in multiple reports from BISG – may be thawing somewhat. 55 percent of students still prefer print over digital textbooks, but among the 7 percent of students who own tablets devices such as iPads, 73 percent prefer digital textbooks. 70 percent of students surveyed say they are interested in owning a tablet (with 15 percent of those determined to buy one within the next six months) so no doubt the numbers will change by this time next year as more etextbook platforms […]
Borders May Close Up to 51 More Stores to Avoid Defaulting On Latest Loans
As potential bidders emerge for more than 200 of Borders’ superstores in a deal the company hopes will close in the next two to four weeks, the retailer may need to close an additional 51 stores and liquidate assets to avoid defaulting on their debtor-in-possession loan in the meantime. According to a motion filed in court Thursday morning, the move may result in worse terms for creditors, since the closed stores would not be available for sale to a bidder–and at least some of them are stores that “buyers have indicated that they also wish to purchase.” Though Borders hasn’t […]
People: Obreht Wins Orange Prize, and More
Tea Obreht has won the 2011 Orange Prize for THE TIGER’S WIFE (Random House/Weidenfield & Nicolson). At 25 years old, Obreht is the youngest winner in the prize’s history. Release Edith Pearlman has won the PEN/Malamud Award for excellence in the “art of short fiction.” AP The Center for Fiction has named Scribner vp and editor-in-chief Nan Graham its 2011 recipient of the Maxwell E. Perkins Prize. “It seems most appropriate, if not overdue, for the Maxwell Perkins Award to recognize an editor who has for sixteen years published some of America’s most eloquent, most necessary writers under the imprint […]
eNews: Angry Birds Cookbook; Amazon Sales Guesses; and More
Speaking at the Open Mobile Summit in London, Rovio director of marketing and business development Peter Vesterbacka said the maker of the popular mobile game Angry Birds will self-publish its first book, a cookbook devoted to egg recipes, on various platforms. He told MocoNews that Rovio decided to self-publish after brief conversations with traditional publishers: “They offered to help us make the book, in exchange for 90 percent revenue share,” he said. “It was a short discussion.” Perhaps showing how much they know about the field they are about to enter, “Vesterbacka says Rovio will net 90 percent on sales […]
Bookselling: Waterstone’s Deal To Close By End of June; Interest in Angus & Robertson; Store Closings; And More
As part of its announcement that it has secured more than £220 million in fresh financing, HMV has formally asked shareholders to approve the Waterstone’s sale to Alexander Mamut at the company’s next meeting on June 23. Newsagency franchise group SupaNews is reportedly about to bid on the Angus & Robertson franchise network and some shops owned by the administrators of REDGRoup Retail in a deal that would capitalize on “synergies” between the two entities. Interestingly, SupaNews is also owned by REDGroup, but that side of the business did not declare bankruptcy. The deal is contingent on SupaNews acquiring more […]
Lunch Weekly for Monday, June 6
The Key As usual, the handy key to our Lunch deal categories. While all reports are always welcome, those that include a category will generally receive a higher listing when it comes time to put them all together. “nice deal” $1 – $49,000 “very nice deal” $50,000 – $99,000 “good deal” $100,000 – $250,000 “significant deal” $251,000 – $499,000 “major deal” $500,000 and up FICTION Debut PEN Discovery Award winner Rosie Sultan’s HELEN KELLER IN LOVE, exploring a documented but little-known episode in Keller’s life when, at the height of her international fame in 1916, she fell in love with […]