The BookMasters Group is starting CONVERSO, designed “to make the digital production and distribution process simple and more accessible for small and mid-sized publishers.” They say they will provide digital distribution to “more than 40 digital outlets” and promise “a better deal on revenue-sharing and conversion than competing offerings.”ReleaseList of distribution partners Goldberg McDuffie Communications is launching a new division, GMC Consulting, designed to “help authors, agents and publishers develop creative strategies to meet the challenges of the digital era.” Led by the agency principals Camille McDuffie and Lynn Goldberg, they aim to “help build platforms for authors, developing marketing […]
eNews
Open Road to Release Styron eBooks, But Random House Not Ready to Release Other Authors
Open Road will go ahead with their planned republication of backlist works by William Styron in ebook form starting May 4. Initially the ebooks will only be available on Kindle, the NYT reports, though the company intends to have distribution through other online retailers as well. (The company declined to indicate for now whether they are selling on an agency or wholesale basis.) While Random House is not contesting this agreement, spokesman Stuart Applebaum says the house’s position on electronic rights to older works remains as stated by ceo Markus Dohle last year (“Random House considers contracts that grant the […]
Nook Releases Software, Feature Upgrade
As previewed earlier, Nook has updated their operating software, adding a “basic web browser,” a few games, and enhanced wi-fi connectivity. The update promises “improved page turn speed,” though we’ll have to wait for the reviews to see if they have successfully overcome the deficiencies that have made Nook slower than similar ereaders. As for their delayed/awaited iPad app, CNET reports company officials said “the answer is May, though no specific date was given.” They have also expanded the incentives to use your Nook within Barnes & Noble physical stores with their “read in store” feature. Customers can read any […]
Today's Amazon and Barnes & Noble News
Following Engadget’s report in early April, yesterday Target confirmed that they will start selling Kindle as of April 25. But they’ll start with just their downtown Minneapolis store and south Florida (which apparently holds 102 Targets), “rolling out to more Target stores later this year.” (Does that confirm that the target Kindle demographic is retirees?) Target has a total of 1,740 stores.Release As for Nook, Barnes & Noble will start airing television commercials for their ereader this week. The WSJ says it’s BN’s first television campaign in over a decade. Unlike Amazon’s whimsical/abstract Kindle ads, the nook spot actually talks […]
A New Source for eReader Data Says 5 Million eReaders Shipped in 2009
NPD’s DisplaySearch analysis subsidiary, which covers the entire display screen market, has begun tracking electronic paper display (EPD) shipments as a component of their quarterly reports on small and medium screens. In the recently-released report, they say EPD shipments worldwide in 2009 hit 5 million units, up from 950,000 units in 2008. By their count, Kindle comprised 66 percent of screen shipments last year, or 3.3 million units. That leaves about 1 million units for Sony, and 700,000 units for the other players. (Note that they are tracking shipments to the ereader vendors, not sales to consumers, which are presumably […]
Oxford Launches Vertical Web Guides
Oxford University Press has launched an ambitious set of “ultimate online reading lists” under the banner of Oxford Bibliographies Online. With 50 to 100 entries per subject area–launching with sections on Classics, Islamic Studies, Criminology and Social Work, and adding ten to 12 new areas over the next year–the effort exerts the power of vetted curation over the confusion of the ever-exploding web. It’s a paid service, available for $29.95 a month. Oxford has drawn on hundreds of scholars to create an editorial board and editor-in-chief for each subject area. Each entry “provides expert recommendations through key literature on a […]